Post Lap stabbing pain: Hello lady warriors... - Endometriosis UK

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Post Lap stabbing pain

Mparstoy profile image
34 Replies

Hello lady warriors

I am 6 days post Lap. I have wanted to come off the pain killers, but I am experiencing stabbing pain that paralyzes me. My husband has had to come to my rescue multiple times because I can't walk back from the bathroom. I cut the pain killer in half and this eases the pain for awhile.

Have any of you experiences this type of pain right after surgery?

With kindness

M.

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Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy
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34 Replies
TopGuntastic profile image
TopGuntastic

Hi, sorry to hear you’re experiencing what sounds like debilitating pain. I’m almost 4 week’s post lap and while I had a lot of pain and discomfort afterwards for around 10 days it wasn’t stabbing pain. I usually have stabbing pain during the month with my endo though. I’d say it’s worth checking it out with your consultant or at least your GP. Good luck x

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply toTopGuntastic

How are you feeling now post op? Did you get your period already?

TopGuntastic profile image
TopGuntastic in reply toMparstoy

Hi, I’m doing okay. I’m phasing back to work and having good days and bad. It’s more the tiredness now over the pain. The pain is manageable and only increases on very busy days; I take it as my body saying ‘relax’! I had my first period around days 12-17 post op, sorry to say it was even more painful than usual although less heavy than usual. I was lucky that it was while I was still off work, if I hadn’t have been then I’d have had to go home a few days! x

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply toTopGuntastic

For some reason I completely missed this message. I'm sorry. How are you feeling now after your Lap?

TopGuntastic profile image
TopGuntastic

I should add that I had to rely on my painkillers and without them the pain would have been even worse. 6 days post op is very early in the recovery and maybe you’d be best to continue them for another week at least. I’m still taking some painkillers now.

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply toTopGuntastic

Thank you for your reply! They told me that after 5 days of pain killers that I should wean off because they are addictive so I've tried not to take them.

I am still at a point where sitting for more than 15 minutes is not possible. I figure it is my feminine parts screaming out for all the man handling that was done. I got my appendix taken out, was not sure if maybe that increases the pain.

TopGuntastic profile image
TopGuntastic in reply toMparstoy

Hi, I was initially taking morphine (OraMorph), then two days post lap moved onto cocodamol and now only paracetamol and ibuprofen. Although you may need to change tablets/strength I’d say it’s likely you’ll still need some kind of pain relief. Definitely discuss it with your GP or consultant. I hope it improves quickly x

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply toTopGuntastic

Thank you!!! It helps to "talk" about it! Big hug

Harley9 profile image
Harley9

I’m 6 days post-lap, and I experienced the exact same today. It felt like it was coming from my left ovary or a little lower down. I took extra tramadol and it eased up. I had reduced my tramadol today and wondered if it was just that?

How are you doing now? xx

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply toHarley9

I am sorry you are also in pain! Has the pain increased?

Harley9 profile image
Harley9 in reply toMparstoy

It definitely felt like it had, though I did try to reduce one of my pain killers from two to one. I doubt one tablet would have masked that pain previously though.

Strange that we both have had stabbing pain at this stage. I do hope yours eases up xx

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply toHarley9

Hi! I'm sorry, I missed this message! How are you feeling now?

Harley9 profile image
Harley9 in reply toMparstoy

Quite a bit better now, it’s just like a dull period pain sort of feeling. How are you feeling? xx

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply toHarley9

So you are 9 days post Lap and working? Let's see, I'm 10 days post lap, we almost had it on the same day!

I can certainly feel that it is better, and at the same time, still quite painful. I haven't managed to get to a place where I can sit for more than 10 - 15 minutes. I am blessed to have all the time I need to recuperate. I don't know how woman do it that need more time for their bodies and mind to recuperate and do not have this privelege.

I am a little nervous about next week. I have an international flight to take and good chance my first period will arrive. I'm mighty thankful to still have Percocet.

What is your current Endo situation?

Harley9 profile image
Harley9 in reply toMparstoy

I struggle to sit too, I’m now at the stage where I can lie down sideways for a change. Walking is okay too, I’ve been told to do 2 lots of 3mins + 3 each day, so I’m now at 27 minutes twice a day.

My surgeon was happy that all had been excised. I had endo on my bowel, bladder, peritoneum, pelvic sidewalls, pouches, and a large ovarian cyst that had adhered to a sidewalk. But fingers crossed that’s the end of it!

I’ve lost all of the pain that I associated with endo, apart from a tight bladder feeling. Currently, it aches after I’ve gone to the toilet which is different to how it was before, so it might just be healing pain, too early to say I guess!

Hopefully there will be a good amount of recovery between now and your flight, I’m sure we’ll both be feeling very different by next week xx

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply toHarley9

Sounds like it experiences are quite similar! Which gives me more tranquility. Thank you! How often are you urinating? I hope this is your first and last Lap. It is what I am imagining for myself. I have great confidence in my doctor. How long will you be able to continue resting?

Big hug

Harley9 profile image
Harley9 in reply toMparstoy

Yes, it’s lovely having someone with similar experiences! I’m going a good handful of times a day as I’m drinking quite a lot. How about you?

Yes, I’m hoping so too! I did a lot of research into choosing mine as I wanted a doctor who I could fully trust with any eventuality. Glad you did too 💛

Sending healing thoughts xx

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply toHarley9

I was going to tally how many times I go today. It's 9:45am and I've gone 4x.

As for the sleeping on your side, have you tried putting pillows on the side and wrapping your leg around the pillow? It needs to be a good size solid one to really help and moving your leg into different bends until you find the right height for you. My yoga therapist taught me how to do it and it had helped me the last few months and now after the surgery.

How are your incision wounds?

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply toMparstoy

Oh! And do you look 5 months pregnant?

Harley9 profile image
Harley9 in reply toMparstoy

Oh I’ll try that. I had my dressings changed the other day. My left and pubic wounds are perfect, my right (that had a drain) and tummy button wounds are still bleeding a bit. All bandaged up for another few days at least! Have you had yours checked?

Today’s tough, my bladder really is hurting and I’m worrying whether this means the lap didn’t excuse my bladder endo fully, or it could be the healing process or even a UTI.. guess I can’t know yet 😔

How has your day gone?

And yeah I’m definitely pregnant looking! Not great, but I’m just in nighties and flowing dresses when I’m outside walking 😄 xx

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply toHarley9

I did not have them checked, but they all look great, no bruising out bleeding. I think they will not take a long time to scar up.

I am sorry to hear about the bladder today. I would give it time before thinking it did not work. It is still so early. I read that it could take months before the healing sets in. It is important to keep an eye out for infections. Is it painful to urinate, like a UTI? When you go to urinate, is urine coming out? Make sure you are checking your temperature, those would be good ways to monitor for a UTI.

I once had an asymptomatic UTI, I felt nothing until I saw blood in my urine, it was the only way I could tell. So they make me a little nervous.

Maybe some heat on the tummy could help.

My day had not been bad. My husband has been a bit moody. I think he is feeling a bit claustrophobic and always taking care of me can be draining. Luckily my uncle took him out to a soccer game. Gives everyone a break.

As for the pregnant belly, I was starting to get used to it. I had an Endo belly everyday for quite awhile. I'm excited to get rid of it.

I hope your day is getting better!!!

kitscat profile image
kitscat

I am now 11 days post op and I had the same thing for the first week. I’m still taking painkillers once a day. Ibuprofen and paracetamol. I was using Co-codamol 8/500 which I bought over the counter in the pharmacy, from day 7-10. I think if the pain is not at least slightly improving each day you should see your GP. I had an endometrioma removed from my left ovary so that is where most of my pain is coming from. Xx

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply tokitscat

Thanks! I hope your recuperation is healing as best as possible. You are taking ibuprofen and paracetamol once a day? Does this relieve your pain?

I will be having a post opp appointment on Wednesday.

I had the Endo removed from various places and my appendix was removed.

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply toMparstoy

... pressed send be mistake... I am not sure if the Endo removal of the appendix removal is creating the stabbing. I am sure it will improve in the next few days. Thank you for your message.

kitscat profile image
kitscat in reply toMparstoy

Painkillers once a day allows me to function ok. There is always a little pain but it reminds me not to over do it! I’m back in work now but it’s not a physically strenuous job so I’m ok.

I’m glad you have a follow up appt-they can give you a good checking over.

As they have removed your appendix I think your recovery will be longer. I had a lap last year for an ectopic and they removed my Fallopian tube. My recovery was a lot longer last time!

What painkillers are you taking?

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply tokitscat

Although the pain can still be stabbing, I can work through it and with help from my lovely husband, unparalyze myself. I know this still sound intense, but the fact that it is getting a little bit better each day is a relief. My mother advised me to take Ibuprofen every 4 hours to help with the inflammation. She told me to take it religiously and that this way I could avoid taking the Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen). Yesterday was the first day I did not take it. I wanted to be better by now because I am taking an international flight next week, but I have come to terms with the reality that my body needs the time it needs.

Thank you for listening!

With kindness

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply tokitscat

I am sorry you have gone through so many surgeries in such a short period of time! How are you doing? I can't imagine going back to work very soon after this surgery. You are certainly a strong woman!

Kolors profile image
Kolors

I feel I have stronger pains after having laparoscopy! Current painkillers don't have any effect so I need to change again. Will they give me cocodymol or morphine?

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply toKolors

I'm sorry to hear about your pain. How long ago did you have your lap?

Kolors profile image
Kolors in reply toMparstoy

A week ago and then started my period few days later. Pains feel much stronger than before. I m just confused straight after lap, I mean surly there should have been little improvement?? I knew it might come back but it seems the problem is still same or worse

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply toKolors

It is quite common to have a very painful period after a lap. This does not mean the surgery did not work. It is traumatizing for the body to go through a surgery, it is still adjusting and finding it's way. It can take many months before it finds its new normal. I know how much you would like to feel pain free now. We can put so much expectation into this event. No one can really tell you how you are going to feel, but maybe now you can take comfort in knowing that the pain you feel is normal and good things can still await for you!

With kindness

Kolors profile image
Kolors in reply toMparstoy

Thank you for your kind words. I pray you are correct and this does not escalate to anything worse. These pain are unbearable and changes my life, I m on break from work but the thought of returning to work with pains is daunting. Reading your reply has given me some confidence, thanks.😘

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply toKolors

I really do hope that it improves for you! Hopefully you can go to work with less pain! I wish you the best!

Kolors profile image
Kolors

Thanks

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