posted
bajjam i feel for ya! my TR was 7-1-08, and i am still in a little pain. I got a staph infection about 10 days after TR (I DID NOT GET IT IN CHAPEL HILL) for the record. but it makes you feel pretty much sick all over!!! I know what you mean, you dont want to whine, but being so miserable just sucks! I didnt want to scare anyone here, so i didnt say too much, but it is nice to get it out. Dr berger was very attentive with emails and phone calls to make sure i was ok, and I really appreciate that. You dont see Dr's care soo much usually. I hope you feel better and I hope you dont have strep or something.. Recovery is enough to deal with huh!!
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So far it really does seem like everyone heals differently. I had one c-section that fallowed a 8 week hospital bedrest stay so the recovery for that was awful. I didnt have very good pain control. I couldnt sleep lying down for 10 days. This time I have been doing ok it has been up and down. I have had sharp pain on one side and was told that it was probably nerves. Then when I took the steri strips off I could see that the knot was really tight and pulling under the skin. I was feeling crummy then too. I called CH because it was looking red there and irritated. CH wanted me to go see my Dr but we are here with military Docs and it can be really hard to see a doc. So Dr B called in a RX for Keflex. The next day was a bit better then the day after that I was feeling pretty good and the pain was more sore then sharp. Now today I feel awful. I am not sure but I may be getting sick on top of everything. My throat hurts I have an awful headache and the pain in my side is back full force. I read up on keflex and it will also treat for throat infections so I think I am going to wait this out a bit longer. I am hoping that I will be feeling better soon. I hope that no one else gets sick in top of recovering. It sounds like most only deal with pain instead of the crappy feeling and pain can be treated. Good luck to everyone else
It is all worth it in the end....
TR 7/29
Sorry it sounds like I am complaining I usually dont I think I just needed to vent about how I feel.
posted
Thank you his will! Yes, I had two c sections also and it seems to heal quicker! heh i also had my TL and my gallbladder removed, and you are right, it does seem to get worse each time. Usually I didnt use all my pain pills either, and like you said, I didnt really want to ask! Made me feel wierd! By the 10th day that my incision didnt close, i contacted my Dr here. I think that is where i got the infection I did keep in contact with Dr berger the whole time and let him know what was going on, and he did tell me to keep him updated. i didnt really want to talk about it on here to scare some of the new ladies! hehe Anyhow, I will be getting back on my surfboard this weekend!! First time Ive been able to get in the water since the first of July!! YAY My Dh and DS's have been going frequently and ive been so jealous. My incision is closed now, I have a little pain, but not enough to stop me from enjoying what summer I have left!
Thank you for your kind words and thoughts I really appreciate it!!
The fluid retention was a big problem for me, as well. At night, when I would try to lay down, it would just be very boggy feeling. This is why it was uncomfortable to try to sleep. I think CH would be more than happy to hear from us with our concerns in the recovery period, as they responded quickly to an incision question I had, as well as questions about pain at night. I have nothing but good things to say about how they communicate when you have questions.
Anyway, best of luck recovering, and I'm going to fight the urge to ride my bike this weekend. Since yesterday, my swelling has really reduced, and I'm really feeling much better-but I never felt horrible to begin with.
posted
I can see how it could take 2 weeks. I'm at 1 week post op now and this is the first day I'm walking up/down the stairs without moving real slow. I gained 10 lbs fluid weight from the surgery and today I weighed and I'm up only 2 lbs...which I think has contributed to much of the discomfort for me. I still hold my incision when bending or walking longer distances and such b/c it is still sore. I am still taking Motrin, although I don't take it during the night now and I have forgotten a couple times during the day and I can tell. The last two days I've taken one pain pill in the afternoon/early evenings...same thing as others...over doing it with 4 kids ages 9 and under. I get very sore when we go places (I guess getting in/out of car/walking faster)?
I think, like others have said, the pain is probably worse with repeated abdominal surgery. My fisrt csection, I took maybe 2 rounds of Motrin in the hospital and no other pain pills...my Rx pain pills expired a year later. My 2nd csection was a different story...I took my meds every 4 hours on the dot! So, I think that's why some of us are more sore with this surgery...b/c of going back into the same incision again and scar tissue. But, at the same time...not to scare anyone off...b/c it's not unbearable either...just uncomfortable.
And getting symptom relief and the little prize most of us want...we won't even think about the pain we went thru to get there!
posted
I understand, Lisa, and thanks for your help! I did make contact with a nurse on Tuesday. She was very kind to me, and I appreciated her concern. At that point, I felt it was best to switch gears to my own local physician, to ensure I was healing properly, as well as address my nighttime discomfort.
My physician was very pleased with my recovery, my incisional healing, and my overall health. She felt pain meds for nighttime for a couple of nights were completely realistic, given I had great pain control with either no meds or occasional ibuprofen during the day. She reassured me that this was reasonable, and that I was doing great with recovery. She told me I was probably also overdoing it a bit during the day. This was less than 1 week post-op for me with 4 children and a major travel delay on the way home.
I think CHTRC does a great job at addressing patient concerns! Thanks so much for your concerns!
posted
I was completely healed within two weeks. I felt pretty good after 5 days, but mindful of the incision site and such. I'd had two prior c-section so it was similar pain/recovery wise.
HisWill makes good points. It's good to be cautious until you feel 100%. It's pretty significant surgury, although done on an in/out basis.
posted
Our post-operative instructions that we review with your responsible adult in the PACU (recovery room) state to please call your surgeon if you have inadequate pain control. If the prescribed medication isn't working well for you or if you have continued pain, we can look at alternatives. We want you to be comfortable and not in a lot pain. That's why we go over this in the recovery room, as well as give you the information in print. Always call if you are having a problem with pain or anything that concerns you.
My husband and I are frequent bd'ers, LOL! We hadn't been together in quite sometime, because we had company (which always makes it weird) and then I was doing my week of spotting leading up to AF!
One of the things I have been praying for is a return to our ability to enjoy the marital bed without my cycles causing problems. On a TMI front, with mid-cycle spotting, spotting the week before AF, 7+ full days of bleeding, then more days of spotting, it doesn't leave much time for intimacy for a gal who doesn't like to be intimate when spotting/bleeding. I'm sure others can relate!
So, it had been a long time...my incision is up above my c-section scar, so as long as he was mindful (I was on the edge of the bed) the two never met. It wasn't at all painful, and great to be together again.
Amber,
I'm so sorry you had this trouble with healing. I've had several abdominal surgeries. It's funny too...the ones where I healed quickly and easily with very little pain or issues, the docs were very vocal about saying they believed one shouldn't suffer after surgery, and gave me more pain pills than I ever needed. In fact, with my first c-section, I had so many I didn't know what to do with them. I never needed many, but I felt taken care of that they didn't treat me like a druggie, and just GAVE them in case-they said you shouldn't have to call and ask.
With my other surgeries, the docs said there is no reason to be in pain, because it helps people move more, which facilitates healing! They also gave more pills than needed, and I never took them all.
With my second c-section, even though I take as few as necessary, I ran out my second day home, (he only gave me enough for 2 days of taking them as prescribed!) and they gave me a refill of 2 more days and made me feel terrible about asking. Excuse me, but I never even take ibuprofen or drink alcohol! Can you be a little kinder to a lady with 4 children (3 under 3 at the time) with an infected uterus form a c-section? Hello?
This time, CH gave me the refill of 15 pills which I had to take for the next few days after getting home. I am still a little swollen and still bruised. When I first got home, we had been in the airport and on planes for nearly 24 hrs and I felt beat up! Then I switched to night only for 2 nights and they were gone. When I emailed, I was asked to try extra strength IB. I did, and had a no sleep night, which left me feeling beat up the next day.
So, I went and saw my doc yesterday, she said I was healing great, but ANYONE with abdominal surgery shouldn't be restricted from pain relief, particularly at night, if needed...Women who have had c-sections and abdominal surgery have more trouble bouncing back. I was only asking for a few for night time! She helped me, and I don't believe I'll even need anymore.
It's just a touchy subject. Doc's are so worried about addiction these days, and rightfully so. However, patients who take no meds, are healthy, don't drink or smoke, should be afforded pain relief for up to the 4-6 weeks of healing that they tell you are needed! Ibuprofen is over the counter because it is for over the counter pains. Particularly if the patient is only requesting a small amount for night time relief.
I hope you are all healing well, and I'm ready to get back to normal, and well on my way! Have a blessed day, ladies!
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I feel great today. We went boating the past two evenings and it went fine. The bumps were a little tricky. I considered skiing but my dh would not even consider it. My skiing may be over for the summer.
My DH wouldn't let me do anything the first week after TR in order that I would not overdue it. I also have two pain pills left.
I am amazed that you bd'ed Andrea. I just now am brave enough to. But I am not sure about DH.
We did teach my daughter's friend to ski and she did very well. It was really exciting. (They are 12) She also tried the knee-board and tubed. Brave little girl.
posted
I know everyone heals differently, but I am with hisewill. the pain management is great while you are there, but Once I got home I had to go to reg Dr. I didnt get a refill of pain meds there. My incision opened because i over did it, and I waited 10 days to go to the Dr. here so it was painful. Just remember that you will feel real good when you leave there, but that does not mean you can do alot!! I just got the all clear from my Dr yesterday and my TR was 7-1-08. I highly suggest lots of relaxation the days following!
I am at 8 days past TR. I am doing GREAT! The hardest thing is remembering not to overdue it. I want to take a bike ride, etc. However, when I have been TOO active, then at night I am in pain that ibuprofen doesn't cut...They don't give you many pain pills, and they give you one refill. After that you are on your own, and for me it has just been trying to get comfortable at night. I am a side sleeper, so that's not very easy now.
My incision looks great, and I went grocery shopping, I have been doing light housework and gardening for several days.
On a TMI front, we BD last night for the first time and it was fine.
I would thoroughly discuss these two things with one of the nurses or docs, and then count on a great recovery!
1) What about pain management in the week following TR? (Pain management is fantastic in the period just following TR, but what about when you get home?)
2) How long do we need to wait before TTC? My doctor and nurse told us to wait a full cycle (about 6 weeks), so now we are having to wait to TTC, while other ladies are told to start when they want...it makes me a bit sad-but because they told this to my husband and I, there is no way he would do otherwise. Clear this up with your doc and you will be good to go!
Best of luck, and I know you'll have a great recovery! I just wished I would haven't been quite so giddy so I would have cleared up these two questions for myself, LOL!
posted
About how long did it take to recover from your TR? I read that it normally takes about 10 days. It seems like most women do well with recovery. Thanks.
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It wasn't at all painful, and great to be together again.
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