Hello
Just enquiring I had stage 4 endo surgery a month ago. Was wondering how the recovery process is. I’ve been walking but still in pain a bit. Wondering if I should go back to work or stay another month off. Just want to know other people experiences after surgery. Especially if you have an underlying condition as psoriatic arthritis. Do people with underlying health issues take longer to heal?
HiThat’s great you had surgery before they started cancelling again.
What did they do?
It’s so hard to judge, could be worth considering a part time fit note from GP if you feel up to doing a few hours. It’ll depend on what type of work you do as well I think.
Hi Moon
I’m glad that I had my surgery it got cancelled before while I had already done the prep and was waiting. Mentally& physically it was a lot. Wasn’t offered any support, going through the injections every month, experiencing menopause. My endo had spread to my bowel, ovaries, tubes and other areas. I was prepped to have a stoma. Luckily didn’t end up with one the colorectal surgeon was brilliant and did as he promised. To be honest everything is a blur. I saw different doctors when I woke up until I left and was medicated so have no clue what the plan is for after. Regarding going back to I work at a hospital as a ward clerk. Covering more than one ward. I thought I was ready but after going for a long walk and being in pain and getting sharp twinges I don’t think I’m ready to be back on the wards yet.
You’ve had a tough time, the support isn’t there at all. I’m not sure what support would be useful, we don’t need psychological help as it’s the pain and dealing. The best the pain clinic came up for me for that side was breathing techniques. 😂That’s great you didn’t have a stoma, relief I’m sure 🙂
Busy job probably best to review in another week. Do you still have a fit note or need to go to GP?
Hi,
I also had stage 4 endo surgery recently - it's actually my second one. It always takes longer to feel better than the recovery time they give you. I think it's important to give yourself time to heal, to take it easy for at least another couple of weeks. I work in a school so I was quite lucky that the end of my sick leave coincided with the Christmas holidays so I had another 2 and a half weeks to rest before I was back in the classroom. But I really needed those extra 3 weeks, especially as my job involves being on my feet alot, bending/leaning over low desks etc.
If you can't take off too much time, ease yourself in slowly. Start by only working half days or less days than usual. Make sure you have somewhere comfortable to sit - extra cushions etc. My advice is not to take extra painkillers to force yourself to work, you need to allow your body to heal without adding more pressure which will prolong the healing.
Hope you're doing well, it's a horrible thing to go through but I've just had my first period after surgery and 8 months of Zoladex and awful menopause (was only meant to have 4 months but op got cancelled several times) but my period was actually bearable! Relief is just around the corner! Take care X
Thank you so much!!x I’m sorry you had to go through another surgery.
Zoladex is hell!! Hated every time I had to go through it. I’m a strong girl I have psoriatic arthritis and have to do my own injections but this one I couldn’t handle all that came with it. When I had an emotional breakdown I was told it’s just your hormones.
I’m going to take some more time off and take care of me.
Zoladex is the worst. The massive injections and the emotional rollercoaster was hard enough but I had awful hot flushes for 8 months straight - every twenty minutes I would get soaked in sweat and feel like I was going to pass out from the lightheadedness. I took fans (big, small, handheld) everywhere I went. And then there was the fatigue that came with it. Ugh. I'm soo glad to be rid of it. Let's hope we don't have to take it again for a long time!!
Yes, definitely take time off and take care of yourself, our bodies deserve to be loved and nurtured X
Hi Nemo,
I also had surgery for stage 4 endo and am 2 weeks post surgery. My first surgery I was off for 3 weeks but I thought it was too soon. I didn't have any advice and thought I would be fine after 2 weeks, google said 3-4 days to return to work so I thought 3 weeks was too long but that information couldn't have been more wrong. This time round I'm thinking to return after 4 -6 weeks maybe. Your post is useful, I always feel very guilty for being off work and that I should go back ASAP. I work from home though, I don't know why I'm full of so much guilt, I guess I'm tough on myself because our condition is "invisible" but I this time only go back until I'm ready. I would take as long as you need, its not worth to go back when your not ready then to feel physically in pain for it, your job is very demanding and post surgery we have to deal with the emotional element too x
Thank you soo much for your reply. GPS don’t really think about the emotional side of things. Feel like I’ve been on a rollercoaster. I’ll try take more time off. Working on wards is just so demanding especially covering more than one. Not having a specific area to work I can’t really be comfortable. Once the mangers see your back they think you can do everything regardless of how many hours your working.
Can I ask how come you had to have a second surgery?
Yes of course, the endo came back 8 months after my first surgery, and so much more aggressive too. I thought the first time round it was bad but after the excision it got a whole load worse. I'm sure it's different for everyone but I've had two extensive surgeries in 10 months, one of the unlucky ones. Good luck with your recovery x
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