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Does Anesthesia Cause Fibromyalgia?

Q: I know more than 20 people who had undergone surgery with general anesthesia before developing fibromyalgia. Could this be a coincidence?

A: No studies have uncovered a link between surgery with general anesthesia and the development of fibromyalgia. It’s understandable that you want to know what caused your condition, but it usually is not possible to confirm a “cause-and-effect” relationship between two relatively common occurrences such as undergoing surgery and developing fibromyalgia. I often use the analogy that fibromyalgia could be caused by exposure to brown carpet; that is, nearly everyone who has the disease was in a room or building with brown carpet sometime before developing it. Exact triggers of most diseases, including fibromyalgia, remain unknown.

Fortunately, doctors don’t need to know how or why someone develops fibromyalgia to treat it. Researchers are looking for causes and triggers of these diseases to find the best treatment and to prevent them from occurring in other people. Someday we’ll have a better understanding of what causes fibromyalgia and other rheumatic conditions.

Keep in mind that the cause of your fibromyalgia is much less important than what you are doing about it now. I recommend working with your doctor to find the most effective ways to control your pain and other symptoms. Treatments that might help you include regular physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and antidepressant and analgesic medications to promote deep sleep and ease muscle pain.

Daniel Clauw, MD, Rheumatologist

Terra norine

14 Dec 2011, 20:59

I too have been diagnose with fibromyalgia after 7 dental surgeries where they used local. I have been fighting doctors for a year. I won't just accept this. I have recently come across a blood test called cytochrome DNA testing and I found that my liver doesn't have the enzyme to break Down the drug they used to numb me, the lidocaine. After so much my liver seems to be toxic. There is several drugs mybody can't handle so I forever avoid them to ensure my liver cleans out. I would ask about it, newly developed testing, most of my Dr's didn't even know about it yet.

Leigh-Ann

17 Nov 2011, 14:51

I had a mastectomy in January and then chemo from April until July and then radiation from august to the end of September. I then had a month before I had a molar extracted. 24 hours after the extraction I had the most excruciating pain in my shoulder, arm and hand. To move it aches. I went for massages which help for a day or so and have been to my doctor who said I had a vascular reaction to the anesthetic. It has been 2 weeks today since my extraction and am still in pain. All the doctor gave me was a gel to rub on the arm and shoulder (a generic of voltaren) and suggested I take 2 extra strength ibuprofen when the pain is too much. Great help he was - I am still in pain and will NOT rely on drugs to keep me pain free. I want to know exactly what it is before resorting to pain killers and anti-inflammatory medication!

Nancy

17 Nov 2011, 13:46

I woke up with my muscle pain after having general anesthesia in 1996 and have suffered with mild to severe pain every since. Tried one of the pain meds and all it did was help me sleep woke up with the same pain next day.I think doctors should listen to their patients more. I now have to take meds for high cholestrol and cant bear the pain, don't know where to turn. doctor just doesn't want to work with me... help any idea's out there. It's not all in our heads...

Marcia

26 Oct 2011, 16:59

I had some surgery, to remove a polyp in my uterus that, as it turned out, had shed itself in the 4 months from the time it was daignose to when I went in for the surgery. So I didn't even need to have that surgery! It was a genteral anesthetic they used, and I have big trouble in my fingers, forearms, shoulders, knees and feet, plus my neck has been terrible since. The pains have not gone away, have stayed the same, and I at first assumed it must be a side effect of the anesthetic and will disappear once the anesthetic has cleared my system. So I thought I'd look on the internet and see if anyone else has had similar trouble after anesthetic. It has now been 26 days, and all these pains in various places HAVE NOT GONE AWAY. I'm frightened of being disabled, in pain all the time - I need to work. I find morning is especially difficult. To see that others have had pain in similar places, linked to right after general anesthesia, this scares me. If it is true, the medical profession needs to warn people. If you have to have surgery, you have to have it, but in my case if another ultrasound had been pereformed before I went in for the surgery, I wouldn't have had to have it. I'm kicking myself for not asking for another ultrasound closer to the surgery time - but, fellow patients, is this my responsibility? If the doctor doesn't order it, and I ask for it, am I trying to superceed my doctor's authority, or will a perceived lack of trust errode my relationship with my doctor? In this case it was a specialist. Is this what we are all going to have to do, if we see the doctor is not going to? I'm pretty upset about this turn of developments. What is going into this anethesthesia? Have the ingredients been adjusted, maybe to bring down the cost, to the detriment of the patients? I hope someone is studying this - as if this is happening, how many more patients will be effected before someone pipes up about the risks of developing this ongoing blasted pain after surgery. People with a benign polyp, for instance, may decide not to go through with the surgery. I feel helpless when I'm not being given the whole story, i.e. if doctors know this is happening more frequently, but say nothing about it beforehand. I can make my own informed decisions, but for pit's sake, I need the true information. Get the information out to your patients, doctors, if there is a chance that what is supposed to heal them in the way of surgery, makes them worse in other areas, i.e. the arms and legs, and decreases their quality and enjoyment of life in the long run!

Nancy

11 Aug 2011, 15:10

I had bunion surgery about 4 months ago, and have been diagnosed with fibromyalga a month ago. It feels like I have the flu almost every day, but it's not the flu... it's fibromyalgia. Never felt this bad in my whole life... I wish insurance would cover therapeutic massage...I know it would help with the pain.

I'm having surgery again in another month... I hope the anesthesia doesn't make it even worse than it already is.....

Wendy

18 Jun 2011, 11:13

Following 4 terrible life altering stress factors, plus life saving surgery in 1992, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Whether these stresses caused it or whether the general anesthesia caused it, I certainly think that the medical profession should be looking very seriously at any possible connection. This has nothing to do with a "brown carpet" - shame on that physician. My pain is very real and it is not "all in my head". And please don't just prescribe another pill. I am surviving only because I believe in positive thinking and in mind over matter. Some assistance here please.

Phyllis Veit

31 Mar 2011, 15:56

The doctors NEED TO LISTEN TO THE PATIENTS. I diffinitely got my Fibro from an operation. I woke up with unexplained pain in my legs and body that never went away. That was over 35 years ago. It was the operation or stress of the operation on the body. Listen to the people not your text books.

Chris C

21 Mar 2011, 22:07

I had a 4 hr general abdominal surgery 3 weeks ago. I had FM for years before yhat BUT the only time I hurt all over (like the flu) was a week or just hours before a severe change of weather...esp to severe wet cold weather and drop in barometric pressure. I noticed quite an increase of all over body pain about a week after I left the hospital. It was a very noticeable change of increase in frequency and severit. My thinking was perhaps I experienced an outpouring of "substance P" from the severe pos .t surgical pain and the general trauma of major surgery. Just a guess.

Jackie

01 Mar 2011, 19:23

I had uterine Cancer surgery in 2006, I am now 66 and for the past 4 years I have been suffering with Fibromyalgia which seems to worsen each year. I have long suspected something happened during or with my Cancer surgery because it slowly developed after that. I suspect the Anesthesia. Have talked to many people who know someone who had a surgery and then developed it. My daughter is only 40 and she has a couple of surgeries. She has suffered with a depleting Fibromyalgia after her second surgery. It is a horrible, expensive life altering thing. Has anyone studied the possibility of a certain type of anesthesia being the culprit? If not happening to all people after surgery but to a lot of people. A study finding out how many people who have had surgery and then developed it and how many have it and haven't had a surgery. Wouldn't it better to find out for sure (even if it means losing money) and maybe end this horrible painful Fibromyalgia from happening to more people?? It is mean to say it doesn't matter where it comes from just learn to live with it. Do you have it?? If you did you wouldn't say that. Help!

Mary 2

20 Jan 2011, 06:19

My surgery was a hemicolectomy because of (rare/2.5cm) cancer on my appendix. So along with the anesthetic block problems, I do believe it is possible that a rare/hard to find cancer can also play a role.

Mary 2

20 Jan 2011, 06:09

My anesthesia block was jerked out of place by a physical therapist getting me up right after surgery.
A ton of problems started from that moment.
We didn't know it was out of place until my meds wore off and they continued to jump pain killers through the block cathetor.
I can't say the block caused fibromyalgia but jerking out of the block and narcotics through the cathetor SURE caused a ton of problems including rapid onset of fibromyalgia.

Mary

31 Dec 2010, 13:54

I too had surgery, gall blader and liver cancer removed. Not sure what I have but the symptoms fit with the others in this string. I have had other surgery without issue. What was different this time was the epidural they gave me for 3 days post op. I have a feeling there is a connection but no way to prove it.

Eye Cat

29 Dec 2010, 13:29

I was a healthy very active person all my life. I would take 400mg of Ibufrofen about 12X a month in the morning for neck pain due to a car accident I had in 1981. In 2002 at age 42 I had shoulder replacement surgery. Two weeks after I have parilyzing pain from the elbows down in both arms. The doctor said I had Fibro and sent me to a neuroligist. A year later I had a hip replacement. Several weeks later I developed Fibro symptoms in my lower body. My orthopedic surgeon said that he figured I would but when I asked him why he didn't respond. Now 8 years later my life is a wasting hell. I can't work because of the CFS and brain fog. The only thing I take is Prozac 20mg when I feel the depression creeping up, Vicoprofen 3x, and Ibuprofen when I have the migraines. Something from the surgery caused this but I have yet to find out what. I just read something about being allergic to anesthesia causing it. I thought that right away and asked the doctor but he said that I had different ones for each surgery and that it was unlikely. I worked in a pharmacy many years and know that it is a multi-billion dollar business. I learned first hand about side effects that aren't published, and dangers that doctors aren't aware of. I am going to find out the names of the anesthesias I had and I would appreciate it if others could do the same. Maybe there is a link, maybe not. I am only 50 going on 80 and I want a cure.

mischelle

30 Jun 2010, 11:44

i had a major surgery and woke up with it. i have thought it from the anesthesia or the epidural not sure which but since
i woke up with it and have been in more than just body pain everyday for 20 years i think we should care about what ended our life as we knew it. made us feel like we were hypochondriacs and denied us pain medicine. i think people should care how and where it came from. but not as much as finding a cure or treatment that helps..

05 May 2010, 04:14

I have been going to a doctor who has told me that there is no such thing as fibromyalgia. So for years I wasn't treated. I used ibuprofin. I was aware that it was getting worse and she still denied it. I went to a rheumatologist, and a chiropractor - he by the way was the first to ID it.
The pain has gotten worse than ever , and I too have the rounded shoulders and the neck out of alienment. My legs aren't working so I can walk. (I used to walk 10 miles a day). So I have gained weight, and become depressed and on Prozac. I trip and fall, can't reach the tall shelves in the cupboards anymore, shoulders are so painful sometimes, No one can realize how negatively it affects a person's life unless they too have it.
I also have OA,carpal tunnel, on occassion I have a headache too, but not often. Just PAIN. Lyrica was a horror, tramadol did zip, flexeril works, but I hate these drugs half maKE ME SLEEP all day long. FIBRO-FOG! Very discouraging.
I never even had colds before this. Good Luck to all.

becky

15 Apr 2010, 08:55

I just had surgery yesterday, I had a piece of my tongue removed. Now I am in so much pain I can barely move. I have had surgery before and had one child and never felt like this after. I had trouble sleeping last night, every time I tried to roll over I woke up in severe pain all over my body. Is this just a side effect from surgery or is it fibromyalgia? My arms,legs back, neck, and abdominal muscles all hurt so bad. My husband and I are worried, could this be something serious?

Jean

01 Mar 2010, 15:00

I've had fibromyalgia since 1994 and have tried lyraca, cymbalta and the only things that work for me are oxycodone, diazepam(helps me fall to sleep)and Tylenol. I have something else that helps but I can't write that here. If you'd like to know please contact me.

I haven't been able to use flexeril for years.

I have been in and out of surgeries many, many times over the years and I do not believe I got it from those because I go more back to my youth & surgeries, but I didn't get if til 1994 at the age of 47 years. But since then with the other things that have happened I hurt more than ever.

I'm overweight (Need to exercise), I have two knees that need to be repaired, but can't exercise since the hurt so much so I'm on a ferris wheel. I have Diabetis 2, Vertigo, osteoarthritis, Nueropathy in my feet, Fibro, fall often, headaches (migraines), equalibrium is off, tremors.
My Doctor and I have started taking me off some of my meds to see if that will help. It's a case of too many meds. He and I both agree that that is a possibility. Right now, I have two grandchildren that are the love of my life and they and prayer are what keep me going.

shelly

11 Feb 2010, 11:32

I had an epidural with my second child. Well, actually three. It took the nurse three attempts to get the shot right. Been in pain ever since, 22 years. Thankfully I do have good days as well as the bad. Never completely pain free but am functioning. It was definitely life changing.

Susan

02 Jan 2010, 21:48

I will let you all know... I am having surgery on Jan 14th 2010 for paroidectomy behind my ear and jaw area. I will have general anesthesia. I need it out so it won't turn possible cancerous at a later time. Had it 20 years now growing bigger. I have been trying for 4 years now to diagnose what I have and my PC doctor just said at my History and Physical last week that he is now putting me into the Fibro group... 4 years of tests and nothing, except pain for me. Pray for me!! Thanks

Teresa

01 Jan 2010, 20:47

Same here. I had my wisdom teeth removed before Fibromyalgia. And I never had a brown carpet. What BS

Ana

20 Dec 2009, 19:30

I have suffered from mostly mild fibromyalgia for more than ten years. It has flared up at times by never as badly as now. It started two days ago, two weeks after an apendectomy. The pain is excruciating. My whole body hurts. I have started taking gabapentin which means I can sleep a bit at night. I was hoping it would go away in a few days, but reading your posts has really scared me. I have recently recoverd from severe depression. The idea of pain this bad forever is enough to make me feel depressed again.
Good luck to all of you,
Ana

Ali

28 Nov 2009, 12:04

I too developed Fibromyalgia after General Anesthesia .. IMMEDIATELY after surgery ..

Kim

31 Oct 2009, 07:07

It happened to me too. I had a hysterectomy in 2004. Within a couple of days I could not sleep and the fibro kicked in. Good grief, it's horrible. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be in constant pain at 44. I think it's very important to make a connection as to what triggered our fibromyalgia. If we know, then we can prevent others from suffering the same affliction. I hate living on pain killers and sleeping pills.

Betsy Wolf-Graves

17 Oct 2009, 04:22

I am fascinated that so many of us have developed similar symptoms after surgery. I am not calling my issue fibromyalgia but I am calling it increased symptoms of arthritis. What was minor before surgery has become a major issue for my legs, upper arms and neck. In addition, after surgery, I would feel prickles in my arms and legs on hot days. These would disappear as soon as I entered a cooler place. Betsy

Carolyn Tart

04 Oct 2009, 15:36

I had gallbladder surgery 6 years ago and 3 months later developed fibromyalgia. It has been awful, fibromyalgia has completely changed my life style. I am miserable most of the time. Will someone please find out it anesthesia is the causse of a desease that really is an awful thing to endure.

Heather

29 Sep 2009, 13:05

Not wanting to find a cause for any illness is crazy - how else can we look for a cure or how to avoid something? I developed fibromyalgia 4 months after having general anesthesia for a 25 minute operation and I want to know why I got it so that I can find out how to get rid of it. I read a book called Hypothyroidism type 2 by Mark Starr which was very informative and I started taking iodine supplements because of that. I don't know yet if it's the Iodoral I've been taking, but 5 weeks later, I am now feeling much better. I don't want to suppress my symptoms, I want to cure my illness and that means finding out what caused it. Maybe it wasn't the anesthesia - plenty of people have surgery and don't get fibromyalgia. Maybe it's a combination. We really need to find out.

Anne

05 Aug 2009, 07:06

I underwent gallbladder surgery two years ago and 2 months after surgery I developed fybromyalgia symptoms. I had a serious problem to control post operative pain and really am far more affected by the fybro than the gallbladder malfunction

Trish

31 Jul 2009, 19:02

I also went into surgery and woke up with fibromyalgia, what now how do we prove fibro was because of the anesthesia. I want justice for the hell I am going through.

P. Snowden

04 Jul 2009, 12:50

Dr. Clauw's assessment is not very scientific. I too went into surgery without fibromyalgia and woke up with it, in addition to other severe side-effects. The "brown carpet" analogy is not really appropriate here. If anesthesia causes damage to the HPA axis, and HPA axis damage contributes to Fibromyalgia, then yes, anesthesia could potentially cause Fibromyalgia. This is definitely something that should be studied further instead of dismissing it-there is just not enough evidence available yet to conclude that there is no connection.

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Does Anesthesia Cause Fibromyalgia?

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