Recovery Progress Reports for Hysterectomy dates May 16-May 22,2011

I had a bad night the night before last and I wanted to share what I learned. Reading the posts here, I've been REALLY lucky with postop. I went to work for a half day 5 days after dVH surgery and am back to work part-time this week. I'm on HRT (PremPro) because I wasn't in menopause and have endometriosis. Here's what happened:

I woke up Wednesday night 2am with severe upper right quadrant pain and vomiting. I'm sitting on the toilet, vomiting into my nightgown, in pain, and wondering what in the heck is happening. What I'm learning is how oral hormone replacement therapy increases the risk of gallbladder disease (spasms and/or stones) because of first pass effect of oral estrogen. I already knew that oral HRT (and birthcontrol pills) can increase cholesterol and LDL (and therefore risk of heart disease and stroke), especially with synthetic progestins, which I'm on. High cholesterol, tryglicerides and LDL run in my family, as does heart disease.

Although I feel great on this level of oral HRT, except for the presumed gallbladder spasm, I'm thinking that a patch might be safer but a lot of women have issues with getting themselves well-regulated on a patch or they have to use some vaginal ring with estrogen cream they have to apply twice a day (sounds yucky, would like to be done with that part of my body except for the fun part). HRT with progesterone also puts me at higher risk for breast cancer. I'm on the progesterone for now to quell re-growth of the endometriosis. Skipping estrogen altoghether puts you into abrupt surgical menopause, which can be devestating emotionally and physically I've read, but using just estrogen can make the endometriosis come back. So there's the rub.

Bummer part is, other than the presumed gallbladder spasm, I feel great! Lot's of energy, no hot flashes, no mood swings, no munchies/cravings (this is HUGE! I'm having no problems regulating my appetite and diet and have lost 8# since surgery). Why couldn't this be straightforward and done with?

Today is day 10 post op, day 7 out of the hospital. I seem to be getting along fine--no intestinal issues, just tiring very easily. I think I would be further along except 3 days ago I had to run around and help DS with an unknown school project--multiple trips up stairs when I am supposed to do no more than 1-2 per day. Oh, I felt awful the day after!

I take 1 Percocet #5 twice a day + ibuprophen (early am, late pm) since that is when pain is worst, and I'll probably be halving those in the coming days. I just take regular tylenol or ibuprophen if I need it in the afternoon. Left ovary seems to have woken up and the hot/cold flashes are virtually gone. I do think some friends believe I should be 'up and out' (can't drive until June 6), but I just keep reminding them this is more invasive surgery than their c-sections, and I have to recover at my own pace, not theirs.

I am doing simple tasks--putting glasses in top level of dishwasher (not lower), moving folded clothes from basket on bed to dresser, heating my own food up in microwave, re-arranging pillows as needed. Nothing involving lifting or bending, of course. DH is weird--he fussed at me for moving a glass from the sink to the dishwasher, then watched and didn't say a word as I tried to put together lunch. Weird.

Overall, I think I'm about where I need to be given the time frame and the fact that each day seems a bit better.

dee

Ladyrhi- I feel the same way. I hope you feel better soon. I am day 8 post-op, lots of cramping and pain. I feel extremely tired by afternoon and need a nap, hard to do with a toddler to care for. Bruising and swelling seem to be improving. It feels as if the cramping in intestine related and can stop you in your tracks. I put on a abdominal compression garment it seems to help me stand more upright and move about with let discomfort.

catdoc, what a breath of fresh air!! nice to hear that things (for the most part) are going well... It seems like the HRT is real trial and error thing.. today is my first post-op - he said I would start something today.. so Im interested to see what. I too had severe endometriosis..
today is day 7 for me... last night DH took me to Panera for dinner.. boy, mentally it did me a world of good to get out.. I did great and felt fantastic when we got home!! I sure slept good!!
Today is my post -op, I did wake once last night to pull my hair up as I was having a sweating moment (I have long thick hair and I think it will be piled on top of my head from now on when sleeping).. not a big deal really.. just kinda yucky.. other than that I don't think I am having any symptoms of menopause.. this was the same for me on Lupron... They added something small back and I felt fantastic! so we shall see... I am happy to get out of the house today and see the dr... doing some small stuff - folding laundry, washed up a few glasses last night, made the bed..
I think about where I was one week from today and honestly it is truly amazing... how far we all have come!

I FEEL LIKE HELL!! :0(

Captain's log, day 8. Haha. Oh my Lord, when will the nausea and headaches end?? Insomnia also kicked in 2 nights ago. Ugh. I stopped taking my pain meds because my nausea and headaches were so bad, I felt they were making it worse. The numbness is wearing off around my incision finally so I'm feeling just super icky and in pain LOTS!

I was hoping the contraction pains would be gone after I cleansed the bowels. This has not happened. To top it all off, I'm still having to press hard on my stomach to defaecate. That probably explains why my incision is so sore. It still hurts when I pee, only at the end though. I feel like I have to coax it to come out.

I'm super bummed. I thought for sure I'd be feeling better by now. What is going on with me???

OH yeah, what the heck is up with the indigestion?? I've only had it like twice in my entire life, and now I've had it every night since surgery. WTH?? BAH!!!!

catdoc - I agree with floridagurl that HRT can be very tricky - and it is so confusing. I have read of "natural" alternatives that may help relieve symptoms. Talk again to your doc. I have not decided for myself yet on HRT/ERT. Did have a pretty intense sweaty moment last night. So, I guess it is starting....

Small victory for me yesterday. DH and I went grocery shopping. I got one of those electric carts and it worked fairly well. I got pretty tired and dizzy towards the end, but made it through. Who would think that I would get excited about a trip to the grocery store??? Today, I have more pain and am more fatigued. Will try to stay home...
Still debating on work next week. But I think I still need more time. Work will just have to deal, and I do not want a set back.

Healing hugs to all....

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Ladyace I FEEL LIKE HELL!! :0( Captain's log, day 8. Haha. Oh my Lord, when will the nausea and headaches end?? Insomnia also kicked in 2 nights ago. Ugh. I stopped taking my pain meds because my nausea and headaches were so bad, I felt they were making it worse. The numbness is wearing off around my incision finally so I'm feeling just super icky and in pain LOTS! I was hoping the contraction pains would be gone after I cleansed the bowels. This has not happened. To top it all off, I'm still having to press hard on my stomach to defaecate. That probably explains why my incision is so sore. It still hurts when I pee, only at the end though. I feel like I have to coax it to come out. I'm super bummed. I thought for sure I'd be feeling better by now. What is going on with me??? OH yeah, what the heck is up with the indigestion?? I've only had it like twice in my entire life, and now I've had it every night since surgery. WTH?? BAH!!!!

Ladyace - I am so sorry you are having such problems. Pain meds can really through your body into chaos, in addition to this major surgery we all went through. Maybe call your doc and see if you can get something else for pain? There are usually alternatives out there....

	Quote:
Originally Posted by ladyrhi I am on day nine and I'm really frustrated and generally feel like not good. I don't feel "sick" I just don't feel good. My stomach is still upset from the antibiotics I had to take (they ended today); I'm going through bouts of extreme tiredness in the afternoons and I can't seem to sit up for all that long without internal cramping and pain. I thought this would be over by now and I'd be working on getting my strength back and more up and around than I seem to want to be. I don't go back to the doctor for my first checkup until June 2nd; but I'm going stir crazy and fir the past two days I just don't feel like doing anything. Anyone else feel like this

Are you taking pain meds that could be upsetting your stomach? Have your bowels moved? Just a couple thoughts. I am Day 8 and I still wear out easily and am still napping in the afternoon. Hope you get to feeling better.

@ Beth,

If you're on NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxin) they can cause gastric ulceration, especially with prolonged daily use. You can also get gastric reflux esophagitis from eating and then laying down, and it's very uncomfortable. Perhaps you can switch to Tylenol, take some Pepcid AC or Nexium, sleep or rest in a recliner instead of lying down?

I had severe "indigestion" with pain and vomiting Wednesday night, and my doctor thinks it was a gallbladder spasm (which I just learned can be caused by oral HRT).

Ladyace- I am sorry you are feeling so badly. You should consider a different pain medication to see if that will help. You need some relief for the pain. I have similar problems with the urination, nausea, indigestion at night and bm issues. For me, pain med's must be taking with some food otherwise I feel sick. Take Care. Day nine here we come ... :<