Post Laparoscopy pain

[Frenchie202]

Hi, I am so glad I found this group!

I had a laparoscopy 5 weeks ago now, my surgeon said he did not think it was endometriosis as he had put me on zoladex treatment for 18 months and it had reduced the size of the cyst so he was just going to have a look.

During the op he discovered it was endometriosis and had to remove my right ovary, Fallopian tube and the cyst that was stuck between my ovary and pelvic wall. He also said that he managed to get rid of any signs of endometriosis and discharged me that day saying I wouldn’t need any further treatment and to just think about having the marina coil fitted as it can help reduce the chance of reoccurrence.

Since the op I have been back and forward to the hospital as the pain is worse than it was before the operation and I am struggling to cope. Every time I have been told that it is part of the healing process and should be fine after 6 weeks.

I am 5 weeks down and it is affecting my life. Before the op I was an active women in my mid 30’s and now I feel like I am not as active as my 80 year old grandmother!

I am struggling to do basic daily things like walk the dog and do the shopping because of the pain and my bowels have not been right since either.

I have now been told my surgeon will ring me in 6 weeks to discuss what’s going on. I know my body and I know that something does not feel right.

Sorry for the long message but I try and talk to family and friends about it but they don’t understand and it’s getting me down now.

[Aurora20]

Sorry your feeling like this! What kind of pain is it that your experiencing?

[Iloveelephants]

Hi, sorry you are feeling so rubbish . My laparoscopy was on 24th September. It was my first one so I didn't know what to expect. Endometriosis was found and ablated( lazered I think? ) .Its now been over 2 weeks and although I feel much better in myself I am so uncomfortable all the time. I am still bloated and have only dressed three times since coming out of hospital. If I am on my feet too long my stomach really hurts. I am not sleeping well as I cant lie down properly- I usually sleep on my side but my stomach hurts too much so have been sat up most nights with lots of pillows. I just wanted to let you know that your not alone. It sounds like you had a lot of work done during your procedure so I think it's going to take you a while to recover. If you are anything like me I read a lot about laparoscopies before my procedure and others experiences. A lot of people seem to recover quickly. I read some people went back to work after a few days!! I was shocked at how crap I have felt. I am so glad I found this site. Hope you get some answers when you speak to your surgeon. 😊

[Gardenist]

Hi sorry to hear you are suffering and not to dismiss your pain at all but you have just had a huge operation. Definitely get checked out, because only you know how you feel but know that it is not uncommon to take months to recover from the surgery you have had. It will take time to build up again but you will get there. I found seeing a sports massage person really helped with my core pain once the incisions had healed. My whole body hurt and was destabilised by the trauma of the operation and also my ovaries going into shock. Your body is going to be making a lot of adjustments. I hope that you dont have any further complications but mostly I wanted to reassure you that its common to feel worse than preop at this stage, despite what the getting back to normal leaflets say, and if its that you will feel better with more time.

[Ziyahaze]

Sorry to hear this. You sound like me. I also was worse after surgery (I am one year post surgery) I recently had an MRI which found fibrosis at the site where endo was removed and lots of adhesions this could be what it causing pain for you. Adhesions and scar tissue form with any surgery and it can not be prevented. I do get some weeks off of pain but mine is pretty constant. The only thing that helps me is pain relief (I tend to use zaipain but have to take movicol alongside as they give you constipation and this can aggravate scar tissue near or any endo ) , hot water bottles and breathing exercises in mild yoga positions to stretch out the sites where the pain is coming from deep inside ( there are lots on YouTube-yoga for endometriosis is a good one). This is a horrible disease I feel for anyone who experiences this. I am like your self mid-30s and my life has changed dramatically. Learn to take each day as is comes and appreciate the days you have low pain. Only do what you can when you can and don’t expect too much of yourself. That’s the best way to keep mentally strong 💜

[MyStar86]

Hi, I just wondered how you are feeling now? I noticed your post was 3months ago. I hope you are doing better. I just had my 2nd surgery this week for endo on the bowel/rectum/vagina and pelvis……I know I am only on day 2 but I am in shock about the pain I always had this upper right side pain but now it’s is 100x worse I can’t lay down without wanting to cry and sitting is horrific I feel so lost. I think I could cope if I didn’t have to go to the toilet that side is what kills me when I push I feel like I’m going to be sick then I’m in pure agony after it’s making me really want to give up as it clearly won’t of helped that upper right side pain which ruins my life but now I feel like I’m paralysed and so scared everyone just keeps saying oh it will alll heal but that doesn’t help me now I feel like I can’t cope xx sorry just very upset xx

[Frenchie202]

That sounds awful, I really feel for you. The first month after was the worst but I just kept going back to the hospital and the would prescribe morphine and that helped to an extent. I am just over 4 months post op and only just got back to work. I still have symptoms that I had before and still have good and bad days. My surgeon prescribed Amitriptyline which helped a little but at 60mg a day the side effects aren’t great. I saw him again yesterday and he’s suggested different medication and pelvic physio. He did say he wasn’t too sure what else to do as I’ve already changed my diet and am trying reflexology so see if that helps.You know your body best so if you feel it is not right keep going back until they do something. I really hope that you start to feel better soon, it’s a horrible condition and you’ve had major surgery so give yourself time to heal. I don’t know if I will ever be pain free but I’m taking one day at a time and having more good days then bad at the minute.

Take care xx