Post- op pain...is this normal?

I had a total abdominal hysterectomy on Jan. 3rd. I am a little over 2 weeks post- op. I am having a conciderable amount of low pelvic pressure pain and bladder pressure off and on. Is this normal. And I am also dealing with night sweats....as much as 6-7 times a night. The dr. increased my estrogen, but it has not made a difference. I am wondering if this is normal and just an adjustment period just after surgery. I am also amazed at how tired I get....hoping this will too be better as I am planning to go back to work at 4 weeks. I would appreciate some words of wisdom.

Jsmith

Hi There!

During the initial recovery period of 6 - 8 weeks, it is not uncommon to have some pain, particularly if you may be doing too much too early.

It might be a good idea to take your temperature, too - keep an eye on it in case it exceeds 100, and please contact your DR about the pain - not all pain is normal - yours might be, but only the DR can answer that for you.

You might also want to rethink returning to work at 4 weeks. This is typically something the DR has to release you for, anyway, and if you are not healed quite enough, you may not be released.

Try to take it easy for a while; it's still very early in your recovery after MAJOR surgery. Allow your body the rest and care it needs in order to heal.

s,

I agree with Toonces...try not to rush back to work sooner than you should. It's never worth it. This recovery is generally longer than many of us think going into it, myself included!

One other thing: Are you sitting for long periods of time? Lots of low pelvic pressure is usually from swelling. Sitting is an "activity", and prolonged sitting puts undue pressure on the countless internal stitches. More discomfort, swelling, and fatigue may result as the tissues get inflamed.

Also, you are getting to the time when internal stitches are starting to dissolve, leaving weakened tissues to take over. Many women "feel" their surgery more at this time, especially if they are overdoing it. Listen to your body.

Try to break up those sitting spells with rest OFF your feet to take the pressure off the situation, and slow down your general pace. This is also one more reason to watch out for resuming work too soon. If you must do lots of sitting at a time, this can be surprisingly difficult. Many sisters are amazed, even at 6 weeks, how hard it is to get through the work day "just sitting".

Of course, always call your Dr. about any pain that concerns you.

My very best to you...

I'm just one more person who wants to tell you to rethink that going back to work at 4 weeks idea and to call your dr if you are feeling pain.

The two and four week periods were when I felt my worst post and was beginning to wonder if this was going to be an every other week thing. Fortunately, at six weeks, it didn't happen. (Knock on wood.) My "bad days" from two weeks on consisted of back aches, abdominal pressure/pulling, vaginal pains, and pains at my ovaries. The dr said it was due to healing at internal incision sites and I needed to rest more.

I still get easily tired and from what others further post have said, this is something to expect for months. I know the insomnia doesn't help much either.

You only have one chance to heal properly.

I too am at 2 weeks. I have been having the lower pelvic pressure and pain. Sometimes it was even hurting to lay down like I should because it had gotten so uncomfortable. I monitored my activity and realized that I spent most of my time up walking around the house and actually bending over alot to pick up things like paper or a jacket or if I dropped something. I also noticed even in bed I would often sit straight up indian style watching television (out of habit) instead of laying back. Than I would wonder why I hurt. As for work. My work wanted me back last thursday. I went in for 2 hours friday and left in tears from the pain of constantly sitting up the whole time at my desk. That was sitting in a soft chair. Needless to say not only have I lost my uterus, I also quit my job because I suddenly realized I did have a major surgery and they were rushing my recovery for there own needs and not watching out for the best interest of an employee. Thankfully this is a move my husband has been nagging me to do for years because we have five children and I could run my own corporation right here at home. Don't pressure yourself to do to much at once. I obsess about keeping the house clean etc. and right now I need to obsess about letting my husband and kids help more and me getting better. I don't mean to go on, but I think that as women we do alot anyway and sometimes we need to let go and just relax and recover. Good luck to ya.

Hi, I would have to aqgree, I had the sweats for a week and it has subsided, check with your doctor - pain has been my biggest problem for the first week I was in hospital out for a day then readmitted to the shocking public hospitals in NZ. my Dr initally put me onto codiene phosphate 30mg for pain and I have had some 'stronger stuff' to get me through the bad days the worst thing is if your bowels get blocked up due to the pain medication however it did slow me down (which is what I needed) my Gyns advice was - if you are picking something up and it takes two habds its too heavy, don't bend too much, allow frequent breaks throughout the day. I have stopped work for six weeks and expect to be back riding racehorses soon however, I will put off my return to work date if necessary and even if it just means the fist few trips back to the stable is just to brush my 'Kids' and I feel knackered then so be it - don't be in a hurry, take your doctors advice and enjoy the rest! hell, your not going to get this much time on your hands for a while - if your anything like me!!
oh, and the worst thing I have noticed, if you have a full bladder and empty it boy it hurts - I am still to overcome this, I expect as I get over my surgery it will get better I wont worry unless it still hurts six weeks from now.. email me if you wish - malster@medscape.com
I think if you are knackered you are probably doing too much - I can only handle three to four hours out with minimal excersise but slowly I will increase this as a student I need to be able to cope for four hour lectures with one 15 minute break pluss travel - I have to drive 1/2 hr to Uni from home so I have a bit of work ahead.. rest well

BACKGROUND: Hi, I am a 28 year old who had a total Abdominalhysterectomy for endometriosis on Jan 11 '02. I was told I needed it and took the plunge as it were, I didn't do any research as I have medical training (1/2 nursing degree) so academically I knew what to expect - emotionally I did not! unlike many my age I do not have children and this was a long term thing anyway, I am 11 days post opp and initially I was a mess, however, I can tell you from experience that no, it doesnt stop the 'female function' - orgasm, its a bit different but still - well, attainable! (to be blunt) - my biggest fear now is my boyfriend wont want to use condoms which I will still be firm about (he doesn't know it yet!) mainly because I want to retain that bit of dignity I have and naturally there are always infections to fear..
It didn't become reality that I wouldn't be able to have kids untill a day or so ago but I believe there are many kiddies in this world who need a good family and adoption isn't something that would scare me. I can now look forward to a pain (and period free!) life, give all to my sport (dressage rider and steeplechase jockey) hopefully remain a good partner and go all out to live life. if I had any regrets it would probably be that I didn't prepare very well for the surgery - in the gyns office on Monday - surgery on Friday; I have to take responsibility for the decision I have made and now heal from the experience. I don't think I will ever look back and regret it as I said, there are adoption options and as I have kept my ovaries maybe surrgocy - longshot but still- (anyone know much about this?) If you are in pain either on and off (as I was) or constant pain all i can say is go for it, if you have kids you have a blessing. the biggest thing is prepare for a bit of an emotional rollercoaster as you adjust after surgery and for the rehab - especially if you are having a total abdominal hysterectomy as I did. I am especially ineterested in hearing from anyone else my age group married or unmarried with or without kids who has be there and done it as this is the begining of healing for me as a woman.

Reading thru the posts, to try to understand what the recovery will bring. I too, am trying to understand what is "normal" pain? Because I was diagnosed with endometriosis 7 years ago, I have no idea. Over the passing years, I have spent much time with heating pads, hot water bottles, increasing meds, and worked full time,usually feeling the worst at night. Emotionally, I feel that there is a grieving that occurs, for all the children we might have had....which is all conceptual of course, but we have lots of time for the enormity of everything we have ever thought or done to hit us on the head!

I had a TAH on Jan. 10th, my doctor found a uterus full of varicose veins and a fibroid outside the uterus which was impacting on the kidney. When I feel pain and tenderness, I do not know if it is varicose veins left in the pelvic region? compression against the kidney? gas blowing around the "cavern"? I was used to toughing it out to work full time, but now I do feel like will the pain ever go away? Is it normal to be dizzy and nauseous, like I do much of the time? I feel I have so many questions, and seems that I, like many others, just want validation that we are not alone, and that eventually the pain will end :cry:....

Hi I am almost five weeks post and well those first two weeks were really hard. I had enough to deal with the pain but then those night sweats and hot flashes were horrible. I can see they have pretty much stopped now. I still have a hot flash occasionally. the pulling the pains and all of that expecially the back and bladder spasms are all still here but they are better. I agree with the other ladies call your doc I went in three times already. Make sure you tell him all. I was given a medicine to help with the spasms and relax my back The going back to work I also agree keep an open mind. It will be hard to do that. Good luck and feel better s Sassy

I know what you mean. I had endo for over 20 years before my hyst, and the pain from that could send me through the ceiling!

Remember that at 10 days post-op, your recovery is barely off the ground. At this stage, many of us wondered if we could ever feel like ourselves again. Some pain is normal at this stage, but if you're not sure that you're having normal pain, always call your Dr. It's his job to manage your post-op pain...he gets paid big $$$ for that!

It is usually 6-8 weeks until you can start easing into normal routines, work, etc. Do not rush your recovery...it is never worth it. Besides, your long-term health is at stake, as you will actually spend many months continuing to heal.

My very best to you...