Hysterectomy blues, feeling so low

[Moonlightbean123]

Hi everyone. I had my open surgery hysterectomy on sat and at the time my biggest concern was being put to sleep. I really didnt understand how hard this operation would be. I was discharged after 2 nights and I was reading some other older mumsnet posts about recovery and I know everyone is different but 5 days in im in so much pain and discomfort. Struggling with gas and bloating but im not constipated but did have to push a little when on the loo yesterday and then I was scared id wrecked my stiches. I have bad neck pain from not being able to sleep comfortably. The house has turned into a mess. Please anyone is this normal, please tell me im expecting too much because compared to everyone else im just not progressing as I should. Cant stop crying am such a loser.

Hello,
welcome to the other side. I had full abdominal surgery 5 months ago. Trust me, it gets so much easier.
my thoughts for your situation

1. read, watch telly, rest and chill. Be looked after and refuse to do anything but rest. Your body will tell you what it needs. Eat lots of protein, I craved nuts and peanut butter toast. Protein helps body to heal.
2. sleep when your body is tired. It also helps the healing process
3. v pillow, will help the neck pain, and prop your self up! If no v pillow, try a travel neck pillow. Another hint for sleeping is to prop a pillow under one side of hip, then change when needed.
4. squattypotty, or stool or some way of raising feet when going to the toilet. I had so much trouble with wind and pooping in the hospital, the stool/squattypotty puts everything in alignment and it just comes out on its own.
5. there are some great fb pages for hysterectomies but I had to turn these off as they were making anxious so decided to do what my body needed.

Good luck on this journey, it will get better I promise.
xx

The pain shocked me and my mood was dreadful, I was very low.

This is me exactly. A trip to the hospital only added to my anxiety but I know its really clear from all the messages that im expecting too much too soon, which is exactly what I needed to hear. Happy to hear you made a good recovery, xxxx

Thank you everyone who took the time to post to me , i am feeling better in the sense that I know I've got to calm down and ill improve as soon as my body is ready to and thats ok. I've still got some pain not managed by pain killers and im not sleeping for more then 2 hours at a time but it will take time. Everyone has been so kind in reassuring me and honestly every single message here has been a support . ♥️♥️♥️♥️

How are you doing today @Moonlightbean123

Hoping you are doing OK ❤️

Hey... aww thank you for asking. I really want to say I'm really well and doing great but the reality is I'm so up and down and I know especially from this thread not to expect too much (which is what I needed to hear) but im so emotional as well. Random crying , yesterday I even warned my daughter that crying was about to start but she made me laugh when she said mum, how can you predict crying before it happens lol. I get this really weird burning feeling that comes and goes around my stiches, and the house had fallen to pot. l dont even want to complain too much to hubby because I know they are trying and I have alot of love from hubby in terms of my recovery, lots of emotional support from him but for goodness sake can he wipe the food stains off the wall by the bin next time hes cleaning up 🤣🤣 💓💓

Thank you for checking up on me.. made me smile.

I feel you! Mine would be exactly the same!

Keep on keeping on, at least you still have your sense of humour ❤️

OP there are some good post-hysterectomy groups on Facebook: might be worth joining one for advice about what's normal and how to cope with the moods etc. Lots of love. X

Aww thank you ill have a look. I think ive got an old login for face book somewhere x

Hi everyone. Hope youre all ok. I wanted.to let you all know im feeling much better. Still got some pains and the house is still a massive mess but im doing alot better (as you all said I would ) im sleeping abit better although I do wake up feeling like ive been in a car crash. Whole body ache!! I just want to get back to cleaning now lol. Thank you everyone. At a time of feeling like utter crap, your messages really picked me up , I hope I dont sound cringe! Xxx

Glad to hear you are feeling better. have they talked to you about HRT?

the doctor said because they left my ovaries in that I won't go into menopause. The only thing I dont understand is how will I know when it does happen if im not having periods 😕

Organise some hromone tests, for now and then as you see what other symtpoms arise, you can get repat ones from the GP. Hopefully knowing your current baseline then you can see when the levels get too low. They'll be other symtpoms anything like low libido, vaginal dryness, hot flushes, etc are signs you're going into menopause so look out for those.

So pleased to hear your news! That's great. Onwards and upwards (but carefully )

Glad we could help and appreciate you popping back to let us know ❤️