Bleeding post hysterectomy

[MyStar86]

Hi,

I just wondered if anyone suffered from spotting 2 weeks post hysterectomy? I am having terrible issues with my bowel so I am having to go to the loo a lot more than a normal person so I’m worried this has done something bad to the vaginal stitches.

I had the brown but the first week however I’m exactly two weeks now and every time I go for a poo I get a little bit of spotting red blood. My family keep reassuring me that it’s normal but I’m just worried I’m doing something wrong as I can’t help my bowel and it isn’t bleeding all the time nor heavy just a few spots of blood however it worried me now it’s red.

I just keep worrying xx

[Porridgefan]

Hi

Hope you’re well. I had a hysterectomy for my endometriosis and adenomyosis just over five weeks ago.

I had spotting (brown and red blood) for the first four weeks but it’s stopped now. I think it’s entirely normal unless you’re having gushing blood, in which case seek urgent care.

Incidentally, I’ve found (frustratingly) that healing is up and down with good spells and bad spells. You think you’re feeling better and have turned a corner and then you’re hit for a few days with worse pain.

Everyone’s healing journey is unique with some people experiencing little pain and rapid recovery whilst others endure a longer road. I have been reassured by my doctors that I am healing well (I am just impatient) and that it is a major surgery and to expect full internal healing to take 6-12 months.

Be patient with yourself and seek care and support if any of your symptoms worry you.

Good luck with your healing. 😊

[MyStar86 in reply to Porridgefan]

Oh thank you so much for being so kind!! I am just worrying so much there is no real guidance post hysterectomy and I just got scared as it came from no where I was fine then boom exactly 2 weeks I get bleeding and it’s red but very watered down. It seems to only be when I go to the toilet and weirdly in the night but only when I go to the loo not enough for a pad so everywhere says if you fill a pad in an hour then seek help but I’m not doing that however I will monitor it…..everything is just scary I don’t want to do anything wrong.

I know what you mean about up and down that’s the hardest part as it makes me feel I’ve done something wrong if I was ok with something yesterday but then not today. My guts have set me back being so vile to but waiting for stool tests to come back as that’s causing me a massive set back 🤬.

How did you find post week 2? I’m trying to take it easy as I was very ill and weak going into this as I only had bowel endo surgery just over 2 months prior as well so my body is battered and I’m mentally and physically drained from it all.

Is there anything I should be doing?

Do you know when it’s safe to have a bath as my gyne wasn’t sure first he said six weeks then 4 so I’m confused.

I will keep my eye on the bleeding and try not to panic.

Thank you for your sensible and kind advice I’m just so worried all the time.

Massive hugs xx

[Porridgefan in reply to MyStar86]

I wasn’t advised re baths but have been taking showers since the second day. I would wait for all stitches to have dissolved and incisions to have fully closed.

I understand what you mean about feeling worried. Hard not to as it’s a completely different experience to when you have usual endo surgery (or at least that’s been my experience). Sometimes looking on the forums can be reassuring as you see so many people have varied experiences and pain at different stages of the recovery process seems relatively normal. Counter intuitively the more you read the more you realise what you’re going through is normal.

I felt okay ish relatively week 2 but then felt pretty rough and in pain weeks 3 and 4. (Pelvic pain, bladder pain, fatigue etc) The expected three steps forward, two back scenario. My belly has been quite swollen and sore throughout but swelling settled a bit more this week.

I think the key is probably don’t do too much too soon. You feel a little better, do a little more and then set yourself back pain and recovery wise. Do less than your body thinks it can handle and allow time for a slow and thorough recovery. Rest up, eat well and get enough sleep. Your body is handling massive changes. Be it’s own best cheerleader and say you got this body and then lay back and let it do it’s thing! 😊

[MyStar86 in reply to Porridgefan]

I just wanted to let you know that my consultant already came back to me as I emailed his secretary today but said I didn’t expect a reply over the bank holiday however he said I do not need to worry it’s a sign that the vaginal stitches are starting to dissolve and could carry on for a few more week. I’m so happy just needed a dr to tell me but I hadn’t expected such a quick reply!! They have been amazing to be fair I had everything removed just vaginal for the uterus and laparoscopic for everything else due to endo.

I agree it’s NOTHING like endo surgery as I’ve had two of those previously so I thought I knew what to expect however a hysterectomy is a much bigger deal than I thought well I didn’t prepare or think much about it as it would only worry me but that meant I did go into it blind.

I think everyone says it’s ups and downs doing too much can set you back like right now bar the bleeding my head wants to do more and I know I could do much more walking if I let myself but I won’t as the pain in my back is awful that’s how I know I’ve done too much. I was very weak before so I know I must be patient and my surgeon for the hysterectomy commented how my bowel surgery was healing slowly and he even had to cut through the belly button stitches which hadn’t dissolved so the was nearly 3 months ago but still not healed so people really do think all is fine when inside it takes so much longer.

You sound very sensible I wish I could be as kind to myself and understand things more like you do. Thank you for helping me it’s nice to hear from someone else going through the same as me. I keep feeling oh I should be fine now but 2 weeks is nothing as you say!!

I am also waiting to hear back from my gp as I’ve had violent toilet issues since the surgery so they think I have an infection but they are clearly not as speedy as my consultant but I know that’s setting me back as I feel sick all the time and don’t want to eat. My tummy swelling goes up and down it’s really bad after food which puts me off and gets much worse as the day goes on. My friend had her op 7 months ago wnd still feels she has swelling but no pain now back to normal life however the swelling shows the healing is still going on.

I’m mainly worried about my guts as I had terrible bowel problems before and I hoped the surgery would help thwg however I will try not to panic on that one just yet!!

Massive hugs and thank you again I hope you are enjoying the weekend xx

[emmaquinny in reply to MyStar86]

Hi, I’m sort that you are going through this but pleased I have found your thread. I am 13 days post full hysterectomy.

After a week I was feeling good, started to do little bits of housework, nothing too strenuous (putting out/folding washing/prepping food/ tidying up)but I think probably too much from reading what other people are doing as I’m back in pain again. At the same time I’m reading don’t just sit, and as a person usually very busy I’m struggling with the balance. With the pain, I feel that like you this is related to my bowels- I was extremely constipated and felt like I was being ripped apart inside, some laxatives helped but I don’t want to be constantly taking them and on the loo either so I stopped taking and backed up again! Very difficult balance. Gas passing through is painful.

I had almost zero bleeding/discharge/red blood after, but am getting some of the brown stuff coming through. Ive had a few days of almost complete rest again, and worried I’m taking myself backwards.

How are you?