I had a total hysterectomy March 31 for adenocarcinoma in situ. Since then I have had horrible bowel pains from gas and anytime I have a bowel movement it is excrutiating. My ob thinks it may still be from swelling since they also did an abdominal wash when they were in there. I know this is kind of a gross topic but I was wondering if anyone else had this problem. I also have painful urination but by ob said this is common to have a raw place on the bladder where it was in contact with the uterus. It is just the bowel stuff that is unknown. He wants me to wait it out for a couple more weeks and see if it gets better but I have to be 100% when I go back to work and dont want to wait too long to check this out. Any help from anyone would be much appreciated.
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Bowel pain after hysterectomy?
- By kb1200
- Posted April 14, 2008 at 5:13 pm · 47 replies
- In Health challenges after treatment
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Cancer Surgery Chronic pain Pregnancy Interstitial cystitis Hernia Menopause Progesterone Dehydration Childbirth Hysterectomy Uterine cancer Colace Ibuprofen Constipation Pain HPV
47 replies
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- By canyongal
- Posted November 21, 2009 at 12:55 am
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So glad to have found this site. My surgery was about a week and a half ago, and the bowel pain is so intense I shredded through an entire roll of toilet paper with my fingers once, and bit through a pen another time. It is like labor. My doctor says to wait a few weeks, that it may be due to swelling. I told him this severe pain was present during periods prior to surgery, and that's part of why the hysterectomy. It's even worse now, and I thought that wasn't possible. It does sound as though there may be hope by just giving it another few weeks (I also have an infection, and am on oral antibiotics). We'll see how it goes. Nice to have someone to share with.
- By Jincha
- Posted November 18, 2009 at 1:00 am
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Hi everyone! It's so good to go through all the replies here to see what to expect. I'm scheduled for a radical hysterectomy on 22 december and everything still seems a bit surreal to me. My PAP in August found what was thought to be moderate dysplasia, which then my biopsy and LEEP negated and showed as cancer. So, even though I don't have children and have always wanted them, I think my life is worth more than my uterus and cervix. I think I'll stock up now on Gas-X and stool softeners, just in case!
- By Wendii
- Posted October 18, 2009 at 10:42 am
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I just read some of your posts. I joined this site because I had a full hysterectomy for uterine cancer 2 almost 2 weeks ago. I am having sever pain when I move my bowels and I'm trying to figure out if this is normal.
- By threeyearsnomascara
- Posted October 12, 2009 at 9:32 am
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Hi there to all of you!
Thank you for this website!!! Since my radical hysterectomy I have been informed that I need no further treatment. It is not just over 5 weeks, my bowelmoverment are still a bit painful, and I feel a bit bruised around the wound, but it healed beautifully.
However I am extremely tired.... I need to know if this is normal. I am on an anti-depressent called Cilift, try to eat as healthily as possible, drink lots of water, but I tell you I am exhausted.
Please let me know whether you have experienced the same exhaustion?
Good luck to all of you!
- By maof3
- Posted October 11, 2009 at 10:30 pm
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Hi, I had a partial hysterectomy on October 1st, my uterus and tubes were removed. My surgery was done because of chronic pain, and build up of blood in my tubes. Over the past couple of days I have been experiencing horrible abdominal pain, so bad sometimes I can hardly walk. During my surgery there was a small hole made in my bladder which was repaired, but I am also having a hard time urinating, my sensation to urinate is completely different, I never feel like I have to go anymore. Going to the bathroom and having a bowel movement is so painful I can hardly stand it, can someone tell me if this sounds normal and I would love any suggestions to ease the pain
- By threeyearsnomascara
- Posted September 25, 2009 at 1:18 pm
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Hi there!
I had a radical hysterectomy on 7September and am also experiencing severe pain during bowel movement. In fact I said to someone that it is like giving birth.
A dear friend who had a hysterectomy a couple of years ago advised me to take Normacol plus. The thing is it is really for constipation which I am not, but it also makes your stools a bit softer.
Also drinking a glass of coca cola has helped.
Just hang in there. I am sure it gets better.
- By pik3bip
- Posted September 24, 2009 at 10:59 am
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Hi
I had an open uterus surgery on 14th September due to lots of fibroids. I have come back home from the hospital on 17th. Now as the doctor has reduced medicines for reducing pains, I get a lot of pain. It is not tolerable. I had also problem digestion. I do not feel like eating anything and most of the food I am taking is not disegsted. So it is either forming gas and I have nausia. My bowels are not cleared once also after operation. I am very much worried. Is it bowel pain or the pain due to surgery. How long it will take to recover. Please help me.
Thanks in advance.
- By dezertb
- Posted August 18, 2009 at 10:57 pm
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First and foremost, I too am so happy that I found this website! My doctor really didn't give me any information in regards to recovery and what to expect....
As I read you entry about vision, I realize that I have an appointment at the doctor tomorrow because - all of a sudden my vision is blurred! I've always had excellent vision and now it's less than. Thank you for your posting, I hadn't entertained the idea that it could be related to the procedure.
.... I wish I could re-think the procedure; I feel that I have more discomfort now.... no bleeding, but so many separate "non related"issues. Independent of each other - no biggy... collectively - a bit much.
- By josiehm74
- Posted July 20, 2009 at 8:12 pm
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Hi,again. I believe a lot on nutrition and i do not eat regular spiced or anything foods. A lot of water,homemade non-specied foods, soft foods, a lot of soups,a lot of fiber, and lots of rest.I won't be doing any spiced food for at least 6 weeks.lots of fish soups is good.we are old fashion and believe in the 45 day diet to health after any surgery.i am also a believer of organic aloe vera(www.aloeverainc.com),also vitamins,mona vie-active.
take care.
- By josiehm74
- Posted July 20, 2009 at 7:52 pm
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hi. i just had my hysterectomy two weeks ago. i have the same symptoms as you. i have a lot of gas, and i spend a lot of time in the restroom if i have to take a number 2.you should not try to force the gas or bowl out . i am eating a lot of fiber especially at night and also soups help a lot.i do some walking around the house and no heavy lifting at all,and no driving. i had been diagnosed with HPV 45 with CIN 1 dysplacia. I had a hysterectomy with cervix removal,but was able to keep the ovaries.i have extreme bladder tenderness and vaginal tenderness also.i was told by my docter that he had to remove my bladder to make sure that he got everything out.i had an over active bladder before the surgery but this is horrible i cannot hold any urine at this point, i'm like a pregnant lady can't hold it.i think that we should feel better after 4 or 6 wks.i had my hysterectomy thru my c-section area.i already have 2 children and am greatful. best luck in your recovery also be completely sure you are to return to work don't push it. i am fortuntate that i will not return to work, this c-section is more time consuming to heal.i'll just do back to school.have horrible story with my two c-sections in the past,and i won't risk my health.
take care.
- By hystersister
- Posted July 2, 2009 at 4:02 pm
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I had a laparoscopic assisted hysterectomy one week ago today. I had to start medication for high blood pressure and racing heart this morning. Never had these problems before. Anyone else? And the bowel movement pain, like someone is pulling an orange down my intestines. Slight relief afterwards. Passing gas is also painful. I had my uterus, cervix and fibroids removed. I had the uterus of a 14 week pregnancy because of the fibroids. Has anyone else had this surgery where they've sewed you shut where your uterus used to be? I guess it's to be expected to have pain after only one week? I, too, am very tired...
- By vmcal
- Posted May 4, 2009 at 12:22 pm
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I have had 3 different surgeries, removal of a cyst, then total hysterctomy, then robotic scar removal. My doctor said I will feel better after the last surgery and I did for about 3 weeks. I stopped all of the pain medicine. It took about a week for all the withdrawal symtoms to stopped. Now, I am back where I started with all the pain but doctors do not know where it is coming from. I am at my witts end I have no idea what to do. I have 2 specialist and my medical doctor. I hurt all the time and most of the time don't even want to move out of my bed. This is never ending. I was fine before I let them remove the cyst. Then they found endometosis, Interstitial cystitis, & diverticulis. Each doctor is saying that it is the other illness and I am caught between a rock and a hard place with this. Anyone has any suggestions.
- By misshay
- Posted April 24, 2009 at 10:00 pm
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hi i just had an hysterectomy almost three weeks..i also have the bowek and gas problems very horrible feeling..mine has gotten better in last few days..hope yours does too
- By beachmoores
- Posted April 13, 2009 at 2:53 pm
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Hi there,
I read your story and totally have been there.
I also wanted to post what I've been going through to see if anyone else has the same issue.
I had my hysterectomy about 2 years ago this coming June 1st. They made three holes in my tummy area and was assisted by the vaginal area. I had my uterus and cervix removed.
After the recovery which was painful with gas. I was fine.
I've begun to notice over the course of the two years that I get bad gas pains that double me over, I get out of breath, actually feel like I'm in labor again.. I then head to the bathroom and have a bowel movement, which I call dropping the kids off at the pool LOL... then I'm fine and on my way.
Has anyone had this experience after a hysterectomy?
Do you think I should be seen by the doctor for this?
I mean it's two years past and every time i have a bm I get these horrific gas pains.
Thanks for your help
- By michelebretbracie
- Posted January 7, 2009 at 10:12 pm
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well looks like im going back in for another surgery, the cuff the doctor did during the surgery has torn and there is fluid in the abdomen, also appears to be a twist in my bowels which is causing all the pain, he did take me off the femhrt and now im on estrace. my3littlemen, what has your doctor told you about your problems with bowels my doctor said this is not normal and immediately sent me in for testing , thus finding the twist in bowels and if youre pain is anything like mine.....well you know its awful!!! 2 kids and childbirth was a walk in the park lol. surgery at 7am tommorow ill give all of you an update when im able, i am so glad to have someone to talk to that understands.
- By my3littlemen
- Posted January 4, 2009 at 10:46 pm
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Thanks so much flowershoplady for the reply. I actually get a lot of exercise everyday, maybe to much which would also result in fatigue...my house has a floor plan that makes things a little more difficult. My kids sleep upstairs, which is 15 steps up and my office is down stairs in our basement which is another 15 steps, I probably take them 20 times a day up and down on each, plus I try to get out of the house with the kids when I can. Since I have IBS the colace doesn't really offer much relief, nor the gas X, but I have noticed that the pain is lessening, but today I had really weird bowel movement that was really jelly like in consistancy and wasn't like normal bowel in color, it was more clear...I know that sounds so gross, but I am worried about it. I didn't have a normal movement, but I have went several times today and each time it looks the same. Michelle, I hate to hear what you are going through, but I do feel your pain. The bowel movements make me want to pass out in the floor and it is so embarrassing when I spend an hour in the bathroom at a restaurant. I have to take my shirt off because of the sweat during a bowel movement. Also, I too suffer from night sweats. I am not longer on the pain meds so it doesn't seem so bad anymore, but I have a ovary left after surgery as well that may of helped regulate it. I am not sure what to say about the vision problems, could it possibly be a side effect of the pain medicine? Also, I have noticed dizzy spells when I am sitting or walking and since I am no longer on pain medicine this worries me...is this normal as well?
Thank you for the response. I am so happy I found you all!
- By flowershoplady
- Posted January 4, 2009 at 6:49 pm
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michelebretbracie, you would need to change your hormone replacement medication after your hysterectomy. since you no longer have a uterus, you wouldn't want to be taking hrt with progesterone. please talk about this with your doctor!!! (and, yes, if your hrt is working properly, at the right dosage, you shouldn't feel all the menopausal symptoms)
- By michelebretbracie
- Posted January 4, 2009 at 6:42 pm
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thanks so much for your reply, i was in complete menopause before i had the surgery and my doctor has me on femhrt but according to those around me its not doing the job lol thanks for the reply
- By flowershoplady
- Posted January 4, 2009 at 1:32 pm
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hello, michelle. i'm sorry to hear you're having such bowel pain post hysterectomy. as i posted for the other woman experiencing the same thing, i would suggest you call your doctor if you're not feeling like the pain is lessening. my doctor had me taking colace regularly, and that helped a lot. in addition, drink lots of water, and even though the surgery's been recent, you need to walk around to get the bowel system working properly again. as for the mood swings, are you taking estrogen replacement? you may be experiencing surgical menopause and that's not an easy thing....and the hormone replacement should help. definitely give your doctor a call to discuss everything that's going on with you! let us know how you're doing.
- By flowershoplady
- Posted January 4, 2009 at 1:28 pm
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my3littlemen, i found that the fatigue from having had a hysterectomy lasted much longer than i expected....and the whole recovery was more significant than i expected to.....i guess that's why they call it major surgery! for me, the fatigue lasted a few months, and all of a sudden one day, you're not so tired. and, as long as you're feeling pain, i think the fatigue is one of our body's ways of saying that you need to rest and heal. if you're still having significant bowel pain at 4 weeks, i would encourage you to call your doctor.....usually by that point post surgery, the bowel pain should be noticeably lessened. i took gas-x for the first week or so, and took colace regularly, and i found that drinking lots of water and moving about (walking) helped a lot with the bowel troubles. hope you're feeling better soon!
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