Pressure 8 weeks post op

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hello, I am 54 years old and 8 weeks post op after hysterectomy and anterior and posterior prolapse repair. During surgery my prudendal nerve was either irratated or injured.  Start pelvic floor PT next week but have not seen a nerologist yet. I have pain and numbness in my right lower buttocks and right side of my vagina,  I know this is due to the nerve but I also have a lot of pressure down below and my bladder almost always feels full.  Sometime I feel I have trouble voiding.  I've been on my feel a lot during my recovery due to not being able to get comfortable laying or sitting because of the nerve pain.  Some evenings the pressure below is unbareable. I do not have a bulge protruding as before but there is a buldge immediately within.  Sorry for TMI   I'm concerned my anterior prolapse is returning.  Doctor says  not to worry but I think he is telling me that because he is more concerned about the nerve.  So I'm wondering if this pressure thing is normal for 8 weeks post op. I feel the surgery has helped with my lower back pain but I feel worst off down below and I am having a hard time dealing with this nerve pain.  I am so over this!

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi matron will answer these questions for you, I am only 5 week today A&P and feel lumpy just inside on the back wall I think that part needs time to heal
    • Posted

      I don't seem to have any problems with the back wall but I haven't felt  back there.  Though I was a 3 A&P and uterus, the front was the one protruding so I think that is why I'm so concerned. Thanks for the response.
  • Posted

     I just want to say I totally sympathise with you. I think it is too early to know about the prolapse  but I think it is hard for you to know what you feel with the nerve pain being so dominant. There is a condition called pudendal neuralgia  whether or not you have a prolapse and I have/had that .. It seems to have miraculously disappeared since the op ( I had the same as you) but otherwise  it flares up at times, lasts weeks etc but  then goes. It is the most awful thing.. And with that you do feel as though your bladder is full and that you cannot  void as well as all the pain ,stinging and feelings of pressure and of course you can't really sit. Doctors could never suggest anything for it but when I asked the surgeon at the time of my op he gave me a gel called instillagel which is an anaesthetic gel they give patients when using a catheter .  It is not magic but it eases the pain as numbs the area, I would ask for that ,my doctor then gave me some more on prescription so I have that in case. I do hope they have not damaged the nerve, I'm not sure what they do in that case but otherwise it should all calm down. The surgery will have exacerbated it anyway and of course you're sore down there anyway.  All you can do is take pain killers,  lie on your side  or back, try not to pee often and take short walks if possible as sitting is definitely the worst thing.

     I really feel for you and wish you all the best .

    • Posted

      Thanks for the response Alybee.  how long did it for your nerve pain to go away?  I have heard it can take 12 to 18 months?  I am usually very active and this has totally put my life on hold. sad
  • Posted

    Hi,

     yes I can totally imagine. When I first had it about four years ago .. at about time the prolapse got worse… i didn't realise what it was for ages  but it lasted about  4 to 6 I suppose , nothing like several months but was quite intense  and all at the front. After a short time it moved round the back and that was dreadful as well in  a different way ,I found myself going to bed every afternoon and falling asleep just to get rid of the pain. That time I saw another doctor who said I ought to take something to try to settle it  before seeing a specialist etc and that's when I went on amitriptyline ..I forgot to say that before sorry ..and that really worked well.  The pain eased and gradually disappeared such a relief. Basically in small doses they are nerve pills youn take at night as they  send  do  to sleep... Great though as you sleep so well. I've always got those now in case, I use  them when travelling asbsitting is of course known  to exacerbate it. I meant to say  that pelvic  floor exercises are not at all to good to if you've got this condition, best avoid  so don't rush into those but of course see what the docs  say. But mot many really seem to know about this pudendal problem  as though it is a nightmare it is rare. I know some poor people are living long term with this ,there are forums on that as well , I hope you will not be one of those . The gel and the medication  are really quite effective  and there are  stronger drugs  and treatments if necessary.

    • Posted

      I've read that pelvic floor excersire can make it worst so I have not done any, though my gyno said I could do kegals.  I tried a few time but I feel it made the nerve pain worst.  You are right.  There are not a lot of drs. out there that know a lot about the prudendal nerve.  I was trying to see a nerologist at UCSF but insurance wants me to stay within our network.  The Pelvic Floor PT is actually very familiar with PN so I am praying she can help.  Thanks again for your support. Sorry you lhad ot go through this too but it has been nice to chat with someone who understands.  Thanks again :D
  • Posted

    Yes, kegels only  make it worse, you can't win. But great if the PT understands, she should be able to help. I never saw a neurologist as got on top of it but the gynae said there's nothing you can do really..  It's just a condition to manage and avoid sitting, long car rides.. And that is awful   when you are bad..riding a bike etc . She was right about all that.

    For me amitriptyline was the breakthrough as it seems a vicious circle once it flares up.  Let us know how you go .

  • Posted

    I had a rectocele 29th October last year. I have been suffering with nerve damage for the last six months. It's doing my head in now. I feel like I need to wee all the time. After I go that whole area just feels strange. It doesn't go away. I've had numerous visits to my gp. I can't describe how it feels but when I'm up walking about it feels pressure or air there. My doctor has also assured me the prolapse has gone. Sometimes it feels like the lump is back and I've had panic attacks because I've felt a lump. I felt stupid because the doctor said the lump I felt was probably my cervix. Im 40 years old and never new that the cervix moved down during your period. During this time of the month the discomfort is at its worst. I have been taking amitriptyline at night. If I take two they knock me out and I have trouble waking up lol. I also have a referral appointment for a urologist to look at my urethra as that's where the discomfort come from. The only other thing I think it could be is the nurse caused damage to the uretha when she yanked my catheter out. I hope things improve for you. You are not alone x
    • Posted

      I'm so sorry to hear what you are going through too.  I too have such a hard time describing what I'm feeling.  I don't think unless you have had nerve damage you  understand.  So tired of trying to explain to friends and family what I'm going through and they are probably tired of hearing it. When I left the lump within me Igot sick to my stomach.  I actually haven't check again because it scares me to think it has come back. I am post menopausal and they removed my cervix during the hysterectomy. My uterus had prolaped too.  That was the reason for the hysterectomy. Prior to surgery I could feel my cervix about an inch or so within. I also was unaware that the cervix moved down during a period. My doctor has me on 300m of Gabapentin 3x a day to calm the nerve.  At the begining it made me tired but I think my body is getting use to it.  Also on Hydrocodon for the pain. I think the worst is not knowing exactly going on. Im always trying to figure out why I'm feeling pain here or there, why I'm not peeing, what could be causing it.  I am so sorry fo your suffering  too, but I am thankful to have you and others to chat with that understand.  I wish you the best of luck in your recovery.   Thanks for your response.
  • Posted

    Oh dear veneziagray, I am sorry you have experienced so much pain and so many other women on this thread too. It is a big problem. If possible try to get a referral for pelvic pain (nerve damage etc) to a Physiotherapist when you cleared to do so following the surgery. What happens is when we are in pain we clench or hold our muscles, and over a short amount of time these muscles 'lock-up' causing more pain. Blood stops flowing into the muscles which brings oxygen and keeps them health because they are in spasm. Tight, or in-painpelvic muscles cause more pelvic floor dysfunction, because they just don’t 'work'. (incontinence/pain etc) They are just as bad as a weak pelvic floor. Also, pelvic floor exercises are not recommended for pelvic pain, it is relaxation the pelvic floor needs. Sadly when we take pain killers this treats the whole body, and also gives us constipation, so we then struggle with our dysfunctional pelvic floor, that is locked-up, which is in more pain than ever. Google 'Tennis Ball  for pelvic floor', this is a great way to release the pain in the muscles, but please only if you are a good few months past surgery. This can really help and experts such as Amy Stein (google her) know exactly what you talking about with pelvic pain symptoms and she has various solutions that might help. Pelvic pain can manifest itself in so many vague symptoms it is difficult to articulate this properly to a GP or Consultant.

    So basically your pelvic floor needs to relax, easier said than done I know, and the pain is debilitating, but please try to get help to get to the source and get your recuperation back on track. Medications mask pelvic pain, and myofascial release massage might help, when the time is right for you.

    Hope this helps and others with pelvic pain.

    S

    • Posted

      Thank you so much for the informtion.  Taking stool softeners for the constipation and it works but I understand what you are saying about the pain meds.  That is how I feel.  They aren't fixing anything. They are just masking the pain. I am going to look into all the info you gave me.  

      Thank you again :D

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