Calcific tendonitis with fibromyalgia

[nikkistaubin]

its been at least 10 years that I have fibromyalgia. In the past six months I have have suffered with a calcium deposit 3.9cmx1.1cm. They call it calcific tendonitis. My problem one specialist says it needs to come out, the other one says no, because of the fibromyalgia the pain will be worse and longer. I'm new here and would like to know if there is anyone out there that has been told the same thing. Help.

[TheAuthor]

Hi nikkistaubin

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance. I have pasted for you below a link to our mother site, FMA UK which hosts loads of useful Fibro information:

fmauk.org/

I have never personally been through anything of this nature myself but *Wikki has a list of different treatment options that you could possibly talk to them about:

Treatment. Usually it improves without specific treatment. Treatments of calcific tendinitis may include physiotherapy, NSAIDs, or steroid injections. If these do not work extracorporeal shock wave therapy or surgery may be considered.

I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck and please take care of yourself my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[nikkistaubin in reply to TheAuthor]

Thank you for your reply. It's such a hard decision to make, get the calcium out or leave it in. I don't understand the correlation between the getting the calcium deposit out or don't because of the fibromyalgia. Takes months to get an appt. with specialist and then when you do it's so fast, there is a line up so I always think of all those people that are waiting and could be worse than me.

The very best to you Ken.

Nikki

[TheAuthor in reply to nikkistaubin]

Hi again nikkistaubin

It really is a tough one to call, as you could be damned if you do or damned if you don't? I know there are a couple of members who have had the surgery so hopefully they will come along and give you a greater insight. Good luck my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Paula65]

Hello,

I am really interested in your post as I have the same, apart from I am waiting to see the shoulder surgeon with regards to removing the calcium build-up, nobody has ever mentioned the extra pain! Have you tried the breaking down process that is offered by physio? I had it done on one of my knees but to be honest I didn't get any relief. Please let me know how you get on.

Take care and good luck

Paula

[nikkistaubin in reply to Paula65]

HI PAULA

LET ME KNOW WHAT THE SURGEON SAYS REGARDING REMOVING THE CALCIUM. IS THERE ANYONE ONE ON THE BOARD THAT HAD SURGERY TO REMOVE THE CALCIUM DEPOSIT (LARGE) ON SHOULDER TENDON, HOW THAT WOULD MAKE IT MORE PAINFUL BECAUSE OF FIBROMYALGIA. I HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION AND I'M AT A LOSS OF WHAT DOCTOR TO TRUST. HELP CAUSE THE PAIN IS GETTING WORSE BY THE DAY.

[bluebell99]

Hello nikkistaubin and a warm welcome to our friendly fibro forum where you can find help, support, advice and understanding, along with a chuckle or two to lighten the day.

Any operation can cause a fibro flare, and perhaps you need to find out as much information about the success rate of removing calcification before you decide.

Also think about the days and weeks after the op and getting into a comfortable position to sleep. You haven't said where your deposit is, but I am guessing it is in your shoulder, if so it will put you out of action for some time.

I am hoping you will get some advice from members who have/had this condition and will help you in your decision.

I wish you every success if you choose the operation route.

Looking forward to seeing you around the forum

Kay

[jackie4ball]

I have had calcification removed from both my hands have some on my spine but that's not too bad right now. I have had fibro for over 26 years I would insist they remove it. Initially you may be in pain which is to be expected but surely it is your choice. I have OA in my knees and the surgeons refuse to do anything because of my age but personally I would rather be able to move a little more now than when I am 65/70. Good luck I hope you get the help you need. X

[nikkistaubin in reply to jackie4ball]

HEY THANKS JACKIE, I LOVE THE FACT THAT WE CAN BASE OUR DECISIONS ON OTHERS EXPERIENCE. I'M REALLY DISCOURAGED. BUT THERE IS NO WAY THAT I WANT THIS TO GET THE BEST OF ME. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. SURGERY AND PHYSIO OR NO SURGERY, JUST PHYSIO. MY CALCIUM DEPOSIT IS ON MY TENDON LEFT SHOULDER AND IT'S A LARGE SIZE. FIBRO FLARE UPS BACK TO BACK. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[jackie4ball]

Personally I would opt for surgery to get it removed I have had calcium deposits removed as they are like extra bone and if it's giving you lots of problems causing the fibro to be worse then really you have nothing to lose. I have been down the physio route and found that whilst in physio they could get the shoulder in the right position but once I had left it was back to awful pain. Couldn't move my neck or arm worse in the mornings. Had surgery followed by a couple of sessions of acupuncture linked with like an electric charge and been pain free since. Obviously everyone is different but if you have tried everything else then I would opt for the surgery. Fibro may make recovery a little longer but it may not all surgeries cause some pain initially but once you get moving again it could give you a new lease of life. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hugs jackie xx

[nikkistaubin in reply to jackie4ball]

your reply helps a lot. First doc says you need surgery. Second doc says no because of my fibro, will be in more pain, much longer. Cortisone and then back to physio. Thanks. Going to see another specialist down south. I will mention the acupuncture with electric charge.

[nikkistaubin]

that sounds like something I could live with. This might sound like a stupid question, but does anyone have tingling sensations in your head . (I call it my ant farm) It doesn't hurt but it's very annoying. Had MRI of the head and everything is ok but they keep on coming. Oh and another one, my wrists have been burning from the inside goes up to the forearm. There is no outside rash, I rub it and it doesn't hurt, it just burns for at least 2-3 hours every day or so. I was wondering if that is part of the fibro. The tingling has been there for as long as I have had fibro, over 10 year for sure. The burning wrists at least a year. I talked to my doc about it and he really doesn't have a clue of what it could be. Sometimes I think I'm going nuts. I'm thinking that they may be triggers. Anybody?

[Paula65]

Update .....

I’m booked for surgery in 3 weeks to make room for the calcium I’ve been told the calcium cannot be removed so he will need to make space, assuming the tendons will be shaved needs to be done 😟

[AppleFanBoy82]

Hi nikkistaubin. I am in same boat as yourself. I have a new bone formation on the tibial tuberosity (where the bone on shin in growing outwards) which is causing an enormous amount of pain. I saw a surgeon who said he would like to open it up and have a better look but because of my condition (fibromyalgia) he would not like to as the recovery time is 10 x longer plus being on one leg to walk with crutches wouldn’t help either. I hope you can get it sorted and the best way is used so it doesn’t cause any more pain than you are already in. Welcome to the group.