Post laparoscopy and pain back again- advice please?

[Pantobabe]

Hi ladies,

Wondering if anyone could share any advice. I am 3 days post laparoscopy, which my surgeon told me was quite a big operation endo wise. I had been suffering with groin pain (a burning sensation at the top of my right thigh/groin), severe lower back aches and pain up the back passage. My surgeon explained that he found a lot of endo on my bladder, bowel and pelvic walls and also lots of adhesions which were removed. I felt so happy that I wasn’t imagining my symptoms and that they had been down to endo.

However, 2 days in I started feeling the burning back in my thigh/groin along with the pain up the back passage (I still haven’t opened bowels since the op) and today I have come on my period and the pains in these places are as bad as ever. I can’t help but feel so disappointed that the lap obviously hasn’t worked to releave these symptoms but I’m also worried it could now be something other than endo. I suffer with bad health anxiety so thinking the worst. Have any of you ladies experienced your old symptoms post lap that then did indeed end up getting better once you had healed?

Needing some help as I just feel so deflated and down about going through the lap in what now feels for nothing.

X

[Tulip87]

Hi hun. It's a very enotionak time after surgery. I know its tricky but try not to worry. I've had a fair bit of post op pain too but I think its reasonably normal as long as it's not new/different pain. I read that the first couple of periods after surgery will be quite painful but things should settle down after that.

At the moment you are still recovering and inside I guess things will be a bit inflamed. Keep dosed up on painkillers and rest.

Are you home now? Is somebody looking after you?

Sending hugs xx

[luthien]

Hey, you need to take it easy, as you say you're only 3 days post lap. You've been through a lot.

You've had a lot done; and the body can't tell the difference between removal of endo pain and endo pain so we think nothings changed.

It'll take a good 6 weeks for you to start to feel the effects of the surgery, and about 4 to 5 months to really feel back to 100% and know what your long term symptoms are. Your specialist should have mentioned also that you're realistically looking for about a 50% reduction in symptoms, so some stuff may just have to be managed.

It's early days yet, so rest up, take it easy. Make the most of the time you have to reflect and think about how you want the "new you" to be mentally. I know it sounds all "up there" but I've found that thinking more about myself and my thoughts, has helped me to cope post lap and have a more positive outlook. You can and will come out of this better and feel like a new person; but you need to take the first steps, it's easier now too as you have time. So really focus on making those negative thoughts positive I know it's not easy. It's taken me a year and a bit to change!

Part of the endo story is stress, that makes it all worse, so we all need to work on reducing stress as much as possible. Start with; you've had surgery, you've had a lot done, the pain you feel is your body recovering, healing, so give it as much time as it needs, nourish it both nutritionally and mentally, eat good healthy small meals rich in antioxidants and healing foods - you can search online for lots of ideas, really listen to your body's "hurts" and your mental "stresses" - take this time to look at your "inner self" and start to set a path of what you want it to be, what you let bother you and what you just let go. It's not easy, but I do fully believe this is all more emotional a journey than we realise.

The uterus doesn't like being poked around so sometimes it goes into shock messing up your cycle and you can come on your period early. Be prepared for the first two or so periods to be heavier / more painful as your body is still healing.

You should have a post lap check up booked in for about 4 to 5 months to discuss how you're getting on next steps; this is usually with your specialist, if you've not had one mentioned, call the secretary and say you'd like one, and that it would help with your anxiety to know you can talk about how you're getting on recovery wise with you specialist. Just be honest with the secretary - then they'll know you're not just being annoying! You should also have a post lap follow up booked for about 2 weeks after your lap, this can be with your GP - usually when your sick note is about to run out. If you don't have one when you were discharged from hospital contact your GP, and book one in. They'll review your recovery, check your incisions and talk about how you're getting on / worries / concerns and go through your surgeons findings. Sometimes you can get this with your specialist, so it's worth asking.

I found it took me about 3 weeks to start to feel the benefits of the lap and about 4 months before I worked out what "normal" was. 8 months later I'm starting to get used to my symptoms which are now the 7 days around and during my period so it's much more manageable. I'm currently on my first month of aromatherapy and massage with a specialist nurse to see if I can manage without painkillers. I'd say mine was about a 90% reduction in symptoms, so hang on in there!

I hope this helps xx