Recovery Progress Reports for Hysterectomy dates Apr 09-Apr 15,2012

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Originally Posted by Rileyapril 4 weeks PO from TLH with stage 4 excision- It is great to be four weeks out from surgery, although I dont feel much better than I did week 2. If the first week was stage 1 of recovery... I'm still stuck at stage 2. As I was miserable for months before surgery, only a little has changed. I'm not having periods every 24 days, but I feel somewhat the same as I did during those bad period days still- minus the heavy bleeding, of course- very tired most of the time, moody, I've lost my appetite the past few days, when I eat the bloatedness and pain is enough to make it hard to do anything productive. I'm also feeling more burning and pressure near the vaginal cuff. Let's not forget the diarrhea. Blah!! Ive been tracking my periods on a phone app for months and now I use it to track symptoms. I noticed this would be about time for ovulation for me and since I kept my ovaries, I wonder if the changes in hormones are causing the digestive issues. I'll keep tracking and report to the doc at next appt. Thank you to all who have shared your ups and downs here so I know I'm not alone. Today another person said, "but most of your pain is gone now though, right?". Unfortunately, my pain level was a 5 before surgery and it is still constantly at about a 4. Even as I type this I laugh because I don't know how other people without these issues rate pain, but something tells me that I've tolerated a high amount for a long time. They may never understand. I really hope they dont, since that would mean chronic pain for them. While I'm having a pity party for one, I'm still hoping that with some more time I will feel significantly better; however I'm losing faith that I will ever be "myself" again.

So sorry to hear your having so much pain. Can you take something to help it? I was off Percocet for weeks but needed it again a few days ago. Also, are you on an estrogen replacement? My dr says it will help with the fatigue, insomnia and overheating sensation. We are still working on doses to find the right amount that works. You may want to call your dr and see if there is anything more that he can do to help you feel better. I wish you the best. Hope you get some relief.

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Originally Posted by Colorful daisy I too have 1 ovary left and have been deali with either hot flashes or extreme chills. It drives me crazy. I can't sleep either....whether or not if I have a nap during the day. I can be exhausted, but not be able to sleep or get comfortable. I have my 6 week check up on the 24th and I hope my sleep schedule is better by then or I too will be asking my dr what is up.

I called my doctor and explained what's been happening, she said its unusual for the ovary not to kick in but it can happen. She has me on 1 mg tablets of estradiol. Said she would run some test when I go see her on the 31st.

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Originally Posted by JewlToU So sorry to hear your having so much pain. Can you take something to help it? I was off Percocet for weeks but needed it again a few days ago. Also, are you on an estrogen replacement? My dr says it will help with the fatigue, insomnia and overheating sensation. We are still working on doses to find the right amount that works. You may want to call your dr and see if there is anything more that he can do to help you feel better. I wish you the best. Hope you get some relief.

Jewl, Sounds like your appointment went well.
Thankfully I return to the dr for second visit next Wednesday. I'm back on pain pills at night to try and help with my sleep. I still have my ovaries, so hrt not necessary.
It seems I need to remember this is a journey not a race! Best to you!

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Originally Posted by ajone67 Did you ask the Dr about being hot and sweaty at night or do you not have that? I don't see my dr till May 23, 6wks PO....just curious if that too is normal....we seem to have alot of the same issues. The only conciliation is I am not on my own with these issues...

The fatigue, insomnia, anxiety and feeling warm/ cold and sweaty or hot flashes are related to drops in estrogen level. My ovaries were removed so I am on estrogen to help balance out the levels. If your ovaries were not removed you may still have a deficiency in estrogene level. I was reading that it takes time for your ovaries to "wake up" after surgery. My dr put me on estrogen as soon as I complained about these symptoms. It takes time to find the right balance. I am now on 1mg of divigel which is a bio-identical gel I spread on my arm or leg. Alternating each night. Tonight I start the higher dose. Hoping it helps. He also gave me ambien to help with sleep. Originally the hospital had me on a patch, but i had a bad response to it and removed it. 4 days later my dr insisted i try divigel. Im 43 and have osteopenia, he is concerned with osteoperosis and trying to help me with the after effects of surgical menopause. Hope this helps.

Week 4 and 5 were also really rough for me. I felt like I should be further along in my recovery and it was frustrating to still be having issues. At that point I was still having insomnia and fatigue. I had lost 10 lbs, my belly was still very swollen especially at the end of the day. I wondered if I would ever feel good again. Very frustrating!

I am 11 weeks post op now and feeling really good. Belly still gets swollen occasionally but doing much better. I am sleeping really well and I have most of my energy back. I have been told that it can take 6 months to a year to heal completely from this surgery. So ladies - my point is, There is light at the end of the tunnel! Hang in there - It does get better!

I'm really sorry or those of you who are still experiencing pain. If you haven't already, please check with your doctor. At this point in your recovery, you shouldn't be having a great deal of pain. Hope you can get some relief and feel better soon.

to everyone!

ladies

Just a couple of friendly reminders:

Initial healing takes 2/4 to 6/8 weeks. In some case where there we issues or more work was done it can take 10 to 12 weeks. Full recovery take 6 to 12 months.

Swelly belly will come and go over the next few months as you continue healing but invrease your activity.

As was already mentioned this is a marathon not a sprint.

Sending to all of you.
.

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Originally Posted by ajone67 Did you ask the Dr about being hot and sweaty at night or do you not have that? I don't see my dr till May 23, 6wks PO....just curious if that too is normal....we seem to have alot of the same issues. The only conciliation is I am not on my own with these issues...

I did, and asked about maybe my ovaries being in shock. He shrugged his shoulders and "Probably they are." he was not willing to talk about it and said that they should be fine by nest visit. I know, not very helpful.

I am at the same point as many others of you! Four weeks post-op tomorrow but very frustrated about the swelly belly, and still having quite a bit of discomfort in the episiotomy type repair area. I am also experiencing sweats, hot flashes and insomnia. Since I kept both of my ovaries my doctor has never mentioned anything about them going to "sleep" or needing hormone replacement therapy but I will be sure to bring it up to him when I see him on May 24th. I am feeling insecure about my swollen belly, scars from the surgery (which look worse than I was led to believe they would)I had DaVinci hyst. My iron levels are still low so I have NO energy! The fact that my DH looks like a Greek god does not help me to feel better about myself! I would love to start working out again but due to the extensive bladder repairs I was told not to even think about it for four more weeks. I am ready to go back to work, I start back Monday but hope I am not going to over do it. Compared to my crazy home with four kids and two dogs work should be a break! Wishing continued healing to all the other sisters-I don't know what I would have done without this site!

I started work (1/2 day from home) last week one day but found that sitting at the desk was scrunching up the incision. I took the rest of the week off and tried again this Monday (1/2 day from home), this time in a recliner in the den (I telecommute with phone and laptop). Working well so far although I am exhausted afterwards and have had several embarassing "brain lapses" during sales calls where I forgot certain features or names of folks. Ha!

How many are still on any pain meds (OTC or otherwise)? I'm still on Advil every 6 hours and occasionally add in Tylenol if I hurt. I find that moving around aggravates the wound so my DH is pushing me to just work and he'll take care of house and kid for now so the pain is manageable. Others?

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Originally Posted by krosie I am at the same point as many others of you! Four weeks post-op tomorrow but very frustrated about the swelly belly, and still having quite a bit of discomfort in the episiotomy type repair area. I am also experiencing sweats, hot flashes and insomnia. Since I kept both of my ovaries my doctor has never mentioned anything about them going to "sleep" or needing hormone replacement therapy but I will be sure to bring it up to him when I see him on May 24th. I am feeling insecure about my swollen belly, scars from the surgery (which look worse than I was led to believe they would)I had DaVinci hyst. My iron levels are still low so I have NO energy! The fact that my DH looks like a Greek god does not help me to feel better about myself! I would love to start working out again but due to the extensive bladder repairs I was told not to even think about it for four more weeks. I am ready to go back to work, I start back Monday but hope I am not going to over do it. Compared to my crazy home with four kids and two dogs work should be a break! Wishing continued healing to all the other sisters-I don't know what I would have done without this site!

Just curious, what kind of scars? I have one all the way across my bikini line and it's awful! I wasn't supposed to have any as I had gone in for laproscopic and ended up with this horrible incision and a "roll" across. Very upsetting!