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Hi all, I did an abdominal hysterectomy 14 days ago and suffer severe bowel pain when I go to the bathroom. My lower abdomen is very sullen ( I think that is the english word) and I have quite smelly discharge from the vagina. Is all this normal?? My gynecologist is quite wellknown here in Barcelona but I feel he doesn't really give me any helpful information..... I would be ever so thankful for any information.
Bless you all
MiraLax Cancer Surgery Hysterectomy Colace Ibuprofen Cervical cancer Metamucil Constipation Pain
Things sounds pretty normal to me. I went through the same thing 9 months ago. As long as your not bleeding. It takes some time for your bowels to begin working normally again. You need to make sure you are able to have bowel movements, so you might need to use a laxative and stool softeners for a while. DO NOT push too hard when trying to have a bowel movement. Just curious, Did you have a radical hysterectomy because of cervical cancer?
I think it sounds pretty normal also. If you continue to have discharge you may want to get checked out, I developed an abcess (not spelled right) after my hysterectomy. Hope you are feeling well soon.
Thank you for your answers, One is really quite lost when you don't have friends or relatives that have gone through it. I guess patience is a key word. I didn't have cervical cancer - but the "myomas" ( don't know the word in english) was 6 and where 2 were the size of tennisballs... I didn't really have pain but my menstruations were very heavy and I was very tired. My gynecologist didn't give any alternativ than an abdominal hysterectomy and I think I was probably a bit quick to agree with him, thinking it wouldn't be any worse than a cesarian which I had in the USA 23 years ago. I'm swedish but live in Barcelona today therefor my english is a bit rusty.... I'm so grateful that I found the Inspire site and recieving respons to my questions.
Take care
I had a complete vagnial hysterectomy on oct. 13th and have had severe pain due to gas and bowel movements. From everyone that I have talked to the almost labor pain feeling bowels movements usually start to subside after about 4-6 weeks. I sure hope so. Other than that I feel great.
tracey, it's quite normal - unfortunately - to be experiencing bowel pain after an abdominal hysterectomy. if you're taking narcotic pain meds, you might want to try lessening up on those because they lead towards constipation. and taking a stool softener such as colace will help. plus drink lots of water. another suggestion, even if you don't feel like it, walk around....sometimes between taking narcotics, not eating normally, and not moving so much, and, of course, the surgery itself, the constipation and gas results.
and, abdominal swelling is normal too, particularly by the incision.
i don't think a foul smelling vaginal discharge is normal....and i would encourage you to get this checked out in case there's an infection.
hope that helps....there's another site that may be helpful for you called hystersisters.com ....and let us know how you're doing!
HI all,
Today I went back to my ginecologist, he is a wonderful man but a bit disorganized sometimes. My swelling around the incision showed to be something called Seroma ( spanish) which is liquid and fat that has accumulated around the wound and under the hairline ( it actually looked like I had a tennis ball implanted underneath the skin) My dr got a syringe an extracted almost 200 cl (a cup) of this liquid. Boy do I feel relieved tonight. That such a small thing can cause so much disconfort. Urinating is not as painful. I'm so happy for this.... I don't take any prescription drugs at all for the pain, an Ibuprofena 600 mg when needed, last one was 3 days ago. I got a bit scolded for not taking the Voltaren that he prescribed - so I will start with them although they normally give me stomach pain. Thank you all for your wonderful replys and - you are all really a big confort. Kimber I hope you as well feel better soon.
Love Tracey
Tracey,
I'm sorry to hear of your discomfort. It sounds like things have improved significantly for you though since your dr's visit. Just thought I'd add, if you're not already, take your meds, especially Ibuprofen, with food - it may help w/the stomache pains. Drink a lot of water, and increase fiber. Metamucil fiber capsules may improve things for you, though you may want to start off slow, like 2 capsules a day, then every couple of days increase by 1 capsule, until you get to 5 or 6 capsules a day (but read the label, it will explain dosage). Be sure to drink at least an 8oz glass of water or liquid when you take the caps - very important. Also, Miralax is an over the counter laxative, here in US - it takes a couple of days to work - it's a PEG solution which draws water into the colon so that it's easier to go. Again, keep up with your water intake. These products may help make it easier to go which may help cut back on the bowel discomfort. Walking is excellent - it gets the normal peristalsis (moving of the colon) going! Good luck and I hope that you feel better soon and heal well.
Hi Faith,
Thank you so much for your answer, yes I do feel a lot better. I drink a lot of water and starting to enter fibers in my diet. I have gone back to my DR for further drenage of the liquid in the lower abdomen. He instructed my husband how to do it over the weekwend - poor thing- he never really had any desire to take up infermery or doctoring... When I asked him what the liquid was he said it was liquid fat that was not absorbed in the body!!! Perhaps something good is coming out of all this - I'm 5'7'' and weigh 175 lb. so I won't miss the extra fat.
Take care and have a wonderful weekend
Tracey
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