Week 5 and the saga continues

Posted , 8 users are following.

Five weeks and two days post op (49 years old) and I have been really good about keeping my feet up, not doing too much etc... But I am only five days away from the six week mark so I thought a nice outing with my daughter would be good for both of us.  (She has been so good about staying with me and keeping me company but at 21 years old I know she has been bored out of her mind!) We went furniture and home accessory shopping [for my upcoming remarriage PinkLady. wink ]  In any case, I would guess that spread throughout the day with eating and driving breaks mixed in, I was on my feet for a total of five hours.  I felt okay until toward the end of the evening when I began to feel a bit of heaviness but not too bad. Fast forward a couple of hours after getting home...I first started to have the oddest feeling in lower abdomen...almost a cross between a tickle and an ache, very uncomfortable!    Then I developed the most awful ache vaginally and felt like my insides were going to fall out. I literally went to bed applying pressure in attempt to make that feeling subside.  I'm (nearly) 6 weeks in, shouldn't I have been able to handle an outing like that? It wasn't five hours straight, the breaks were mixed in. I'm feeling so discouraged right now. I'm supposed to start back to work next week.

0 likes, 30 replies

30 Replies

Next
  • Posted

    And has anyone else experienced that odd not quite but almost tickle/ache just STRANGE lower abdominal discomfort? I've been feeling that off and on but it was so noticable after this outing. I've never felt anything quite like it.
    • Posted

      Maybe you have just done too much. I am 5 weeks and one day post op. Today I went out for my first real walk, was only about an hour and a coffee break. I feel drained, I think that because we don't do much, apart from rest, it must be hard on our body to start from scratch so to speak to get back up and running. Maybe 5 hours was a bit much? If your worried I would ring and speak to the doctor on Monday. Have you been okay apart from today?X
  • Posted

    Hello tlee. I always remember a lovely gynaecologist I worked with always said to his patients " listen to your body". I think your body was telling you that you had done too much. Following my surgery if I did too much I also got that ache. It's just the muscles aching so don't worry. I hate to say this but you may have put your recovery back a week or so. Do this sort of thing in stages. Even though you had breaks it's too much too soon. 
  • Posted

    Hi - it's now 12 weeks since my anterior and posterior repair and I'm still getting that ache. I've been assured that everything has healed OK but if I overdo things, even just vacuuming or supermarket shopping I get the discomfort again. I'm also still wearing thin pantie liners - not sure if it's discharge or slight occasional leakage. Does any else suffer from the same. So just take it easy tlee.
    • Posted

      hi Jane , I am 5 weeks post op hysterectomy and bowel repair also, do you get the feeling inside the vagina that something is pushing against the bladder wall? It's very uncomfortable in there and feels almost like I have a tampon inside and it's wanting to come out. Sounds awful I know. Just wondered if you felt the same? Thanks.
    • Posted

      Hi Val,

      I had rectocele repair and rectal plication 3.5 weeks ago and I too have that feeling of something pushing against bladder. It feels like I need to wee all the time when I don't really have a full bladder. It is uncomfortable. Somebody on here said they thought the feeling was possibly after effects of having a catheter in. I just hope the feeling goes soon. Let me know how you are doing, hope things improve. Thanks

    • Posted

      Thanks rhona, I am worrying all the time about it. Will mention it at my check try think. Hope you feel a bit after soon too X
  • Posted

    Hi there, thanks so much for sharing your experience.  I hope that recent pressure and pain has disappeared.  I Am 3.5 weeks post op and I though I would be farther ahead as well so I think this recovery will take a lot longer than anyone said.  I still have pinching and discomfort for sure and thought that would be gone by now but it sure isn't and like you, I have been very careful with resting because I sure as heck don't want to ever do this again!  Pardon the prsonal question...how about sex yet??? We won't be attempting anything at all until the pinching and discomfort is gone that's for sure!!!  I think this site is wonderful, hearing everyone's stories is so helpful and I don't feel so alone...so thank you everyone!
  • Posted

    Hi

    I'm 60, 3 months post op and thinking in my head that all is back to normal.  However, I get the odd prickly feeling inside and because the better I feel the more I do I tend to do too much if you get my drift, so last night I took painkillers as I just felt a bit of discomfort inside and this afternoon after a bit of raking in the garden had to have a lie down for an hour. Someone mentioned earlier on in this forum about it taking 6 months to recover and I reckon they were right.  Fortunately I don't have to go to work, but I certainly don't think at this stage I'd be fit to go.  Rest as much as you can when you can and hopefully we'll all be 100%ish soon!  Gill  

    • Posted

      I was told by my consultant it would be 6 months before fully recovered. I was also told to take 12 weeks off work. The information leaflet given to me at hospital after gynae surgery also said if it's prolapse surgery long term you shouldn't do anything heavy (lifting, hoovering etc.). I've now invested in one of those cordless hoovers to use once I am fully fit. I'm trying to do all that they said as don't want to have the surgery done again.
  • Posted

    Remember you've had major surgery. Take it one day at a time. We all recover differently. Listen to your body!
  • Posted

    Totally agree that recovery will be much longer than anyone thinks.  I am 64 and was very fit going into this yucky surgery and after 3.5 weeks I am still feeling pinching in the surgical site, especially one place.  I took a mirror and had a good look and everything looks quite normal, no swelling or inflammation (infection) seemingly so it is just going to take time.  I enjoy a lot of time stretched out on my bed, with Netflix by my side and my iPad open to these kinds of discussions.  You all have brought me a great deal of comfort knowing I am not alone with this.  Thank you everyone!  Here's to HEALING!
  • Posted

    I am now 13 and half weeks post op,more or less up to speed with doing things,only set back was a very nasty flu type bug a couple of weeks ago that knocked me for six but am almost over that now. Only thing not fully recovered is the inability to have sex. Just finally got an out patients appointment at the hospital for the 2nd April,which will be eighteen and a half weeks past my op (what a joke). Fortunately got my second appointment with the lovely physio nurse on Monday and am hoping she will be able to tell me what exactly is going in my undercarriage and how well my recovery is doing. Hope you get back to your normal self soon tlee x
  • Posted

    I'm 4 weeks post op (ant &post) prolapse repair and I had a nasty BV infection in week 2 (never had one of those before in my life!) so I'm really now only 3 weeks in. One piece of advice I can share; walk like you have a tennis ball balanced between yours knees. That way you won't step out too far by accident. Less strain.

    Yes I also thought I'd be further along, but getting in and out of cars strains these muscles. ANY amount of bending, however small, pulls the interior muscles, and that's where my bane is. We bend to get in the car, to get dressed, to even do the lightest of housework, or even getting in and out of bed or the shower in my case. Keeping my knees together makes life more restricted, but the healing happens with less hindrance.

    I took a wander round the supermarket, very slowly this week, no lifting, just accompanying my husband, and I spent the next two days couch bound, bleeding, and in pain. This is a much slower process at 55 than I imagine for a younger woman, even though I am extremely fit.

    I now limit myself to one tiny trip per day as I also have 5 flights of stairs to get into my place, plus 2 inside it. I've also crocheted 300 flowers for charity, THAT'S how chained to the couch I am! Stay positive ladies and preferably in pyjamas as people can see you're bed bound. Aren't we lucky to have this place?

  • Posted

    One thing I forgot to acknowledge is, to appreciate what you *can* do better. Because we feel frustrated we tend to see what's not possible yet, rather than what is, and how we're improving. I make a point every day of noticing how when I get onto my bed or couch, that it doesn't hurt when I sit in one place anymore, or that I'm not having to shift about so much, or feeling around and noticing it's starting to feel more like me again. Sorry if this sounds a bit pollyanna (I'm a coach by trade) but this helps me to be more patient with myself. And God bless netflix!
    • Posted

      Thank you Patsy fir your positive input.  As I am feeling extremely discouraged tonight, your words mean even more.  My husband has done everything including running his own business since surgeries almost 4 weeks ago and I see how exhausted he is and it breaks my heart.  What you say about the bending makes real sense and I really noticed the pain more when I have bent down without thinking...ouch!  Today I went out and just sat in the car for about an hour and I am sure paying for it now, real discomfort.  I have an ice pack there now and that helps.  Seriously, yet his surgery is horrible and I sure hope it's worth it when I am finally healed.  So sorry for dumping like this on everyone...I am usually a very joyful and positive person but this has sapped me out.  I hope everyone is doing better than I am tonight!
    • Posted

      Hi Barb,

      Hope you are feeling better today. I'm just over 3 weeks post op but had bad tonsillitis the week after surgery. I've felt so fed up with myself this weekend and feel very useless. My hubby is now back at work but is still doing pretty much everything. I just keep apologising to him but he's so good and says there really is no need, but you still feel bad. This site has been amazing and so helpful. Before my op I was reluctant to plan doing anything with waiting for my surgery date, but now I just keep thinking, oh what if I'm not fit enough, I even feel a bit scared about venturing too far.

      But I look on here and see people saying at 12/13 weeks they are mostly back to normal so I'm trying to hold on to that and hope I feel the same.

      Stay strong Barb and hopefully things will start to feel better.

    • Posted

      Thank you Rhona, and everyone for your kind thoughts.  We are all in this thing at the same time, so please keep sharing your experiences to help each other...and ourselves because it feels so good to know you all are out there, hanging on as well.  This is a difficult recovery journey and I really wish someone had told me this before surgery. Mall my own doc said was..." Be very good to yourself" so when I see her again I will ask that she be much more specific so that others can understand better.  I am one that dies better with anothing when I am better prepared.  So maybe the silver lining for me is that I am now a patient advocate for knowledge prior to these surgeries being done!  Have a more comfortable day everyone!wink
    • Posted

      Grrr...spell check!  Some of this doesn't even make sense....I'm sorry!
    • Posted

      I think we all got the gist of what you said Barb. AM so appy I found this forum,at least I know I'm not alone and there are others out there to share our stories with.Am so lucky that I have the most wonderful husband who has been fantastic and supportive over the last 13 weeks.We've only been married for 3 and a half years and he is ten years younger then me,so sex has been a big part of our relationship and to suddenly not be able to have that closeness could have driven us apart but fortunately hasn't but has made us even stronger and more in love than we were before 
    • Posted

      I hear you rosie....Mine is 15 years younger and he's been brilliant. It was the pain during sex that made me get the check up and then the op. He's not shirked nor shied away from any part of it.Sounds like your man is the same! Aren't we lucky xxx stay well girlfriends
    • Posted

      So so lucky,he has been the best bless him,he only ever had a very short term girlfriend before me,he was the 40 year old virgin when he met her,so wasn't terribly experienced when we met but we have evolved together and for us to not be able to have sex for the past 3 and a half months has been awful but he's never complained and puts my feeling first all the time. Am hoping the physio tomorrow will give me some hints about having a successful sex life again. You stay well too .Wish I were by the sea xx

       

    • Posted

      Oooh make sure sure all your vaginal stitches are gone.....yikes! Poor chap could get hurt.... 😕

      yes the sea air helps a lot x

    • Posted

      Never saw a sign of any stitches at all,was very sore for weeks after op,had a very bad Urine infection as well as thrush. Then 3 weeks ago got laid low with a flu type bug which I never ever get,only just recovering from that.Undercarriage is feeling more or less ok now,only downside is the inability to have sex. Hope physio can help,but if not am finally going back to hospital 2nd April for a check up,only 18 and a half weeks past my op.Whereabouts by the sea are you? x

       

    • Posted

      East Sussex, Hastings.

      We don't get hospital check ups here, unless there were complications during surgery. Our GP looks after us and mine is very good.

      Bear in mind though, if you've had any infection that it takes days, even weeks off your recovery time as your body is fighting the infection instead of healing the wounds. I was told to take a week off mine as I was on antibiotics for a week.

    • Posted

      Sorry to hear about your inability to have intercourse. I'm now 12 weeks post op - lucky to have had no infections etc but still know when I've overdone it. Hubby has been brilliant but we've booked up a weekend away next weekend with the aim of getting to know each other again. Have bought lubrication but still concerned. Will let you know how it goes!!!!
    • Posted

      Hope all goes well for you both. We had loads of lube but still no joy. I for one was very unhappy and depressed,hub was too but he is better at showing his feelings xxx
    • Posted

      Hey rosie, be kind to yourselves. It's not about a timescale and getting back on the horse, it's about being intimate, maybe without penetration. Get creative and look at other ways to have fun. We have massages and all sorts of ways to play. The less you worry about this, the more pleasant your healing process chick x

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.