backache after endo excision

[Mxc908]

Hi everyone,

I had extensive endometriosis excision 5 weeks ago (from basically everywhere apparently). I wanted to reach out to everyone as I have been having a lot of backaches over the past couple of weeks. I’m not back at work yet, but I have upped my activity levels. It’s my lower back and I think it’s particularly bad around period and ovulation time, although it’s also after standing or walking.

Has anyone experienced being this achy, particularly with their back? I’m signed off work until October 30th and I can’t imagine the backache going before then so I feel like I’ve got to decide whether I just go back to work with these aches, or whether I extend my sicknote.

I’ve been surprised at the level of backache so any reassurance would be appreciated!

Thanks everyone 😊 xxx

[Endowarrior1807]

Hi

I had my lap at the start of June and mine was quite extensive as well.

My back was also really achy after it, no idea why but it took weeks to settle. I struggled sleeping on my back so had to use a lot of pillows for support.

I’m sure the GP would extend your sick note if needed, how long did the consultant estimate for your recovery?

[Mxc908 in reply to Endowarrior1807]

Oh this is reassuring to know. How are you feeling now?

Before the op, the consultant said about 3 weeks but when I had my debrief with her at 4 weeks she said it had ended up being a lot of surgery and she wasn’t surprised I wasn’t back to complete normal yet. The backache has taken me by surprise as I thought it would be more my abdomen!

Thanks for replying, any reassurance is helpful because I don’t think I was given much information about what to expect from recovery!

Xx

[Endowarrior1807 in reply to Mxc908]

Well before surgery my consultant told me 4 - 6 weeks, at my follow up she told me it’ll be 4 - 6 months and I shouldn’t consider going back to work until at least 4 months.

At first I thought it was overkill, but I’m at 4 1/2 months and not back to work yet.

Pain is better but still present but my fatigue is quite bad. I’ve had issues with heavy persistent bleeding and stuff though which has added an extra layer of issues as they changed my pain medication plus hormones and it’s all been unsettling.

I just started physio on Monday and that has made me quite sore for 2 days after though

[Mxc908 in reply to Endowarrior1807]

Wow that was quite a change for you from being recommended 4 weeks to 4 months. I’m glad you’ve taken the time you’ve needed.

I’ve definitely still been quite tired and I’ve found that I’ll have a better day, be more active, but then be really achy the next day or so.

Have you found that ovulation made you feel achy and sore? I was also a bit surprised by this- I braved myself for my period but not ovulation!

Xx

[Endowarrior1807 in reply to Mxc908]

I’ve had the same thing where if I push myself a little one day, I feel it more the next day.

I take medication to make my periods every 3 months, unfortunately it didn’t work and I started getting heavy bleeding around 2 months ago - this made the pain loads worse and was unbearable so I’m not too sure about ovulation specifically as I’m not sure when my actual period was

[Shannon124 in reply to Mxc908]

Hi i was just wondering with ovulation was it worse pain than before , as it currently 3 and half weeks after op and i have achy pains all down legs and back and ovaries and think im possibily ovulating , i had endometrioma removed from ovarys and also moderate endo removed from all over , they told me id be recovered in 2 weeks , this is not the case 😒

[Mxc908 in reply to Shannon124]

Hello,

Yeah I don’t usually get ovulation pain and the first one after my op was really sore for a few days! Hope this eases for you soon.

It’s a common theme on here that people have been told they’ll be recovered quickly, or not been given much info at all! A lot of people on here have reassured me it can take nigh longer than 2 weeks to recover. Hope this reassured you! Xxx

[Shannon124 in reply to Mxc908]

Thank you .has helped alot as i literally have no idea or information on this disease which i had no idea i was suffering with until i had laporoscopy 3 weeks ago for a cyct removal , turnt out to be moderate to severe endo and 2 or 3 endometrioma cysts removed from ovarys which was all relayed to me as id just came around from the opp , then sent on my way with a letter telling me to take it easy for 2 weeks , had my period 6 days after that was a bit traumatic also . Thank you so much for your help xx

[Mxc908 in reply to Shannon124]

Yes they give you a bit of debrief when you’re still out of it and you’re left with so many questions!!

My first period after was also really painful- I’ve read that this is normal too! Please don’t panic that you’re not better yet, so many kind women on here have told me that they have taken up to a few months to bounce back completely. I’m 5 weeks post op and I’m much better than I was but still really achy!

I’ve found posting on here asking other people questions reassuring so would definitely recommend 😊

[Mxc908]

Oh sorry it’s been so rubbish for you, that sounds tough 😞

Did you find that there was a lack of guidance about what to expect post surgery? I’m just so shocked at how long it’s taking and how a diagnostic laparoscopy seems to be lumped in with endo excision when I’ve read about recovery (and they’re so different!!!).

[BlueGiraffe9]

My back ache was the last thing to resolve. They had to take a lot off in that area and random things like doing the hoovering or lifting would be painful.

[Mxc908 in reply to BlueGiraffe9]

Ohhh thank you, that’s reassuring because it seems to be the last thing for me too. Hope you’re feeling better now xx

[BlueGiraffe9 in reply to Mxc908]

Totally, I remember being super worried as well. It slowly got better over 4-5 months but was deffo the last thing to go away after all the other stuff.

[Mxc908 in reply to BlueGiraffe9]

Thank you, this is so good to know! Xx

[me94]

Ho can I ask do you still get pelvic pain now you're week 5 after excision or has the surgery helped. I had my excision surgery 8 days ago

[Mxc908 in reply to me94]

My symptoms were mainly related to my bladder and bowel so hard to comment on pelvic pain, but the pain I’ve got now after 5 weeks is more backache (unless it’s period pain) and some bladder and bowel aches/irritation. Really hope the excision helps you! Xx