Fibro and major surgery Surgeon who understands the issues involved.

[Devonlady]

As some of you my know I deal with my fibro with as little medications as possible as most meds make me worse. Having just undergone some major surgery I think it will be a long time before I get my fibro stable again. What I wanted to share though is that my surgeon really took my health issues into consideration before agreeing to surgery and whilst I was under his care. There is hope for us if surgeons are now fully aware of fibro and the issues regarding surgery and recovery. Unless this chap is a one of a kind.

[Hidden]

Hi there Devonlady

I am very pleased that everything was sorted for you in such a manner to suit you, you are so corrrect that thre aren't many of them about

My colorectal surgeon last year was the same he was fantastic at taking my needs into account when I was going for major surgery and respected the fact my pain threshold was terrible as well as my mobility.

It was the nurses who didn't, sadly but its happened and I have had to move on.

It took me a long time to get back into my routine after coming out of hospital I had my meds under control and everything before I went in for the op, in fact to be honest I think I'm still trying to normalise it messed me up big time because they messed up my pain meds................ even though my consultant went out of his way to take it into account!!

With this in mind I can't imagine how uncomfortable it must be for you not being able to take medications like me or the others. I wish you a speedy recovery and send you healing pain busting fluffie cuddles to help make the process easier

xxxsianxxx

[Devonlady in reply to Hidden]

Sian, I really feel for you. Trying to get back to our own personal normal is very hard. Four weeks on I am still in a fair bit of pain and one step forward two back at the moment. I know I will get there and I know it will take months rather than weeks but so glad to have had a surgeon that understood.

[Hidden in reply to Devonlady]

Definitely! its so difficult and am so pleased that you found someone to take your needs into account to help make it easier for you because it really does help having someone respecting what you need. Take it easy and re-introduce things in your own time too don't force things practice the relaxation and meditation processes that you use more than normal it may help too.

My Q for you is have you got the understanding and help that you need now you are back home? sometimes that part is overlooked we spend so much time planning and discussing the ops that aftercare seems to go awry

[Hidden]

Hi Devonlady,

I do hope you are soon well on the way to recovery, and wish you all the best with that struggle. I can't imagine how hard it must be for you without the meds, but I have a friend who is like us, and like you has found that the drugs cause her more problems with toxicity and side effects, and is currently coming off everything. It's hard!

I had hip surgery last year and I had an anaesthetist who was similar to your surgeon in his understanding of the chronic pain conditions, and who was incredibly empathetic in his treatment of me. Even in recovery after the op when I was screaming down the place (they'd left me lying awkwardly on the operated leg), I heard him patiently explaining to the nursing staff and the surgeon why he was administering a different cocktail of drugs for me than the other 2 hip op recovery people. Sadly, as Zeb73 says, it didn't translate through to the nursing staff once I got up to the ward, and the hip surgeon on doing rounds was keen to tell me that if I lost weight and came off all my drugs, I wouldn't have been in as much pain post-surgery as I was then. Not helpful. Still, it's good that there are some medical professionals out there who are taking an interest in chronic pain conditions, it's just a shame there aren't many more. But 3 of us each had 1 educated medic, so it's a start!

Hugs xxx

[Devonlady in reply to Hidden]

Oh my goodness your treatment was certainly on of two halves. I do find nurses on the whole think your just a nusance and making a fuss. I was lucky as the nurses with me were fantastic and although I had major surgery the try and do things day surgery here as much as possible so I I was fortunate to come home to a full time carer who make my life easier.

You friend must be feeling terrible. It is a hard to decision to come off meds and in my experience when you do both doctors and some members of the fibro community think it is because your not as ill as they are. You find you get dismissed as a faker. It is horrendous living with fibro without meds sometimes but there is a life to be had. I wish your friend every luck. I have found although when I am bad it is trully unbearable but when I have a milder patch not having meds means I am fully pre fibro me in the brain department. It has up as they say.

Hugs xx

[TheAuthor]

Hi Devonlady

I hope that you are beginning to pick up after your surgery? I think it is wonderful that a surgeon can be so open to Fibro and afford you the respect that you rightfully deserve. Let's hope that many more follow this wonderful persons example.

I sincerely hope that you recover from your surgery as quickly as possible.

Ken x

[Devonlady in reply to TheAuthor]

I know a good caring surgeon I just had to share. More please indeed. Thanks for the good wishes Ken. x

[Shazzzy]

This sound hopeful, the more professionals we meet with knowledge and an understanding the better it will be for the future. Always good to here something positive, thank you.

[toffeegirl]

Fingers crossed that I will have a similar response as I'm currently waiting a hip replacement, got pre-op assessment next Thursday so will find out how fibro is dealt with at my local hospital. Already had comments of "you'll sail through as your only 50, no way will the pain be as bad as it would be if you were older"! that comment came from a physio so please all keep everything crossed for me