I need some help so I’ve decided to have a laparoscopy as the pill has not worked at all for me and the break out bleeds only finished a couple of weeks ago. I have had such bad flare ups the last couple of weeks from the pain being unbearable and most days I’m absolutely exhausted. It’s really beginning to affect me mentally too as I hate feeling one for a better description “helpless” and I just end up crying because I can’t take it anymore. As I feel alone in how I feel as I know my parents can see I am in pain and really sympathetic but don’t truly grasp how it’s beginning to take a real toll on me.
Those who have had the surgery help as I’m having a chat with my boss on Wednesday to say I’m having it so he can make provisions as I’m having it first week of November. I wanted to know how long was it before you even entertained the idea of work (I work in administration so sitting all day). Any other advice would be really appreciated.
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ChessJ
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Hiya, I think it varies depending what’s done during surgery. I had quite a bit done nearly six weeks ago. I attempted to go back to work (from home) after 3 weeks off but ended up only managing mornings because of the pain whilst sitting extended periods and still needing naps. I increased fourth week, and fifth week assumed I’d be ok going back in office, which really was not the right call as it increased pain. I’m back working from home now full time, I’m tired but it’s manageable. It really is just take it day at a time type situation. Everyone heals differently, just don’t rush into anything x
Thank you, thankfully I can work home so at least I can assess it on a day to day basis like you said. I even find at the moment not even had the op yet I’m fine in the mornings but by midday I’m done for. So I ended up working from the sofa for the rest of the day and looking at emails every now and again. Which makes me think if I’m like this before I even have the op then maybe I should take the two weeks off so I can try get some normal back in my life.
Hope you aren’t feeling too bad at the moment. It is hard for others to understand at times, especially when the pain doesn’t go completely. Sounds like you have some support.
I’d echo it depends on what they find, if they find Endo are they removing it as well?
I’d book at least two weeks off, that’s normally the length hospitals give an initial fit note, then see GP if you need longer.
Today was another bad day I struggled to get up for work so rolled out bed about ten to eight worked in my pjs for my first hour. Find sitting for more than a couple of hours is so uncomfortable and the tiredness hits me about midday. I do count myself as lucky that they can see it, and for my dad to recognise that whilst we were out for dinner I was in a lot of discomfort after two hours it was properly time to get me home for my Earl Grey and hot water bottle.
Yes my gynaecologist said if she’s find it she will remove it.
Thank you, I think I will do as I don’t want to rush back and make myself worse.
This is my first op and I’m really nervous and don’t know what to expect. Hoping it gives me some relief even though I know it’s not the miracle cure.
No worries I didn’t even see any of these replies either.
I thought I was having a good week as yesterday I managed a whole day in the office so I was like yay the flare ups are over. Asides being super tired I felt alright. Then today it was okay, yoga was painful in some poses and then tonight I feel done in and the pain is back.
My boss was so understanding and told me not to rush back and just do what I can. He had already earmarked in his diary that he didn’t expect me to me back the first week and fine with me doing a couple hours here and there. Or none at all depending how I feel.
Thank you so much 🤗. I’m trying to think of an alternative they can give me instead of morphine as when I last had it I was so sick from it and don’t want that again.
It’s horrible at times, we have really good moments and think cured, then it comes back. I take that as it’s definitely not in my head 😂🤦♀️ Sorry it reared up again.
You’ve a really great boss 🙂
Have you tried Nefopam? It’s fairly strong but non opiate. GPs can prescribe it but don’t like to as it’s more expensive. Sometimes I take Metoclopramide as an anti sick when I get nausea.
Yes most definitely like I’ve had a good couple of days. Then today I had a flare up and I was like why? 😖. Really hoping it doesn’t affect my holiday.
I haven’t tried it at the moment I’ll try anything as the pain is unbearable.
I’m thinking taking all the pain killers with me and hope for the best.
Had a bad day again yesterday and the endo bloat tummy was very present yesterday too.
Exactly that’s the thing isn’t it try everything until something works. Even though I know my doctor surgery is absolutely shocking with getting appointments even e-consultants take ages to come through too. I tried to get a prescription for the pill and I was told I would have to wait 3 weeks before I could talk to my gp, so I ended up paying £15 for a private prescription from boots online doctor as I couldn’t wait that long 😫.
How are you feeling today, sorry bad day yesterday, it’s not easy.
It’s so hard to get through to GP’s, most of the time when I want to try something I do the econsult and just do it as a med request rather than an appointment, most of the time it works.
Take a copy of your prescriptions if you are taking medications with you. It does depend on where you go but check out the countries import of medications as well.
At least the med wasn’t too expensive from Boots, it’s a handy service though.
I had my first laparoscopy back in July, the consultant gave me a sick note for 4 weeks but I am in a physical job helping patients with mobility. I spent my first 2 weeks back at work on phased return and admin duties only. I’m back this week at work doing normal duties and I’m still getting some pain here and there. Your consultant should advise after the surgery but don’t be afraid to request more if you feel like you need it! Everyone’s recovery is different and depending on what they do whilst they’re in the surgery! Good luck!
Thank you, mine is mostly just administration as I won’t be doing any site visits till the new year. So I think I will gauge it with how I feel but I’m worried about going back too soon.
hi, I had my operation 4 weeks ago. My consultant gave me 4 weeks off work. I went back to work yesterday on a fazed return in the office (just doing admin duties) and it took it out of me, I was in pain and exhausted by midday so I came home midafternoon. I’m in 3 days this week with a view that I do 4 next week but my work are pretty flexible so I might do 3 next week again, before going back to full time.
I underestimated how much going back would take out of me and how sitting at a desk chair would cause pain. If your employer would let you I would take it week by week or say that when you come back you will have to play it by ear as to how much you can do.
Everyone is different though so you might find you are up and ready to go sooner or that going back to work doesn’t cause much pain at all
I’m reading a lot of people saying phase back to work which sounds a good idea. I know what you mean even prior op I find it takes out of me sitting at a desk chair after a few hours. My boss luckily is very understanding and hoping when we discuss it all tomorrow we can put a plan in place.
Hi I feel sorty for you. I know how you feel. I was not that lucky after my laparascopy doctor said I can go back to work after 2 days. Where I could not even sit and my job is from home. Take time to recover after lap.and good luck!
Thank you. I’m thinking of respecting my body and not jumping back soon and not rush back to doing yoga either. The later will kill me but I tell myself it’s 6-8 weeks and I’ll come back stronger for it.
Hi lovely, so sorry you're going through all this. It is really difficult for others to fully understand how it all can affect you not just because of the pain but mentally too. It can be so draining and dark at times. I truly hope that the laparoscopy brings you some relief.
I had my first laparoscopic surgery last year in November and I would definitely echo other comments, it really depends on what your specialist is planning to do. My lap discovered a lot of endo in a lot of places. My personal recovery, well the specialist said I'll be ok in 2-4 weeks. But for me I think it was at the 4 week point where I actually went back to work in an office. After 2 weeks I was able to do bits from home but I wouldn't say it was full time work.
I've seen so many posts and also various videos online of people who have been through it and they all have a different timeline.
I would recommend taking some time off and then if you feel not ready, don't be afraid to request more. Also don't be harsh on yourself if you are taking longer, just go with how your body feels.
I hope it all goes well for you and wishing you the best of luck lovely ☺️
Thank you and definitely I just want to curl up most days. Even now I’m working but wanting my bed already so working in my pjs and might take my laptop upstairs. But worried I might fall a sleep.
Definitely listening to my body, as I know that there is no point trying to be brave about it and then make myself worse.
Gosh that's horrible. I'm so sorry. Unfortunately that's the way this disease works, just when you think it's all good, it kicks in with a flare up. I hope you will have your lap soon and it'll help a bit my lovely.
It certainly is just the worse. I got to wait till the 7th November, I could properly had a bit earlier but I’m away for two weeks on Thursday. So trying to stay positive for holiday. Xx
Good luck my lovely, I hope you're able to enjoy your holiday and then I'm keeping everything crossed for your op. Sending lots of strength your way and positive vibes xxx
hi l was in my 70s when l had my surgery so a lot different in some ways. I had heavy period type bleeds which turned out to be ovarian cancer.
I had a partial hysterectomy where they found the cancer.
However the second surgery was amazing woke up feeling refreshed and all my discomfort (l never had any real pain) was gone. Had an amazing anaesthetist for the second operation who gave me a spinal anaesthetic in the surgery anti room followed by normal inhaled anaesthetic. Woke up about 4 hours later and was completely pain free. Was kept in for 5 days due to my age but could have gone home after 3 but again because of my age they were being safety aware.
I wish you well to recovery and if you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to shout out 🌸
I had a laproscopy a bit over 3 weeks ago. I was initially signed off for one week, which then got extended to 2. After that I started working from home again but on reduced hours, gradually increasing how much I did each day. I'm off on leave for the first bit of this week, but am hoping to get back to my normal hours soon. Best of luck with your surgery!
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