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Original poster

Hysterectomies - it's gotta be done but over here for hand holding

993 replies

Oddsocksrus · 30/09/2013 00:13

LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance
I guess I start..
My cervix is on the outside, it can't all hang where it should and no manner of pelvic floor exercises or devises will get it back there.
I'm 41, one fab dd and wanted more but there you are, can't now can I?

This thread, hopefully, will be for those waiting, recovering or supporting

OP posts:
Waitingaround · 23/10/2013 10:26

Reading all this, I have probably tried to do too much- the walking I've done has been hilly because of where I live. I also have a heavy feeling every home I lift anything for example carrying a cup,my phone and Ipad downstairs!! I don't think a lot of people understand though- was asked yesterday when I could muck the horse out again! (Not by a family member though).
Feet up- has the swelly belly gone yet?
Fled to- I also work for the nhs in a physical job (big equipment and patients) I've been signed off for 6 weeks but my boss is very happy for me to be non-clinical upon my return. So hopefully ok.

FeetUpUnitilChristmas · 23/10/2013 10:39

It's hard to see if the swelly belly has gone as I'm quite round anyway, certainly the more I do the more tender my belly is.

I can't yet wear fixed waistband clothes that fit IYSWIM, I'm fine with a couple of pairs of trousers that are on the big side (usually worn with a belt) but not my smarter tailored or jeans.

Waiting around - it sounds to me like your body is saying take it easy for a while longer, as it's still trying to heal. Mucking out a horse, knowing how physical this can be I don't think I'd be evening contemplating it until 16 weeks.

LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance · 23/10/2013 11:08

Shit bugger feck
I've definitely set myself back a few days with that sitting on the floor malarkey. I was very comfy and now I feel all tender and bruised again.
V annoyed with myself. Whatever was I thinking.

Cremolafoam · 23/10/2013 13:16

Oh Lftmad - you poor thing.
I sympathise because my foolish foray to ikea has wrecked me for the last 2 days.
Last night I slept for 12 hours straight. Bonkers. Still getting warm sweats so mostly slept with duvet kicked off. Still tired. It feels like wanting to hibernateGrin

I hear you about the clothes. I am alternating three pairs of leggings with tunic tops. I look at my jeans and think - god no. I admit I have had days where I've simply stayed in my pjsBlush.
Does anyone know about the compression things you would wear round your tummy. Recommended or not?

LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance · 23/10/2013 13:25

I was wondering about those Cremola
My calves are usually enormously meaty but They look quite svelt after a fortnight in the surgical stockings so I'll watch with interest Smile

Cremolafoam · 23/10/2013 14:11

Yay for svelte calvesGrin
Indeed svelte anything.

fledtoscotland · 23/10/2013 14:13

Just looking at the compression belts and it seems to "compress" at waist level. Your uterus or lack of it is below that level so could it push everything down & out rather than supporting it?

Waitingaround · 23/10/2013 15:20

Don't think compressing anywhere in that region would be a good idea, surely it would hurt?
I've been to the GP today to clarify the painful bladder/weird feeling I've been having. They did a urine test which confirmed that I have a uti- so on antibiotics now. I'm actually relieved as once they work I should start to feel better (I hope Smile )

LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance · 23/10/2013 15:25

That's good news Waiting at least you know what's caused the dragging and that you'll get rid of it soon.

Waitingaround · 23/10/2013 15:32

Yes I was pleased...

cocoleBOO · 23/10/2013 15:55

I wouldn't recommend the compression thingys can't see that they would be any good.
On a driving note, I was under the impression that you had to wait 6 weeks, this was because you aren't strong enough to do an emergency stop before then. I rang my insurance, Direct Line, and they said they don't have a limit, go by what your dr told you. I think I was driving at 5 weeks but no more than 5 minutes to the
school.

I was lucky that DH didn't take any holidays for nearly a year do was able to take 3 weeks in a row off, the DDs were back at school a week after my op and they were 11 and 14 so didn't need much looking after.

Remember as well there is a difference in ops. I had a total hysterectomy but it was a laparoscopy so I didn't have a wound only incisions. Don't always go by other people's recovery times.

Hope everyone has their feet up and are resting Smile

cocoleBOO · 23/10/2013 15:56

I wouldn't recommend the compression thingys can't see that they would be any good.
On a driving note, I was under the impression that you had to wait 6 weeks, this was because you aren't strong enough to do an emergency stop before then. I rang my insurance, Direct Line, and they said they don't have a limit, go by what your dr told you. I think I was driving at 5 weeks but no more than 5 minutes to the
school.

I was lucky that DH didn't take any holidays for nearly a year so was able to take 3 weeks in a row off, the DDs were back at school a week after my op and they were 11 and 14 so didn't need much looking after.

Remember as well there is a difference in ops. I had a total hysterectomy but it was a laparoscopy so I didn't have a wound only incisions. Don't always go by other people's recovery times.

Hope everyone has their feet up and are resting Smile

FeetUpUnitilChristmas · 23/10/2013 16:00

I've not tried a compression belt but I gave been wearing M&S light support pants when I've been up and about to give some help to the area.

I think that they have been if benefit

cocoleBOO · 23/10/2013 16:03

Sorry for double post

LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance · 23/10/2013 16:33

Getting worried now. Shewhowines hasn't popped in since Thursday. I hope she's ok.

Cremolafoam · 23/10/2013 16:38

No I can't see any benefit to compression dodah. My waist is well above my swollen belly so I have no idea what way it could possibly wear itGrin
Had a lovely long shower today and a hairdry. Feel a million times better and am about to settle on sofa for a read. I am starting a list of Christmas pressies and will do a bit of browsing on amazon. Quite good to know I do not have to face city centre this year. All shopping will be gift cards or online.Smile

RhondaJean · 23/10/2013 19:03

Hi and thanks for pointing me over here creamola.

I was looking for advice and help as to how I can support my friend. She's 33 and was put onto the waiting list for a total hysterectomy and ovarian removal today for endometriosis.

I'm worried she thinks this is going to cure everything and be miraculous and I need to find a way to make sure she knows about the long term side effects and what she can do to help with them, and support her through the physical process as well.

I'm worried because she's so young, and they have only given her one type of medication to try, and straight into this. Is that usual?

How can I help her? What would you guys have wanted your friend to do to make your life easier with it all?

I hope you don't mind me asking...

cocoleBOO · 23/10/2013 19:27

Rhonda (thats my RL name!) because she is young for ovarian removal she will go on hrt, a side effect of estrogen hrt is it can cause endometrosis. I'm not completely sure of what I'm talking about here but I think if all the endo isnt removed it could spread it IYSWIM?

I was given an MRI to check if I had endo before my op, there wasn't any, only scarring from where I had had it before so I was ok. Has she been ofered a scan so they know where it all is?

fledtoscotland · 23/10/2013 19:27

Cremo - glad you're feeling better

Rhonda- I'm only 38 and have been told in not suitable for laser ablation due to endo & bowel adhesions from prev gyn surgery. They've tried tablets to help the pain & bleeding (mefanamic & tranexamic acid) plus depo injections so next step is hysterectomy. Tbh I bricking it about the surgery (2wks tomorrow) but will be glad to be relatively pain free and not bleeding for up to 3wks

cocoleBOO · 23/10/2013 19:28

I'm not sure that post makes any sense Hmm

fledtoscotland · 23/10/2013 19:28

And adding to cremo's comments I too was scanned to gauge the endo

fledtoscotland · 23/10/2013 19:29

Sorry cocos comments Blush

RhondaJean · 23/10/2013 19:35

No scan so far. They did do a cone biopsy at her first appointment a couple of months back.

She's been told no Hrt because she is only 33 and can only take it for ten years.

She's not been offered depo. She was on the pill for a few years and that controlled it but as soon as she stopped taking it it came back worse than ever.

They've given her one type of medication which she took for a few days but it made the bleeding worse so she stopped.

She has been and is going through a terrible time.

Coco - hello! I don't meet many :-)

cocoleBOO · 23/10/2013 19:40

I agree with Fled if you're suffering you'll try anything, you just want to be better. I had an ablation a few years ago to stop my periods. It worked in that respect but leading up to my hysterectomy Iwas very ill with adenomyosis I was signed off work for nearly a year. Adenomyosis is when you bleed into the wall of your womb instead of the blood leaving your body as a period. I think it was the ablation that caused this, the lining of your womb grows back in 2 years after having one (I wasn't told this).

cocoleBOO · 23/10/2013 19:45

She needs hrt to protect her from osteoporosis, even if she takes it from now for 10 years, I don't understand the reasoning behind that Confused.