Post-Laparoscopy Back Pain 😕

[BethanyAnn]

Hiya ladies,

I had my second laparoscopy on 1st March to remove minimal Endometriosis and a Dermoid Cyst. I’m still really suffering with back pain and the occasional sharp pains around my ovaries.

Is this normal nearly 4 weeks on? I didn’t experience this with my diagnostic laparoscopy two years ago.

I was planning to return to work at the end of this week but I’m not sure if I should or not as it’s a long commute and I don’t want to make the pain worse but my surgeon said I’d only need 2-4 weeks off. Any advice?

Thanks xx

[luthien]

Hey,

The back pain is common actually; I had it after my first lap and thought nothing of it, was only after my second lap I went to see my GP, he just gave me painkillers and told me to deal with it. I don't do well on any painkillers and thought this can't be normal so started researching back pain and endo etc.

Anyway found the best route is to go to a physiotherapist, I found one whom specialises in movement, mobility, post surgery (just called up to find out). After being there for 5 mins they worked out it's relatred to endo, lap, general period issues. They actually see it a lot in women including post pregnancy. It's where the core muscles are weak; in our case from the endo bloating and the laparoscopies physically cutting those muscles. It means the other muscles have to compensate which is the back. This becomes inflamed, putting pressure on the nerves which can cause back pain, sciatic like pain, leg pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, foot pain just due to the area on the lower back that has to do more work.

It requires physio to loosen the back and core strengthening exercises. I do yoga for the core and core specific classes. The physio has given me some at home exercises too. I've been going for about 4 months and it's easing up, definitely noticing less aching and more abs engagement. It'll take some time as I've had back problems for years - I just thought it was me being weird.

Definitely start with the physio, what can go wrong? Plus it's kind of relaxing to have just 121 attention lol!

Have you been signed off for a period of time? If you have and you're concerned you won't be well enough yet / may aggrivate things you can go to your GP or book an appointment with your specialist before your sick note ends to extend it - just make sure the additional sick note starts when the other ends and it says the same things eg post op recovery. From a HR point they'll see it as a continuous note so won't raise it. Also it holds more weight than self- certifying as the latter means work only legally has to pay your SSP for 7 days of self certified. Just a fyi from experience! I was signed off for my first lap for two weeks then needed more but I self certified for a week, work raised it. The second lap I was signed off for two weeks, needed more time, so went to my specialist whom gave me another week, my period was horrible (as expected) so GP signed me off for another two (5 in total). Just take as much time as you need to get better. Once you're back in work and say you feel you need more time off as a result of your lap work won't consider it postop recovery, they'll put it as something else, as you've been back in.

Hope that helps xx