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unable to sleep following hysterectomy

Posted , 5 users are following.

nessa2605
nessa2605

I had a hysterectomy on 8th September 2014 two weeks later re-admitted with sepsis.  Well on the road to recovery but unable to sleep though go to bed at night feeling tired.  I don't sleep during the day, go out for walks, am doing things around the house. I think hormones are still sorting themselves as getting some of the symptoms that I use to get before a period ie swollen and tender breast.  Sleep problem is a new issue.  I am on iron tablets as got quite anemic following sepsis but can't see that this would cause sleeplessness.  Help 

1 like, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • amanda46342
    amanda46342 nessa2605

    Posted

    Goodness what a terrible thing you must have gone through.. glad to hear you're recovering well from it all.

    I had my hysterectomy done 11Sept.

    I too still have odd nights of poor sleep, I also had a couple of nights where I had to change my night ie as it was literally wet through with sweat.

    Your body has been through more than most post op, so I wonder if it just a case of waiting for it to settle, maybe the GP could help?

    I'm interested to hear more of what you went through ( obviously only if you're happy to talk about it), what sort of surgery did you have, what symptoms did you have with the sepsis etc ?

    Amanda x

    • nessa2605
      nessa2605 amanda46342

      Posted

      I had a vaginally hysterectomy as I had a prolapse womb and a period that was more or less non stop since November 2013.  Op seemed to go ok had that on the Monday sent home Tuesday felt well.   Wednesday even went for a short walk.  Thursday started to feel sick loss of appetite and started getting pain kept going hot and cold lowar back pain.  Following Monday went to the docs as in so much pain.  Diagnosed with urine infection.   Vaginal swab taken and urine sample sent off.  Given antibiotics and told to continue with pain killers and to call back for results on the Friday felt I was getting better but still felt sick no appetite still going hot and cold. Friday rang docs told no further action required. Sunday called out of hours referred to hospital as stomach bloated and still not feeling 100% having taken last antibiotics that day.  Pain killers had inflamed lining of stomach so given meds to sort that out. Monday 2 weeks after op started being sick Tuesday morning shaking from cold and unable to keep water down. Rang docs asked for home visit as too ill to go in.  6 hours later eventally came out.  Turned out results of vaginally swab only received back that morning indicating I had infection. Doctor wanted to try more antibiotics but I burst into tears as stomach so sore and in so much pain feeling so ill plus unable to keep fluids down.  She made call hospital agreed for me to go in.  Eventually got admitted.   After op and dressing removed I never bleed scan showed I had two hematomas where fluid had collected that caused sepsis.  I never had any discharge to indicate infection or had any bleeding once dressing removed. Put on drip and iv antibiotics in hospital 5 days continued antibiotics at home for another 6 days plus anti sickness and iron tablets which I am still taking.  Scan booked for later this month plus follow up blood test and consultant appointment. Can honestly say I have never felt so ill.  Symptoms very similar to flu initially but then got worse
    • amanda46342
      amanda46342 nessa2605

      Posted

      Thanks for sharing that Nessa.

      Sounds like you did have a bad time for sure, but luckily,  you knew things weren't right...

      I've read a newspaper article about a lady who developed sepsis post cesarean,  and despite having the same symptoms as you, couldn't get her doctor to take her seriously,  she eventually collapsed and was admitted straight to ICU- luckily she recovered too, but sepsis is really serious.

       My doctor was really good, told me exactly what to look for if I was unwell. But some doctors don't,  even if they see someone with classic sepsis symptoms it can go undiagnosed. 

      Still, really interesting to hear from you and I'm so glad you are recovering nicely. 

      Hope your sleeping improves ( I also found taking some pain meds paracetamol or something,  just so I didn't ache, helped with sleep).

       Take care x

    • nessa2605
      nessa2605 amanda46342

      Posted

      Sounds like you have a good doctor.  How are you recoverinflated all going well I hope.  I think not being able to sleep is all tied in the hormone balance a bit wobbly.   I honestly thought I wouldn't get any of the pre period symptoms that I use to get but last week breast painful and water retention kicked in thought this would be behind me now but appears not.  From op side of things already notice the difference of prolapse gone ........ pure bliss.  What was the reason for your hysterectomy? 
    • amanda46342
      amanda46342 nessa2605

      Posted

      Hi Nessa.

      I had abdominal hysterectomy done for fibroids- one of which was huge. Nice not having the anaemia,  heavy bleeding and cramps every month smile did keep my ovaries though,  so might get a few hormonal moments too.

      But I'm starting to get back to normal,  back at work beginning of November - boooo sad

    • nessa2605
      nessa2605 amanda46342

      Posted

      Don't rush back to work too soon.  People soon forget because they can't see anything that you have had an operation.  hope you are doing phased return 

      Take care  x

    • amanda46342
      amanda46342 nessa2605

      Posted

      Yeah you're right Nessa.  It's all too easy to forget we've had major surgery, such is their advance of anaesthetic and surgical techniques.

       I could been discharged from my abdominal hysterectomy after 48 hours...as it happened I fainted,  so had to stay in another day!

      Got 3 more weeks off yet and will defo be doing a phased return.

      I am feeling well but still not back to my normal speed smile

      Looking forward to driving again though. ..

    • nessa2605
      nessa2605 amanda46342

      Posted

      Hi Amanda

      glad to hear all going well.  I am going to start driving at the weekend.   Just having the freedom to get out and about.  Still going to save doing the food shopping with my husband just for the entertainment value as he gets so cross with how rude and ignorant some people can be

      Take care x

      Ps Slept a bit bether last night partly though being so tired reduced the amount of tea I drank and took paracetamol for painful boobs

  • liz53953
    liz53953 nessa2605

    Posted

    Hi nessa  try valerian one at night I've been taking it and get to sleep which is great. I have hot swears all night face ends up with bags and bags not a good look!!! Since valerian I sleep read about it you can't take it with antihistimine but you need to have a read for yourself. Good luck 
  • wandaiveliz
    wandaiveliz nessa2605

    Posted

    It's been a month and a day since my hysterectomy (kept both ovaries)   and I only can sleep on my side with some pain.    It's horrible bc I usually sleep on my tummy.  So my back is killing me and I just have very bad nights. sad
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