Re: myo recovery questions

[Guest guest]

Audrey:

When I thought I'd be going through abdominal surgery, I asked a friend for

advice. She said that when she'd had her hysterectomy, there was a time she

thought she would never get better. She also advised me to increase my

activity very, very gradually. There were times when she didn't realize she

was doing too much until the next day when she felt more pain than usual.

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Cheryl,

I agree with you totally. At almost 4 weeks post-op I thought I'd vacuum my

living room because some friends were coming over for lunch. Big mistake! I

had pain the next day. My mind wanted to do things that my body was not

quite ready for! Increasing activity very, very gradually is best and no

heavy lifting or pulling/pushing with your arms.

[Guest guest]

Hi Audrey, i experienced some of that roller coaster thing during the early

stages of my recovery. i was in the hospital for 5 days and felt great-- walking

for 20 mins at a time in the hallways, no major discomfort etc. then when i got

out it was as if the stimulation of the world really set me back. it was like

being overwhelmed with stimulation after the cocoon of the hospital. however i

did see steady progress-- but had that sensation of setback after a good day,

feeling weaker and less energetic. i think you can trust that you'll see steady

progress, perhaps slower than if your fibroid had been much smaller-- that's a

big deal, the size of yours. that feeling in your gut will dissipate. try to

enjoy the 'forced leisure'. good luck, Robin

[Guest guest]

Audrey,

I had in on July 2 also a very large fibroid removed and I still have pain

especially in the part where the fibroid was.

And I am in the same boot with you, I do not know if I should use a hot or a

cold bottle. My Professor which operated is far away and my local gyn is a

joke so I have to find someone reliable in my area.

I think it will take some time until the pain is gone.

Sui

[Guest guest]

I had my myo on Oct. 31st and I am still not able to really sleep on my side.

Good you have a recliner, because I don't. I don't feel like I rest at all. I am

not use to sleeping on my back and it is really making my back hurt.

[Guest guest]

I went through somewhat the same thing. I was expecting to feel so lousy

immediately after the surgery, and when I didn't, I figured the recovery

would be a cake walk. Then I was disappointed as reality set in. I didn't

have nearly as large a fibroid as you did, and had no issues with lying on

my side or feeling " that my guts were falling out " . However, I had a lot of

swelling, which didn't really start until 3-4 days after surgery. In fact,

I couldn't eat much for a week after that because it felt like something was

pressing against my stomach and leaving almost no room for food. I had a

dull achy feeling throughout my lower abdomen and some sharp pains which

felt like stitches pulling, and just general exhaustion.

I could NOT be on my feet for more than about an hour at a time, or I was

wiped out the next day. I was always congratulating myself on how well I

was doing the day I went out to dinner, or shopping, or walked a little

farther, and then the next day I would pay for it. I did spend A LOT of

time in my recliner chair during the day, but I didn't need to sleep there,

as I was comfortable sleeping on my back in bed. I found that putting my

feet up when I rested was essential (not sure why). I did a lot of ice on

my abdomen, which felt wonderful, and seemed to aid in the swelling going

down. I tried heat several times, but it was uncomfortable for me until

about a month post-myo. I still like putting a heating pad on my incision

and abdomen now at 3-1/2 months post myo.

I wasn't really back to full activity level until 7 weeks post myo. Take

your time, don't get discouraged, and do a little *less* than you think you

can -- don't push the limits, and rest a lot!

[Guest guest]

Audrey,

I don't have any words of wisdom for you as I am only about 4 wks post myo.

But I have had great days and not so great days where I worry a lot too.

My problem has been that I'll feel great, then run around and do too much and

pay for it later. For example, last night I decided to clean my parrot's cage

(very large) - usually a mundane and simple task for me. I then went to bed

and had a horrible burning pain on the right side of my incision - I think I may

have stretched the wrong way. Couldn't get to sleep until 5am! - lay awake

envisioning that massive adhesions had formed. I got up for church at 9,

exhausted,then went Thanksgiving grocery shopping afterwards. I am now so

tired and sore that I'm now going to do nothing at all for the rest of the day.

And I'm back in my sweats - thank goodness!

The worst is that I go back to work tomorrow (sniff). I have a very stressful

job

and work with a bunch of men that are competitive jerks. Before my surgery,

the president told me that he was shocked I was going to be out so long - then

proceeded to tell me a story about how he put off back surgery until Christmas

eve so he wouldn't miss work, and was back in the office the day after

Christmas. So, if I get tired or am in pain, there will be no sympathy for me

there.

Hopefully in a few months we will both be 100% and have light, short and

pain-free periods!!

[Guest guest]

Audrey, I think it's normal to have some setbacks and get a little

discouraged after a major surgery. I had my myo on Oct 2, and for a week or

two it seemed as if every day was a significant improvement over the last,

then things seemed to stand still. After my surgery, I had difficulty

sleeping because I am a stomach sleeper, and needless to say, there was no

way that I was sleeping on my stomach after the myo. It took 3 weeks (maybe

a little more) but I finally became used to sleeping on my side. I also

found that during and since those 3 weeks, using pillows creatively has

helped a lot. I bought a body pillow that I put behind me, so that even

though I was sleeping on my side, I was actually leaning back onto the

pillow and taking pressure off of my side. And I put another pillow

directly in front of me, slightly tucked under my abdomen, to kind of

stabilize me and prevent me from turning forward. I also put a pillow

between my knees. I slept with lots of pillows for the first few weeks, and

was eventually able to find the configuration to sleep comfortably. Maybe

you could try to work with pillows around you to find a position that works

for you.

Almost 8 weeks later, most of my pain is gone, although I still have some

soreness in my incision and my left side where the largest fibroid and

adhesions were still throbs at times. I'm hoping that that will eventually

go away. And I still cannot sleep on my stomach, but I try every night and

I know I will be able to eventually.

I asked my doc about ice or heat, and he said either would be fine. Heat is

good to relax muscles, but he also said that it tends to draw blood to an

area so could cause more bleeding if there is any going on currently. And

ice is good for the swelling. Great answer, huh?

Also, the guts falling out feeling will go away. Just continue to use your

pillow as much as you need, but also stand up as straight as possible while

you're walking around and sit up as straight as possible, to begin to

strengthen your abdominal and back muscles again so that they remember how

to hold you up - and in. I really began to feel significantly better - more

normal -after the 3rd week, so give it another week and I suspect that

you'll experience some changes. As some have said, surgery is an " assault "

on the body. One doc said to me, your body doesn't know whether it's been

attacked by a lion or a scalpel, it just knows it's been assaulted. It will

take time to recover (for me about 4 weeks to feel 70%, now at 8 weeks I'm

maybe 85-90%) so unfortunately we have to be patient. But it is definitely

worth it.

Kisha

myo recovery questions

At day 12 post-myo, the initial giddiness that surgery had gone so

well is being replaced by the realization that this will be a long

recovery.

[Guest guest]

Audrey,

Though I was fortunate to have a relatively small incision (4

inches) and not as much pain as you describe, there were 2 things

relevant to your issues that I did that might help you:

For abdominal swelling/tenderness: apply ice packs. While heat

does bring comfort, the ice will do much more to decrease swelling.

I'm now nearly 11 weeks post-surgery, and still use an occasional

ice pack, especially after I've been exercising or out walking for a

long period of time.

For the feeling of " guts falling out " : I was given an " abdominal

binder " in the hospital, and it was an absolute godsend. If you

don't have one, I think you could probably find one in a drug store

that sells health aids. Mine was like a very large elastic bandage

that wrapped completely around my abdomen with a large velcro strip

to attach it. I wore it for about 2-1/2 weeks, especially when I

was walking around. It helped quite a bit.

I didn't have pain in lying on my side, but certainly experienced

some difficulties in the first couple weeks trying to shift from

side to side to find a comfortable position when sleeping. I see

that someone else suggested the use of pillow placed strategically

for support. I did this as well, and found it helpful.

Best wishes for recovery .... it really does get better!

[Guest guest]

regarding the abdominal binder, my doctor advised me against it because it would

prevent my abd muscles from the gradual strengthening that happens as you get

back on your feet.

[Guest guest]

I want to thank all of you who shared your experience and advice.

I'd been so focused on getting through the surgery and was so

pleasantly surprised by how easy it was that I just expected to

continue having it easy. I can deal with the discomfort so much

better knowing this is normal and I need to give my body time to

heal. This group is a godsend.

Audrey

[Guest guest]

Hi Audrey:

I had my myo on oct 30th, my doc said I had 44 fib, the largest one

on the right hand side (about 10 cm). Just as you it felt so good

when he said I could go home, I used a lot of pillows on my back and

under my legs to sleep, still on my third weed after myo use the one

on my legs, I can sleep now on my sides but it was very difficult at

the beggining.

Something that it really had help me a lot is to use those strechy

pantys (body shapers), they give me a lot of support on my belly and

i can walk a lot with them. At my second week after i went to the

grand canyon with friends off course i didn't hike the canyon but i

could walk all day. But just as you when i think that I am getting

better and better one day (like today) I feel that i am going

backwards.

One thing that really bother me is that my belly is all blue, mainly

on my right hand side, almost 4 weeks after and still have those

bruises, besides just were the bruises are i can feel little bumps, I

think if I didn't have those bumps I would feel fantastic (as

fantactic you can feel after such a surgery).

So, you or any one that may read this email had experienced the same?

I asked my doctor at my second week visit and he said that the bumps

are due to the bruises and that they are going to dissapear, but I

worry a lot that they don't.

> I want to thank all of you who shared your experience and advice.

> I'd been so focused on getting through the surgery and was so

> pleasantly surprised by how easy it was that I just expected to

> continue having it easy. I can deal with the discomfort so much

> better knowing this is normal and I need to give my body time to

> heal. This group is a godsend.

> Audrey

[Guest guest]

I'm still sore after 3 weeks. I know I should be a little sore but I don't

know how to help it along. So...ladies who have recovered from myos how do

you help your recovery along. I can also feel when I urinate and the gas

pockets when I have to do #2. Can you tell me more of what I should be

expecting? Has anyone had a myo and lived with the dreaded staircase? My

bedroom is upstairs. This is one reason I'm still recovering at my parents.

Am I supposed to lay around all day and not venture out anywhere? HELP!

Felicia

[Guest guest]

Hi, Felicia:

I had a myo on Oct 2. I also stayed with my Mom for the first couple weeks

after surgery because I have stairs and my bedroom is upstairs. After

coming home, I tried to take the stairs no more than twice per day for the

first few days (once down in the morning and once up at night). After the

first few days home I was taking them more often, but I still tried to limit

step-taking for that first 1 to 1-1/2 weeks at home.

Has your soreness reduced over the 3 weeks, or is it essentially the same as

the first couple of days after surgery? I think that should be your

gauge...if there really hasn't been much improvement, I'd guess that it is

time to call the your doc. For the first 2-3 weeks I did see pretty

consistent improvement. I actually did have some discomfort on urinating

(lessening each week) for at least 3 weeks after surgery, as several of my

fibroids were touching my bladder.

Have you been doing a good amount of walking? My doc also encouraged me to

be as active as is reasonable to aid in my recovery -- not to overdue it,

but to at least walk around a bit every day, increasing the amount as time

goes on. If you aren't very active, I believe you tend to slow your

recovery.

Hope this is helpful,

KIsha

Re: Myo Recovery Questions

> I'm still sore after 3 weeks. I know I should be a little sore but I

don't

> know how to help it along. >

>

[Guest guest]

Felicia,

I had my myo on Nov 15th and I must say it's been quite a positive experience

overall. The thing that helped me most was staying a little more active.

When I got tired I'd sleep and start the process again. Getting up and about

could be quite difficult, but it stays that way if you pamper yourself to the

point of no activity.

Stairs can be quite draining. I had one flight and was outside dropping a

bill payment cross the street from my house the following day from the

hospital. My advice would be stay active, positive and take medication when

and if you desire it. It light foods...broths, vegetables, and light snacks

vs. heavy meals. Do more reading and try to balance your body with a little

movement or small efforts now and again.

Take some calcium, slow iron and listen to your body.

Good luck!

B.

[Guest guest]

Hi Felicia:

every one is different and I think from my experience you should do

what you think you can handle. For me walking was a lot of help, I

used those body sculpturing (elastic panties) for three weeks, I went

out to lunch with friends and window shopping with some discomfort

but nothing I couldn't handle.

To urinate was a little difficult in the sense that I would feel a

sharp pain inside, there is nothing I could do about it but hope for

the pain to go away one day (it finally did), to do #2 was the most

terrible experience since you are not supposed to push. My doctor

suggested me to take pills to soften it but I think they created me

more gasses so I ended up eating a lot of fruit and vegetables,

prunes helped too.

From what I read before my surgery (almost 8 weeks ago)and from my

very own personal experience we are all different, the pain threshold

changes from person to person. So I would definitely say walking is

excellent but your body will tell you how much is good enough for

you. Start with short walks outside, fresh air will help.

Good luck,

> I'm still sore after 3 weeks. I know I should be a little sore but

I don't

> know how to help it along. So...ladies who have recovered from

myos how do

> you help your recovery along. I can also feel when I urinate and

the gas

> pockets when I have to do #2. Can you tell me more of what I

should be

> expecting? Has anyone had a myo and lived with the dreaded

staircase? My

> bedroom is upstairs. This is one reason I'm still recovering at my

parents.

> Am I supposed to lay around all day and not venture out

anywhere? HELP!

>

> Felicia

[Guest guest]

I had a myo and lived with the " dreaded staircase " from my first day home.

It was tiring the first week, but I felt no pain. During the first week I

tried to minimize my trips up and down to 1-2 a day. But after that I

didn't really change my normal behavior at all.

Good luck,

Francesca

[Guest guest]

I live on the 2nd floor, and after myo i descended each morning for the

newspapers, and each afternoon for the mail, and anytime i had a visitor. the

stairs were a non issue for me, really.

[Guest guest]

Felicia,

Hi I can totally relate to how you feel. I am just starting my 3rd week after my

myomectomy. My bedroom is upstairs and the only bathroom is downstairs. Prior to

a few days ago I was only going upstairs to go to sleep at night and downstairs

in the morning. I went for my 2 week post op checkup and my Dr. said that I can

go up or down more than once a day. I go very slowly. My house is over 100 years

old and the steps are steep and small.

I also feel my digestive system working. Actually when I am constipated is when

I feel the sorenesss the most. Laughing, coughing and sneezing were even worse.

They don't hurt as much any more.

What keeps me going is that I feel improvement every day. Just remember the day

after surgery when it took more than 5 minutes to lift yourself out of bed and

you could barely walk.

Just take it easy and try to be paitent. If you can stand to stay at your

parents then take of advantage of allowing them to pamper you!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/1/03 12:02:01 PM US Mountain Standard Time,

PS017II@... writes:

> Just remember the day after surgery when it took more than 5 minutes to lift

> yourself out of bed and you could barely walk.

>

:

I may be looking at a hysterectomy for my adenomyosis. You're not

exaggerating here, right? (A 100 year old house! That sounds wonderful.)

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

I'm developing some razor bumps around the vagina area. How does one deal

with them? How long does it last? And for those out there getting ready for

myos...how can they prevent them.

Felicia