Worse pain after surgery?

[Welshgirl26]

Hi ladies,

I had my second surgery in September to remove a 15cm cyst on my right ovary and to remove a large amount of endometriosis over my pelvis. I was told the first 2 or 3 periods might be painful but to be honest they have been excruciating and I don't think I can handle another one. They are a lot more painful since the surgery than before it, which is really devastating. I was wondering if anyone else has had worse pain since surgery? Should I be concerned? And also what others do to control the pain? I've currently been taking cocodamol but just feel really drowsy with it and I can barely eat as I get horrific pain with my bowel movements so too scared to eat anything. I tried to eat 2 hash browns last night and vomitted them back up (plain food was all I could face eating) Any suggestions of what I can do to deal with this?

Much appreciated x

[Starry]

Big big hugs. I feel for you.

The first 3 periods tend to be awful due to post op inflammation. Mine were grim but my 4th was much more normal. I have had lots of digestive system issues since my op which have taken a long time to get on top of.

Cocodomil can really upset your stomach , I threw up on it, so it might be worth trying something else. All opiates cause constipation so boosting your roughage ( veg, prunes, liquorice) and drinking lots of water all help. I used lactulose for a while, which was a godsend, though I do wonder if it gave me a touch of SIBO.

Thinking of you x

[Welshgirl26 in reply to Starry]

Thank you so much for all your advice! Definitely going to find an alternative to cocodamol ready for my next one. Thankfully coming out thw other sidw of it now so will prep well for the next one!

Thank you so much xxx

[Starry in reply to Welshgirl26]

This article has a good explanation about the body's internal healing process which explains a lot and I found useful.

Incorporating anti inflammatory foods might also help eg ginger and turmeric and avoiding known inflammatory foods eg dairy, gluten may be worth a go too

centerforendo.com/is-my-end...

[Welshgirl26 in reply to Starry]

Thank you! I will check this out for sure 👍 yeah been thinking about giving up diary or gluten for a trial to see how that goes. Thanks for the advice x

[Heloo85]

Mine have progressively got worse because my endo soon returned. Can you take anti-inflammatories? Naproxen, ibuprofen? Might be better than codeine. Watch your toilet habits. Constipation can cause masses of problems on top of your endo. Xx

[jjeemm]

Hi there

So sorry to hear you've been in agony. I have experienced exactly the same excruciatingly painful periods since my lap in September last year and I only had a diagnostic lap where nothing was removed apart from a cervical polyp. I have no idea what the surgeon did to me - I can only assume she poked and prodded around inside and maybe aggravated some nerve endings?? I was diagnosed with extensive endometriosis, especially around my bowel, as well as adenomyosis, so when I went for a follow-up appointment on 2nd January I was told that my horrendous period pains were due to adenomyosis and I should take injections to induce menopause and wait to have a total abdominal hysterectomy (not going for either at the moment). I said that before I'd had the lap I'd never had pain like it before (honestly completely mind-blowingly bad) but the consultant was quite dismissive that surgery could have caused the pain.

Anyway, as you say, it does appear to be the case that the first two or three - or four in my case - periods may turn out to be cripplingly painful...but yesterday I started period number five since the lap and miraculously I haven't been in pain at all!!! I'm still in shock really....I'm just waiting to be doubled up in agony...but so far, so good (trying not to jinx myself here!!!).

Since I found out about the extent of my endo I've been doing everything in my power to read up on the disease and how to treat it and I do think that because I've strictly stuck to an anti-inflammatory diet and taken lots of supplements to boost my immunity, I'm suddenly feeling a lot, lot better.

I've also had constipation all my life and very, very painful bowel movements, but to help with that, I've been taking magnesium supplements - one general magnesium tablet with other vitamins and minerals and one magnesium citrate tablet which I take with my evening meal...they really seem to be working in my case: no more constipation and no more painful bowel motions!

However, just in case things take a turn for the worse, I've bought myself a little TENS machine...it's called 'Tenscare OVA plus period pain reliever': you can find out about it online. I've also been rubbing arnica oil over my very bloated stomach and have bought some castor oil...you can use it to make a 'castor oil pack'...lots of advice about how to make up the pack is on the internet. I've even invested in some cannabinoid oil (CBD)....you can buy this quite legally in the UK, there are many stockists...it isn't cheap though! It doesn't contain any of the psychoactive properties of cannabis, but is apparently very good for pain-relief if you can't tolerate conventional drugs. I've got a spray bottle...you're supposed to spray the oil once or twice under your tongue and leave it there for 2 minutes or so. I read an article online about a guy who had fallen out of an upper window onto a concrete floor and sustained awful injuries and he was saying how great CBD oil is for treating both chronic and acute pain. As I said, I haven't tried either the TENS machine or the CBD oil out yet because I'm so far having one of the best periods of my life, but I'm happy to know they're potentially useful options...

So...my best advice is to have a look around and see what other forms of pain relief might be available..it's amazing what you can find on the internet!! But also bear in mind that you might be amazed - like me - when it comes to your next period and you're suddenly pain free. In the meantime, try your best to eat as healthily as possible (by the way soup is always a good option when you're feeling queasy - it's warming, soothing, easy to get down and easy on the bowels) and try some supplements which are good for boosting immunity and dealing with inflammation.

I know just how horrendous the pain can be...believe me, I've been in a truly terrible state...but there is light at the end of the tunnel!!!!

I do hope you'll be able to get through the next few days okay. I'm thinking of you and sending hugs and crossing fingers your next period will be much more bearable!

XXX

[Welshgirl26 in reply to jjeemm]

Wow thank you so much for all your advice. Its so nice to hear how other people are dealing with the same things. I'm already taking supplements, vitamins etc but will definitely look into all the things you have suggested! I'm going to stock up in preperation for my next period now! I'm so pleased that your 5th has been good to you! Hoping mine will be too 🤞🤞

Thank you xxx

[jjeemm in reply to Welshgirl26]

Hi there!

Thanks so much for your reply...yes, I still can't believe that my period is going so well..having to pinch myself at the moment !!!

I really, really hope you're feeling okay today...sounds like you've been having another horrendous time recently. Yes, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your periods will start to settle down VERY SOON and you can get back to feeling normal again! Wouldn't wish the pain on anyone...

Anyway, take good care of yourself and try to eat healthily and carry on taking your supplements and vitamins...it can take a while before you see any results, but I'm sure they're doing you good and sooner or later you'll reap the rewards!!

Sending all my best wishes

XXX