Problems After Hysterectomy: Abdominal Pain & Cramps

Posted by cherelle @cherelle, May 27, 2019

I had a total abdominal hysterectomy 3 years ago but now for the past year I have been having bad abdominal pain and cramps I have gone to a gastrointestinal Dr and to my ob and both have said they don't see anything but my gastrointestinal Dr gave me some glycopyrrolate 1mg twice a day before it was every few months now it's more often like after intercourse sometimes I feel so bad the cramps is bad please tell me what could be going on.

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@lisalucier

Hi, @naturegirl5 - I also thought that @cherelle @gingerw and @veronicat may have some thoughts on the fatigue you've experienced post-radical hysterectomy.

Also, I wanted to mention a couple of things: 1) Not all surgeries — even hysterectomies — can be compared apples to apples. Sometimes there is a difference in technique, personal health, complications one experiences, etc. So, please offer yourself some grace if your experience doesn't look like the post-op for anyone else (i.e., if your recovery appears to be taking longer). 2) I had a hysterectomy (leaving my ovaries) along with a prolapse (both kinds) repair about 7.5 years ago. So, my surgery would have some similarities to and some differences from yours. But, I thought you'd like to know that the very biggest factor I had to overcome to resume my normal life and feel better was fatigue. I had immense fatigue after my surgery, for quite some time — far longer than I'd expected. I had the surgery the end of January, and it was not till May that I did not have to take a nap every single day to get through it (naps are highly unusual for me). I had to extend the time I had daycare for my preschool age children (I was a stay-at-home mom then) cause I just wasn't ready to take care of two little children all day every day at the end of 6 weeks, which is what we originally targeted for daycare time.

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@lisalucier Thank you for tagging me into this conversation.
@naturegirl I had my hysterectomy in Jan 1999, due to fibroid tumors. They delivered about 10 pounds of tumors. Like Lisa said, each person is different as they recover, and a hysterectomy is considered major surgery. Also, remember that at our age the recovery can be a slower process. When I had my surgery, I was up the same day, but it took me a full eight weeks to fully recover. Also factor in other medical issues, and your diet. Eat healthy, get gentle exercise, get fresh air. Journal your way back to health. Hope this helps. We care.
Ginger

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@naturegirl5

I had a radical hysterectomy (robotic laparascopic) at Mayo on August 6 this year. I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer (endometrioid adenocarinoma, Early Stage Ia). My post-operative visit with my surgeon is scheduled for September 16. While I knew that I would have post-surgical fatigue and I'm following all discharge instructions in which walking is my only form of exercise and not lifting anything heavier than 15 pounds, I was hoping the fatigue would start to wane. I'm still very tired and listening to my body, I do rest for a few hours most afternoons. I'm 67 years old and active although I have osteoarthritis in a hip and that has limited activity for the past year (scheduled for a total hip replacement at Mayo in the future). What are your experiences after hysterectomy? How long did it take for you to get back to your prior level of energy?

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Sorry to hear you are struggling so much with fatigue, I am 4 months post op, still not back to normal, tired, fatigue, loss of stamina, is very hard, and frustrating, I’ve changed my diet, to high alkaline, trying to eat very healthy, drink only water, I hop you feel better soon.

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@lisalucier

Hi, @naturegirl5 - I also thought that @cherelle @gingerw and @veronicat may have some thoughts on the fatigue you've experienced post-radical hysterectomy.

Also, I wanted to mention a couple of things: 1) Not all surgeries — even hysterectomies — can be compared apples to apples. Sometimes there is a difference in technique, personal health, complications one experiences, etc. So, please offer yourself some grace if your experience doesn't look like the post-op for anyone else (i.e., if your recovery appears to be taking longer). 2) I had a hysterectomy (leaving my ovaries) along with a prolapse (both kinds) repair about 7.5 years ago. So, my surgery would have some similarities to and some differences from yours. But, I thought you'd like to know that the very biggest factor I had to overcome to resume my normal life and feel better was fatigue. I had immense fatigue after my surgery, for quite some time — far longer than I'd expected. I had the surgery the end of January, and it was not till May that I did not have to take a nap every single day to get through it (naps are highly unusual for me). I had to extend the time I had daycare for my preschool age children (I was a stay-at-home mom then) cause I just wasn't ready to take care of two little children all day every day at the end of 6 weeks, which is what we originally targeted for daycare time.

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Hi Lisa. Thank you for sharing. I'm trying not to compare my history and surgery with others. I wanted some support to help me come to the realization that this is all very real and not "just in my head" when I'm tired and do not feel motivated. Today was a better day in energy for me.

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@tinakoprek

Sorry to hear you are struggling so much with fatigue, I am 4 months post op, still not back to normal, tired, fatigue, loss of stamina, is very hard, and frustrating, I’ve changed my diet, to high alkaline, trying to eat very healthy, drink only water, I hop you feel better soon.

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Thank you, @tinakoprek. I'm 3 weeks post op and thinking I should change my diet to better support my recovery. I do try to eat healthy, but there might be more I can do. At least this is something I have control over.

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@gingerw

@lisalucier Thank you for tagging me into this conversation.
@naturegirl I had my hysterectomy in Jan 1999, due to fibroid tumors. They delivered about 10 pounds of tumors. Like Lisa said, each person is different as they recover, and a hysterectomy is considered major surgery. Also, remember that at our age the recovery can be a slower process. When I had my surgery, I was up the same day, but it took me a full eight weeks to fully recover. Also factor in other medical issues, and your diet. Eat healthy, get gentle exercise, get fresh air. Journal your way back to health. Hope this helps. We care.
Ginger

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Thank you, Ginger, for sharing and for your support. Like I wrote to tinakoprek, I'm going to focus on diet more. I walk most days and did a little more walking today with our dog. Good for both of us in beautiful weather with plenty of fresh air up north in Michigan.

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@naturegirl5

Thank you, Ginger, for sharing and for your support. Like I wrote to tinakoprek, I'm going to focus on diet more. I walk most days and did a little more walking today with our dog. Good for both of us in beautiful weather with plenty of fresh air up north in Michigan.

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@naturegirl15 Push yourself a little each day, just a bit further. Not much, just a little. It takes time to build our stamina back up. Be gentle on yourself. We're here for you!
Ginger

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@naturegirl5

Thank you, Ginger, for sharing and for your support. Like I wrote to tinakoprek, I'm going to focus on diet more. I walk most days and did a little more walking today with our dog. Good for both of us in beautiful weather with plenty of fresh air up north in Michigan.

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@naturegirl5 - how are you feeling?

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Good morning, Lisa. I've noticed that the last two days, my energy level is much better. I did not get fatigued in the afternoon. Maybe I've turned a corner on the fatigue but I realize that my symptoms will wax and wane over time. Also, the abdominal discomfort has been less so I've decreased the dosages of ibuprofen and acetaminophen. And now that I think about it, that's about the same time my energy got better. Thank you for caring and asking about me.

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@naturegirl5

Good morning, Lisa. I've noticed that the last two days, my energy level is much better. I did not get fatigued in the afternoon. Maybe I've turned a corner on the fatigue but I realize that my symptoms will wax and wane over time. Also, the abdominal discomfort has been less so I've decreased the dosages of ibuprofen and acetaminophen. And now that I think about it, that's about the same time my energy got better. Thank you for caring and asking about me.

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@naturegirl5 That is good news, to hear the fatigue and discomfort seems to be lessening! I think as patients, we sometimes want to see the instant results and forget "it took more than one one day to build Rome", as an old saying goes. Gosh, I probably just dated myself, but there you go! Be careful you don't overdo you new energy levels, and ease into everything. If you are a journaller, you'll be able to look back on this journey with new respect to how your body has healed.
Ginger

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@cherelle @naturegirl5 My hysterectomy was in 2013 at 49 yrs old after heavy bleeding and fibroids caused severe anemia. I needed iron infusions for two years before and 6 months after surgery. The surgeon completed a vaginal hysterectomy (taking the uterus and cervix) She did not take my ovaries since they were well adhered to the abdominal wall as I never gave birth. (but I'm a momma to 3 grown kids!) I had post op complications. A hematoma occurred above the cuff that was created in place of my cervix.The hematoma was impossible to drain manually, so my vagina was packed (talk about uncomfortable!) and I remained on bedrest in the hospital for the next 48 hours.
Being anemic I was extremely fatigued. I expected to bounce back after 6-8 weeks post op but that didn't happen. Pain in my shoulder.hip and back I attributed to the anesthesia. My hormones were all over the place. I went from peri-menopapuse to menopause in a matter of 4 months. To help with the symptoms I went on a HRT patch called Climera for 2 years.
@cherelle I have a low sex drive now and since surgery a good deal of pelvic pain after sex.
Yes, every surgery is different but yet we are all the same. I hope I've discussed some of my issues that you have experienced.

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