FibroDiva

I start physical therapy for my Fibro on Monday September 09. Basically it will be the type of exercises needed to combat the sag. While here at the Cosmopolitan in Vegas for PainWeek 2013 I started exercising in the fitness center. My first day here I did 5 minutes of cycling on the recumbent bike. Now I'lm up to 18 minutes.

I made it to Las Vegas yesterday. Today is the first day of PainWeek 2013 and Fibromyalgia is the first Master Course offered. There will also be a course on Obesity-related pain. It's 6:30 am and it's already 82 degrees out.

Strange thing, I'm zipping down the Vegas strip on my scooter taking in all the sites and guys are yelling, "slow down sweetie". Isn't it too early for the stumbling drunks to be tripping in front of my way?

I attended the Master Course on Fibro. Will talk more about it later, but for now, all I have to say is the organizers of PainWeek 2013 grossly under estimated the interest and need for updated health care provider education on this painful condition. There was standing room only for the first 15 minutes. Even though the instructor kept begging for more chairs, there was no s[ace in the tiny, dismissal room. Attendees were packed 2 deep along the walls and 4-5 deep out the door. Finally someone from the Cosmopolitan but us in a much bigger room.

My first solo trip sense surgery is going well. The only bump was TSA, who was so flustered by all my liquid meds, metal braces, cpap machine, & big A*& scooter that they let me through security with glasses on my & around my neck, & with a belt on.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel. This year's dates are Wednesday September 04 - Saturday September 07.

Pain Awareness Month is a time when various organizations work to raise public awareness of issues in the area of pain and pain management. The first Pain Awareness Month was in 2001, when the American Chronic Pain Association led a coalition of groups to establish September as Pain Awareness Month. The purpose of Pain Awareness Month is to bring attention to the very real physical suffering of an estimated 100 million Americans and to highlight the need for research and new, innovative treatment options. Events PainWeek 2013 Healthcare provider training Cosmopolitain Hotel Las Vegas, NV Wednesday September 03 - Saturday September 07, 2013 Complimentary Chronic Pain Awareness Expo Open to the public The Desert Ridge Marriott Saturday, September 7, 2013 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

I'm a little over 4 weeks post-op. I'm walking and doing the stretching exercises suggested by my personal trainer. Now I'm in physical therapy for my Fibro and to strengthen my core so I'm ready to add arm exercises. You can see the stretching and bicep exercises suggested by my personal trainer at http://www.verticals...rsonal-trainer/

I'm down a total of 36 since beginning the pre-op program in March 2013, and only 18 post-op. My nutritionist won't let me start soft foods until September 12.

Egg drop soup is so much more yummy than ordinary broth

Question from a member: "Do you have FM? If so, how has it affected your recovery?" Answer from Fibro Diva: Yes I have Fibromyalgia. The first week post op my Fibro pain went through the roof. I went from a baseline of pain at about 4 to post op pain of 10. I was taking pain medicine 4-6 times a day. 2 weeks post op pain level went down to 6 and pain meds went to 2 times a day. Now that I am four weeks post op my Fibro pain is back to 5 and I am only take pain meds 1 time every other day. I did end up in the emergency room, that's why it has taken reply. The reason, I can't stomach the protein shakes and I was taking my anti-nausea meds incorrectly so I got to the point that I could not drink anything and became severely dehydrated. They pumped me full of IV fluids and anti-nausea meds and now I am back to business. Just like with Fibromyalgia, everyone's experiences will be different. If you have not already spoken to your own FM doctor, do so as soon as possible and ask for liquid forms of all your FM medicines. If your FM is not under control before surgery, it will get even worse afterwards so work on getting and keeping it under control. Finally, talk to your surgeon and the anesthesiologist pre-op. Emphasize to them that you have Fibromyalgia which may impede your recovery via increased pain. My surgical team at Little Company of May Hospital in Evergreen Park, IL has had lots of experience with people with Fibro so they made sure to address possible triggering issues such as plenty of warm blankets, postioning of IV arm for anesthesia, and frequency of post op pain meds. I hope this was helpful Fibro Diva

Yaay, yesterday I had some egg drop soup and it was oooooooooooooooo so gooooooood. :-)

I am 4 weeks post op and have not been able to stomach the shakes. I've tried every variety I can find and am not getting any protein in at all.

Here's another one. Oh, when my friend told me she had a friend who had the surgery she wanted me to meet . . . I thought you would be one of the super hugmongus women.

Congratulations. I'm finally feeling better. Still not able to drink the protein shakes but I had some egg drop soup and it was ooooooo so good.

Every day that goes by the amount of liquid I can hold down gets less and less. Today I could not keep anything down and vomited and dry heaved all day. My son is on his way home and is taking me to the ER, Hopefully I will get some IV fluids and get back to square one.

Thanks Linda, I did end up in the emergency room. The reason, I can't stomach the protein shakes and I was taking my anti-nausea meds incorrectly so I got to the point that I could not drink anything and became severely dehydrated. They pumped me full of IV fluids and anti-nausea meds and now I am back to business. I have a follow up visit with my surgeon and will ask about the dilatation of the esophagus.

Thanks for the advice. Nothing seems to be helping. I'm on my way to the ER to get checked for dyhdration.

I'm 3 weeks post op, I can sip almost anything and my nutritionist advised me to restart protein shakes. Now I had no problems with the protein shakes pre-op, but I cannot swallow them now. No matter how I make them, I gag at first sip. Since I'm not getting any protein I am so exhausted all the time. I've dealt with exhaustion before since I have Fibromyalgia, fatigue is one of its symptoms. But this is extreme, I take a few steps and then I have to lay down for an hour. Any suggestions?

Well yesterday was my first time attending a family function post op. It was a luau, there were lost of food and alcoholic drinks to be had by all. I am so proud of myself, I was phased by anything. On a side note, I made 4 cheese cakes, 2 white chocolate and 2 mocho, this weekend for my children and wasn't tempted. Question: Is this just a fluke or is it normal 2 weeks post op not to be bothered by one's trigger foods.

Take it slow. The first couple of days post op are rough. Once they remove the foley, you will start to feel better.

I know what you mean, I'm having a hard time these last few days making myself drink something. I'm having trouble with the protein shakes. I can't drink them. Pre-op I was drinking 2 to 3 a day, but post op I can't get a sip down. So I'm back on clear liquids. I'm very weak and can't even walk around the grocery store without leaning on a cart or using my scooter. I want to go out with my son and walk the dog but I can't drag myslef out of bed.

I haven't gotten to the point where I want anything yet, but it is good to know that there's the possibility that I will be strong enough to stop after one bite. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. It feels good to know that someone out there might benefit from experiences and thoughts.

Have you been sipping at least 64 ounces of fluid a day? My nutritionist said we have to stay hydrated or we will not see any weight loss during our beginning phase.

My insurance required that I see a personal trainer pre-op. They only required one visit and it was not covered by insurance. The personal trainer wasn't very helpful because she had not dealt with people with Fibromyalgia [pwf] before but she did give me an information packet on exercise. I will upload the package here. Hope others find this packet helpful. Page one is on stretching. The personal trainer recommended stretching before and after exercise.