Exhausted and struggling to stay positive

[Catmum]

Hi all

I had extensive lap surgery in July for Stage 4 endo. It was removed from all around my pelvic cavity, round my bowel,uterus and cysts removed from both ovaries.Also there was a chocolate cyst inside my bladder and was starting to push through the bladder wall so my bladder was resectioned so I had bilateral uretal stents in for a 6 weeks. Then I had a further op to remove them and get tests whilst I was anaesthetised.

I returned to work 2 weeks after the 2nd op. I have a high stress job (I am a psychiatric ward manager) but am lucky enough to be well supported so I have had a phased return. And my team have been great.

I am optimistic on the surface as people don't need to hear about your problems, especially when they have been so busy during the 4 months I was off work. And I am trying to give 100%.

Inside though I am struggling. I am beyond tired, sleep doesn't seem to help. My symptoms are already starting to creep back (pain on urinating, ovulating etc) and I don't know what to do. My body feels like it has been run over by a truck.

I eat well. I take various vitamins and minerals that I have read can help. I have tried acupuncture,yoga and massage. I plan my leave out and buy extra to try and always have a break on the horizon. I also have depression which just compounds things.

If anyone has any tips on how to move forward I would be grateful.

[carrie75]

Hello Catmum

Sorry to hear you have been through such a lot recently and are struggling with this intense fatigue.

I'm in a slightly similar boat : I have stage 4 also and just underwent my third op a few weeks ago. I also have the bilateral stents in place. I work in the admin the of a busy nhs dept and can understand when you say how busy it is. I also totally get what you're saying about trying to keep cheery with everyone, I hate talking about my stuff too much at work and try to keep going as normal - but like yourself, before I had my op I was running on fumes and waking up in agony every day with intense fatigue pain, to the point my GP suspects fibromyalgia.

I've been on sick leave since 3rd Oct but go back to work soon and feel I've lost the ability to keep on pushing myself through bad days.

That aside, do you have any support at home? I'm not sure if your GP would be able to check your bloods just in case you might be low on iron? I remember reading the stents could make you feel more tired than normal too.

It sounds like you have a really great work team which can be such as a bonus. I'm the same and it makes you want to really give your all and pull out all the stops to contribute! But your team will be mindful of everything you've been and are going through still,and if you need to take some time back to yourself short term, it may be worth it long-term to help you feel a bit better? X X X X