This rollercoaster ride called recovery! Caution - this is a vent!

Just venting, Ladies - I have to say I'm so incredibly tired of this slow recovery process. Some days are ok, other days are pretty bad. Nothing major, but at four weeks post-op today, I still have that really, really uncomfortable/painful feeling when walking. I walk like an old woman. Last night I had spasms and pain that literally made me cry (I haven't cried at all since this surgery).

It feels like my bladder is in constant pain/discomfort and I just can't figure it out!

It seems the first two weeks my recovery went so great. Then it stalled and it has not really gotten noticably better in the past couple of weeks. I swear I could walk further during the first couple of weeks post-op - now I mostly walk around the house, cause it hurts. And lets not even talk about riding in a car - that makes my insides feel like they are completely raw and it hurts big-time.

I can't even think about going back to work in a couple of weeks. I will have too, I know....but, how in the world will I make it through 8 hours?

I just wish I could turn the corner and this pain is gone! And I wish I could figure out if my ovary is working or not. I have no PMS symptoms other than feeling very irritable the last couple of days (and this would NOT have been the timeframe for my period), but also no menopause symptoms....I just don't know.

On the upside, my incision looks ok. It seems to be healing fine (knock on wood). I don't have any bleeding, though I am wondering if the infamous vaginal cuff stitches also are part of a TAH, or just the vaginal hysterectomies.

Thanks for listening. Sorry I couldn't be more positive today.

DNA

I'm only at one week but I'm so sorry you feel so bad. I'll be thinking of you.



stitchercross 8/2/05

hang in there doll, everyone heals at their own pace, it will get better. I had my surgery the day before you did, & my tummy is still tender.

Bonny
TAH due to fibroids, heavy bleeding, & endo

Hey DNA - we share the same crowning date!!

I too have felt like I have gone backwards the past few days - I did grocery shopping with hubby and Saturday and I am STILL not back to where I was prior to going... I could walk longer than I could last night- but it is SLOWLY settling back down again... I also have a few more aches and pains - I am thinking it is because the swelling is going down inside and there is still some settling going on... at least that is my story and I am sticking with it!!

Make sure you DON'T overdue it - it takes 6 months to a year to really heal they say... and I believe them...

Listen to your body - pain is a warning signal... if you aren't sure what is going on - give the doc a call... I see my doc today for a follow up to some testing I had done - and I have a few questions for him....

As for the vaginal cuff- if you had your cervix removed then you will have the cuff... I had a TAH and I have a cuff I know...

Hugs!! By Christmas this will all be just a vague memory...

Shauna

I'm glad to know I'm not alone - had vaginal hysterectomy with bladder and rectal repair on July 11- got over the grogginess and appetite loss quickly, but I'd swear I've had worse pain the last two weeks - especially in the bladder area - than the first two weeks! I know how you feel and I can't imagine going back to work in two weeks either! Hang in there. My thoughts are with you!

I'm so glad you posted! I'm just under three weeks post op. And I am in so much pain still. I can't ride in a car. Walking around the house pushes me to my limit. I'm starting to get grief from relatives for not healing fast enough. Sometimes I want to cry. The doctor wants to monitor my pain closely. He's not certain why I still have so much pain. With small children to take care of, I have to stop hurting. They need me. I'm at wits end.

Keep us informed on how you are doing. I hope you start to feel better soon. And if you're not, is there anyway you can take more time off of work? I'd hope your bosses would understand.

Keep the faith.

Hi Ladies,
I don't want to scare any of you or make you feel bad in any way but I wanted to tell you im 11 weeks out and I feel like crap some days. I had the TAH with both ovaries removed. There are still issues, I knew going in this was MAJOR surgery with MAJOR LIFE LONG changes ahead so Im not really surprised. There are just days I feel tired and cranky and today is one of them, lol
Dont lose hope, it does get better and there are nice parts too, no more period, so at least you dont have to deal with that and feel tired and cranky too. I truely believe when they say it takes at least 6 mo to a year to heal they are very correct.
Just remember the good old days of feeling like crap when you had your periods, and that will cheer you up now. None of us wants to go back to heavy bleeding, staying in bed with a heating pad, bulky pads or diapers to keep from ruining our clothes, beds and furniture. Heck see, just writing this out made me feel better, im not so cranky when I can laugh... hehe i got the last word on aunt flo...
Good Luck Ladies and feel better, 1 day at a time.

Hi ladies,

5 mo. post op here, and today my incision area and tummy are sore! I have a desk job, so I have to keep getting up to walk around a little.

Believe me ladies...you will have good and bad days for an unlimited amount of time! On a good note, most of mine are very good!

Hang in there...every week, every month, you will look back on your progress. I am so looking forward to the day when I feel that I am 100% healed...which I am guessing will be about 6 or 7 more months!

Best wishes to all of you! Life is good!

For what's it is worth, when I was 4-5 wks post-op, I felt really, really lousy, and I never thought I'd be able to go back to 'normal routine' in 6 weeks, as my doc had inferred. I thought something was majorly wrong with me since a lot of other sisters (whom I applaud!!) had already gone back to work or their exercise routines. Then suddenly around week 6, I was moving around without wincing and holding my belly as much as days before. My flashes & sweats were pretty much under control (after experimenting with 2 different doses of Premarin). Today, I am 8 wks post-op and except for a little tugging around my lower abs, I'm feeling okay. I'm going back to work on Monday!

Vent away, my dear! That's one of the reasons we are here, to be that sounding board we all need. It'll get better...you'll see...give it time!

I went to the DR today. I saw my surgeon (a female) partner (a male) today. he said you are doing great. He said the fullness in the pelvic area is normal. He said eht leaking when you thinking you have finished peeing is okay. gone and take these Premarin and use this Premarin cream. Take some calcium and vitamin d. Also, go and do what you feel up to doing. Well, ladies, that is no help. I felt as if he either is to old to give advice or I should have not seen him and asked for an appt. wiht the surgeon. I don not think the peeing issue is okay. Thanks for all your help and encouragement!!!...