cramping with no ovaries, cervix, or uterus?

So,
I have endometriosis (and, turns out also uterine fibroids). After trying every type of birth control, my doctor finally agreed to a hysterectomy (because the endometrial tissue is covering my bladder, it can't all be removed). She took out both tubes and my uterus and my left ovary. She wanted to leave one in since I'm only in my 30s and she didn't think I was ready for menopause (and suggested that removing everything would up my risk of heart issues). I was fine with that. Surgery happened 3 weeks ago. Recovery has been going well. No cramping. stomach pain and vagina pain, but that was expected. And I was improving. Only, today I've been having cramps like I used to. I don't get it. The cramping is on my left side, where I don't even have an ovary. Doctor never suggested that random cramping 3 weeks later might be a side effect of the surgery, and none of the websites I've found suggests it as a possibility either. I have no idea what is going on, and I'm freaking out. I don't want to go back to the way things used to be. I thought this was the solution.

Hello @philstar22, welcome to Connect. You may notice I moved your discussion and combined it with a discussion titled, "cramping with no ovaries, cervix, or uterus?" I did this because there are members experiencing simliar things to what you explained and those members will get a notification to see your post. You may also find it valuable to read through some of the older posts while you wait for other members to respond. If you are replying by email, you can click on VIEW & REPLY to see where your post is now located.

@philstar22, while we wait for other members to share their thoughts, have you contacted your surgeon about the cramping? With any surgery, there may be different checkpoints and sensations, maybe this is part of that process?

Even though my remaining ovary was removed years ago, I do get slight cramp-like pains, not severe however as when I had all of my parts, reminds me of " a light period type cramping". I cramped severely for years, gradually several female surgeries.

I have had a total hysterectomy 4 yrs ago and have had off/on problems of cramping, bloating, etc. My ob/gyn thinks it could be Ovarian Remnant Syndrome.
I go back next week for tests. My GI dr thought it was damaged nerves causing muscle spasms.

Hi, @airey2 - how are your symptoms presently with the cramping, bloating,, etc. you've had off and on?

Thanks everyone. I've had a little blood, from the stitches dissolving, which the doctor warned me about. I'm thinking maybe the pain was from that, even though the location is a bit off. The cramping was gone yesterday, is back a tiny bit today. I think I'm just still in surgery recovery mode and need to give it a few more weeks before I panic.

@airey2 Hi. Thank you for posting. I had a partial hysterectomy 13 years ago. 4 years ago I had to have both my ovaries removed. Last year I started hurting like I have ovaries and cramping especially when it rains. Sometimes the pain radiates to my lower back/leg. Sometimes I experience sharp pain like I’m being cut inside. My doctors have no answers for me. I recently come to conclusion that the pain may be Phantom pain. Glad I’m not going crazy or the only one experiencing this although I hate it for everyone that’s experiencing it. Really don’t know what to do.

Hi, @lismi51 - Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thanks for sharing these experiences with hurting and cramping years after hysterectomy. That is a challenging situation if the doctors have no answers for you. Is there anything that alleviates the pain at all?

@philstar22 - how is your recovery going? How is the cramping?

went to dr.Tues. 11th. Ultrasound was clear, no remnants found. Since the specialist did not know, i'm guessing it is phantom pain which is what my GI dr said last year.

Hi, @airey2 - thanks for the update after your visit to the doctor about the cramping and bloating post-hysterectomy. Sounds like the ovarian remnant syndrome (described in this abstract https://mayoclinic.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/ovarian-remnant-syndrome) was ruled out, then?

Are damaged nerves causing muscle spasms, as your gastroenterologist mentioned as possible, still on the table, or does your ob/gyn say it's it's most likely phantom pain (described in this Mayo Clinic information https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/phantom-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20376272) at this point?

@pattitoo - you mentioned having slight cramp-like pains, though your remaining ovary was removed years ago. What has your doctor said about what that might be from, and what does he or she suggest doing to address it?