Exhaustion after Laparoscopy

[Camodo_Cat]

Hello,

I am 2 weeks post laparoscopy which found and removed endometriosis. I've healed externally and pain is manageable without many drugs but I am still suffering from exhaustion. I'm trying to push myself to do things like food shopping and school run, but often I have to sleep for 2 or 3 hours in the day to recoup. Have others experienced this type of fatigue?

I have had fatigue during ovulation and periods before which I've assumed is part of the endometriosis. I think I'm now on my period although it's hard to know as pain and bleeding is still off and on since the surgery. Maybe this is all normal but I just expected to feel better by now and I'm getting frustrated that I need to rest so much. Any advice?

[LauraCB13]

totally normal! Took me a good two months to recover from the exhaustion and I don’t have to do school runs etc!! It does get better from a tiredness point of view x

[BlueGiraffe9]

It took me 2-3 months to get over the worst of the exhaustion. The pain was manageable but I literally could not stay awake. My advice is plenty of rest and try not to get frustrated. It will come back, just takes time!

[Avourneen]

Usually takes 6 months to get back to normal. You have healed externally but you will have no where near healed internally. Healing takes lots of energy and means we need extra sleep.

If you are still wiped out after 6 months maybe be worried I couldn't walk further than the next house at two weeks.Please be careful and slow down or you will set your healing back.

Don't pick up anything heavy and I dont think you are meant to drive for about 6 weeks. Didn't your doctor send you home witha leaflet re aftercare ?

[Karenina2021]

Give yourself time - I took around 8 weeks to recover and feeling a bit more normal and my stitches took forever to heal. I got frustrated but the hospital definitely downplay recovery time. It will get easier but you need to rest.

[AlexaMac]

Hi it is not unusual to feel as tired as you do, please be patient with yourself. Are you driving already, my specialist banned me for 5 weeks, but l am 77 years of age.

I found that taking Centrum+ has helped me, but l began taking them some time ago when the cancer was first diagnosed thanks to some helpful tips from my CNP nurse. So had been on them for about 2 months before the surgery.

Please be patient with yourself and if you need a nap please take one, also l know it might sound silly but please keep yourself well hydrated, up to 6 glasses of water a day with and perhaps between meals, and if you can cut back on coffee, it might sound a bit weird but it really does help.

Wishing you well on your journey back to full health,

Alexa 🌸🌸🌸