Hello to all my new FM buddies - hope the day holds a little ray of sunshine for you somewhere. I am stiffening up because I'm typing this at the library as I don't have internet at home and I am being blasted by freezing air-conditioning even though I am rugged up. (Winter in Australia!) I posted a question on the main site and Chemar kindly gave me the Fibro Forum site so thank you to all who have already answered and I may be doubling up, but I thought I'd be thorough and ask again as my quest is getting urgent!

Does anyone know if PROLAPSE (I have had prolapse of the Uterus and now have prolapse of the bladder) is part of FM?!! My Gyno and Neurologist don't know. I had a hysterectomy last year and am now booked in for an op for the bladder prolapse but not keen if it is part of FM and likely to re-occur!!

I don't have the "Irritable Bladder" symptoms of FM (Urgency/Frequency etc) too much - if so I think it's cause I drink such a lot of water because of the meds, but I have PROLAPSE even though I have none of the usual reasons - having kids, age or being overweight.

Also wondering if it even is PROLAPSE (feels like I have an egg inside me and have to squeeze hard to keep it in!) or if this is just spasmed FM muscles mimicking it, just like the rest of me spasms.

Anyone with similar experiences? Please help - need to make a decision re this op. Not keen to have it....

Luv from Sydney, Mel

mel. Hi my name is tinkieanne. just to tell you a little of myself,I have had fm for 10 yrs. or so.I am not a doctor by any means,but I've done alot of reading and research on fm.In my opinion your uterine prolapse may not be caused by Fm.( I have known several women over the years that have had similar uterine problems. I was a hair sylist for many years and we would talk about all kinds of issues).From what i understand about fm is that fm itself does'nt cause any particular maladies,but the other medical condotions can have an effect on the fm.It seems like the fm causes other things that may go wrong with us,but I don't think so. It seems as if docs dont always have answers,so they just put it along side the fm if you have it. That was just my own opinion. I'm not against docs in fact I would'nt know where i'd be without mine. I hope this helps and I hope your problem will be resolved soon.

Hi, Mel, hi, TinkieAnne

I agree with TinkieAnne -- ALMOST TOTALLY

I've had fibromyalgia since 1990. It's actually pretty stable now -- thanks to Effexor XR.

Since they don't know what causes any of these: fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple sclerosis and reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome -- I'm sure they don't know all the implications.

In all the reading that I've been doing (over 17 years worth), I've never seen an association made between fibromyalgia and uterine prolapse.

That said, there is a treatment for uterine prolapse. If I were in your shoes, I would get the uterine prolapse repaired. There's not enough evidence to indicate that this is a result of fibromyalgia and, therefore, there's not enough evidence to indicate that treating the uterine prolapse would mean that you'd have to repair it again because of the fibromyalgia.

In my opinion, and this is only MY opinion, you have to work with the best evidence that's available now.

I think all of us who suffer with these immune system dysfunctions are the parakeets in the mineshaft -- the early warning system that our planet is too polluted.

In the meantime, us parakeets need to keep our bodies as healthy and as repaired as possible. I just have a very strong gut instinct that we're going to see a 'cure' or a very good treatment for all these diseases. We should be ready for that.

Hugs. And welcome to NeuroTalk.

Barb

Hi and welcome! I was thought to have a prolapsed uterus as well a few years ago but a good radiologist straightened that out ASAP. I was also told I was tilted, WRONG again. Who knows what is going on down there.
As far as I am aware of, this issue is not a symptom of FM, but then again I wouldn't be surprised if one day it ended up on there. We FMers experience so many strange things.
We are just the freaks of nature I guess.

Hi! Yup, an FM/PM sufferer here too! I can relate to your leaky bladder problems. If I sneeze or cough, I must first cross my legs or I piddle a little. I seem to have that problem more now than I did when I first got my FM dx.
I know where all the pit stops are on my travels....

However, I am also post menopause, so that could also be the culprit.

Barb~ I also take Effexor XR and I still have plenty of FM problems. I think it is helping, but I'm still having flare ups like crazy w/the barometric changes & stress.

And, they come out of the blue....One day good, one day bad!

Thank you for your answers, yes I think you are probably right, that the prolapses are not part of the FM (just more bad luck!!) with all the reading I have done I have found no evidence that it is part of FM but I thought it would be good to check with some FM sufferers - a lot of you have had it for longer than me and been reading for longer than me too, so I appreciate your advice. I saw my Neurologist today who is pretty sure that it is not part of FM too, but have decided to meanwhile postpone the surgery till I can find a gyno that will operate through the tummy which will give less chance of upsetting the nerves as the Neurologist recommended.

Also have just found out I have a Tarlov Cyst on S2 which may be referring a lot of pain down that way - so seeing a Neurosurgeon about that next week.

It's always good to shop around, to get opinions from other FM'ers and be happy with the Drs you choose. I feel as if I have a little bit more control over this crazy body by doing so!!

The challenge after the op will be to be able to have this body heal - can't lift anything heavy for weeks - but EVERYTHING is heavy to me!!!

Talk soon,

Mel from Sydney

Mel..its been awhile since I've been in this Forum but after reading your posts, wanted to respond.
I've gone thru crazy making of What was causing WHAT. or What is WHAT...(still do....) I've learned that FMs , beside being a crazy making condition, is a great exacerbator--of pain & more....my neuro believes its CNs (Central Nervous system) dysfuntion w/
"sensitization"--pain amplification in addition to other problems & manifestaions ....

sydromes/ disorders like FMS are usually treated per symptoms presented, Whether it's pain --in its variety of manifestations or other problems.... until find Cure or that miracle med , best can do is find best treatmts w/ what's availbable now, focused on the areas/problems that need attention.... and hope for best... (hope that makes sense)

I have challenges w/ other condtions & issues (besides FMS) as many in Forums such as yourself. We're all unique, respond differently....to situations, interventions, meds, etc.

I was Dx'd : FMS 10+ yrs ago, following an accident (TBi & other injurys that weren't healing well) Earilier that year, I'd had GYN surgery( will forego details ...) intention /point here is that I had great difficulty healing from that surgery--even tho it was minimally invasive Lap (small incision in navel) by a very competant & trusted Gyn Dr/surgeion. many long pain filled months, very slow recovery...

My situation & Hx different than yours . I've had several GYN surgerys (not all minimally invasivebut all resulted in scar tissues-adhesions -forming which caused more problems & pain, and vicious cycle of more surgery.
I also feel there was some type of nerve damage or entrapment that also contributed to years of chronic pelvic pain, that I still have.

When GYN problems & more severe pain surfaced again last year, I saw several DRs. One GYN wanted total hysterectomy; another felt it was probably bladder problem--IC -interstitial cystytis. I had tests done by urologist who said it wasn't IC but "irritable bladder' ; prescribed Enablex, which has helped w/ some pain & urinary problems but chronic & often severe pain continued.... I feel adhesions are again the primary culprit... tho another GYn disagrees... but did express NO surgery should be done.

My neuro ( who treats FMS in addition to other neuro conditions) advised me NOT to have ANY surgery, unless it was life threatening.
Nerve & other issues were cited --per your last post these seem to be concerns for you too. I feel it's good you've chosen to wait & get other opinions from others So many people quickly jump on surgery which can help & may be needed, but can & often creates more or other problems....

PM me if interested. or want to discuss more... I've already rambled on much here....

Hope you find answers & needed help/interventions --whatever you chose, it's your body which you know best! and also have to live in....

You said were also Dx'd w/ Tarlov Cyst.... what was outcome of appt w/ neuro?? Please update...