15 Days post-op and still wiped out

I had my TAH on July 15th and I am getting more frustrated by the day. After my surgery, I had a moderate amount of post-op bleeding into my abdomen which resulted in a rapid decent of my hgb and me having to get 2 units of PRBC'S. It brought up my hgb to 8.2 and even though I needed more, I was only taking what I had to have to survive. I declined more and tried boost my hgb by food and iron supplements. I was kept in the hospital until the19th and was released to go home. I feel like my days are 3 steps forward and 4 to 5 steps back most times. I am completely wiped out even though I have managed to get my hgb up to 11.3 as of yesterday. I have no appetite, I eat only enough so that I can take some pain medication. I have had 2 previous c-sections and had NO idea I'd be feeling this bad 2 weeks after surgery. I never imagined I'd feel this wiped out, have such a hard time sleeping, and all around irritable so long after the surgery. I did quit smoking while I was in the hospital (what a better time?) and I know that some my irritability is stemming from that, but I simply broke down at the drs office yesterday and told her I didn't expect to feel this bad. I knew I would need to recuperate and maybe my expectations were too high for myself, but sheeshhhh, when will I feel better? I haven't been released to drive yet and I KNOW I couldn't even if I wanted to. I simply don't have the strength to get a shower most days, is this normal?? Thanks for your input

Christy

Sorry to hear your are feeling so poorly. I don't know much about what the proper hemoglobin levels are supposed to be, so I can't help you much there. I too felt awful for quite a while. I was in my DR's office in tears several times. I WAS TIRED OF BEING TIRED. You didn't say if you kept your ovaries. Even if you did, they can go into "shock" and not produce the estrogen you need for a while. Hormones and brain chemicals work together. It's hard to find the right combo just for you. I had to change hormones several times and supplement with anti-depressants. I also quit smoking when I went into the hospital. I did a lot of internet reading during my recovery. The cigarette smoking helps to stimulate dopamine and serotonin (sp?) levels in your brain. So do certain hormones. The anti-depressants helped with that and I only had to take them until everything leveled out with the hormones (and I started smoking again ). My doctor told me it takes about 1 year to feel like your true self again. I'm 10 1/2 months post op and still dealing with HRT issues and fatigue. Definitely MUCH better than 6 months ago, but still not there.

Hi Christy: I too had a TAH and although I didn't have the complications you experienced, believe me, there are times during the day when you just feel that you're never going to get better. I think maybe your hormones are out of whack and that is having a major effect on how you're feeling. I had my surgery June 9th, and I don't think it was until the 5th week post-op that I definitely noticed that I wasn't hurting much getting out of bed anymore or worrying that whatever I ate was going to give me gas or indigestion! The fat stomach is what is getting to me, but it gradully is looking better, and I can return to my exercise class in a few weeks. The amazing thing I discovered going through this whole "experience" is that so many women have had hysterectomies that I am acquainted with and I never knew until I was facing one. And they're all doing great and look wonderful. So will we!

Patti

Actually I did keep my ovaries, but I'm thinking they are seriously sluggish and not working like they should since the surgery. One minute I'm absolutely freezing and the next, I'm sweating bullets. I heard prior to my TAH that could happen, so I'm giving it a few more weeks to jumpstart itself. I guess that could make me feel the way I'm feeling as well. I don't know. I just know I feel like a Mack truck just ran over me and then backed up and ran over me again.

Christy

Congratulations on quitting smoking. That would make me crabby, but it is so worth it in the long run. Don't give up
It seems like when people hear hysterectomy they immediately relate it to a C-section. My friend has done that to me," Well, I had a C section," so I know how you feel. From what I've read, a hysterectomy is a much harder recovery for most than a C- section.
I had a TAH and someone told me how painful it would be, so I went in thinking the worst and came out thinking it wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be. Actually, it was an easier recovery for me than one of my vaginal deliveries, if you can believe that. Everyone's viewpoint is different depending on their personal experiences in life. Good luck with your recovery.
For me, this whole experience and its outcome has been a fantastic blessing.

I too had a low hgb. Mine got down to 8 before my surgery. Luckily, I did not have to have any blood or iron. My surgery was 7-18. Everyone is different! Just because one person has a good experience doesn't mean everyone is going to. Listen to what your body is telling you. If you are tired, rest. Eat plenty of green leafy vegies! Hope you are doing better soon. You will be in my prayers. Gayle

I just wanted to thank all of you for your words of encouragement. I'm sure that my hormones are out of whack and that is probably what is making me so upset. Yesterday was a bad day...today is better, but I'm a little weepy. I know it must be hormones as I'm not used to being so emotional for no reason at all. Commercials can send me over the edge.....although I can get that way when I'm PMSing too. Hormones are crazy, but I do thank you all and I appreciate you all making me feel like I'm not alone.

Thanks
Christy

Christy, I had mine on 7/15 and I'm exhausted also. My BP was really low while in the hospital. Please remember that we've had major surgery and everyone's body is different-each of us will respond in different ways to different things. Know that you're not alone but together we will make it thru this! Cabin fever-I need to go to WalMart! Hang in there and even when times get hard, ask God to help you make it thru. He's truly our Saviour! Hang in there!!!!! Get some rest.....( These are only my opinions-I have no medical background)

Hi MissNative: Go to WalMart!!!! I was reading that malls and large stores like WalMart are the perfect places to walk and we all need to walk especially the first few weeks after our surgeries.....just don't go nuts buying out the store and lifting packages!

Patti

Oh, no! Not the dreaded Wal-Mart monster!

If you are struggling with recovering from severe anemia, quitting smoking, going through a life-changing surgery, etc. it's no wonder that you're feeling this way!

We're not kidding around here when we say that 6 - 8 weeks is early recovery. This means sitting in jammies, resting as much as possible, taking your meds so that you feel comfortable, and walking...maybe...a house or two up the street. At two weeks I could only make it halfway up my block...and I was in excellent physical shape prior to my surgery, other than the anemia.

Add in that you are still metabolizing anesthesia, and your body is working overtime in its bone marrow to improve the blood count...well, can we say "expecting way too much of yourself"???

I have to wonder, also, what your family may be expecting of you. They should still be "pampering" you...and your motion should be maybe from bed to the couch, perhaps, or outside to get the mail...and not much more at this point.

Give your body this chance to recover. It's the only chance you'll get to recover properly. At this point especially, some of those hundreds of internal sutures are beginning to dissolve, leaving fragile tissues to heal up on their own. It is NOT a time to be expecting a return to "normal" particularly in the wake of hormonal "craziness", the changes that quitting smoking bring, etc.

It's also a good time to be eating very carefully...as much protein as you can stand, and no sugar...cutting out sugar and caffeine entirely seems to really help with the quitting smoking stuff...

Gentle s. And please, give yourself permission to feel exhausted. You have every right to...and your body is telling you to take care!

Audrey