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Original poster

Is there a hysterectomy support thread?

983 replies

ALemonyPea · 23/02/2017 21:15

I had a laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy, retained ovaries but everything else removed.

Day 6 for me, and I have some questions and would like some support as freacking out about the thought of vault prolapse.

I am managing pain wise now. Some slight pulling on one side, but manageable. Belly button keeps bleeding, but not enough to run out, so just cleaning it twice a day.

I feel quite heavy down there, is that normal?

I thought I had read everything there was about hysterectomies before I had the op, but the surgeon mentioned vaginal vault prolapse just before the surgery and explained it briefly. I then googled, and the first page brought up an awful image and I can't get it out my mind. I'm terrified that it'll happen to me.

Can anyone offer any help and support.

OP posts:
Fauxgina · 21/03/2017 15:46

Thanks, I'm on ward now just waiting. Feel less worried more hungry now! Would murder for tea and toast.

User543212345 · 21/03/2017 16:05

Faux it won't be too long before you can have post-surgery tea and toast. Hope everything goes ahead for you soon.

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 21/03/2017 16:11

Ah Afaux, what a long day. Hope it's not too long now. I was last on the list as well, and didn't have the op til 2.

I know have sciatica 😡 Feels like it's one setback after another. Can't fake codeine as it makes me constipated and I've only just started to go normally. Had to jump through hoops today to get diclofenic, they no longer sell it over the counter.

Loving the hysterectomy shower, bit gutted I never threw myself one, I was quite tempted.

OP posts:
Original poster
ALemonyPea · 21/03/2017 16:17

Take, not fake

OP posts:
Fauxgina · 21/03/2017 16:38

Are you sure it's sciatica? A pulling sensation in your bottom down your leg?

It the pain doesn't reach your calves it might just be your piriformis muscle giving you issues and a few stretches could see you right, have a look on You Tube.

ArchNotImpudent · 21/03/2017 16:40

Faux Hope you're taken in soon, if you haven't been since your last post. Look forward to seeing you in the 'recovery room' Smile

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 21/03/2017 16:56

Oh yes, definitely sciatica, I've had it a few times. It's literally a pain in the arse. GP says it could be related to the hysterectomy as they out your legs in stirrups, which I didn't know, and moving you around and all that, makes perfect sense.

OP posts:
BG2015 · 21/03/2017 17:35

Faux good luck with your op! I'm still waiting for my date.

Going to ring the consultants secretary tomorrow as she should be back from annual leave. I'd prefer it if she told me I'm at the back of the queue and I have ages to wait.

Sciatica is the worse, my OH had it and had to have a procedure done where they inject a steroid into his nerve. That was about 18 months ago and it seems to have done the trick.

Fauxgina · 22/03/2017 02:24

I thought it was sciatica, GP and consultants in pregnancy all agreed, it was physio who explained if it didn't run all the way down to your calves it wasn't sciatica. The piriformis muscle causes a similar pain as it has something to do with your sciatic nerve. A pain in the arse can be fixed!

I had a physiotherapist attend as a matter of routone after my birth as it was in stirrups and honestly the exercises really did help. I put up with it all pregnancy and didn't have to!

Feeling quite well after op, my asthma's playing up and I'm feeling sick but n real pain. Woohoo! Thanks for all well wishes.

Hysterectomyhysteria · 22/03/2017 06:33

Oh Faux you do sound well! Hope that your asthma has settled.
BG2015 hope that you get through to the secretary and have some good news later today.

BG2015 · 22/03/2017 07:19

Faux I'm so jealous of your op. Did you have a laparoscopic procedure.

Healing thoughts coming to you.

ArchNotImpudent · 22/03/2017 07:21

Faux Hope you got a good night's sleep - glad to hear it all went well.

User543212345 · 22/03/2017 09:01

Morning Faux I hope you slept well and have had your tea and toast. How are you feeling this morning?

It's a week for me since my operation and I hurt a bit more inside than I did. I suspect it's all the bruising etc coming out but it's a bit disconcerting. I plan on sleeping to alleviate it as that's all I'm still good for!

RobotsinDisguise · 22/03/2017 09:13

Morning Faux!

Good plan Sweary. Are you taking pain meds regularly?

When do you think my paperwork will arrive? I got my date via the consultants secretary. That was last week. I'd really like to see it in writing after having rearranged all of my work.

I'm practicing resting today, despite a huge backlog of work. shh don't tell anyone I've gone back to bed. I'll start in an hour or so...

User543212345 · 22/03/2017 09:17

Yes I'm still taking pain medicine religiously. I have another day and a half of tramadol left and I plan on taking all of it. I also do paracetamol and ibuprofen alongside it. I have alarms on my phone to tell me what to take and when so I don't forget. That's my top tip for today - set up a medication schedule on your phone and let it do the remembering for you!

RobotsInDisguise · 22/03/2017 09:22

That is such a good tip!

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 22/03/2017 09:49

Great tip, I'm useless at remembering when to take meds.

Hope you're not in too much pain this morning Faux.

OP posts:
Gighasmokedhalibutisawesome · 22/03/2017 10:34

Faux thinking of you this morning.
Sweary use your phone to set alarms for "patience" as well as meds Grin
Robots I am still in my pyjamas. Part of the rigorous training schedule.

RobotsinDisguise · 22/03/2017 12:20

I'm glad to know our training schedules are going well Gigha! Though at 9:50 I remembered I had an online meeting at 10am. Thought it was probably best not to hold it in bed.

BG2015 · 22/03/2017 12:44

Just came off the phone with my consultants secretary, she took my NHS number and put me on hold for ages - so i'm thinking this must be a good sign.

But no, she said it's an 18 week wait time, they've just come out of a bed crisis and have only just started admitting people again recently. She apologised and was understanding that my life is on hold.

The 18th week is the middle of June! Ahh well

Gighasmokedhalibutisawesome · 22/03/2017 13:00

BG I Am really sorry, I know thats not what you wanted to hear. At least you have a definitive answer. Having a real confirmed op date when it comes through will help enormously too.

I had to wait 5 months later than my original op date but it has come around much quicker than I thought, in fairness.

Fauxgina · 22/03/2017 14:09

18 weeks Sad sorry it's not good news. I've been waiting almost 2 years for mine. It was a vaginal hysterectomy, posterior repair and perineum repair.

RobotsinDisguise · 22/03/2017 14:14

BG, that's rotten. I'm sorry its not sooner. I don't understand how different hospitals can have such vastly different waiting times.

BG2015 · 22/03/2017 14:54

Me neither. I'm feeling pretty rubbish this afternoon. I've just been to have a filling and it always makes me feel strange.

Got to go back to school for a meeting at 3.45 so hoping I can actually speak by then.

Feel very down, which isn't like me at all.

BG2015 · 22/03/2017 14:57

Wow Faux why did you wait so long? I suppose I started this process last May when I started bleeding. So wished I'd pushed for a hysterectomy back then when my consultant suggested the ablation. My mum did tell me lol. Hindsight is a wonderful thing though.

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