2 weeks post op bleeding

[thistle3]

Hi everyone, I had my laparoscopy 2 weeks ago today and (after 15 years) got my endometriosis diagnosis. As far as I understand (and who understands much after anesthetic) they managed to remove it all.

Recovery has been up and down but in the last week I've been having abdominal cramps and discomfort and have started spotting/bleeding again (it had stopped for a few days just after the surgery), particularly after difficult bowel movements. Information about recovery seems to be different everywhere you look - anywhere from 1-2 weeks to 6 months - so I'm hoping to go see my GP next week to be on the safe side, but can't get over the overwhelming feeling that I'm making a mountain out of a molehill and should just relax and allow my body to do its thing and recover.

Has anyone else had similar experiences and can reassure me that cramping and spotting after 2 weeks post op is normal?

Thanks for reading!

[CryBaby91]

Hi thistle3

I had my op late on the 8th of August so I'm around 11 days after surgery. I'm still having some cramping, lower back pain and fatigue. But I'm also on GNrH injections, which apparently can cause pelvic pain etc. So I'm unsure what is causing the pain lol could be healing still, could be the injections or could be that this is the pain ill be left with still. No idea haha! And like you I'm worried about asking a doctor because I feel like I need to give myself longer to recover lol. I've not had any bleeding though, which sounds like a red flag to me. I would definitely get in touch with the hospital and ask them.

Xx

[thistle3 in reply to CryBaby91]

Thanks for your message! It's such a strange time post-op, isn't it. My surgeons and all the nursing team were amazing on the day but I can't help but feel post-op advice and information is a bit lacking. Information online feels really conflicting too so it's hard to know what's normal and what's not! Also, the battle it took before someone actually listened has left me feeling a bit like a hypochondriac and reluctant to seek medical advice just in case I'm ignored or fobbed off. Haven't been able to get an appointment with my GP so I'll take a trip to the walk-in centre tomorrow.

Best of luck with you recovery - really hope the pain eases for you soon! X

[CryBaby91 in reply to thistle3]

Snap haha! I'm glad it isn't just me who feels reluctant to ask for help now, it's hard to shake those years of being told you're mental isn't it from all the posts I've read on here the majority of us still have pain after treatment, so I'm guessing in a way this is all normal for us endo warriors! I keep wondering if I'll ever have a pain free life, then i get upset because after 20 years of pain I don't see how that could ever be the case. Completely agree that the after care is a bit lacking, but I guess if they don't know how effective something is going to be or if it can grow back etc then how would they explain it to us! Would help if it wasn't such a "everyone is different" scenario, some get relief, some don't. I found my surgery letter quite conflicting, telling me on the one hand that the surgery will likely improve my symptoms and they may settle all together, but that endo often reoccurs within 5 years and adhesions frequently recur. I felt a bit like I should feel better now and then just felt insane again when I didn't! Don't get me wrong I'm in much less pain, but that doesn't mean no pain. So i totally understand how you feel love, I feel like an absolute crazy person atm. Xxx

[Ylime90]

If it's after bowel movements are you certain it's vaginal not rectal? I had some PR bleeding about that time post surgery: got checked my a gp and it was a little tear caused by constipation from the painkillers. Definitely go and see a GP and check. I agree that post op care is a bit lacking, especially when so many of us go in to a diagnostic lap and end up with excision. Not knocking it, it's great to be treated but I think recovery is different. My surgeon gave me a sick note for a week, and the GP extended it to a month after seeing me without me asking.

[thistle3 in reply to Ylime90]

Thanks Ylime90. Pretty sure it's vaginal but it can be hard to tell sometimes! Hopefully GP can provide some reassurance.

Yeah, you're so right about recovery - there's no one size fits all with this is there. It's good to have access these communities and forums though.

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

[Clarey15]

Hi, I'm nearly 7 weeks post op and still spotting (had 2 periods too, lucky me). I had endo removed and the coil fitted so keep telling myself it's just my body settling down. My gp (who is really good) said it could take a few months to settle properly but I can contact them anytime. I vaguely recall the surgeon after the op, he showed me a screen and said all the black bits were endo and they got them but I had to ring the hospital a week later to find out where it had been etc as discharge letter was very basic and I hadn't been awake enough to ask questions. Hope everyone is doing as well as they can 🙂