Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: charliegirl on April 29, 2016, 04:09:58 PM
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Hi all, am just over 4 weeks post op and still feeling so tired despite lots of sleep. Am healing and walking fine. Anyone else feel like this???
Love Charliegirlx
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What support were you given re: HRT requirements prior to discharge? If you were bleeding a lot then maybe get your GP to see if you are anaemic? In the mean-time, feet up!
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Hi, no support re HRT, was on it before I had op but gyne said I might not need it afterwards.
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charliegirl - a hysterectomy is a big operation and it can take time to recover from the anaesthetic as well. 6 weeks is usually the time scale to start to feel better. AS CKLD says, get some bloods done to see if you are deficient in anything. BE kind to yourself. Dg x
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Hi,
I have a lot of friends and family who had hysterectomies and I believe what you are experiencing is natural, after all, it's a major operation. I have had two c-sections and the first one where I had a general anaesthetic absolutely wiped me out for months but my second one with a spinal, I recovered much more quickly. However, both times I was also anaemic and needed to take 3 iron tablets a day (for three months with the first section).
This may be of help to you:
http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/fatigue/articles/extreme-fatigue-after-hysterectomy.htm
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Hi charliegirl - I agree. Four weeks is nothing on the big scale of things. I didn't start driving until eight weeks after mine which just goes to show that everyone heals differently. Are you getting any help from the lovely ladies on this forum https://www.hysterectomy-association.org.uk/ I found help and support on there when I was recovering from mine. I had twelve weeks off work but, even then, got really tired at the end of each day. I would say that it was a good year before I felt really myself again. It is a big op but I think it depends on how old you are as to how quickly you bounce back.
As for HRT - I don't understand the comment that although you were on it before the op you might not need it afterwards? A hysterectomy wont change the need for HRT. Were you using HRT right up to your hysterectomy?
Taz x
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Charliegirl, are you post menopause and did you have your ovaries removed as well? If you have had a full hysterectomy, you will able to take oestrogen only and probably some testosterone too. The good news is that you will not have to take the dreaded progesterone which is the only downside of HRT. It's definitely worth looking into and I would recommend the oestrogen gel.
Hope you continue to make a good recovery.
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Hi ladies! Thanks forvthe replies. Re the HRT I was on combi before the op, and have kept my ovaries and cervix. I think thats what gyne meant. But will ask about estrogen only. Feel better about the tiredness now I know its really common.
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As you have still got your cervix you will probably still need a progesterone charliegirl. This is because if the cervix is retained there may still be some endometrial tissue attached. Don't forget the all important smear tests too. A full hysterectomy is where the uterus and cervix are removed. If just the uterus is removed it's known as a partial hysterectomy.
I know I've posted this before but if you check what you are supposed to be doing at week 4 you will see that tiredness is common http://gallery.mailchimp.com/a5692c6457e86f0e2182630fa/files/sbs_recovery.pdf?utm_source=Free+Hysterectomy+Booklet&utm_campaign=30c61c525a-Booklet-14&utm_medium=email
Taz x
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Thanks Taz. 😃 Aiming to drive car by 6 weeks. Will ask gyne about HRT. At least am retired and therefore dont go to work.
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I was told after my appendix was removed that I wasn't to drive before 6 weeks was up, however, by 5 I had cabin fever and knew if I didn't drive I never would again - so choose a quiet time of day and 'went round the village' ;)
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It's a good idea to check with your insurance company as to their rules about driving after hysterectomy. Mine was eight weeks not six for some reason.
Taz x
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I had my hysterectomy 6 months ago and though my energy levels have got considerably better, by evening I still get very tired and avoid committing to activities then. Take care of yourself. Your body has a lot of healing to do, so don't push yourself or expect too much. Listen to your body!
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Thanks for the replies guys, I know what you mean about Cabin fever. Its getting me down being inside all the time as I am a very active person. Trying to be sensible tho. Go for walks and my partner drives me to the shops.
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Hi girls, just an update on progress. Saw my gyne on Monday and he explained it was fibroids and endometriosis inside womb, so definately made the right decision. Can drive and do a bit of yoga now, but warned that it will be another 6 weeks for full recovery..x
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You sound as if you are making really good progress charliegirl. Was your insurance company happy for you to begin driving? Mine made me wait eight weeks! I had twelve weeks off work altogether.
Taz x
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Yes Taz no problems, but have to admit my tummy aches abit afterwards. Am doing without any HRT for the time being see how it goes!x
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As long as you have been advised by your insurance company that you can drive then that's ok although I would be concerned if you are experiencing tummy ache afterwards. This shows that you are putting undue pressure on your pelvic floor which will have gone through the mill during the op and needs time to get strong again. It's quite an op. It took a whole year before I felt almost back to normal although the bowel is still not right.
Taz x
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Yes Taz , know what you mean about the bowel😟😟, neeeding to take Ducolet all the time!!! Am trying to take it easy a bit more. X
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Is that a laxative? Mine was the opposite problem!! It all depends on how it settles into the gap left by the uterus apparently!! Just wanted you to know that even if you are told by consultants that all of your healing will be done by twelve weeks they don't really know what they are talking about and it takes much longer than that (in my experience) for everything to return to feeling normal.
Taz x
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Hi Charliegirl
I had a full hysterectomy 18 months ago - womb,cervix, ovaries etc..
4 weeks is not long atall - although I agree it feels like forever when stuck at home and cant drive etc ..I have a dog and could not walk her because she is big and tends to pull so could not risk any strain - so had to rely on someone else to assist for quite a while ...The body has to adjust and all the internal healing .. I sometimes tended to forget and would lift something, and I could feel a heavy feeling down below and then worry that my vagina was going to fall out :)... I smile and laugh now, but did freak me out a bit - all the strange feelings and sensations going on inside.... A friend of mine ( that also had the op) did stress how important it is not to rush things and even if you feel ok - as apparently her surgeon told her of one of his patients ( after just 4 weeks) decided to go and do the shopping and on lifting bags from her car - started to haemorrhage and was rushed into to hospital .. And as someone else said ( I think) the anaesthetic can stay in the system a while ...