Pain after abdominal hysterectomy

Posted , 12 users are following.

I had an abdominal hysterectomy on the 12th March, only had my uterus removed. I know it's still early days but the internal pain is unbearable at times. I have pain when urinating and when I open my bowels. Was tested for water infection came back negative. The pain is mainly on my right side and radiates into my hip area. I've no appointment to go back to my consultant. I'm on medication to soften my stools to enable me to open my bowels. I'm eating a good balanced diet. Just wondering if anyone can give me any advise on how long I should expect the pain to go on for. I understand it's quite an invasive surgery and things can moved around and need time to settle back down but I've no idea how long I should put up with the pain before I make an appointment with my doctor. 

2 likes, 24 replies

24 Replies

Prev
  • Posted

    Hi Lynda.I too feel like you,once you come out of hospital you are on your own.I had a TAH with tubes and both ovaries out nine weeks ago

    I was doing ok till week 5 ,and just assumed the pain was normal. Had real problems with bowels so stopped prescribed painkillers .Then had two infections that needed antibiotics and a further visit to A and E at week 6.No follow up was arranged when i left hospital so my doctor ask for an appointment to be made in the hope they would scan me as she thinks fluid in the pelvis is still causing the pain.Saw the actual consultant last week who says its where the abdominal muscles ate not joining back together evenly and the severe pain i still have on right hand side of scar going into the groin are is where the final permanent stich is that's really tight to hold everything in place now.He has referred me for heat and ultrasound treatment at a specialist physiotherapist.😞I am still not convinced it isn't something else though so am going to pay for a private scan to be done.So here i am still not driving,signed off for another four weeks,bored out of my mind but still shuffling round like an old lady whilst waiting for a physio appointment.I laugh out loud when i read all your wonderful posts about resuming sex,at this rate i cant see me ever bring up for it again and i am only 50

    Lynda if you really feel something isn't right don't let it drag on,like i have. I know i just accept whatever i am told as you assume they know best. But get this and this is some.thing my husband just cannot get his head around"Before the op you had a scan and legs in stirrups for an internal at nearly every clinic appointment,about five of them, and yet here you are at week nine and not once has a doctor nor the consultant checked you internally to make sure you are healing properly or arranged a scan to check. Food for thought.....

    Hope you feel better soon but list.en to your head you know your body better than anyone else.Sharon x

    • Posted

      Aaawww I really hope you get sorted and get some answers, they sometimes make you feel like your exaggerating your symptoms but like you say you know your body best. We are all individuals with different healing times, some are luckier than others. Make sure you persist though if you still don't feel right. In all honesty nobody should have to pay private for a scan to get to,the bottom of an issue but unfortunately that seems the only way to prove you "don't feel right" good luck. 

      Mine is still early days so maybe i'am trying to run before I can walk. I'm usually a very active person so to sit and do nothing is hard but I'm totally listening to my body and resting completely and only doing short walks around the house to keep my circulation going. 

      I will make an appointment with my doctor if I continue to feel this way. One of the doctors from the practice rang me yesterday with my water sample results informing me it had come back clear, he didn't really know why I would be in pain but to book an appointment with him to get checked out. Doesn't give you much faith does it but there is a fantastic female doctor at my practice so I'll just book in to see her.

      with all operations there should be a follow up check up appointment, to turn round and say "I don't need to see you again" is so wrong. Who knows what's going on inside. 

      Hopefully we will all see light at the end of the tunnel, thank you Lynda xx

  • Posted

    Hi, it's interesting to read the pathway at around 5/6 weeks..I'm 6 weeks tomorrow abdominal hysterectomy and last week felt I had really turned the corner....I've felt rubbish the last 48 hours....lots of internal pain and swollen belly,feel really tired and generally uncomfortable....bowels playing up again with constipation.....I have no follow up appointment and I called my surgery for a review for a further sick note and they have just booked me in for a telephone call.....I'm just hoping I'm having a bad couple of days x
    • Posted

      Hope you start to feel better again and they can give you some answers. It's a good job there are forums like this where we can all sound off each other. Sometimes we just think "oh I'll leave it it's probably all part of the recovery and I don't want to be a mither" but you know your body better than anyone. Good luck I hope you get it sorted xx
  • Posted

    Hi,

    It seems that there is a general milestone at week 6, where the major healing has happened in the 1st cycle. I was back at f/.t work, with lots of driving at week six followinh TAH. I totally rested during 6 weeks healing, no lifting, moving too fast ext, and gently built up walks. General twinges, swelly belly will persist for up to 12mths, as that is the total healing time.-according to many fellow 'systers' at Hyster Systers. Be kind to your selves, and if the pain is sever, seek medical advice..and listen to your body, Hyster Systers has hysterecomy checkpoints in your healing, so well worth visiting their website for a wealth of info..

    • Posted

      Yeah I've joined the hyster systers Facebook page. I don't know how you managed to return to work so early but everyone is different. Thank you for your advise xx
  • Posted

    Hey lynda i agree with bridy. I have been bathing with dead sea salt u can buy it in home bargains for 3.99 it has fantastic healing properties. I been using it since wk 2 post op and i had TAH now 8 wks post op on monday . I swear by it. I used it when i had my 3 kids and when i had posterior repair to vagina. . It definitely accelerated my healing and i swear by it for everything.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.