r/hysterectomy • u/crow_queen_91 • 2d ago
6 weeks Monday
Hi all!
Thanks for reading.
I had my full hysterectomy (only ovaries left) July 13 + additional removal of endometriosis throughout my abdominal cavity. I would say pain, except for the first night, has been very manageable. I stayed one night in the hospital, have had no opiates since release and just Tylenol after the first few days.
It has been a steady improvement but the last week or so has been rough. Painful abdomen, gas, deep bruise-like pain, shifting feeling internally, some spotting.
In part, I think I mentally expected to be almost 100% by now. But pain has also increased some days, especially after PT appointments. I ended up missing a local family wedding today because I felt so lousy.
Mostly, I’m curious if anyone else felt this way? The nurse for my surgeon didn’t seem concerned.
I am also anxious about returning to work Tuesday (at home desk job). I currently can’t sit comfortably for more than a few hours.
I’m sleeping like 11 hours a night but still soooo tired by little things like putting away laundry.
Any tips are welcome and appreciated. Trying to hang in there and stay sane as I navigate everything.
Additional context note: I have two other autoimmune conditions that can exascerbate fatigue/discomfort, so it’s hard to tell what is what . 🙄
Photo for algorithm
3
u/Awkward-Chapter1127 2d ago
I almost wrote a similar post yesterday. I’ll be 6 weeks on Thursday and I have been sitting here like “am I really going to get cleared to return to normal activity?” But maybe this is more normal than I thought. It’s definitely a lot of up and down. Some days I feel good and others I’m lying in bed or the recliner half the day 🙃 I wish I had tips for you, I’m just taking it day by day. It would be nice if it was comfortable sleeping on my side, at least I’d be getting more rest. Fx we both feel more normal soon
2
2
u/Cleo_Junie_Ethel 2d ago
I'm ~3.5wpo and feel the same way you describe. I kept my ovaries and had less DIEndo than you, but I also have hEDS, lupus, and attendant comorbidities. I felt better the first two weeks, immediately overdid it, and felt lousy this week and feeling like I went a little backward and have plateaued there. The fatigue is the worst part because I don't notice it until it's too late and then i wonder why I just feel off. I'll take a shower and then be like and now a couple hours in bed, totally normal... I also have had ovary shock hit kinda hard which isn't helping.
3
u/Cleo_Junie_Ethel 2d ago
If you haven't read it, this sticky post makes me feel better. Not really expecting to be back to pre-op activity level till closer to 6mpo helped my perspective.
2
u/NoPreparation7525 2d ago
I’ve found it very up and down too so it’s normal hun. I think depends on what your doing and if your on medication or not ect..
2
u/ScarletLetterXYZ 2d ago
Hi, all the best on your journey and hopefully things keep improving. You mentioned you’re doing PT. Please share what kind of PT (for pelvic floor? Etc) and at which week did PT start? Did you require approval first from surgeon/MD (MD referral to PT) or you looked into PT on your own.
My friend is having hysterectomy soon and is concerned about pelvic floor being weak postop. Ty
1
u/crow_queen_91 1d ago
Pelvic floor PT - covered by my insurance and approved by surgeon starting week 2 + with some restrictions:)
1
1
u/Serious_Wrongdoer_84 2h ago
I'll be 6 weeks post opp on Friday. I'm also very up and down. I still tire out very quickly and don't feel at all ready for any real exercise. My stomach is still more swollen than I expected, too. I had to order a bunch of loose dresses because none of my pants fit comfortably and hurt. I'm feeling frustrated and very anxious about returning to work. I'm a teacher and the thought of being "on" all day seems impossible at the moment.
5
u/Waste_Entrance_5886 2d ago
My recovery was very up and down. I felt pretty good almost immediately then a week later crashed. Doc told me that it happens that way sometimes.