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Just Don't Feel Like Myself After 10 Weeks

Posted , 18 users are following.

jennifercea
jennifercea

Hi everyone. I had a total abdominal hysterectomy 10 weeks ago. Uterus, cervix, Fallopian tubes and non-cancerous large fibroid tumor was removed. I kept my ovaries.

I was nauseous since right after the surgery and lost 20 pounds within first three weeks. I have had all sorts or problems since then as well. I have no idea why I feel so terrible and neither do my dorctors.

I am having ear pressure and head pressure, pins and needles in my feet, and unexplained high blood sugar. I'm not diabetic. All of these symptoms are making it so hard for me to feel better.

I'm not on any meds at all. I've had tons of. Blood work done and dr found nothing.

Has anyone else just had such a hard time feeling better for months afterwards? Has anyone had any similar symptoms?

1 like, 29 replies

29 Replies

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  • Flojo45
    Flojo45 jennifercea

    Posted

    Hi I'm Amanda.

    I had a partial hystorectomy (kept ovaries). To remove fibroids.

    I had the surgery on 2nd June 2017.

    Since then I haunt felt myself either.

    Can't wear trousers my abdomen is swollen I've been sick my appetite has dropped.

    I needed the surgery. But I just don't feel well.

  • dorothy01303
    dorothy01303 jennifercea

    Posted

    Hi Jennifer, so sorry your gong through this. It's frustrating when your not making th progress you want and expect.  I'm only 5 weeks post surgery nd have had infections including ecoli, reaction to antibiotics, I'm still on painkillers, but I haven't had anny of the symptoms you mention. I can relate to what you sayabout it being a hard tiime in recovery as I am a bit that way, but we're all different and heal differently. So be kind to yourself, that's what I've been told, you will get there My best wishes to you.

  • lynda20916
    lynda20916 jennifercea

    Posted

    Hi Jennifer.  You've had major surgery.  Though likely your fat is producing some estrogen, this surgery will throw you into full menopause.  Though your stitches might have healed, your whole body is in an uproar and it will take time to sort itself.  Most doctors, surgeons, especially think that once your stitches are "probably" healed you should start feeling well.  But for other women, it takes a long time to recover.  

    Try not to over do and rest.  Eat a healthy diet.  Cut back on sugars and avoid "low fat" foods, which typically contain a lot of sugars.  Avoid synthetic sweeteners.  Drink 64 ounces of water a day, and start taking a probiotic.  Those things might help. 

    Best of luck to you, and let me know how you get on!

  • claire35272
    claire35272 jennifercea

    Posted

    Hi

    I had the same operation in May 2015, like you I had a hard time feeling

    better. Had 3 doses of antibiotics for urine infections,felt I would never feel

    like me again. But with lots of rest and listening to my body I got there in

    the end. It took me 4 months to get back to work and then only on a

    part time basis was exhausted most days, it wasn't until after about

    9 months I felt like me. Hang in there it does take time but I don't regret

    having the op, it was a long road to recovery, longer than I ever thought

    it would be.

    Now 2 years on I feel great, no menopause as yet. Have my life back and

    enjoying every minute.

    Best wishes

  • jennifercea
    jennifercea

    Posted

    Thank you everyone for the replies so far. I I'm feeling better knowing others are in same boat.

    I am an avid exerciser, I eat right and watch my weight. I thought I would rebound from this much quicker.

    It's been ten weeks and I'm feeling terrible overall. Just not myself. The hysterectomy area feels fine. It's just the rest of me!

    I welcome more replies!!

  • robyn94818
    robyn94818 jennifercea

    Posted

    It's early days unfortunately. It can take up to a year to come right. Some of your symptoms could be that you are stressing too much about not feeling better yet. Your body is going through massive upheaval and change. You're going to have to be patient and try and just get on with life. You will get there eventually, but slowly. Don't expect too much too soon. Are you eating proper food or at least pretty much the same diet you were having pre-op? It sounds like your hormones are all over the place. This surgery isn't a walk in the park for loads of girls.

    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 robyn94818

      Posted

      Hi Robyn.  Almost a year since my surgery, and it has taken me a year to start to feel better.  How are you getting on?
    • robyn94818
      robyn94818 lynda20916

      Posted

      Hi Lynda. I'm great thanks. But always worrying a little about the rectocoele not having been repaired at same time as cystocoele, which was the plan till literally 10mins before heading into theatre. I find it annoying that the Grade of prolapse is judged while lying flat, but it's way more pronounced when upright. I have read in here that some girls did say their Specialist did have a look at it in upright position. It's great that you are doing ok too

    • lisa25007
      lisa25007 robyn94818

      Posted

      I have the rectocele problem and go to a Urogynocologist on 8/8.  I agree with you the grade should be when standing up because it feels like a baby crowning standing up!  I have that and a bladder issue - complications after hysterectomy.
  • maisie05
    maisie05 jennifercea

    Posted

    Hi everyone. I'm interested in your responses as I'm considering hysterectomy. It is interesting reading the length of recovery times and ways of coping.

    Have any of you been offered HRT to help with your recovery or have you considered asking for it? 

    • jennifercea
      jennifercea maisie05

      Posted

      I had no choice in the matter. My dr found a giant fibroid tumor during annual exam and it was pressing on bladder and causing me to retain urine in kidneys. I had the hysterectomy 5 days later.

      This was 10 weeks ago. I personally think the shock to my system is what is making my recovery so awful.

      I had no notice of this surgery. The dr sent me right to hospital and they put a catheter in place for the five days leading up to surgery since the urine retention was occurring.

      I have had the worst 10 weeks of my life following the surgery. I experienced the worst nausea I could ever imagine and lost over 20 pounds in first 3 weeks. I was faint, shaking, heart palpitations, weak legs, ear pressure, head pain, and high blood sugar. I could not sleep at night AT ALL. I was sent to cardiologist, endocrin, ENT, GI dr, neurologist, internist all since surgery to figure out why I had these symptoms.

      I kept my ovaries so all this was NOT expected. I've had blood work taken 6 times, cat scans and MRI. Everything came back normal thank goodness.

      Dr thinks my body was in trauma over surgery, anesthesia, shock, etc.

      My road has been very difficult. I'm still having ear and head pain, but most other issues have resolved. I'm praying ear and head return to normal very soon.

      I would not elect to have this surgery unless you are experiencing a very good reason to do so.

      This has been my experience and it has been a horrible one.

      Good luck to you!

    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 maisie05

      Posted

      Maisie,

      Many women have hysterectomies and cannot have HRT, such as those diagnosed with cancer or other conditions.  Some women can retain their ovaries, but others have them taken with the hysterectomy.  

      It all depends on their situation.  Also, how they recover is tied to how their body reacts to the surgery, their age and relative physical condition.  It's a complex situation, more complex, actually, than the physicians and surgeons typically tell their patients.  

    • maisie05
      maisie05 lynda20916

      Posted

      Thanks Lynda. I guessed as much which makes my coming to a decision so confusing xx
    • maisie05
      maisie05 jennifercea

      Posted

      Sorry to hear that Jennifer. It must have been awful for you. Hope you are soon feeling lots better xx
    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 maisie05

      Posted

      I think docs just hope nothing too bad happens--because if they believe you need the surgery, that outweighs consequences that in their minds aren't life threatening.

    • jessica9876
      jessica9876 jennifercea

      Posted

      Jennifer,

      I’m experiencing many of the same symptoms as you (8 weeks after surgery, kept my ovaries). Did you end up finding relief, and if so, what helped you?

    • jennifercea
      jennifercea jessica9876

      Posted

      Jessica- I’m now 1 year post op.  I have had the WORST year of my life.   I have been troubled with these symptoms for months.  The nausea went away eventually but it took almost 6 months. I lost so much weight.  I just could not eat anything.  The headaches and heart palpitations and shaky legs and high blood sugar all took months and months to resolve.  

      I still have ear pressure.  I have been to every dr known to mankind and have tried everything except acupunture.  Nothing will resolve his for me.  I went to PT for 4 months to help with ear, neck and back pain.  It helped but it didn’t resolve it.

      What specific symptoms do you have?  

      I wish you luck and hope you start to feel better soon. 

      Jennifer 

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