4 week wall???

This is my first time to post. I have been reading messages since before my surgery. I had a TAH on 4/1 and have been the "Miracle Patient" until last Friday. I overdid it on Thursday and began to feel it Fri. I was exhausted and began crying and that last through the weekend. I began having pain on Sunday and I must say that I have truly been pain free for the majority of my recovery. I have a call in for the Dr. but I wanted to find out if there is such a thing as the 4 week wall? Someone at church told me that she read about it here? Thanks for all your encouragement.

i've heard talk about all kinds of walls-2wk-3wk-4wk. i think we create these walls by over doing things. relax and stay off your feet as much as possible, call into work if needed. at least until the pain subsides again. and then don't try to overdo again. my dr stresses gradually get back into normal activities. and she has limited me on abdominal exercises for a while. as is always stated within these pages, you only have one chance to heal, so do it right and take it easy. have you tried the post -op pages? i'm sure you will find more answers over there. best of luck

Hello Tootebug! Welcome to hyster/sisters. You have come to the right place. I am a few days ahead of you in recovery so I feel like you. Never heard it called a 4 week wall, but I'm sure there is one at every week! You must remember initial recovery is 6 - 8 weeks and not attempt too much too soon. Were your ovaries left in tact? I was left with one, but still had to get some HRT b/c of the crying and mood swings that was accompanying my recovery. You may want to check with your dr. Also, if you put unrealistic expectations on yourself for how well you would be at 4 weeks, then over did it, this could account for the crying as well. Also, you may want to post on the post op message board for more responses!

Don't forget your stitches start dissolving around week 3. I felt my surgery more in weeks 3-5. It's been a slow road -- so easy to overdo it! I feel better than I really am.

Every body is different. I say listen to yours, even if it seems to be backsliding. My recovery (7 weeks now) has been full of weird ups and downs. Luckily, today is an up.

Melissa

Hi tooterbug, I was glad to see your post. I am also at the 4 week mark and feel I am back sliding. I also have had pain and was pain free after my first week. I am exhausted and am having pain. I had a SAH/BSO on March 28. I am on the climara patch 0.1 mg and have not had any problems until this week. I feel really sleepy tired like I was preg. again lol. What are the chances? LOL I am sure I have been over doing it. It is hard to convince hubby though since I am back to doing almost everything I did before with a few exceptions. I also would appreciate any input sisters have that are further along in recovery. Oh, I was not tired until this week. Should I call or just try to take it easy and see what happens? Also I have 2 small boys 2 and 4 so it is difficult to take it easy.



Thanks,

Kim


P.S. I lived in New Orleans for a few years and loved it!

I agree that the wall can come at any point that we begin to become more active. My doctor said that it's not necessarily "overdoing" that does it sometimes - it's the fact that we're starting to use muscles that we haven't used as much during the recovery that causes more soreness and fatigue. That's why we have to try so hard to remember to return to regular routines G-R-A-D-U-A-L-L-Y so there's less stress on the body. Sometimes that's easier said than done.

Hey Kim! I am in Baton Rouge and have been all 42 years! It is great down here.

I did talk to the nurse today and she said, yep, I overdid it! She said that the fact I have been pain free up till now was due to being in better physical condition going into surgery, but that increased pain in week 4 was due to internal healing and the stitches beginning to dissolve. She told me to take it easy, and take pain meds. I have been in the bed all day and if I stay there, I feel better and my family expects less of me. It is harder now than in the beginning for sure! I guess we will have to listen to everyone that says don't push it. I guess I am gonna have to just truly do this one day at a time! I hope you are better and that you get all the support you need!

God Bless you,

Nancy

Thanks Guys for your reply. I am glad to know there are other women out there that understand what i am going through. I just talked with dh and am going to try to work out a plan where I can rest for a few days. It is just so hard to slow down! But I know I need to. MY goodness I am a nurse but I guess we do not always make the best patients.LOL .

Nancy , my stepsister lives in BatonRouge. I am going to visit her in June. I love it down there. I really miss all the food and culture. Well thanks again.

KIM