Hi, I had an ovary removed last year, and I was in a lot of pain for 2 months. During the surgery, my bowel was punctured accidentally, and I also developed an internal hematoma following the surgery. So yes, I was in pain for 2 months, when I was told it would be only 2 weeks.

Ive only had my gallbladder out and a c section. I think I was in pain longer than the average person with the C section but not the gallbladder. I think for us the issue might be what can we take that will reduce the pain since I dont think we respond to pain meds the same way a normal person does....having said that...if the removal might help your over all pain, the increase in pain for a couple of weeks might be worth it. I wish you luck with whatever you decide!

Last year I had a total hysterectomy which included the removal of a 48cm cyst, so I was cut from breast bone to pelvic bone. Thankfully the cyst was not cancerous. I had the surgery on Thursday and was in the office Monday night, I was back fulltime by Wed. I took pain meds for about 6 days, then switched to Tylenol. Obviously I still had staples so I didn't do alot of moving, but my dr was amazed, he antisipated recovery being harder for me due to my yet undiagnosed fibro. I've had fibro since about 2001, I wasn't dx until 9/28/10.
Good Luck
HUGE HUGS
Tammy

I've had several surgeries since diagnosis and I find that healing takes a while but I don't require very much pain medicine. Following shoulder surgery in December my doctor was surprised that I wasn't using the narcotic pain relievers. I told him it didn't help enough to make it worth feeling so drugged. He said he finds people with FM have a high threshold for pain. I think we're just so used to being in pain that we don't notice as much anymore! :0)

in '93 i had knee surgery and that triggered CFS. it was a nightmare and was extremely sick. since then... i had 2 c-sections and was awake for both. i felt i healed very normal to both of them. i wish you a speedy recovery.

Many thanks to all of you. Gives me a lot to think about. I'm not really concerned too much about the pain, but just hope I make a full recovery.

I had a knee replacement this summer. They say the recovery is one of the toughest. Honestly my drs were aware if my FM and CFS. I was on major pain meeds for a few months so my FM wasn't much of an issue. I was pretty high on meds. A knee replacement is a painful operation and the rehab is grueling. Thank god for pain meds.

My issue after the surgery was my CFS. I spent two days just sitting up. They are suppose to have you walking on day one. If you also have CFS it might be an issue. This web sit might help.

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/b/2009/03/18/facing-surgery-with-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-syndrome.htm

Google FM and surgery you can find lots of articles.

I had my appendix rupture and was also cut top to bottom. My pain was not so bad and the recovery was fast, but the antibiotics made my intestines so very unhappy I couldn't keep anything down. My dr thought that my quick recovery had to do with the fact that I am in pain all the time, so I knew better how to manage it and pace myself.

5 Months ago I had a Colon Resection, my left Ovary/Tube Removed & my Appendix Removed. VERY Major Surgery !!

Ugh.

But I Sailed right thru it..was Scared I would Flare as there is a Time ya don't Move to Much...but I didn't !!

get urself into the Best Possible Place Physically & Emotionally Before hand..I have a Non Functioning Kidney as well..my right one quit on me about 25 years ago..I would like it OUT...but No Dr. will do it as they say that is an Un necessary surgery for me...so would be Elective...mine does not cause me Pain tho..

Hugs Girl...Hope this all goes well for you !!

I had my gall bladder out in June of 2009 and still suffer from terrible pain where the gall bladder used to be.

I've had both knees replaced, and it is a very painful recovery. I've known several people who have had it done, and their pain did not last as long as mine. My doc said I did lay down more scar tissue than most, which can be more painful. The narcotic pain meds really did help, and I didn't get too groggy on them. I don't really know if the pain was worse because of fibro, or from the scar tissue.

That said, I think fear of the pain can be worse than the pain itself. Don't be afraid to ask for different pain meds if what they give you isn't working. And good luck, whatever you decide to do!

I had a kidney removed quite a few years ago,,,,,I had fibro at that point, but I didn't know it yet,,,,,I had no problems whatsoever, although day 2 post surgery was pretty nasty pain wise,,,,they made a smaller cut than normal and took out part of my rib to get the kidney, and the rib hurt the most, believe it or not,,,,,,

something to ask them,,,,the size of the cut they plan to make,,,,,,my kidney was normal, so the cut was only about 8 inches. If your kidney is quite enlarged, I can only think the cut will have to be larger,,,,,,

however, they had to take mine out delicately, without bruising, as it was being used to transplant to my sister, whereas yours they might not have to be careful with,,,,,,,so possibly a smaller cut???

in any case, I'd definitely ask them the size of the cut they plan to make,,,,,,,the bigger the cut, the harder and longer the healing.

Hugs, and keep us informed!

I had gaulbladder surgery in May of last year.. Id say.. the pain was worse with the fibro...but Ive always heard we all have a low pain tolerance...so was sort of expecting it.. I did have one dr. once say.. He wouldnt touch me for an operation because of the fibro.. dont really remember what that was all about.. I think the hysterectomy I had years ago...also had endometriosis when I was opened up.. that one was a woooooooooozer!!...

For the two shoulder surgeries I've had I had regular anesthesia but also had a nerve block which was incredible. It's like having an epidural during childbirth, the area involved is completely numb and it lasts for about 24 hours. I didn't have that when I had my gall bladder out but that was easy, done on a Wednesday and I helped move my son to college 4 hours away on Friday.

I really was afraid of what the pain would be like and it wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be.

I had a nerve blocker when I had my kidney removed too!!!!! it was AMAZING,,,,,,for 24 hours LOL, which is probably why day 2 post surgery was the WORST. The pain blocker came out and WHAMMO LOL.