Hysterectomies - it's gotta be done but over here for hand holding PART 3

[LackaDAISYcal]

New Thread...
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 or just need a bit of advice.

We are allowed self pity, we are women who are used to "just do" and all of a sudden can't !

I am clinging onto the thought that each day down is one day nearer

Thanks, notpizza

My life has always been hectic, and recently running has been my outlet, my relaxation. A nice 5k run would clear my head and set me up for the day, or longer to shake off frustrations and stress

Now I can barely run a fricking bath for DD.

Hello ladies, I have not been on the thread for a while so thought that I would pop back.
Welcome to all of the new ladies and hope all are recovering well that have had recent surgeries, it does take time to heal and feel normal again. Be kind to yourself it will pass and be so worth it in the long run.

I am now four months post STLH and I am delighted with the results, the recovery seemed quite long and slow by I did go back in for another posterior repair 4 weeks after the hyst which I think is more what I was recovering from.

Gingeme so sorry to read that you don't have answers yet, I really hope that you get the help you need soon.

A questions for ladies that are at least 4 months post op, I have ongoing one sided pelvic pain which is not letting up (this is a new pain that I didn't have pre-op). Has any-one else had this? What is it? and how long it take to settle down?

It's nice to know their is light at the end of the tunnel twinkle.

I feel a bit down today. My antibiotics for my wee infection don't seem to be working as I still need to pee all the time and I'm worried that's cos of the second surgery.

I'm also not sleeping well but that coukd be cos of the peeing problem.
I'm fed up of sitting in the sofa doing nothing while everyone else potters on around me.

Oh and the wound from my drain isn't healing very well

Rant over lol

Evening everyone

Thanks for your post, Twinkle. it's a long road this, and it's good to hear it isn't all uphill.

I rested all day yesterday, but went out for lunch today with DH. First time we've done anything just the two of us since my op. It was really nice, just sitting in the sunshine and not talking about appts.

Which leads me nicely on to sex.

Mentally I'm up for it, but so very far off it physically. I can hardly sit on the sofa with another person without feeling pulling and twinges, never mind try the ugly-bump dance. I'm 5 weeks post now and yes, we were advised again of this magic 6 weeks, but I'm frightened of all the pain that comes on after really mundane activities and the tiredness after short walks/

I'm no help with the sex stuff as I'm single. Take things very slow is my only advice. Must be frustrating though.

Not on your life Jenny am I even going to go down that road yet! I shall be ironing and hoovering before that event takes place , and you know how long I've been told to wait before that.
Seriously though I think I read that it is at least the magic 6 weeks, and when you have seen the consultant. If its hurting to sit, you certainly are not up for that.
Today is the first day, nearly 5 weeks post op, that I haven't taken any pain relief. Unfortunately whatever infection I have (think it my be more kidney than just urine as it doesn't sting when I wee, but I get a pain in my side) the antibiotics didn't quite work. I phoned for my test results today, but the receptionist couldn't tell me anything because the doctor hadn't looked at them. I'm supposed to phone tomorrow afternoon for them. However I think at this rate I shall be phoning for an appointment again tomorrow morning . If it wasn't for this nagging pain in my side, I'd be fine.

Yeah, you're right. Can't possibly be shagging when there's vacuuming to be done

Hope your kidney/urine infection is easily remedied, I've been lucky with no such complications, seems far more common than we're lead to believe if this thread is anything to go by.

Oddly I've not needed any painkillers for the last couple if days, which I'm surprised about .

I've got an app with a urologist next week because of what happened so I will mention my peeing then.

Sex - good god no !

DH is so scared of hurting me he's on a blow up bed in the spare room, I'm loving having the whole bed to myself

My bowels have returned to normal but bloody hell it hurts ! Don't think I've ever wanted to be a "once every 3 day person" instead of a " every day person" as much ....

Been for a walk outside today - only about 30 yards feeling it now though.

What painkillers are you all,on ? I need to speak to the doctor tomorrow and I'm on paracetomal and diclofenac suppositories (only got 4 left )

A quick fly by from me...back to work today 11.5 weeks post op and feeling fantastic.

Sex life is better than it was before the op; we have had more sex in the last four weeks than in the previous year and half

So, hang in there; it will pass!!!

Scarlett, four weeks seems an awful long wait. Virtual hand holding through it all.

Funny, but I am only now, 12 weeks post op, able to say out loud "I had cancer." It is such an emotive word.

Oh, and all my initial angst about just being a vagina and not a proper woman, has paled into insignificance. In the first weeks post op, I couldn't get my head round not having a cervix and my vag being a big bag with nothing else going on. I was seriously considering counselling. But, since resuming bedroom frolics, and witnessing that there is no adverse affect on the quantity or quality of orgasm (in fact they are better as I am more relaxed knowing I'm not going to bleed out afterwards), I am coming round to the idea that it's not all bad. Also the no period thing is quite liberating too! Even before with DH having the snip, there was always that "what if?" every month. Not any more

And forget six weeks for jiggy jiggy...it's more like eight imvho!!

I do really apreciate where everone is coming from though; at times recovery seems like it will never end, but really it's a bit like early parenthood; never ending when you are going through it, but on reflection gone in the blink of an eye.

Oh, and I have an appointment mid July regarding my leaking issues....not sure I can go through another big op so soon. All play to you twinkle having a second op so soon!!

Can I join in the pity party please? Physically, I am fine (nearly 7 weeks post op) but I cannot seem to pull myself out of this low I am in. I have always loved my job but lately I am struggling through the day and have absolutely no motivation to do anything.

I just want to feel better and get out from under the cancer fog. It makes no sense. I do not have cancer - I had cancer but it's gone now. What the hell?

Got the letter today, four weeks post op now and have my scan on Friday (they found cancer in my ovary and are looking to see if it's spread). I think I may be overdoing things as my belly is sore so going to have a rest today.

Must be worrying Scarlett.
Before my op I had very raised ca125 results and so I am waiting to hear if anything they took from me was cancerous.
The docs said they think my result was raised due to my endo but I'll be glad when I know for sure.

I feel a bit more positive and less down today and I think my antibiotics are finally working.
I can't believe I don't need any painkillers either.

Hope the scan goes OK Scarlett . And yes to resting.
Pizza I was sent home with ibuprofen and paracetamol to be taken strictly at certain times of the day. I dropped the paracetamol after 2 weeks, but was told to continue with the ibuprofen 3 times a day, as it helps with the swelling too. I only stopped them yesterday (5 weeks), although would probably have stopped last week if it wasn't for the infection. I still took some last night though just in case. On the whole I haven't had a huge amount of pain because of this, which has meant I could get mobile a bit quicker. Hope that helps .
In other news, I desperately want to have a kip, but my dh (in his wisdom) decided to have the soffits and facias changed while I'm off and I've got men staring at me through the window . They (the windows) will be changed next Tuesday.....watch this space. Also in his wisdom, he has invited an estate agent round on Friday evening to value the house. Time to get better I think is his message .

Well it's 4:30am and I'm wide awake
My stomach feels a bit odd when I move, kind of heavy. Maybe it's everything settling back into place.

I'm also still needing to wee a lot but after reading up I'm pretty certain this is because of the stents they put in my urethras. Seems like people have no end of problems with them. Mine are due to come out in a couple of weeks so hopefully that will stop my symptoms.

Tis a bit of a roller coaster ride this isn't it

Joining. I am having a total hysterectomy tomorrow and feeling very nervous and sad.

There is so much to read on this thread. Can someone please give me a quick overview of what to expect and the side effects that no one tells u.

I'm 9 days post op.

The wind causes so much pain, I was glugging peppermint tea and peppermint oil capsules like mad. Everything still hurts !

Was reading a funny Facebook post today and had to stop as it hurt too much to laugh.

Take every painkiller they offer. I also added arnica tablets and makuni honey to the mix !

Do not try and do too much even if you feel "better" - you're not !

What procedure are you having ?

Good luck x

Hello AtSea

I was very nervous before my op, never had any procedure done apart from dental and childbirth before this.

I cried. A lot

I had aches in places I never knew existed,but pain relief really does need to be timed, refuse nothing.

But what has really shocked me most is the exhaustion.

I was pretty fit before this, running 5k at least 3 times a week, dog walking at least an hour every day, cooking all meals from scratch, childminding 18month old DGS as well as school run - walking again - with DD.

I'm 5 weeks post and can't manage our poor dog and a trip to town on the bus totally floored me.

Make sure you have plenty of help around the house, and I don't mean cleaning etc. Showering, making breakfast/lunch, putting on socks can all be quite tricky in those early days.

Of course, we're all different and you might fly through your recovery and I don't want to give you all the negatives but please don't think you can push to recover faster,you really do have your own rate.

You know what though, not sure if you've been through labour and birth, but if you have - remember all that pain etc? I mean the actual feeling of the pain - nah, me either. I think this is very similar experience.

Oops, pressed send too quickly again, I mean the remembering pain or not being similar.

I know how cried because I hurt so much, but can't 'feel' that pain as a memory, does that make sense?

I'm having a laparoscopic vaginal total (womb, ovaries, cervix) removal.
Bit worried now about the pain. Already refused to PCA button now I'm beginning to wonder.
I've had a c section so was expecting it to be similar to that.

Hi At Sea

Firstly good luck for tomorrow. Please dont worry about the pain. We are all different. I was offered a spinal block as well as a GA which meant that when I woke up I had no pain at all. I was given the usual pain relief which controlled my pain. The quicker you can get off some of the v strong stuff the better as I am told they can make the gas worse. I have to say the pain from the gas stuck inside you was the worst bit for me. Don't be embarrassed to mention this to the docs and nurses as you may need something to help.

I am just 5 weeks post op and starting to feel so much more normal now which is great. Op best thing I did as all my old symptoms gone.
Come back and let us know how you get on. There is some much useful info and help here.

Hi at sea

For what it's worth, here's my view:

I was very afraid of the pain before my op. The surgeon said, "Yes, there will be pain but we will manage it" and I thought "Hah, that's easy for you to say!"

I had an abdominal hysterectomy with spinal block and sedation on 16 June. The spinal block helps with pain control immediately afterwards because basically you can't feel anything.

The nurses' advice was that it is easier & therefore better (in the early days especially) to prevent pain than to try to control it when it is bad. On that basis I took everything they offered.

After a couple of days, when I had found ways to get out of bed, walk, move, sit etc that suited me, I felt reassured and able to reduce the meds. Maybe I was lucky, but I felt mainly "sore" and "uncomfortable" rather than in pain.

The things that did hurt were trapped wind (stomach cramps), coughing, vomiting and, eventually, (ahem) the first poo . I found walking (shuffling!) helped the cramps, and knowing that it was just wind and nothing awful happening inside also helped.

Nine days on, I'm definitely on the mend, occasionally sore and uncomfortable, tired, emotional but it hasn't been as bad as I feared.

Good luck! You will find what works for you.