Lap and HSG - time off work

[squirrelnutkins1]

Hi all

Had my lap and HSG last tues. Wasn't the best outcome but could have been worse.

I was in bed all day the following day and then I've been resting mostly for the rest of the week.

The pain has mostly subsided apart from some twinges around my lap scars, especially at night.

Thing is, after having a bath or popping a bit of washing in etc I'm absolutely exhausted to the point of shaking and needing to sit down. I feel a real wimp.

Gonna try and get gp appointment tomorrow to get signed off (self cert'd for a week) but I feel a bit pathetic saying I'm exhausted so don't feel ready to go back to work... anyone been through this??

TIA

(Also struggling to sleep as you may gather by the time 🙄)

[Rememberallball]

Just because you’ve ‘only’ had a lap & HSG doesn’t negate that you’ve had a general anaesthetic and surgery, along with the emotional response to the news you received.

I would absolutely go to the GP and get signed off to allow you to recover sufficiently to be able to deal with a ‘normal’ day at work rather than go back, not cope then have to go off sick again and have 2 periods of sickness on file. You can always go back to the GP for a fit to work note if you feel better before the end of your medical certificate.

[NewYoiker]

When I had laprascopic surgery I was signed off for 6 weeks and told it can take a week to get over the anaesthetic take it easy

[watt36]

I'm having one soon. Doctor said recovery was a few weeks. There's absolutely no way you'd be recovered so quickly op!! Rest and go easy on yourself

[squirrelnutkins1]

Thanks so much. I'm just not used to sitting around and resting. Feels like I'm being lazy, which I know is crazy really. Thanks for making me feel better! Definitely need to get better properly first. I've only ever had one extended period of sickness in my working life and that was only 3 weeks. Thanks for making me not feel a fraud! @Rememberallball @NewYoiker @watt36

[DawnK77]

Morning Squirrel! I had a cyst removed on Friday, and whilst doing it they cut into womb as discovered I had endometriosis and did something to that (I was out of it when they came to see me so I'm not fully sure what that is) but I get what you mean, I have a sick note for 2 weeks but they've said to go to my doctor's if feel I need more. I feel same, never have had time off work, but I'm knackered and sore and still can't bend. Definitely give yourself some time and see doctor for a sick note, like the others say, could get the fit note if feel better before it runs out or just have a bit of time for you xx

[squirrelnutkins1]

@DawnK77 ah I hope you are soon on the mend. The bending will get easier soon, promise x
Seems the general consensus is two weeks so hopefully GP will be helpful 🙏🏻
Will report back later if I can get through x

[squirrelnutkins1]

Only had to redial 110 times (!!!!!) to get through and then was on hold but got an appointment for today 🎉

[Peoplehelpthepeople]

I was signed off for a fortnight after both of my laps, and even then feel like I should have taken an extra week to be 100% and ready for work - totally normal to still feel not right!

[squirrelnutkins1]

Thanks for the reassurance 💐 I've just been so worried they won't sign me off and I'll have to do a 9 hour shift tomorrow. Will update later x
@Peoplehelpthepeople

[Nat6999]

Every Lap I have had I have been given a sick note for a minimum of 6 weeks ( I didn't need the sick notes as I am retired due to ill health) It takes a good week to get over the anaesthetic, the bruising takes 2-3 weeks to clear & that's without what they have done inside your body.

[squirrelnutkins1]

Thanks for your reply. Are you in the UK? I had a fair bit of 'unsticking' done ☹️ the pain is ok, just like a pulling pain at night but I'm totally wiped out. Just had a shower ready for the docs and I'm having to sit down now. So glad it's not me being a wimp 😂 @Nat6999
Hope your symptoms have improved/resolved 💐

[Nat6999]

I didn't have my laps for infertility, I had them done firstly to diagnose what the pain was, then to remove a cyst, an ovary & my tubes & last a laparoscopic sub total hysterectomy as I have endometriosis. I also had a laparoscopic cholycystectomy for gallstones. The advice was always the same at least 6 weeks recovery

[squirrelnutkins1]

Got signed off for a week no bother. Said I can go back if needed to extend it.
Not the best gp I've ever seen, well she was a trainee. Basically told me to be grateful that I have options and that it's not cancer 🤔 yep ok I get that but come on.....!

[Nat6999]

Didn't the hospital give you a sick note? I was always given mine signed by my consultant.

[squirrelnutkins1]

I heard another patient ask that and one of the nurses was quite rude to her saying you can self cert for a week then go to the GP. Said it's not normal practice to give them out at the hosp. Maybe just a midlands thing? Who knows.

[SpringLake]

@squirrelnutkins1 I was advised by the consultant to ask the junior doctor for a 2 week sick note when I first arrived. I misunderstood, and asked the nurse who said she couldn't help... luckily saw dr again. A one week sick note was supposed to be normal for the lap and a bonus week for having had something removed! I needed both weeks! Even after 1.5 weeks, trying to walk/window shop in town for more than one hour meant a sit down for me. Now you have the note, I hope you can properly rest for a few days before trying to push yourself! Little by little :)

[squirrelnutkins1]

Ah maybe she asked the wrong person then. I guess really a two week note is just a one week note as you can self cert for one week.... but saves you a trip to the GP. I felt fortunate to get a same day appointment!

I don't think a weeks enough, like you say. I felt so poorly this morning after getting ready, thought I was going to faint and or be sick. Everything feels so tiring. Hope it soon gets better!
I may try and walk to the shop tomorrow, it'll be my first attempt outside alone!
We've got to be kind to ourselves, may as well get totally better first time.

X

[squirrelnutkins1]

Whoops didn't finish... rather than ending up back at work only to have a second lot of time off (strict where I work)

[DawnK77]

Hi squirrel, how are now?

[squirrelnutkins1]

@DawnK77

I was feeling a lot better, but then because I thought I was doing better I over did it a bit this morning so feeling a bit rotten now ☹️
How are you doing? Xx

[DawnK77]

Oh no hope you've got a relaxed afternoon ahead! When were you able to stand and walk properly? I had mine on Friday, I'm knackered everything is a struggle, but I have managed today to get on by myself the really attractive stockings they've told me to wear for 6 weeks lol

[squirrelnutkins1]

Yeah just going to binge on films for the rest of the day!
I could walk ok after about 3 days. I've done some bending today and shouldn't have ☹️
The first few days OH had to help me get out of bed 🙈
Yep I know what you mean about everything being a struggle and everything is exhausting.
Are the stockings for dvt?
Did you get a decent outcome from your procedure?
@DawnK77

[DawnK77]

Hi, yes they are for DVT, got nightly injections to do as well.
Ah lovely. Enjoy your afternoon! I'm going to do the same I think!
I think so, had the cyst removed as the clinic wouldnt start IVF with it still on, but whilst they were doing that they found I had endometriosis in the womb so cut me there and removed that as well, I think that's what they said anyway! Got my post opp in 6 weeks so maybe then will find out more and be referred back to the IVF clinic. How did yours go? Xx

[squirrelnutkins1]

Are you private or nhs? I didn't get either of those things on nhs.

Sounds similar to me then. If no joy naturally after a few more months then ivf looks the way forward ☹️

[kikisparks]

Hope you feel better soon squirrel. I have mine next week, nurse said I’ll need a couple of days off work but the booklet said it takes 2-4 weeks to heal so I’m planning on 2 weeks but will go back sooner if I can. Has been interesting to hear others experiences.