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Hysterectomy Suggested Due to Very LARGE Fibroids, DVTs & Pulmonary Embolisms
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02-15-2011, 09:13 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 104
Hysterectomy: June 20th, 2011
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Hysterectomy Suggested Due to Very LARGE Fibroids, DVTs & Pulmonary Embolisms
How soon are you allowed to really walk after surgery? And I keep hearing that the recovery time is at least four weeks. Is that right?!
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02-15-2011, 01:25 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 173
Hysterectomy: February 9th, 2011
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Hysterectomy Suggested Due to Very LARGE Fibroids, DVTs & Pulmonary Embolisms
My dear lady, you sound just like I was a week ago: terrified of major surgery (never had any), but fed up with being in constant pain and discomfort, and those "accidents", oh my! I really thought I was the only person that was suffering like that, especially when my first consultant (male) told me it was just the menopause and to get on with it! The second consultant (female) listened to what I was telling her, did an MRI scan which showed I had a huge fibroid which was undergoing red degeneration - in other words, the fibroid was literally falling apart inside me. Ouch.
It's now 6 days since my surgery and I have to say I feel fantastic! All the pain I'd been suffering for the past 8 months disappeared on the first day, and whilst I've been very tired and a bit sore, whatever twinges of pain I now get are nothing compared to before.
The hospital experience was great too: the nurses were wonderful, the pain relief (diamorphine that I could blip whenever I needed it) excellent, and everyone was so kind and caring. I told everyone, the nurses, the anaesthetist, my surgeon, that I was terrified of surgery but quite honestly, you don't know anything about it. One minute you're chatting to the anaesthetist before you go into theatre, and the next you're coming round in recovery!
My consultant said that my uterus was "massive" when they removed it, and all the pressure symptoms that i'd been getting have completely gone. No more going to the toilet every 15 minutes, no more lower back and leg pain because the fibroid was pressing on my sciatic nerve, no more headaches - and no bleeding!!! Because of the size of my fibroid/uterus, I have a pretty big scar - about 10" across my belly - but once it's healed a bit, a nurse suggested rubbing vitamin E oil into it to lessen the effect. By the way, my surgeon gave me tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid for a couple of months before the op and whilst it didn't completely stop the bleeding, it made it bearable and controllable. I had to take the tranexamic acid every 6 hours, night and day, but it was worth it to have some kind of life!
As for how quickly you can walk afterwards, well, they got me up the very next day! I went for surgery at 9.30am on Wednesday, was back in my room at about 1.30pm, and spent the rest of the day and night in a very pleasant dreamworld, drifting in and out of sleep. The next morning, they removed the catheter (not painful, just a moment's discomfort) and within an hour or so two nurses helped me out of bed to go to the toilet. For the rest of that day, they helped me get in and out of bed, and encouraged me to walk the few steps to the toilet. I was able to do without the diamorphine and was just taking paracetemol and diclofenac. By the next day, I was walking (very slowly!) along the corridor - ten minutes walking, 50 minutes resting. I'm convinced the getting up and walking about helped with the way I felt, I had hardly any gas pain and generally felt pretty **** good by the end of the 4th day. Now I'm home I'm taking things really easy and I'm only taking paracetemol every 4 hours.
I have no hesitation in saying this was the best thing I ever did, and I know that you'll feel the same too :-) Take care, and if there's anything else i can tell you to make it easier, let me know, I'm only too happy to help a sister going through the same fears that i went through.
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02-15-2011, 01:40 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 104
Hysterectomy: June 20th, 2011
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Hysterectomy Suggested Due to Very LARGE Fibroids, DVTs & Pulmonary Embolisms
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Quote: |
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Originally Posted by Chelsea1956
My dear lady, you sound just like I was a week ago: terrified of major surgery (never had any), but fed up with being in constant pain and discomfort, and those "accidents", oh my! I really thought I was the only person that was suffering like that, especially when my first consultant (male) told me it was just the menopause and to get on with it! The second consultant (female) listened to what I was telling her, did an MRI scan which showed I had a huge fibroid which was undergoing red degeneration - in other words, the fibroid was literally falling apart inside me. Ouch.
It's now 6 days since my surgery and I have to say I feel fantastic! All the pain I'd been suffering for the past 8 months disappeared on the first day, and whilst I've been very tired and a bit sore, whatever twinges of pain I now get are nothing compared to before.
The hospital experience was great too: the nurses were wonderful, the pain relief (diamorphine that I could blip whenever I needed it) excellent, and everyone was so kind and caring. I told everyone, the nurses, the anaesthetist, my surgeon, that I was terrified of surgery but quite honestly, you don't know anything about it. One minute you're chatting to the anaesthetist before you go into theatre, and the next you're coming round in recovery!
My consultant said that my uterus was "massive" when they removed it, and all the pressure symptoms that i'd been getting have completely gone. No more going to the toilet every 15 minutes, no more lower back and leg pain because the fibroid was pressing on my sciatic nerve, no more headaches - and no bleeding!!! Because of the size of my fibroid/uterus, I have a pretty big scar - about 10" across my belly - but once it's healed a bit, a nurse suggested rubbing vitamin E oil into it to lessen the effect.
I have no hesitation in saying this was the best thing I ever did, and I know that you'll feel the same too :-) Take care, and if there's anything else i can tell you to make it easier, let me know, I'm only too happy to help a sister going through the same fears that i went through. xxxx
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THANK YOU!!!
Thank you so much for this! I am going to read it over and over again. I'm like flip-flopping every day. One day I'm scared to death of the surgery and the next, I can't wait to get it over with.
I am in day SEVEN of my period and there are no signs of it stopping. The thought of what you went through --- the fibroid breaking down is SCARY!! I sure felt like that was what was up last night when the most horrible cramps I've ever had in my life materialized out of nowhere.
I have never had anything so painful. And now I know for sure that I must have this surgery. I can't go through this every single month -- no way!
I am going to call my doctor first thing in the A.M. and see just how soon we can get this scheduled.
By the way, how long is the recovery time? I keep hearing that it is at least four weeks. Wow!
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02-15-2011, 02:29 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 30
Hysterectomy: January 26th, 2011
Surgery Type: TLH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Hysterectomy Suggested Due to Very LARGE Fibroids, DVTs & Pulmonary Embolisms
Hi,
I just read this post today. I am 46 and had my hyst on 1-26-11. I had fibroids, adneo, endo, cysts on cervix and left ovary. I had my uterus, cervix and left ovary removed. I also had a PE in 2009. I had to do the shots because I had an allergy to coumidin. Then I went on a baby asprin daily since.
I also, was concerned about my history with PE and surgery. I just wanted to let you know that recovery has been good. I was very good about walking. Not too much you can do. But I had my surgery by lap and was able to do the stairs. I did have a set back with my vaginal cuff bleeding and was on strict couch rest for two day. I did get through it. I was more concerned about a blood clot than the bleeding. I made sure I got up at least every two hours. If you have this past history you already know what to do. Make sure you move around. I am sure they will have you stay on some type of medication. I never stopped my asprin. I even took it the night before surgery. I hope this helps some.
I am still glad I did it.
Good Luck.
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02-16-2011, 09:21 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 104
Hysterectomy: June 20th, 2011
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Hysterectomy Suggested Due to Very LARGE Fibroids, DVTs & Pulmonary Embolisms
Thank you so much! I am so glad that you are doing so well in your recovery! I am also worried about another blood clot. Terrified in fact. I've survived two PEs and the docs don't think I'll be as lucky with a third one.
I'm hoping that they will keep me on some sort of medication as I recover from the surgery. But I will absolutely take your advice about making sure to keep moving.
What a coincidence -- you note that you had cysts on one of your ovaries. They found cysts in one and a benign tumor in the other. I guess when it rains it pours. They said that I should be able to keep both of them though. But we'll see. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is the LAST health crisis I'll have in my lifetime.
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02-16-2011, 10:56 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 30
Hysterectomy: January 26th, 2011
Surgery Type: TLH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Hysterectomy Suggested Due to Very LARGE Fibroids, DVTs & Pulmonary Embolisms
I was just thining, if you are that concerned about the PE (as you should be) maybe you can talk to your hemo dr about taking the shots after surgery. That way you would not have to worry about the level of your activity. I bet that is what they have planned for you anyways. With your history they will require a medical clearance from your hemo dr. before surgery. Good luck and keep us posted.
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02-16-2011, 12:42 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 104
Hysterectomy: June 20th, 2011
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Hysterectomy Suggested Due to Very LARGE Fibroids, DVTs & Pulmonary Embolisms
I bet that you are right. I can't picture them letting me go without any medication to prevent further clots. Thank you!
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02-21-2011, 12:56 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 2
Hysterectomy: March 29th, 2011
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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Re: Hysterectomy Suggested Due to Very LARGE Fibroids, DVTs & Pulmonary Embolisms
[Hi my name is Teresa im 39 but i will be 40 when ihave the surgery and im new to the site im schedule to have my surgery on the 29th of march due to my uterus being the size of a 5month featus and i have large fibriods also im kinda of nervous but my doc sees the best! im work till the 18th of march so i will have the next week to do whatever i want like clean laundry so the hubby wont have to much thank god for my mom so it everthing wont be all on him [/b]
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02-22-2011, 11:35 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 104
Hysterectomy: June 20th, 2011
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Hysterectomy Suggested Due to Very LARGE Fibroids, DVTs & Pulmonary Embolisms
Hi! My fibroids are really large too-- Doc says my uterus is the size of a 6 month old fetus. So I am worried about the size making the operation more invasive. Going to see the doctor next week and we will likely schedule the surgery to take place in late-March/mid-April.
I know that I am in good hands with my surgeon. My worry is the recovery -- but the WONDERFUL women here have been so supportive and comforting with how the recovery after the procedure will be.
I wish you ALL THE BEST -- and when you are home and recovering, I sure hope that you will update with how you are doing.
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