It hurts so much to sit!

Hey sisters,
I had a TVH and repairs to fix a prolapsed uterus and rectum on 4-11-2002. It's been a little more than 3 weeks, and it hurts sooooo much just to sit! I've learned to sit in new ways, such as on my sides (which now hurt too!). It feels better to stand, like when I'm at the kids' soccer games, but then I get tired. And of course, you can't stand and drive a car or be a passenger. Is this pain normal? And does it eventually go away? The pain lessens when I've been lying down for a long period of time, but I have trouble doing that for long. My husband says I'm a rotten patient--he's right!

Hi Soccerqueen, I think the pillow are heading your way, do you hear the sirens?

Seriously, I think you probably answered your own question. It sounds like your body is telling you that you are doing too much, too soon. I know it can be difficult to rest and take it easy, but the payoff is that you will actually heal quicker and get back to your normal activities. If you keep pushing yourself, you are risking complications that could actually extend your recovery period.

It may also be a good idea to discuss your pain with your Dr. You could review any restrictions that your Dr. wants you to continue with when you speak to him/her.

Best wishes and s

I had a TVH on 4/25 and I found that my stitches were the cause of my sitting discomfort. This was completely relieved by the purchase of a donut pillow (a nice foam one cost about $20 at Walgreen's, a drug store). I couldn't survive 15 minutes in a chair or in the car without my pillow. Of course, it *is* a tad embarrassing to drag around. Even in a pillowcase, it's sort of obvious what it is.

I had a TVH, A&P and bladder sling on 4/24, and still need to use TWO pillows to sit on chair at the computer. I'm also pretty good at sitting on one hip. When I rode in the car last Friday for a post-op appt, I found my butt musles tensing and could not "relax" them into the seat! I am sure it is from the stitches, which still feel pretty sore at times. The thought of my gyn examining me at 6 weeks gives me chills! We are still in the recovery stage and I'm sure our stitches will soon dissolve and we'll be "sitting pretty" soon. Best of luck with your recovery.

The pain is your indication that you should not be doing all that activity, including all the sitting you are doing. If you want less pain you will have to do more resting and healing. There is no way around it.

Maybe you could read a book while laying down. Or have dh get some movies that will entertain you.

Overdoing this early will actually make your recovery time, as far as feeling really good, take longer. Patience now has it's benefits!! Overdoing will also put you at risk for avoidable complications.

Laying down will take the pressure off the stitches. Both the repairs and the hyst work are affected that way by sitting. Sitting puts pressure on the healing tissues. Also, remember that sitting is an activity and you should not do it for long periods at a time while you are still healing.

Try to be a better patient and let your body heal properly. I hope you will feel better very soon.

Dear Sisters,

Thank you for all your support and help! I realize now that I need to slow down and give myself permission to rest and heal. I thought I was taking it easy, but apparently it wasn't enough for my body! I know you all understand how hard it is for women to set aside time for themselves, when they have so many responsibilities. Thanks for helping me get my priorities in order. I should have gone on Hyster Sisters sooner!
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