Hi all,

Need some input regarding some back surgery (I'm a candidate for a fusion or a replacement disk) L4/5. Disk is flat. Bone on bone. The doctor called it end stage and said I was the "perfect" candidate for surgery except for the fact that I have fibromyalgia. This is keeping him from doing the disk surgery. I am completely and utterly lost now. Why wouldn't he want to eliminate one source of my pain just because I have other areas with my fibro? He said it would just make my fibro worse -- I thought it would make it less if there is one less source of pain. He also states that in 10 to 15 years I won't have any pain from that area. Do I really want to live another 10 to 15 years dealing with this? Tired of taking meds and having to constantly adjust my lifestyle..

Can anyone please shed some light on this? Or have I just found someone who thinks the fibro is not a "real" problem? I've been told for years to have the surgery and now that I've actually accepted the fact that I need it, they tell me they can't do it. As I said, completely confused.
Thanks in advance...

I have fibro for many years already; rheumotologist takes care of it with a lot of meds for years. It gets so bad that all my soft tissue on a body sweels up and gets red all winter. The pain all over the body - I don't have to tell you, you know.
This was not even an issue with any of my Dr when they decided I have to have my double fusion. And now I am having 4 levels done at HSS and asked about fibro situation, he said it has nothing to do with my back problem.
Fibro is a condition not confirmed yet with 100% research. Many-many Dr don't even believe that this condition exist and they blame other health issues which can cause the symtoms we experience. So who knows...
I wonder why your Dr has an issue with you having surgery and fibro????

Anyway, good luck to you and I hope they will be able to help you.

I used to have fibromyalgia pretty bad. Once I got diagnosed for hypothyroidism and started meds it got much better. Also, there are some supplements that can help alot with fibro. I don't know if I'm allowed to mention any or not...do a search and I'm sure you will see them. I rarely have any fibromyalgia pain these days. Deb

To tell you the truth, I'm a bit comfused too. I'm thinking you should see another specialist because what this doctor says just doesn't make any sense.

While it's true that fibro might get worse after trauma, it's also true that a spine that has "bone on bone" is an unstable spine with nerves being impinged and so on. In my opinion, it's much more important to deal with that. Besides, there's no rule that says fibro will get worse. I have it, have had numerous surgeries, and had no flares at all.

I think you should get another opinion. I've just never heard a dr. refuse to do surgery because of fibro. I think there's some other reason he isn't telling you and you sure don't need a surgeon who isn't honest. Who wants to live in severe pain for 10 or 12 years while we wait for a "natural fusion" to take place? That's just crazy.

Hope you find some help soon.

Carol