I have had Fibromyalgia for many years. It gets worse the longer I've had it. It "is" a real disease! I hurt all the time. The pain will move around over the body and it can mimic other symptoms. I have had unnecesary surgeries b/c of it.
It is just beginning to get the national recognition on TV that it needs to let people know it is "real" suffering for the patient. The patient needs to see a doctor that specializes in Fibromyalgia.
Depression is a huge side effect.....but depression is not what causes FM. Anyone that is in chronic pain and is limited to what they can do, even to the point of altering their lifestyle........well, they would be depressed also.
Patients usually have to take several meds as time goes on the problem increases. As with other diseases, people have it to different degrees. I hope your W will not have it as bad as some.
Whatever you do, always show her support and let her know you believe that she is suffering and does have this disease. The public's reaction to it has caused a lot of mental anguish for patients. Years ago, many doctors did not accept it as a disease and would basically tell the patient it was all in their head. I know of one doctor who ended up having it himself......so needless to say, he has changed his mind about it. He can hardly get around anymore.
I have suffered from a lot of depression and it took several times before finding the AD that would work for me.
Did she have the surgery b/c she was complaining with pain, or b/c of female problems?
She needs a support group. Both of you can learn a lot from information from the Internet. Most of all, she needs her family to believe her when she expresses how she's feeling.
It is not about what you feel should work in your M. It is about doing the work that gets the right results. Do what works!
