Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and often a mix of other symptoms like brain fog and mood disorders. When you live with fibromyalgia, as I do, your body is already in a heightened state of sensitivity. Everything from physical touch to stress can feel more intense, challenging even the simplest daily activities. So, when living with fibromyalgia and having surgery becomes a necessary part of your medical journey, it can feel overwhelming. It took over my life the months before and after.

Here’s how living with fibromyalgia and undergoing surgery intersect and how you can prepare for it, manage the experience, and make your recovery smoother.

Understanding the Challenge of Living with Fibromyalgia and Having Surgery

Surgical pain is acute pain which is localised to the surgical site. This typically occurs immediately after surgery and gradually decreases as the body heals. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition causing widespread pain throughout the body with additional symptoms like fatigue and sleep disturbances where the central nervous system can amplify pain and is not limited to a specific area. In summary, surgical pain is temporary and localised, while fibromyalgia pain is persistent and widespread across the body.

People with fibromyalgia experience heightened pain sensitivity, and the body’s pain-processing system is wired differently. As a result, you may experience pain more intensely than someone without the condition. After surgery, pain management is crucial and can be more complicated due to this heightened sensitivity. In addition, medications commonly used for surgery recovery, such as opioids, might not work as effectively or may cause adverse side effects. This happened to me.

If you have fibromyalgia, you’re already used to balancing chronic pain and fatigue, so surgery can exacerbate these issues, potentially making recovery slower and more challenging. You might also experience flare-ups post-surgery, where your fibromyalgia symptoms temporarily worsen or can even become volcanic.

Here are some tips for preparing for surgery when you live with fibromyalgia

1. Consult with Your Doctor

Before undergoing any surgery, it’s vital to inform your surgeon, anesthesiologist, and primary care physician about your fibromyalgia. They need to know your specific symptoms, pain history, and any medications you are currently taking. This can help them tailor your anesthesia and post-operative care plan to suit your personal needs. I told everyone I spoke to.

2. Optimise Your Health

While fibromyalgia can’t be cured, managing your symptoms pre-surgery can help set you up for a smoother experience. Ensure you follow any treatment plans, including exercise, medication, and dietary recommendations. If you’re taking medications for pain or other symptoms, ask your doctor if any adjustments need to be made before surgery. I did most of this, but not the dietary one.

3. Mental Health Matters

The anxiety of surgery can sometimes trigger a flare-up of fibromyalgia symptoms, especially mental fog or stress-related pain. It can also affect your mental health. Stress-reducing techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or breathing exercises can help you feel more at ease. Setting realistic expectations for yourself during the recovery period is also important. I think I got that wrong in the beginning.

Surgery and Pain Management

Post-surgery pain management is crucial. While managing your fibromyalgia symptoms can already feel like a full-time job, adding post-surgical pain on top of that is tough. Here are some things to consider:

1. There is not a one-size-fits-all method here. You have to find out what works best for you. Much like managing the fibromyalgia pain.

Your pain management strategy will likely include a combination of medications and non-medication strategies. Discuss pain management options with your doctor. Some options may include:

• Medications: While traditional painkillers (like opioids) might be necessary, they can also have side effects that affect people with fibromyalgia. Your doctor may prescribe other medications, like nerve blockers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or even low-dose antidepressants, to help manage both surgical pain and fibromyalgia flare-ups.
• Physical Therapy: Gentle movement and physical therapy can assist with both surgical recovery and fibromyalgia. A therapist experienced with chronic pain can guide you through exercises that promote healing without overstressing your body. The therapist may not be experienced with fibromyalgia in your hospital, so you may have to educate them. I had to educate the therapists and other health professionals.
• Heat & Cold Therapy: Heating pads, ice packs, or warm baths can temporarily relieve pain. These therapies can also help manage fibromyalgia symptoms. Heat treatments definitely work better for me.

2. Mind Your Mental Health

Physical recovery can often feel discouraging for someone with fibromyalgia, as it is not unusual to experience feelings of frustration or depression when your body isn’t responding as you would like or remains in a pain state for long periods. Stay connected with a support group, whether through friends, family, or an online fibromyalgia community. Sometimes, knowing you’re not alone is the best remedy.

Here are some post-surgery recovery tips:

1. Prioritise Rest

While rest is critical in any recovery, it’s especially important for someone with fibromyalgia. Too much activity can worsen pain, while too little can make you feel stiff and sluggish. Striking the right balance is key; you will get it wrong before you find what works for you.

2. Listen to Your Body

We hear this all too often, but it is easy to push through the pain in the hopes of making progress. But with fibromyalgia, this approach can make things worse. Be aware of how your body feels after surgery, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed. If something feels too much, it’s okay to step back and rest. This can also mean telling the physiotherapist you must stop if the exercises are causing you pain.

3. Be Patient with Yourself

There is a huge chance that your recovery will take longer than you would like. Fibromyalgia already affects the way your body heals, so it’s important to be patient and understanding with yourself. Understand that healing may happen in stages and that having good and bad days is normal. It is also good to celebrate the small victories, whether managing your pain well, getting up from the chair, walking a bit longer with the Zimmer frame, or getting through a physical therapy session without overdoing it. They are all small steps in your recovery.

4. It’s Important to Stay Hydrated and Nourished

Healing our body takes a lot of energy, so proper nutrition and hydration are essential. You could choose to continue the diet that your body is used to, making sure that you eat well as you will be taking some high-dose medication. You could also work with a nutritionist to ensure your body gets the nutrients it needs to recover. Did you know that a healthy diet can also support your fibromyalgia management?

5. Monitor Your Symptoms

During recovery from surgery, keep an eye on your fibromyalgia symptoms. Surgery can trigger flare-ups, and it’s important to communicate any new or intensified symptoms with your healthcare provider. Managing flare-ups post-surgery requires patience and medical intervention to prevent long-term setbacks. This could be more rest, more exercise or more medication. We are all different.

A Holistic Approach to Healing

Living with fibromyalgia and undergoing surgery can be a delicate balance. It requires a combination of physical, mental, and emotional care. Setting realistic expectations and communicating with doctors, physical therapists, and mental health professionals will give you the best chance for a successful recovery.

Remember, your body is unique, and what works for someone else may not necessarily work for you. But by taking a personal approach to both your fibromyalgia and surgical recovery, you can get through this challenge with strength, patience, resilience and don’t forget support.

Please don’t forget that you’re not alone in this journey. The fibromyalgia community is vast, and there are many resources, support groups, and people who understand exactly what you are going through. Reaching out can help you feel supported, informed, and empowered as you navigate this challenging experience.

Final Thoughts

Fibromyalgia is challenging and demanding, but with strategies that work for you, balance and rest, you can navigate surgery and recovery. Make sure you communicate openly with your healthcare providers, practice self-compassion, and embrace the support of those around you. You deserve to heal in body, mind and spirit, no matter the hurdles fibromyalgia places in your way before, during and after surgery. Don’t forget, it is okay to ask for help.