sciatica problems and extreme hormones post hysterectomy - advice needed!

Hi All. I had a hysterectomy on 04/12/13. I also had my gallbladder removed during the same procedure.

It has been 3 months post op and I have never felt worse in my entire life. I did some yoga and now I can't walk my sciatica is so flared- it hurts.

Another issue I am not sure what to think but my breasts are two cup sizes bigger and I have never ever smelled so horrible! I even smell down there and this has never happened to me. I understand that having kept my ovaries I would still get PMS but this has been non stop for 8 weeks! I can't even wear my cloths!

Honestly I regret the surgery (not the gallbladder part just the hysterectomy). I never thought I would be bed ridden and so hormonal.

Please any advice.Please don't say its PMS because I know what PMS is and it does not last 8 weeks.

I am 40 and kept both ovaries and did not have any other major issues with my sciatics before the surgery.

Please ladies I need some advice. I am truly sorry I did this surgery.

Hugs to all and sorry for the rant. I have no one to talk to about this.

Have you had your hormone levels checked to see if they are out of whack? Don't be sorry for the rant, I think ranting on here instead of to our family who has no idea what weve been through has been very therapeutic for me... Im only 2 weeks out, so I cant say how I will feel in 3 months, I hope things go better for me. I have always had issues with my sciatic nerve... ask your dr about a lidocaine patch to put on your lower back when it flares up, it has done wonders for me, but when it really goes, all you can pretty much do is lay in bed and wait for it to work itself out...

I really hope you figure out what is going on with your hormones so you are not so miserable... It must be really frustrating to go through a surgery like this and not feel like it was worth it... I hope you feel better soon!!
Hugs!!!

Thanks for your reply. I will inquire about the patch you mention. I tried 2 Advil and heat patches but no relief. I am also going for a blood test to check hormones later this week.

May I ask how long a sciatica flare up like this lasts. It stated after a Yoga class.

thanks.

I'm not sure the sciatica flare is hysterectomy-related, but it's possible. It may be that you just moved the wrong way during yoga. I have had sciatica for many years. If there is no serious damage to your back, like a herniated disc, all signs of the sciatica should go away in a few weeks. You might want to try alternating ice and heat on your lower back. You should also consider seeing an orthopedic doctor. Here is an article about sciatica after hysterectomy As for odor, a lot of ladies complain about a change in scent. We have an article on body odor after hysterectomy as well. As for the rest, it sounds hormonal. Perhaps your ovaries just haven't figured out how to handle the new situation. You should talk to your doctor about hormone tests and perhaps a full blood paned to make sure your thyroid is working as well. I do hope you feel better soon. For some of us it just takes longer.

Dear Oceans,
First of all, you come any time! That's what sisters are for!
To the excellent advice you've received from Elsie and other sisters, perhaps I might add this:
I'm almost finished a 5-6 week course of Physical Therapy and what my amazing PT explained to me was this:
I too have some disc and sciatica issues that were exacerbated by my TAH. She showed me how, i our internal organs settle in new places and that, then, this is combined with other new, unusual new ways of moving around during the recovery (like getting out of bed) in such a way as to stress the back. So, at least in my case, the muscles that hold the lower spine and tail bone in place were triggering pain and neuro response as they try to protect the source of the inflammation. (She explained it much better than I'm doing here, I think, but I hope it helps! It made anatomical sense to me.) Bottom line? Just a bit of cranio-sacral work for me and an exercise where I can adjust my back myself have helped a great deal.
I hope that you'll find the right practitioner or protocol for what's ailing you and I'm sending you many Please keep us posted!
from Romy

So much awesome advice here!
Just want to add..are you on hormones now? I've had an extremely difficult time with mine and finally down to about 6-7 sweats a night..better than 25! My hormone levels said my E2 was at 5. They were pushing estrogen on me. Now ..your age will matter here too. I was ready to give up! Just this week I've had two good days and getting better after I went OFF ESTROGEN ! Now, everyone is different here, it was making me nuts. Now I'm only on vagifem and what a difference ..I've tried many forms,,et.

These women are right when they say it takes a good 6 months for our bodies to recover and settle into the new. I've always had back and leg issues, which estrogen made worse for me. Give it time, talk with your dr dear and make them listen to you. It's a very hard road to walk.
Thank God for these women and this site...it is a blessing for us all!
In my prayers!

Hello.

I wanted to thank all of the ladies for their advice.
I was supposed to go have my blood work done but I am still not able to leave the house. My husband too me to th spine centre and thus far they tell me it is a herniated disk and they will work with me to fix it. It actually got worse after the first session on Friday and I could not even stand up over the weekend.

I hope to be able to go and get hormones checked this week. Indeed there must be something because I don't feel like myself at all. I am not currently taking any hormones.

I just wanted to write that I am normally a very strong person and have always approached things with a positive move forward approach. I have lived in over 7 countries and normally can adapt to anything. Though my work I have often had to live in difficult places- my point being it is not in character for me to whine and focus on the past. I CANT accept this surgery. I have never regretted anything so much in my entire life. I was not convinced before and now I am even less convinced. I feel like this was a big massive mistake.

I went into the surgery knowing that my gallbladder had to go - so I am fine with that part of the surgery. I am also fine with the endometriosis they removed.

I can't accept the uterus removal as having been the right decision for me though. The pathology report states that there was indeed endo on my uterus but otherwise it was unremarkable!

I would trade in the difficult periodsI had over what I have now in a heartbeat.

Furthermore, I also read that a women's body changes after the hysterectomy and not for the better! So now I have a pouch belly and a flat behind to add to my list of reasons agaist the removal of my uterus. Does anyone notice a change in their body physically?

In summary I don't regret my surgery - the parts that were needed- but I do regret the removal of my uterus.Ladies I don't agree at all. I am so sad bed ridden with pain and I don't see it ever getting better.

Again sorry for the rant and raving its normally not me - I just need a safe place to express what I feel.

I feel a 40 year old women looking like hell gaining weight and everything going down the drain!