8 days post-op~still hurt

I am 8 days post-op TAH/BSO and still have a considerable amount of pain. I walk like an old lady and can't seem to stand up straight. It feels like my whole guts will fall out. I am walking so slow, is that normal? I have read so much on here, and for the most part people post that they are off pain meds like in 5 days, I can't see myself getting off them anytime soon.

I guess my question is this, what is an average time for being on pain meds? I feel that maybe I am not recouping as fast as others or as fast as I should be.

Anyway, thanks to all for the support and info. on this site. It definitely prepared me for the big day.

Hi Godzgurl

I am also 8 days post op,still have some pain and I still take pain meds. I dont hunch over anymore and i still walk at a slow pace.

You're healing time seems normal to me but if you don't feel better by Monday, maybe you should call the doctor just in case.

But remember...everyone heals at their own pace ...some quicker than others. But I am right there with you.

I'll be four weeks post-op on Monday and I'm just now walking upright. I still take a pain pill at night so that I can get comfortable enough to sleep. I think your recovery is probably right on track. It will get better, trust me. What's odd, and at times discouraging, is that I've been feeling achy and weak and in pain for the past 3 .5 weeks and then suddenly yesterday I felt MUCH better. My recovery process has not been linear.

I had my TAH/BSO on March 5, 2007. I just started walking upright. For over four weeks I was hunched over because my abdomen was so sore. My "walk" is still a shuffle. My back gets very sore trying to support my fragile abdomen. I was on pain meds for three weeks, then finally was able to taper down to advil gel tabs. My recovery feels slow, but I'm being very careful so my stiches heal properly. I need to be working now, but there is no way I can physically do it for probably two or three more weeks. It really hurts to sit for more than thirty minutes at a time. At the end of the day, my whole body feels swollen like it's going to explode. Hang in there...long recoveries are not unusual for those of us that need the TAH/BSO. Soon we will be feeling so much better!

3 & half weeks here. Didn't need pain meds too much 2nd week. BUT am stil using them off and on this week. Recovery for me is also not linear. At different stages, our bodies are challenged different ways and react differently. My Dr. stressed not being afraid to take the pain meds if I need them. Try to taper down the narcotics if you can 'cause they do cause bowel problems, but use them if you need them.

I've had 2 previous abdom. surgeries (Csection and hernia repair). Both times I distinctly remember at week 5 thinking I'd NEVER feel better again. Week 6 was like a miracle and felt MUCH better.

Hang in there. It will go up and down but overall get better.

LJC

i'm sorry you're in such pain. i really think it's quite normal - not sure if that makes you feel any better! definitely stay on top of the pain meds, not waiting til you're in lots of pain to take them. you may want to start trying the non-narcotic meds such as tylenol or ibuprofen. i did that during the day while recovering, but took the narcotics at night for quite a while. as for standing up straight, you may want to make an effort to do so, even if it's uncomfortable. your abdominal muscles are sore - after all, they've been cut - but my doctor encouraged me to try to stand up straighter. otherwise, you'll end up with shoulder and back pain too! yikes! listen to your own body, and try not to compare. you'll see that all of a sudden, you feel better. you'll get there - hang in there! sending gentle hugs.

Oh, gosh -- I was at least 3 weeks out before I stopped walking all hunched over. I was at least 2 weeks post-op before I stopped the narcotics round-the-clock.

However you're healing is however you're healing.... most of us take 6-8 weeks to be mostly back to normal.

Hope this helps.

please, don't feel bad. My surgery was fifteen days ago and my stomach STILL hurts and I'm still on Vicodin. My father thinks I'm an addict (whatever).....anyhow I feel your pain, really I do. It ***** and it hurts. It DOES get somewhat better every day though. Emotionally, I've been riding the big old lack of hormone rollercoaster. It's been AWFUL. All I could do was cry and eat and sleep and cry and well....you get the picture. My doctor adjusted the dose I'm on and It "seems" to be working better for me. Only cried once today instead of ALL day. Write if you need to talk!!!

I think you are right on track for recovery. I walked hunched over for several weeks and took pain medicine for 1 1/2 weeks. I would have taken them longer, but my DR would not give me any more. If that happens to you, call your primary for more meds. Some of us need them longer than others. Don't be afraid to ask for more. I know you probably don't want to hear it, but you may not feel better for a couple more weeks. I didn't, but now I am feeling great.

Okay, to help ease your mind, I am still taking vicodin and my TAH was 3/26. I am down to trying to only take them at night. But, somedays that just doesn't happen. I am however taking motrin also all day everyday, prescription strength. I also have an abdominal binder that I have been using since before leaving the hospital and it totally helps me walks standing straight up..... I asked my dr. about it and he said he orders them for all of his patients. You can buy one at Walgreens or another drug store. Just check with your dr to make sure he doesn't mind you using it, mine encourages it. He said it helps hold everything in place and gives his patients confidence when they walk!