Recovery Progress Reports for Hysterectomy dates Oct 24-Oct 30,2011

Ladies, thanks for the replies & perspective on things. I've heard 6-12 months to reach normal... but I wasn't "normal" for a good half year pre-surgery, so knew those #s wouldn't necessarily apply to me... my gyn pretty much just told me that I could go back to work after 4 weeks & that it would take a while longer for me to feel like I was back up to speed.

I had my gall bladder out the same day as the hyster and as I waited outside the OR the general surgeon asked me what i was going to do if the surgery didn't fix the gas/reflux issues I had been suffering for several months at that point... I really just expected that it would fix things. At this point, I'm on 2 reflux meds, 1 IBS med, mix-in fiber and a probiotic & have horrible gas that keeps me up for a couple hours after laying down at night. I've tried a couple OTC meds and found that I can add gas-x tabs when things are especially bad & get some minimal relief, Tums do nothing... I cannot eat anything with too much spice, fat or acid to it & if I eat a bite more than needed I'm miserable. I also have to avoid dairy and a few other food allergies, so am feeling like the variety of food I can eat has been greatly reduced... I feel like I shouldn't complain compared to Mari's restrictions tho!

I started gaining upper belly fat pre-surg and haven't been able to get that under control. lower abs still swell when I've been doing a lot & the button of my pants hits right into the scar over my navel, so that gets irritated whenever the swelling causes my waist band to "dig in".

Festi, my skin's dry too... in fact I have patches of eczema all over my hands right now that look down right scary. I have to slather them with cortisone & wear white cotton gloves to bed each night... and I'm sure that makes me look downright desirable to my Sweet Baboo! Post-shower applications of baby oil gel have been helpful, but I wish there was an easier/longer lasting treatment for arms, legs, etc. The common advice I read everywhere is to drink more water, but I can't seem to do that without aggravating my reflux... something's gotta give!

hugs to y'all!
Colleen

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark's Mrs. Ladies, thanks for the replies & perspective on things. I've heard 6-12 months to reach normal... but I wasn't "normal" for a good half year pre-surgery, so knew those #s wouldn't necessarily apply to me... my gyn pretty much just told me that I could go back to work after 4 weeks & that it would take a while longer for me to feel like I was back up to speed. I had my gall bladder out the same day as the hyster and as I waited outside the OR the general surgeon asked me what i was going to do if the surgery didn't fix the gas/reflux issues I had been suffering for several months at that point... I really just expected that it would fix things. At this point, I'm on 2 reflux meds, 1 IBS med, mix-in fiber and a probiotic & have horrible gas that keeps me up for a couple hours after laying down at night. I've tried a couple OTC meds and found that I can add gas-x tabs when things are especially bad & get some minimal relief, Tums do nothing... I cannot eat anything with too much spice, fat or acid to it & if I eat a bite more than needed I'm miserable. I also have to avoid dairy and a few other food allergies, so am feeling like the variety of food I can eat has been greatly reduced... I feel like I shouldn't complain compared to Mari's restrictions tho! I started gaining upper belly fat pre-surg and haven't been able to get that under control. lower abs still swell when I've been doing a lot & the button of my pants hits right into the scar over my navel, so that gets irritated whenever the swelling causes my waist band to "dig in". Festi, my skin's dry too... in fact I have patches of eczema all over my hands right now that look down right scary. I have to slather them with cortisone & wear white cotton gloves to bed each night... and I'm sure that makes me look downright desirable to my Sweet Baboo! Post-shower applications of baby oil gel have been helpful, but I wish there was an easier/longer lasting treatment for arms, legs, etc. The common advice I read everywhere is to drink more water, but I can't seem to do that without aggravating my reflux... something's gotta give! hugs to y'all! Colleen

A few years ago, I had my gallbladder out and that was the beginning of hell
For me. Your symptoms sound similar
To some of what I've gone through over the years. One thing I wanted to say is for years now, they said I had IBS. That was not true. I had Celiac disease. Plus now I am dealing with SIBO which gives you that IBS type symptom as well as other symptoms which worsen with carbs and anything containing fructose. Could you get a GI to do a
Hydrogen breath test? It is possible you may have bacterial overgrowth. Look up SIBO and compare your symptoms. The surgery made everything worse.

Keep in touch. I am curious and concerned about your symptoms.

ugh... finally got on line, found this message, researched SIBO & went to reply and somehow lost the response i was typing.

Mari - thanks so much for all the info. I've been wondering if there's something "more than" IBS to blame. At this point I've had a blood test (2 years ago) that ruled out Celiac (they checked because of my Irish heritage), and have also had endoscopy & colonoscopy that showed fairly normal. Only finding was a hiatal hernia that's "too small to do anything about" but large enough to cause discomfort... I wonder if I should have the Celiac test redone/ if that can change? or if SIBO could be to blame. I haven't lost weight though, but am overweight.

I noticed one of the treatments for SIBO is probiotics. The GI told me to try probiotics last time I was in, so I've been doing that for 2 months now. I do feel like I'm getting "cleaned out" better, but am still prone to the runs or urgency in going - though that is a LOT better than before the gall bladder surgery.

I really just wish my mornings weren't "ruled by" my bathroom unpredictability. I live 10 minutes from the first place I can stop to relieve myself should the urge strike when commuting - and have a long 10 minute stretch after that before the next stop is available. I actually have a friend who lives along my route & has given me a key so I can stop in if needed... but I hate to stink up her house! needless to say arrival at the office is not something that happens in a timely fashion very often. That is one benefit to working alone, but there is also no one to cover for me when anyone's awaiting my arrival... ugh...

so, maybe SIBO? I hate to think of having any more health issues, but at this point I think I'd rather know what's to blame & tackle it than to linger in this state of "not knowing" much longer...

love. Colleen

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark's Mrs. ugh... finally got on line, found this message, researched SIBO & went to reply and somehow lost the response i was typing. Mari - thanks so much for all the info. I've been wondering if there's something "more than" IBS to blame. At this point I've had a blood test (2 years ago) that ruled out Celiac (they checked because of my Irish heritage), and have also had endoscopy & colonoscopy that showed fairly normal. Only finding was a hiatal hernia that's "too small to do anything about" but large enough to cause discomfort... I wonder if I should have the Celiac test redone/ if that can change? or if SIBO could be to blame. I haven't lost weight though, but am overweight. I noticed one of the treatments for SIBO is probiotics. The GI told me to try probiotics last time I was in, so I've been doing that for 2 months now. I do feel like I'm getting "cleaned out" better, but am still prone to the runs or urgency in going - though that is a LOT better than before the gall bladder surgery. I really just wish my mornings weren't "ruled by" my bathroom unpredictability. I live 10 minutes from the first place I can stop to relieve myself should the urge strike when commuting - and have a long 10 minute stretch after that before the next stop is available. I actually have a friend who lives along my route & has given me a key so I can stop in if needed... but I hate to stink up her house! needless to say arrival at the office is not something that happens in a timely fashion very often. That is one benefit to working alone, but there is also no one to cover for me when anyone's awaiting my arrival... ugh... so, maybe SIBO? I hate to think of having any more health issues, but at this point I think I'd rather know what's to blame & tackle it than to linger in this state of "not knowing" much longer... love. Colleen

Hi Colleen, would you believe I had been wondering about you, and then I got the email that you had posted! Wow
What a connection we sisters have.

I am in my last week before I can begin taking Xifaxan again. Last time was May 30th, day after I returned from my trip. Did okay for about two weeks after that course of treatment, but last week I began to be fatigued, lots of abdominal pain, constipation beyond words, so different from you, but SIBO can cause either, and I feel like every bone in my body is broken. A sign that the darn thing is back! Ugh

I go to GI on 29th. Have an appt at a teaching hospital in OK City but can't get in before November 30th. Will
See if my dr could get me in before. They're clueless where I am. I've had to teach my GI about SIBO, what treatment I needed, what diet to be on etc. makes you wonder. Gotta be our own advocates and do research for
Them...sigh.

Hope you can get the hydrogen breath test soon. Would be interested in knowing about it. Meanwhile, could
You take this constipation and give me half of what you have??

Take care.

Hi Mari - decided to quickly check my personal email at work and was pleasantly surprised to find you had replied since last night.

yes, it seems doctors don't always know everything that would be useful for us to have them know... I've had a few that I've had to bring up to speed on why my gyn was treating my various conditions with different alternative treatments instead of immediately going for the hysterectomy, and compare/contrast what I've been told by my primary with the GI doc and various others. It would be helpful if there was a doc who had some insight into "how I tick" instead of several of them offering conflicting suggestions of "what might help"

it's hard to explain to them that on my 20 minute commute to work I have resorted to lining my underwear with diapers left from when we did foster care, just to be certain I don't "lose it" on the way to work, because I've already been in & out of the bathroom a 1/2 dozen times before I dared to walk as far as the car. I used to pop immodium several times a week - and that has lessened a great deal since the gall bladder (but is still an issue), I sometimes have constipation - especially the 2 days after taking immodium, but the constipation is accompanied by the same sense of urgency as if I was having the runs anyway.

In the meantime, the burping/belching has gotten a LOT worse. I have some food allergies - milk, strawberries, coconut, and have in the last few years noticed some sensitivity to pitted fruits (peaches, plums, etc.); and am also lactose intolerant, so am wondering if there are other foods I would be better off avoiding - or if there are other food allergies that have developed/weren't previously diagnosed.

I see my primary doc next week for annual physical, so will be asking him about all this too... thanks for a listening ear and for sharing your experiences, it does help me think these things through a bit more clearly to find someone who understands a little about the limitations these conditions create...

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark's Mrs. Hi Mari - decided to quickly check my personal email at work and was pleasantly surprised to find you had replied since last night. yes, it seems doctors don't always know everything that would be useful for us to have them know... I've had a few that I've had to bring up to speed on why my gyn was treating my various conditions with different alternative treatments instead of immediately going for the hysterectomy, and compare/contrast what I've been told by my primary with the GI doc and various others. It would be helpful if there was a doc who had some insight into "how I tick" instead of several of them offering conflicting suggestions of "what might help" it's hard to explain to them that on my 20 minute commute to work I have resorted to lining my underwear with diapers left from when we did foster care, just to be certain I don't "lose it" on the way to work, because I've already been in & out of the bathroom a 1/2 dozen times before I dared to walk as far as the car. I used to pop immodium several times a week - and that has lessened a great deal since the gall bladder (but is still an issue), I sometimes have constipation - especially the 2 days after taking immodium, but the constipation is accompanied by the same sense of urgency as if I was having the runs anyway. In the meantime, the burping/belching has gotten a LOT worse. I have some food allergies - milk, strawberries, coconut, and have in the last few years noticed some sensitivity to pitted fruits (peaches, plums, etc.); and am also lactose intolerant, so am wondering if there are other foods I would be better off avoiding - or if there are other food allergies that have developed/weren't previously diagnosed. I see my primary doc next week for annual physical, so will be asking him about all this too... thanks for a listening ear and for sharing your experiences, it does help me think these things through a bit more clearly to find someone who understands a little about the limitations these conditions create...

Omg, your system sounds like mine MINUS the runs. I would welcome a day or two of that, but I can see how it
Would be a nuisance to go out. Sounds very SIBO like. Mine was hard to diagnosis because I mentioned a comatose Colon and GI immediately said "can't be SIBO, you must be going to the toilet frequently!". I researched and found that SOME experience constipation and ordered him to give a hydrogen breath test. Anyway, sending you my email addy via PM.

I seem to have an intolerance to almost
Everything these days, ugh.

We will figure this out for them so they can order tests and write prescriptions!

Yeah, just call me 'Lumpy'....lol

Nasty scar. Work in the same hospital as my surgery...always want to slap Gyn's that mangled me when they walk by..You'd think for $52k I'd have a face lift, as well!!

What is SO strange lately is my boobs getting sore and.......cramps?? What the.....?? I'm serious! I'm getting PMS symptoms!

And, you're right, this getting older is for the birds!! EVERYTHING hurts since the surgery! I"m constantly at my chiropractor's office!

I take my vitamins and supplements and go in the sun sans spf three times a week for the advised fifteen minutes...ugh!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by NewYawkahBroad Yeah, just call me 'Lumpy'....lol Nasty scar. Work in the same hospital as my surgery...always want to slap Gyn's that mangled me when they walk by..You'd think for $52k I'd have a face lift, as well!! What is SO strange lately is my boobs getting sore and.......cramps?? What the.....?? I'm serious! I'm getting PMS symptoms! And, you're right, this getting older is for the birds!! EVERYTHING hurts since the surgery! I"m constantly at my chiropractor's office! I take my vitamins and supplements and go in the sun sans spf three times a week for the advised fifteen minutes...ugh!

That's weird. Ovaries out too? I agree about everything hurting since the surgery! I feel as if it aged me by 10 or more years.

Do you still have a swelly belly? Mine swells by evening. It's really puffy. I don't get the tugging and pulling pains anymore, though when lifting and pulling, I feel sore afterwards.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by NewYawkahBroad Yeah, just call me 'Lumpy'....lol Nasty scar. Work in the same hospital as my surgery...always want to slap Gyn's that mangled me when they walk by..You'd think for $52k I'd have a face lift, as well!! What is SO strange lately is my boobs getting sore and.......cramps?? What the.....?? I'm serious! I'm getting PMS symptoms! And, you're right, this getting older is for the birds!! EVERYTHING hurts since the surgery! I"m constantly at my chiropractor's office! I take my vitamins and supplements and go in the sun sans spf three times a week for the advised fifteen minutes...ugh!

Hi NYB, I too have been getting those PMS symptoms. UGH...I thought this whole thing was to get rid of those. I had everything out so know that my hormone levels are at an all time low. I take a .5 of Estradiol everyday that has worked wonders for the night sweats and hot flashes but really don't like having PMS again. These symptoms just started last month so not sure of, well, anything at this point. Being laid up for so long didn't do well for my waistline either. I am back going to the gym, swimming and playing tennis at least 3 times a week and can't seem to shed 1 single pound. This getting older is definitely for the birds. And what is with the facial hair. I would be a lumberjack if I didn't tweeze.

Hi lovely ladies !!
Hope you are all moving forward with your rehab and health!!
It's summer, the rain is pouring and flooding, it's cold and life is upside down!
But I'm off to a music festival tomorrow, camping for 2 days, and I just can't wait!! Got new wellies, brolleys, and gorgeous red poncho ! Rain? It's not gonna stop me and DH!!
Hope you are doing well my friends, pop in to hysters once in a while, stay in touch,

Festi Diva xxx