Was looking to a normal life? Where did it go?

Back in October I went in for TVH with ovaries in tack, A&P, Bladder repair and TOT. This was all needed because of multifocal prolapses (my uterus was prolapsed and was pushing down on my bladder causing a stage 3 cystocele). I was really looking forward to not feeling like everything was falling out. Needless to say I have had non stop complications since the surgery was done. My catheter was taken out before I left because it caused great pain because it was pulling itself back inside of me. I went home and had great pain and quit going to the bathroom for 24 hrs. I was very uncomfortable and had to have one put back. I have had pain sitting down, pain when I walk, pain when I exercise. Finally in Febuary I was told I have Vulvadynia (nerve Damage). I was put on Amitrptyline and gradually increased over time. I moved up to 100mg and experienced one week of no pain. Now I have a great deal of pain again. Last check from Dr and he told me I have scar tissue around the left side of the TOT. He thinks that the pain I'm experiencing is my muscles contracting involuntary. I have pain that is constant and then really sharp pains that hit whenever.
Is this going to be the remainder of my life dealing with pain? Should I just be quiet about it to the Dr? I am so tired of going in and feeling like nobody believes me. I am very discouraged.

countryb,
I am so sorry you are having this continued yuckiness.

On the contrary, I think you should let your doctor know about all the pain. If s/he is not responding to help you, find another doctor. Seriously, there are lots of things to try and treat your pain and if they are not being tried on/for you, then it's time to go elsewhere. Has your doctor even suggested any type of physical therapy for the muscles in your pelvic floor? Some HysterSisters here have had decent results with that.

Please keep trying until you find something that works for you. It may just be that your current doctor needs to understand the full extent of your daily pain/pains. It may be that you need some new perspective from a different medical advisor.

Sending many, many S......

I really feel for you! I know what it is like to have that feeling that I am not ever going to get my life back. I went into the doc and he is now sending me to a psychiatrist becasue of my "chronic pain"! I am shocked. I thought that I would take six weeks off work and then say it was the best thing I ever did as I had heard from others I was not prepared for this either and I am not giving up hope to get my life back. I take no painkillers as they just caused me more problems. Amytryptilline is a great drug with lots of side effects. I have decided to exercise thorught my pain and hope that it helps. I am also going to an acupuncturist, which I hope will help. Good luck, we can think positive for each other.

I agree with Orahdeb, please talk to your doctor about the pain and if it falls on deaf ears, please get a new doctor. A lot of women end up in physical therapy after surgery and I would demand that you be referred, you need to try to get your pain under control. There are also pain management clinics too. Please don't try to live with the pain. Remember you are your own best advocate - fight for your 'normal' life back. Hugs to you.

I just wanted to update you on my expereince with acupuncture. I had my third treatment yesterday. The first two actually increased the pain, which she said was a good thing. She said any change means she had involved the right nerves. Yesterday I had a lovely day without pain. I even went to a synchronized skating practice, saw all my skating buddies and made it through the entire practice!!

Thank you all for your empathy and understanding. I have seen the PT about this and am trying some exercises to relax my pelvic floor. So far I have not experienced any relief. I will give it til friday when I see the PT again. I am super itchy down on the pelvic floor right now and have a sore throat that hurts when I swallow ( have no idea what this is about). I haven't talked to the Dr about any of this because I am so tired of calling. I also am dealing with discouragement daily. I tried to kick a soccer ball on Sunday and found out that I can't do that because of the extreme pain, I want to be normal and not miss out on things just because they cause pain. I am very frustrated!

msmonih
I was told by PT today to call my Dr. Which I did and he is treating this like a allergic reaction to the emu oil that the PT recommended for the vulvodynia. Dr had no idea about what the cause is of the sore throat. He wants me to seek out a second opinion about the pain issues.
Currently I am trying hard not to call him about anything else (Health wise). I'm not sure I want to seek out a second opinion because I am soooo tired of all this. I just want to avoid Drs because I am tired of feeling like I am making this up and that it is all in my head. Trust me this is no picnic.I haven't been checked for a yeast infection although when I was checked by Dr weeks ago he said I was red down there and the PT said that I was also ( their thought was that it is just the vulvodynia). I have been walking lots as it seems to not be as bad as other activities I enjoy. I'm sorry if I seem out of sorts. I'm trying hard to be cheerful but I feel really down today.

Dear Country Bumpkin I really feel for you,this is such a disappointment for you. When my doc said that I was going to have to learn to deal with my chronic pain I told him I had no intention of having chronic pain. I want it fixed, so I admire your Doc for getting more opinions. I have had three days pain free since my third acupuncture visit so I am crossing my fingers that this is the end of it. It is natural to be a little down. this isn't what you signed up for! I don't know what your surgeon said but mine said I was going to be better thatn new in 6 weeks and it is five months and up until Monday I felt worse that I did before the surgery. Take care be gentle with yourself.

Dear jacie my surgeon also said I would also feel better than ever within 6 weeks. It has been non stop problems since the surgery. I know that my Dr is frustrated also. I haven't bounced back like he expected. I noticed your date was close to mine (in October also).
I'm really happy that you have had 3 days of relief. I hope that you will continue to have good days ahead. Let me know how you are doing.
Thank you for you understanding

I am pretty sore today. I wanted to help paint our shed but things that used to be a breeze can cause me pain. I heard some say it takes a year when you have has much work as we had done. I had acupuncture again yesterday , maybe the nerves that were stimulated will settle down. I had a TAH and Burch procedure. The fibroid was huge and the surgery was lenthly. I have a really nice suimmer planned. I go to bed invisioning it. I am going sailing at Desolation Sound the closest place to heaven on earth! It has beutiful torquoise waters and mountains coming right out of the sea. A lovely image to relax to. Take care . I saw a website nva.org. It looks like a lot of women suffer form this.
Take care,
one tough lady like you.