One year post TAH

August 5th is my one year anniversary for my TAH. Unfortunately my pain level is more than it was before surgery (since I had just been pregnant and was nursing) - although not as bad as I have had in the past with the cycle and all....
August 1990 is also when I started having pain all the time... so that is my 13 year anniversary (Is that paper or silver? just kidding.)

I saw an Interventional Pain Specialist today (August 4th). He told me that I had tried pretty much everything he could do that was "easy". He thinks I need to go back and talk to the Gyn about the endo possibility. He also talked very highly of both Gyns that I was seeing so that was good. His offering was to try out different meds (he mentioned something called Clonapin - or something that sounds like that and Methadone) and if no relief to try some major nerve blocks that would be like a presacral neurectomy equivalent - messing with my already "wired" nerves makes me nervous - or some kid of spinal stimulator. He was very cautious though and candid and said he didn't want to make it worse. He was also concerned because I have been very sensitive to many drugs and have not tolerated them well... like neurontin and I didn't get along at all ;-) ...At least he thought my hope of getting to a pain level of 3-4 on a regular basis was reasonable (I'm about 6-7 most days now). He was very nice and very respectful and understanding... he spent 1 1/2 hours talking with me and reviewing the options as he saw them... The nurse even knocked on the door after an hour and asked if we needed any help.

So, I am going to see one of the Gyns on Friday and the other on Sept 11th to hear what they have to say since I have been on the pill now for 6 weeks and have just switched to Elavil... he thought I should give that a trial run of several weeks to see what affect that has.

So that is my anniversary story. Not what I had hoped for on August 4th when I was anxiously awaiting my date at the castle... but at least I am coping well so far, I have a great family and I am learning to paint and that is going really well.

I hope everyone is doing well and has a great day!!

Sblumen

Oh ((((Sweetie)))) I'm so sorry that, 1 year later, you're in more pain than you were pre-hyst

On the bright side, it sounds like you have really good team of doctors and that all of them are working together towards finding a solution and to bring you relief from the unrelenting pain

Hopefully the Elavil will help, as hoped.

Sending lots of gentle s your way. And hoping that, next year, you will post about how pain is now a thing of the past.

SBlumen,
I'm sorry that you're still dealing with pain issues. For some of us the hyst just didn't seem to fix the pain. It does sound like you have a good team working with you and for you. That certainly can help.

I'm sending s and some ers that your team will find the answers and some relief for you.