3 weeks post op

[Pollyanne515]

Ha all, sorry to repeat what may have appeared hundreds of times before... Iam nearly 3 weeks post total hysterectomy, everything removed and stage 4 Endo excision.

I am still really struggling with pain, whilst the initial severe post op pain has subsided, just sitting down and laying in bed, I am still getting what I can only describe as ovary/period pain, dragging into legs?! Which is ironic as don't have any ovaries now!

Good old Google suggests I should be able to walk ten minutes after week two and heading to 30 mins walking after week 6.... And don't even mention the guilt of being off work (self employed so added pressure)

It's just I had assumed, with the pre op advice that things might have been improving more significantly by now. I am literally doing nothing, reclining in chair with feet up, day nap in bed, doing puzzles, trying to read, watch TV, assisted showering is exhausting.

Think I just need to hear that this is normal, I'm not being lazy or imagining or need to kick myself to just hurry up and get on with it.

Teary, sad, fed up, emotional, frustrated blah blah blah

Would be lovely to hear any shared experiences please......

[Moon_maiden]

Hi

It’s a massive op and recovery is slow, you’ve had a lot done and there will be lots of internal stitches that we forget will be there, let alone the Endo removal. I wouldn’t worry at this stage. The RCOG website has some great info on what you can or can’t do after a hysterectomy.

Have you got decent painkillers? HRT?

Emotions will be all over the place, unfortunately 🤦‍♀️

There is a Facebook page for surgical menopause uk, it’s really helpful.

I haven’t needed HRT so far, I did try but I was over 50 when I had op.

[1Poppy1234 in reply to Moon_maiden]

Morning, I am 5 weeks post op and it's a v v v slow recovery. I've just started walking a bit but it pulls so it's very hard. I can't bend down still to pick things up so use one if those helping hands things. I've been told no hoovering etc till 12 weeks. I haven't driven I could do an emergency stop but I don't want anything around my stomach. Give yourself time and hopefully the outcome will be better in the long run. I too am self employed 😥.

[Pollyanne515 in reply to 1Poppy1234]

I'm so grateful for your reply, feel very isolated and when online advise says 2-4 weeks recovery after laparoscopic procedure, you feel even worse!

[1Poppy1234 in reply to Pollyanne515]

It's hard to get correct help isn't it as all scarring etc must be different which must affect recovery. I think we need to listen to our bodies not other people 😊 be kind to yourself and be patient whilst you heal. I know that's not easy but things do take time don't they. 🥰

[Pollyanne515 in reply to Moon_maiden]

Thank you so much for taking time to reply for me, will take a look at ROCG doc, and I am on HRT, more patience required

[Moon_maiden in reply to Pollyanne515]

It is hard to be patient at times. Just a thought are you claiming SSP, you are entitled to it being self employed, not much but any little helps. You might be able to claim Universal Credit, not sure on that, Citizens Advice can let you know.

Diclofenac suppositories can be great for pelvic pain

[Nickyaa]

Hi lovely,

Totally normal I'm on week 6 now and still have that pain which is normal. Your nerves will be adjusting also and will be having an impact from lying and sitting.

I am only just on 25 mins walk daily (slowly) and I am a fit and healthy person. I can only just roll and sleep on my side and still can't bend. It is totally normal.

I think you will be shocked by week 6 how quickly and randomly you feel better. I know it is hard but do not rush the process and just keep resting and moving as best as you can.

I am not even considering work for another 2 weeks and then will try from home a few hours.

I know it is tricky but try not to worry about the pain you are having as I have I to and it is just all settling down.

Emotion wise, went through that in week 4 but on new hrt and making a massive difference. 100mg eviroel, 100mg utrogestan and 0.31mg testerone. Massive difference.

Peace and blessings xx

[Pollyanne515 in reply to Nickyaa]

Thank you so much, I feel reassured and a little calmer about the pain now, was just so worried when you don't have anyone to check your own progress with. Yes on HRT 4 pumps oestrogel, 100mg utrogestan currently. Honestly, feel like I could cry all day, or rip everyone's head off!!! Not great for domestic harmony to say the least 😞

[Bakewey]

I’m 6 weeks post hysterectomy today!

I agree with Nikyaa, all of a sudden you will turn a corner. I’ve been back and forth to hospital and even needed a return to surgery- was getting frustrated as such a slow recovery and then yesterday, for the first time in ages, I started to feel positive again.

The period cramping felling may be linked to your body getting rid of excess blood that was displaced during surgery. Do not worry unless you start to pass clots or fill a pad in an hour. This should pass.

I didn’t even attempt to shower until week 3: French showers were all I could cope with, now I have no problem in there unassisted.

I’m still struggling with hormones - I think I’m trying to exist on too few- I’m 50 nearly 51 and sleeping at night is eluding me.

Don’t kick your self. Listen to you body and slowly you will start to feel restless and need to do a little more (I added 5 mins to walking but some days had to drop back to previous time).

Praise yourself for the things you can do, e.g . I let all my family know when I could finally wash my hair! Make a cup of tea etc…

Good luck with everything 🍀🌺

[Pollyanne515 in reply to Bakewey]

Thank you, being kind to yourself is the key and hard when it's not something that comes naturally x

[Nickyaa]

I agree with bakewey, you will turn a corner.

This journey is incredible but it definitely tests you learning to be kind to yourself doesn't come easily to most people but this is an opportunity for you to try

Remember there are so many nerves including your sciatica nerve around where you are feeling the pain. When your body is used to moving about and it can't, strange pains and aches will kick in but all normal.

The hormones will settle but be kind. Try alternative healing which I highly recommend. Food choices, fluid choices, tapping, breathtaking all make a huge difference.

You have got this and if you really feel like you haven't, wing it and fake and tell yourself a better lie. You can do this

[Pollyanne515 in reply to Nickyaa]

Tips on how to behave when you are in pain, and either crying/shouting/feeling lonely and sorry for myself are go to emotions my family are at their wits end..... I have tried counting to ten, taking a deep breath, but I am just a horrible person to be around!

[Nickyaa]

You definitely aren't. Google vagus nerve meditation. Research into it. Research into goods that can support. Break it into chunks, I know you can xxx

[Cinnamonswirl]

I am 4 weeks post endo excision surgery (including fibroid and cyst removal) and I'm still having pains. Specifically a quite sharp/stubby pain near where my ovary might be. I read that you can get some pains starting up after a couple of weeks as the nerves start to heal. The pain I've got is near the largest incision, so this seems to make sense - it kind of feels like it could be coming from the muscles, which maybe they had to cut through? I have requested a GP appointment to see if this is normal, just in case.

It's disconcerting to have all these new symptoms when youve put yourself through major surgery to try to make things better ☹️ I'm holding on to the fact that my body is still healing and hopefully it's all normal and will settle. Hope yours settles too and soon x

[Pollyanne515 in reply to Cinnamonswirl]

I'm with you, we make decisions to hopefully improve the quality of our lives, and it's all very scary. The comments from this group have been so comforting and supportive. At a time where nothing seems ok, this is a massive help.