Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

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

992 replies

Oddsocksrus · 09/12/2013 22:57

Over here for the hand holding.
One in five women in the uk will have to have a hysterectomy at some point in their lives.
Come and join us if you are waiting, pre op, bleery eyed on the ward or recovering afterwards.

OP posts:
Ledkr · 25/01/2014 09:57

Oh dear twinkleit could be everything tightening up?

I'm sore today too but I do think it was wearing my tight trousers yesterday Blush

Dd slept until 9.30 but I was awake at 6 with my frigging needless menopausal symptoms kicking in without my hrt. My poor body.

I was offered an appointment at the specialist prem menopause clinic at the end of MARCH.

Fuming I rang the consultants secretary to make a private appointment but she was so disgusted at my treatment she is trying to squeeze me into a clinic next week.
She was the first person who had any sympathy or concern that I cried.

I have an irritable bladder today? Can anyone shed any light on that?

Waitingaround · 25/01/2014 16:22

I've had a very irritable bladder too- normal so I'm told BUT I have recently made an effort to lose some weight so my jeans are looser and guess what my bladder feels betterSmile I think my tight jeans were causing bladder pressure which sent it over the edge (if you know what I mean). Perhaps your bladder isn't ready for tight trousers yet?Smile

fullasagun · 25/01/2014 20:48

10 days since my op now and feeling a lot stronger. Still taking paracetamol regularly but managing on that fine.

I have been very lucky not to suffer constipation so far (touches wood and thanks God) and managed a good 20 minute walk today.

Abdomen is still quite swollen though.... hoping I will see some improvement soon? What have your experiences been?

Twinkletights · 26/01/2014 18:34

Ledkr hope that you get your appointment this week, surgical menopause sounds awful.

Fullasagun that is really positive that you are feeling stronger 10 days post op. I still have a very swollen abdomen at 5 days post op so can't offer any helpful advice.

Still feeling weak and tired and hoping that it will pass soon.

Twinkletights · 28/01/2014 08:43

I still have a hot sharp pain on my left hand side under my scar. Is this normal for 1 week post laparoscopic hysterectomy?

Ledkr · 28/01/2014 09:33

Get that checked twinkle just to be sure.

Still waiting for an appointment, nobody gives a shit really, I'm currently waiting for someone to pick up the phone,

Twinkletights · 28/01/2014 17:49

Did you get your phone call Ledkr?

I am still sore but have been out walking the past two days so am hoping that it will settle down.

Ledkr · 28/01/2014 23:19

Can't fit me in until mid march!
I'm fuming, only option is private or suffer and risk my health!
I will be complaining.

Kevinsbowel · 28/01/2014 23:34

Ooh here you all are. Missed you. Glad to see Santa is feeling better. to ladies who have taken the plunge since I was last here.

Ledkr, I had a surgical menopause and I started oestrogen patches about two weeks after the OP IIRC. The surgeon wrote to my GP and told him what she wanted him to prescribe and I just went and got it. I got hot flushes to start with. I went back to work at 7 weeks and within two days went down with bronchitis. However, the good news is that having had two weeks on antibiotics and night nurse, my body seems to have had its temperature controls rebooted and I no longer get any menopausal symptoms at all. So that was two months, tops, to be through it.

Kevinsbowel · 28/01/2014 23:36

Full I remember my abdomen being pretty swollen for a couple of weeks but it went down eventually, or rather, the disappointing reality of my true figure became clear :(

Am now on a diet.

Ledkr · 29/01/2014 08:58

kevin you had a big cut though didn't you?
I don't feel much like going back yet, still a bit sore and achy and bleed little bit if I do too much and get quite tired, not sure if I'm making a big fuss though.
I'm seeing gp tomorrow, I may ask for a bit of hrt to last until March but not sure if he will do it.

Kevinsbowel · 29/01/2014 10:17

No, I was keyhole, full hysterectomy and ovaries and tubes out. It was a big fibroid (32 weeks gestation).

You could just get oestrogen patches and topical oestrogen to keep you going. But to be fair, when I started the topical, I asked my GP why it said take every day for two weeks, then twice a week, when my surgeon had said, just do twice a week. And my GP said, that's because they usually leave it a bit before they start HRT so it has to build back up, but you only had a short gap so it isnt needed.

gingeme · 29/01/2014 22:06

Aren't they supposed to give you hrt straight after the op ?

Ledkr · 29/01/2014 22:31

Yes you'd imagine so wouldn't you? Frigging ridiculous really.
I'm suffering symptoms unnecessarily. Not been too bad tbh but it might get worse, have felt pretty stressy today too which is not funny with two small kids.

gingeme · 29/01/2014 22:53

No I can imagine especially when something can be done about it. I've been reading up on the hrt choices. I have ostioparosis in my family, my Nan was bent right over by the time she died, so I'm not sure which to choose ! I just want it over and done with now. My periods are all over the place Sad I feel so washed out all the time. Not good being a childminder with three of my own to look after too !

Twinkletights · 30/01/2014 08:54

Sad ledkr that is awful that they can't fit you into clinic until mid march. Good luck with your GP today and I hope that they can give you something to tide you over until your hrt appointment.

gingme any news on when your appointment is? Living with awful periods and pain is horrible and I am not surprised that you are feeling washed out. Hang in there the end is in sight

How are you feeling full and fitflop? I think that I have over done it with the walking and still have that red hot pain in my side so going to take things a bit easier today.

fitflopqueen · 30/01/2014 10:11

Hi
I was taken out for lunch yesterday and a little retail therapy, felt ok at time but exhausted when I got home (out for 4 hrs with plenty of sitting) and really sore and tight up around tummy button.
Still only in leggings as too uncomfortable for anything else, feels like surgeon popped a rugby ball in exchange.
Sofa surfing today - will go out for a short walk later.
Twinkle take it easy this week
Ledkr hope your GP is sympathetic and can provide something for you.
Hearing your story so far makes me wonder what will happen hormonally to me, still have ovaries knocking around in there so hope they keep working for now.

gingeme · 30/01/2014 14:54

12th Feb going to see my gynea Grin Scared now Sad

fitflopqueen · 30/01/2014 15:41

Gingeme Write a list of questions now as you think of things and take them with you.
There is some good info on the hysterectomy site to help prepare you.
I am now 8 days post op and whilst having a very lazy day I am feeling loads better than I thought I would be at this point. Not taking any pain relief and just waiting for the swelling and tenderness to go down.
Pottering round at home alone and whilst not lifting am making meals etc now.

gingeme · 30/01/2014 17:22

I have been looking at that site Thankyou flit. Silly question but what sort of time am I looking at between appt and op ? Your my inspiration . You sound like your doing really well Smile I hope I can be the same x

fitflopqueen · 30/01/2014 17:30

Originally 4 weeks from consultation to op date but consultant was flexible regarding dates so i could choose what suited me and also which hospital as he operates at 2.
The hospital didnt get the info in time and so delayed for 2 weeks but still pretty fast 6 weeks from consult to op.
Have been out for half an hours walk, this afternoon and ok so far.

gingeme · 30/01/2014 17:37

Shit really ? 4 weeks !! Crap . Ok thanks x

Twinkletights · 30/01/2014 17:54

Blimey fitflop no pain relief already? You are clearly coping a lot better than I am with that.

I have rested today and DH has done the school runs although like fitflop I am up to cooking meals now so have managed to do that.
I am considering no pain relief tomorrow and a chilled glass of yummy fizzy wine tomorrow night instead Grin

Gingeme waiting times do vary and it is worth bearing in mind that your consultant may want to try meds or run other tests first before they book the surgery. I had an MRI and follow up appointment before we decided that the hysterectomy was the right option.

Good that you don't have too long to wait to see your consultant.

The glue peeling off the scars is weirdly fascinating, they have healed so quickly.

fitflopqueen · 30/01/2014 18:20

I had already had a previous procedure a couple of years ago with same consultant and my GP had already arranged a scan last summer which confirmed the presence of numerous fibroids. I deliberately left being referred back for treatment until I had finally had enough so I was already sure about what I wanted.

gingeme · 30/01/2014 18:27

Ok twinkle. I had an internal and external scan last year. A lapr....camera in my belly button about 15 years ago which confirmed it in the first place. I have tried the pill and depo injection but they just have me migraines and thrush and I put on about a stone in weight Hmm . Fed up with it all nowAngry . Atleast it's a step in the right direction Sad Grin