Recovery Not Going Well

I had a TLH+BSO on 11/23/11 & went home the next morning. I had fibroids, endometriosis, polyps and possibly adenomyosis. My uterus alone weighed 3300 grams - about 4x normal.

I have pain all day, every day. It stings at all 4 incision sites, my abdominal muscles are sore and now my back muscles are in spasms from over-compensating. I've been walking a little each day but am certainly not "over-doing it".

My surgeon said that I would be going home with the same meds that I was taking inpatient (Toradol, Lortab) but the discharging dr. gave me Ibuprofen 600mg & Lortab 5mg. There's no way I'm taking the Ibuprofen - a single 200mg tab makes my stomach burn.

I was also given an HRT patch (actually, I had to ask for it). I don't think it's working because every afternoon/evening I get hot flashes, depression and end up crying. I read on the site how antidepressants and therapy will help, but I don't see how that stuff can stabilize my hormones (or lack thereof). I know this has to be hormone-related because I wasn't like this before.

I've been reading the posts of others who had surgery the same week as me, and all I see are how great everything is and how they hardly have any pain, etc... Someone actually described themselves, 1 day post-op, as "happy and chipper". What is wrong with me? This isn't how I expected my recovery to be, and I don't know why I can't be all pain-free & happy like everyone else.

As I mentioned in the recovery thread, if the pain meds you have aren't doing it for you, get hold of the surgeon and get different pain meds. You are only 4 days post-op! You can't heal if you are in pain.

As to recoveries, everyone is totally different. For some reason, pain is not the same for everyone during this surgery. Some have no pain after (lucky ladies), some need narcotics for a few weeks and others need pain meds for several months. There is no average or common rule.

And the ladies who have had surgery and claim to be fine after one day, I call that the euphoria of surviving surgery. We are so happy to have finally made it to the other side and it is not as bad as we pictured, so it seem like we are just fine. Well, reality usually sets in about a week later. You will see this happen in your recovery thread. People will begin to hit the wall if they overdo it and they will realize that this recovery deal is is a marathon, not a sprint.

I am sending you some positive healing thoughts in the hope you feel better soon.

Nothing is wrong with you there. I would call your doc. I am still in pain and doc doesn't want to give me anymore pain meds so i have been trying everything else. Hasn't helped one bit so I'll be letting her know Tuesday during my checkup.
Oh, also, mine was Oct. 13th so don't sweat it.
Hugs! Hope you feel better soon. Please remember to take it easy...or your pain will come and go. Sometimes, maybe even severe. Good luck!

Definitely get in touch with your doc for different pain med. I had pain for the first 4 week post-op. I was taking Toradol but it also made my stomach hurt so my doctor changed it.

About the HRT, I was just in for my 6week chkup and my doctor tells me any HRT and/or Progesterone cream will take up to 12 weeks to control the hot flashes and night sweats. I've been using a cream for 3 weeks and I still get the occasional hot flash. Night sweats are getting better too.

The first week for me sucked but after that it got better. Hang in there.

Iker