swollen hands 8 weeks after total Hysterectomy?

[K2023]

hi, just wondering if anyone experienced the same ?if so is there anything can be done or taken ? Iam 8 weeks in recovery from extensive surgery , in surgical menopause now as everything was removed .Never in my life had swollen fingers / hands but I can’t wear my rings on either hands anymore ,I haven’t gained weight ,I have lost weight since the operation, just so frustrated as really just want to feel some normality now .

[AllthatGlitters]

hi I suffer with this on my hands and feet, I haven’t had a hysterectomy but for me it’s water retention. I take water pills from the GP. Over the counter ones just didn’t work for me x

[K2023 in reply to AllthatGlitters]

Thank you for the reply ,maybe i will have to see GP about it for some tablets .xx

[AllthatGlitters in reply to K2023]

Are you on HRT? I am on Evorel conti and noticed a big difference in my swelling, my boobs and stomach were so bloated/swollen that my tops were hardly fitting x

[K2023 in reply to AllthatGlitters]

Hi , no I’m not HRT my consultant has strongly advised me under no circumstances am I to have it , so I’m left to deal with it , my stomach has always had severe bloat and I expected it to ease this long after surgery but I still can’t wear most clothes unless loose fitting, but my hands are new and driving me crazy , aww it’s just awful isn’t it what we have to deal with .

[BloomingMarvellous in reply to K2023]

You ought to get a second opinion on that. You need a basic level of hormones to remain moderately well and sometimes this isn’t properly understood . Healthy heart and metabolism requires a base to operate from. You may have underlying thyroid issue and have your ovaries been left in or not ?

[the4ts in reply to K2023]

Ah, the infamous 'swelly belly'. Many people have this after a hysterectomy. I'm trying to remember when mine eased. It was a few months and would come back again if I overdid things. I don't remember having problems with my hands but my recovery was over the autumn and winter so the cold weather helped. Not sure if we can mention other websites on here but Hyster Sisters were amazing and full of support and advice and shared experiences. It might be worth checking them out as well? I, too, was advised against HRT but that was due to the history of breast cancer in my family and that I had atypical complex hyperplasia (hence the hysterectomy).

[K2023 in reply to the4ts]

Thank you for your reply.I joined the Hyster sisters too,I felt like I needed all the advice I could get .The gynaecologist has really just thrown me to the wind.I’m still waiting for histology report and explanation of what they found and what they did.It’s 9 weeks on Friday .Luckily a GP was considerate and told me the mass was begnin but told me nothing else .I seen the consultant in hospital and that’s when he said no HRT under any circumstances,which obviously had my mind racing ,i won’t see him for a proper detailed explanation until mid September.Do you feel the side affects of no hormones ? Hair loss and any of the other horrors it entails ? I’m struggling with altered taist too is something you experienced,my head is in a spin with getting to grips with it all,swollen belly ye I feel like I will explode .hope your doing ok .xx

[the4ts in reply to K2023]

Hot flushes were / are the worsts. No hair loss but I have fine, thin hair anyway. Anxiety does creep up on me, especially at night, and my memory wasn't the best for awhile either but that is getting better. Didn't have altered taste, I think, but my appetite wasn't the best for around 6 months or so. Hope things are starting to settle a bit for you now! x

[Endofighter80]

Hi I'm due a total hysterectomy and bowel resection soon I'm so scared how bad did you feel when you came round from the op and how long were you in hospital for ?? Thank you xx

[K2023]

hi, to be honest I didn’t feel as pained as I thought I would ,I had epidural though as the operation was 8 hours so I think that probably gave me some stronger relief .I was in 4 days but I developed post operative illieus ,so was nil by mouth for 36 hours .I had a catheter for 10 days and kidneys stents for 17 days .Pushing that part aside I was sat in garden once Catheter was out ,don’t get me wrong you feel it but walking little and often and resting is the key .listen to you’re body when you need to rest ,rest..Make sure they give you adequate laxatives as the senna didn’t work for me they are just for natural relief of constipation,what they don’t realise is when the bowel is worked on it shuts down completely and it takes longer to work again.My GP gave me Laxido laxatives because I was 5 days in and nothing ,it took until the 7th day and what the doctor called last hour ,if I hadn’t moved I was to go straight to hospital .Hopefully you will wake up on Gynea ward or Bsge centre ,they unbelievably put me on kidney ward they had no idea what to do with me..I will say ask for Buscapan they helped with bowel cramps.Don’t try and eat loads either I had light snacks for first few weeks ,soups etc ,because you will be full after few mouthfuls and nauseas.Ginger biscuits and Trebor strong mints were a life saver.Don’t bath just shower for at least 6/8 weeks .A neck fan has also been my life saver as you will get hot flushes straight away.sorry I’m probably bombarding you ,but it’s nice to tell someone what I wish I knew.I’m just over 8 weeks and feel close to normal except swollen hands and belly aha energy levels and wanting to do things I mean.I will say give yourself at least 5/6 weeks of being able to rest when you need to.Hope all goes well if there’s anything else you need to know just give me a shout. Xx

[BloomingMarvellous]

You might want to do some research on the conversation around the hormones. Worth looking at Newson Clinics Balance Appnwith lots of resources for menopause.