HI Jeri
I think if someone is over weight, as we all know, it is not good for you and dragging it around can make you feel worse..I know I am in that group myself..but as far as fibro..
When I first was diagnosed with this I was wearing about a size 8 so I wouldnt call that fat.and my fibro was at its worst,, now I am MUCH heavier and have had flares and remissions at all sizes,... my very best friend Rose, with whom I do a fibro website:
http://www.fibrowelcomepackage.com/
weighs about 90 pounds and has probably the worst fibro I have ever seen..so ifsomeone is saying that losing weight will cure you..they dont know what they are talking about.. but if you are Overweight..it might help your pain..I am trying really hrd to get some of this weight off.. Even if I didnt have fibro..it jus isnt good.
Hugs Micki

I TOTALLY AGREE THAT WEIGHT CAN EXACERBATE MANY CONDITIONS. MY WEIGHT HAS BEEN UP AND DOWN SINCE I WAS A CHILD. I WENT TO "WEIGHT WATCHERS" CAMP IN UPSTATE NY THE SUMMER I TURNED 13! BEEN FIGHTING IT EVER SINCE.
MUST SAY THOUGH, THE FIBRO MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DO MORE THAN WALKING...WHICH I PAY FOR AFTER. JUST GOING TO THE SUPERMARKET HAS ME IN PAIN THAT EVENING. THE SPINAL PROBLEMS ONLY COMPLICATE THINGS FURTHER. OY VEY!
I LOST ALOT OF WEIGHT LAST YEAR, QUIT SMOKING, AND WELL YOU KNOW THE REST!! BETTER TO NOT BE SMOKING THOUGH! WILL TACKLE THE WEIGHT, YET AGAIN. :(
TIL NEXT TIME,
JERI

While weight and emotional problems can contribute to your level of pain, in my case anyway, it's still a cop-out to blame everything on that.

I believe that it is ridiculous!! There is absolutely no proof of a connection there. Now if it were something considering blood pressure that's different. There is a correlateion there, or diabetes. These kind of comments are from dr's who don't know how to treat our fibro, so he is putting it basically back to you..and so you are left with feeling that it's your fault that you have your pain..if you would just, ect, ect,... and if you don't, then what, you're responsible for your pain?? That's ridiculous and unfair, and honestly, the dr. may mean well (more like ignorance), I would definitely see someone else. If you stay with this dr. everytime he sees you and you're still over the weight limit for your height, YOU are responsible and in that case the dr. doesn't have to do anything. Do you see where I am going with this?? Here is another example that follows the same ill logic.
Many people who have extra weight get cancer, so if people just lost some of their weight, or didn't get overweight to begin with, there Cancer would get better or they wouldn't get Cancer at all! That's ridiculous! People get cancer who are all shapes and sizes and lets say that some studies have shown that indeed more people who are overweight get cancer, fine but still that doesn't prove causation!!! It could be any other variable still. So, there it is darlin, let me reiterate to assure you..."that's ridiculous!"
Love and hugs.....LindaF

Weird because I was about 18 years old, 125 to 130lbs in top shape when I first got Fibro. I didn't know what was wrong with me, only that I was extremely fatigued and sore. I gained 80lbs in about a year as I was comfort food eating. I then gained another 20 when I quit smoking. My metabolism is extremely low and I can't process food additives, preservatives, chemicals etc. very well.

Luckily, I have a great doctor who listens and believes that FM is real. She's never once told me to lose weight.

We eat pretty healthy in our house, lots of organics, whole foods, fresh fruit/veggies, boneless, skinless chicken, etc. but without exercise, I maintain this same weight. Exercise has a negative effect on my body. Seizing, cramps, body aches, etc. that sends me to bed for hours. Once I find a medication that I can take, then I'll consider going on a new exercise plan.

SO MAY INTELIGENT RESPONSES! IF ONLY THE DR.S WERE AS INTELLIGENT! TRUE, LACK OF EXCERCISE CAN MAKE OR KEEP YOU OVERWEIGHT NO MATTER WHAT YOU EAT! AND...EXCERCISE CAN SET OFF ALL KINDS OF PAIN, MUSCLE CRAMPS, ETC. I HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF THIS MERRY GO ROUND ALSO. THE MUSCLE CRAMPING IN ALL PLACES ALL OVER THE BODY...IT SUCKS!
NEEDLESS TO SAY, I TOLD MY DR ABOUT THE PAIN DR. AND THAT I WOULD NOT BE GOING BACK...NEEDLESS TO SAY! LOL
THE OTHER PAIN DR. WAS MAINLY INTERESTED IN MY BACK PAIN...MAINLY. SIGH
IF ANYONE LIVES IN THE NYC AREA AND HAS A GOOD DR...PLEASE PASS ALONG INFO.
WARMLY,
JERI

Don't ya just love those bozzos, my sis had the same thing said to her, she has athritis. The doc said she had abused herself!! That was why she has arthritis in her right knee, couldn't answer her though, when asked why she didn't have arthritis in her left knee!!!
Your doc is fibro ignorant, me thinks. warm thoughts and hugs to all, Owlxx

I think losing weight will help with the pain because it will put less stress on the body.. which is why I am so adament about losing my extra pounds. However, it most certainly isn't the cause of the pain!

When I was still on the steroids I gained about 30-40 pounds and the orthopedic surg. suggested that in no uncertain terms I was fat and this was the cause of my pain entirely. I fired him and finally got to point that taking self off the predisone was possible. I have now lost all the xtra weight (tho think have gained 10 of it back) and while yes it has helped me walk easier I still have the exact same amount of pain

I have a body fat percentage of 4%, and I have horrid pain, so anyone who says that weight is the sole cause of pain is a bit foolish. Weight may make it worse, of course, as it strains your body, but it in no way is to blame for the entire problem.

My problem is keeping weight ON. =P

This has been a hard one for me to battle too. When I was diagnosed with FMS--I was only 20 lbs overweight. I lost weight and gained over the years and after my recent pregnancy have a good 60-70 lbs to lose to be at my ideal weight (I'm on WW and so far have lost 11.4 lbs so wish me luck everyone!). The reason it is so depressing and hard to hear that from a Dr. is because 1.) I gained weight AFTER my diagnosis when it became harder and harder to exercise without pain 2.) It HURTS to exercise, even if you start out small and try your best etc. it still sucks!

I've had this problem as well. People don't realize that sometimes FMS and it's debilitating effect can cause us to gain weight! They don't realized this.

i am not agreeing with your dr at all but how much do they want u to loose? I feel like this has nothing to do with fibro

I think your doctor either knows nothing about fibro or couldnt think of anything to say.
Ive lost 25 lbs in the last 6 months or so. I was in a flare that lasted over 4 months,it was the worst pain ive ever been in since being diagnosed with fibro and eating was the last thing on my mind. I am not over weight, however i am not anorexic. I am skinny but not swim suit model material. lol
Before losing 25 lbs my rheumo never once said i needed to lose weight in order for me to feel better. I also have several friends that are obese or extremely over weight and none of them have fibro.
I would say find a doc that is familiar with fibro.
In fact, most of the people I know with fibro, including here, most are not in dire need of losing weight in order to feel better.

I was certainly not overweight when I got fm, the pounds have only gained becuase of my inability to exercise and the meds. I agree you may feel better if you lose it, but definately doesn't affect the pain in my case. I was just as bad when I was my ideal weight.