Had a hysterectomy 12 days ago and sleeping virtually round the clock?

Question

Is this normal? I am doing some self help by having a stroll down the road each day and extending the length of walk. Eating fruit and veg and doing absoluteley nothing. Also finding it extremely painful with wind and going to the toilet. Feeling bored. Commenced on HRT.

Answer 1

Convalescence is an individual thing. You didn't say how they did the hysterectomy, if it was vaginal or abdominal, but either one is pretty traumatic to a body. You can get slightly anemic after any surgery, and if you were borderline to start, that would leave you feeling fatigued. The wind is likely due to a system getting things moving along again, after the days post-op eating jello and soft things. The trick is to keep with the good diet, although it should probably be on the blandish side- no curries or such as that. Eat foods which aid movement, like raisins and prunes, and drink loads of liquids. Try to get moving a bit more each day, but not to the point you exhaust yourself. Move as slowly or as quickly as you feel you can, and perhaps just a tad more. So far as your daily walk goes, that sounds perfect. For the boredom, well, go visit or invite a close friend in for tea and a chat. Pick up the book you've been thinking of reading, start a new hobby project. You may move slowly, but you should start getting yourself back into the swing of things. You might be feeling a bit of hormone swing, possibly to a depression, since the hysterectomy rather puts things to an abrupt end. The HRT will go a long way to helping with that, and getting you back to feeling like your old self. Give it time and things will get back to normal. Possibly better than the old normal, as your old health problems are now gone. If you like, you can take a chewable multivitamin, mineral supplement. That will get the iron and nutrients back into the system, and if you are having a problem with anemia, you should note some improvement in the course of a few weeks. Meantime, the vitamin B will help you feel less fatigued and irritable from the inactivity. Chewable are prefered to regular sort that you swallow whole, as those sometimes don't get digested soon enough. Chewables get into the system more efficiently. If you have to, get a children's chewable. It sounds as if you are on the right course for recovery, and doing all the sensible things just right. Just try to be a bit more patient with yourself, and soon enough you will be back to full steam. I wouldn't get concerned if it takes you a month to 6 weeks to fully recover, though if you are bothered, by all means take it up with your physician and see what they have to say.

Answer 2

After surgery, the hemoglobin and hematocrit could drop if there was a significant blood loss. Signs would be weakness, drowsiness, and general malaise or "not feeling well". It could also be possible side effects of your HRT (do a search for side effects through www.rxlist.com). You could also be on pain medications that make you drowsy, but if you still need pain medication 12 days post surgery, you should discuss it with your doctor.

Your first course of action should be to call the physicians office and let the nurse know your symptoms so the doctor can call you back or have you make an appointment to come in.

Answer 3

This could be a reaction to the medication you're on (if any) or just a radical shift in hormones. A hysterectomy is a very serious surgical procedure; give yourself some time, and DON'T try to do anything strenuous for at least 6 weeks! A walk is OK but no lifting or energetic exercise!
If the pain continues for longer than 2 weeks, talk to your doctor.

Answer 4

Go with it - the need for sleep is a healing thing. Don't push yourself at this stage - there will be plenty of time for that stroll down the road later. Make the most of the opportunity to put your feet up & read a good book.

Answer 5

You will feel very tired because your hormones will be all over the place and you may well be anaemic. Has this been checked out as you may need iron pills. I took slow release ones from the chemist as less likely to cause constipation. |As far as the wind is concerned ensure you increase your drinking of water (mineral water is best) to go along with your increase in fibre intake. If you move your legs from side to side when in bed when suffering from wind this helps to disperse it. Good luck and wish you a speedy recovery.

Answer 6

your body has been threw a traumatic time and needs to recuperate. sleep is the best thing for you so i would not worry.as for the wind painfully as this is your body will soon be back on track. i had full hysterectomy at the age of 36 almost 8 yrs ago once over all the trauma it was the best thing i could of done for myself. good luck on your recovery and remember we are all individuals we all heal at different intervals.

Answer 7

Were you given any pain meds to take after surgery or any other kind of medication for that matter. Sleepiness is a definite side effect of all pain meds and it can be a side effect of some other types of meds.

Answer 8

I've had the same. You're doing everything corretly, but don't forget sweet, you've had a big surgery, so give your body a bit of time to recoupe

Answer 9

stay sleeping when you need it you should not be walking down the road alone i think, when my friend had hers she could not pick up a kettle she was so week, this if a big operation so take it easy, get yourself a gig saw or crossword books,take it easy....

Answer 10

I think 'the Mom' knows best. Have a speedy recovery x