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Connection between surgery and stiffness/fibromyalgia?

Page last modified on: August 22, 2008
Question from ThereseL: What is the connection between breast cancer surgery and chronic stiffness/fibromyalgia? I have been experiencing what I believe to be fibromyalgia since my surgery in '05 but never connected it to the surgery.
Answer —Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S.: I don't have scientific evidence, but I find that women who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia tend to have more pain or post-op discomfort and even long-term pain following surgery. The source of this is probably related to some of the rheumatologic features of fibromyalgia. In addition, I believe women with fibromyalgia tend to have more bone pain and achiness with aromatase inhibitors.

On Wednesday, May 21, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called After Surgery: Short-term and Long-term Effects. Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. and Linda Miller, P.T. answered your questions about short-term and long-term side effects of breast surgery, and what you can do about them.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon and clinical instructor at the Thomas Jefferson University Department of Surgery in Philadelphia, PA. She also maintains a practice in Cherry Hill, N.J. Dr. Brill is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In addition, she has published breast cancer research in medical journals such as Annals of Plastic Surgery and Cancer, and she has presented research at the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Linda Miller, P.T. is the clinical director of the Breast Cancer Physical Therapy Center, LTD, a private practice serving the Philadelphia, PA and southern New Jersey areas. Linda specializes in treating post-operative complications of breast cancer surgery, including lymphedema.

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