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 🙄)

@kikisparks Sorry you're having to have it. I think two weeks should be enough but def take it easy. I didn't react too well to the anaesthetic, so not sure if that's part of it.
Go with what your body tells you. Work will still be there when you get back. Ive been enjoying binge watching things, reading and editing some photos!

Hi squirrel, yes NHS, we did end up paying for a private appointment in private clinic as got sick of waiting and that consultant also worked for the hospital and got her in her list for the operation then I'm 6 weeks I have post opp then hopefully referred back to IVF clinic XX

How's everyone getting on? @SpringLake @DawnK77 @kikisparks

Hi Squirrel, how are you?
I'm okay thanks, this week the stitches fell out and I feel like a new woman!! Got my post opp check beginning of March, and IVF clinic have rang and said basically they are ready for me so as soon as get my discharge from hospital I am (hopefully) good to go. So now I'm attempting to eat healthy etc so I feel good I myself for when I start... Saying this I am just home from a Chinese and wine night with the girls!!
Hoping to re-start exercise soon, still don't feel I have any strength in the stomach area so just been walking the dog for now. How have you been?

@squirrelnutkins1 Thanks for asking! All back to normal here. On my third cycle post op. Same old irregulararities. Only improvement is that any discharge is much better (I didn't realise how wrong it was!) Hope you're back to work?
Due AF here anyday, and a fridge full of drugs at the ready... but that's for another thread..!

@squirrelnutkins1 thanks for asking! Had my lap about a week and a half ago and they found endometriosis, they lasered some away but some was too severe. I had 2 wounds and one was very bruised all round it, it’s only fading now. There’s also a bit of skin on my stomach that was very scraped and felt like sandpaper, but that’s much better now.

The first week after I couldn’t walk much, was pretty sore and tired, was sleeping a lot and couldn’t wear normal clothes. A few days ago the doctor signed me off for another 2 weeks. I’m feeling a lot better now though, fine to walk etc, only slightly sore at times. I just still get tired a bit easier than normal and my job is full on so think I’ll go back to work on Thursday or Friday and might do a bit of work from home before then. Would rather go back to a short week to ease into things than go back on a Monday.

How are you getting on?

@SpringLake glad the discharge has cleared up! Ooohhh I'm so excited things are moving forward for you 🥳🥳🥳 keep me posted!
Yes went back to work last week. Was thoroughly exhausted but doing ok. Had 3 weeks off in the end which was about right. Xx

@kikisparks sorry they found endo. Same here ☹️ did you just have two incisions? I had 3 last time and 4 this time. My belly button is totally healed and bikini line and right side are looking good. Just the one on my left is taking a while to heal, there's still a stitch there.

Make sure you only go back to work when you're ready. Your health is more important.

What was the scrape on your stomach from?

I know what you mean about the tiredness, it's debilitating isn't it!! I'd say today is the first day I've felt pretty much totally myself and it'll be 4 weeks on Tuesday. I'm expecting AF at any moment, filled with dread each time I go to the loo. I'm hoping for a post lap miracle but we'll see!!!

Let's hope we all get our BFPs soon.

How long have you been trying? We're 18 months in.

@DawnK77 that all sounds really positive! So pleased for you!
I know what you mean about stomach strength. I've been swimming to try and build me back up gently. So scared of pulling anything 🥴
Haha hope you had a lovely night out! Xx

Hi Squirrel, that's a good idea, I might see when my local pool is open, I was going to attempt a jog in the morning but belly button not totally healed yet and same, darent pull anything! I think I'm due on soon too, was also hoping for a miracle but couldn't really bring myself to do what is needed haha. What's next for you appointment wise?

😂 🙈
I think I'm going to wait until I'm 6 weeks post op to do anything too much in the gym, not that I do many weights but cardio and swim will do for now me thinks. I daren't weigh myself, I feel bigger 🙄
I've got my post op follow up in a fortnight. I was REALLY out of it when i came round from the anaesthetic. I was in recovery and on oxygen for longer than I was in surgery! So I'll be interested to go through exactly what was found etc again just so I can confirm I remember correctly what the surgeon told me.
How are you feeling? I'm surprisingly positive, altho that can change one day to the next 🙈 @DawnK77

I'm same, I have been feeling bigger than my usual for the last year, even Notheristine (spelt wrong for sure haha) makes me gain weight, then Clomid did, then they put me on some steroids so I've had PT sessions since last summer to try and control my weight lol, but at my pre opp they said I couldn't do that for a few weeks so now lost my slot with him so going to try jogging and extra long walks with the dog.
I was the same, also didn't know I have endometriosis so I dont really know too much about it, so when it's the post opp appointment maybe they'll tell me a bit more about it. Did you say you've had this done twice?
I get you there, some days positive, some not so much! Xx

@squirrelnutkins1 I assume the scrape is from the tool they used? They didn’t mention it. I was told by the nurse I had 4 cuts as I had 4 bandages but when I took 2 off the next day they were just covering the scrape, the other 2 were covering the belly button cut and bikini line cut. We’ve been trying for 2 years, going to ask to go on ivf waiting list at post lap appointment which they said will be in 8-10 weeks. Last time I spoke to my gynae was in October and she said we could go on waiting list once we hit 2 year mark. She said then it’s a 6 month wait, so hopefully will be doing ivf by October if we don’t get a Bfp by then.

That’s great you’ve felt well enough to go back to work. Hope AF is better for you mine has started today been ok so far just taken 2 ibuprofen.

Fingers crossed your post op follow up in 2 weeks is helpful- do you know yet what’s likely to happen next? When do you think you’ll start TTC again?

That’s positive to hear you’ve been able to swim, I usually swim 2x a week, hopefully I’ll be able to start back up gently in a couple of weeks.

@DawnK77
Did they say what stage endo it was?

How come you can't have PT sessions?

Yep had 2 laps. First time I was around 19/20 and it was for pain. This time pain and not being able to get preg.

Still awaiting AF. I've felt like I'm about to come on since Friday but nothing yet. I never know how to feel when I'm a bit late. I say late loosely as my cycles vary a lot. Do I start feeling a bit excited or am I setting myself up for disappointment??! Hard isn't it. I don't want this all to be a horrendous experience but equally need to look after my mental health!

@kikisparks it's nice to have plans in place isn't it. Hope you can get started this year then 😃

Still waiting for AF. Glad yours was ok! Always a relief! I hate the not knowing of how much pain there'll be!!

Surgeon said start ttc again when ready. We got back to it fairly quickly, OH was horrified but I just couldn't bare to miss a month 🙈 if no joy over the next few months then ivf. I don't know anything about the wait times or how many cycles we'd get for free etc etc.

I love swimming. It's so good to keep your head clear isn't it!

Hi all, sorry to jump in but I'm having lap, hsg and ovarian drilling on Thursday which is my first ever surgery so unsure of what exactly do expect I'm more nervous about the unknown I think! But after you had your op were you given a sick note while at the hospital? Just I'm due at work the next day and I know I'm self certified for the first week but work wouldn't care if you were literally on your death bed they'd still want you in and my doctors are a nightmare to get appointments as apparently they don't do pre bookable appointments anymore you basically have to ring on the morning and hope nobody else has managed to ring in before you just to see someone.. 🤔

Hi Squirrel , I don't think they told me, they did come to me twice to tell me they had found it and removed it but I was a bit out of it afterwards, so not sure if they mentioned the stage. I think I'm due on as well, but my cycle has never been regular, had Clomid once and since then I have had more periods as before it I had none. I totally get what you mean about mental health, I'm generally an upbeat person so trying to keep this going! Exercise definitely helps me!
Hi Nat, I stayed in for one night and was discharged quite late the night after. When I was discharged I asked the nurse for a sick note and she did a 2 week one for me.
Xx

Hi @Nattx
All the best for Thursday! Please tell us how you get on. What is ovarian drilling if you don't mind me asking?
With regards a sick note, all hospitals seem to work differently. I had to go to my GP after self certing for a week. I re dialled 110 times before getting past the busy tone! Got a same day appointment tho. The third week I phoned and they did the sick note without having to have an appointment.
I'd def ask at the hospital because it'll save you a trip to the gp when you should be wrapped up at home!

@DawnK77 it's so hard when your cycles are all over the place isn't it!!! I might take a test on thurs if AF hasn't arrived as by then I'll be on day 33. My last few have been 30, 28, 28, 24, 32.

Well AF is here and I'm crying my eyes out. I guess that'll teach me for daring to hope 💔

Oh Squirrel I am so sorry to hear that, it is so hard isn't it. Sending love to you xxx

@DawnK77 😘

@squirrelnutkins1
Thank you! All went as expected yesterday. Not much pain from the actual incisions more on my right shoulder from the gas if anything but I'm take codeine and paracetamol to ease any pain which seems to be working to a manageable pain anyway.
One part I'm struggling with is sleeping at night though as I hate sleeping on my back and usual sleep on my right side and it's so uncomfortable at the minute.
Everything went as expected during surgery though found nothing else but PCOS which we knew I have anyway and no blockages from my dye test. Ovarian drilling is where they burn little holes into your ovaries to destroy the excess male hormones surrounding them and some of the cysts if possible. Apparently it reboots your ovaries to normal function so hopefully I get my BFP soon!
My follow up appointment is in 3 months and I came around quite well from the anaesthesia and understood everything the consultant was telling me and need a day 21 blood test on my second cycle post-op to make sure I'm ovulating and if not then I'll be prescribed clomid again but consultant said to me there is a really good chance the next time we are in contact is me asking for an early pregnancy scan so sounds promises but only time will tell 🤞😊

Oh almost forgot I was given a 2 week sick note at the hospital before I left and was told if I need anymore time off just to contact my doctor x

@squirrelnutkins1 sorry to hear that! If it makes you feel any better after that first day that was ok I had 3 horrendously painful days, couldn’t sleep, crying in bed etc.

Hope you feel better soon.