Hysterectomy Pain
Just as with any surgical patient, women who undergo hysterectomy are bound to experience post-op hysterectomy pain. This scares off a lot of people, but it would help to know that there are ways to manage the pain. However, keep in mind that these methods for managing hysterectomy pain are not meant to completely eradicate the pain but to make the discomfort caused by the pain tolerable.
Hysterectomy Pain – A Management Plan
If you’re about to undergo hysterectomy, it’s advised that you also discuss and plan the post-operative pain management with your doctor. You need to determine how your doctor plans to handle the hysterectomy pain you are expected to experience after the surgery, and what they would do if this doesn’t work out. You should also ask what your doctor’s alternatives are for dealing with your hysterectomy pain. In addition, you should discuss when you can start the medication; what type of medication you’ll undergo when you go home; and what you can do if you run out of medication.
Hysterectomy Pain – Immediate Post-operative Pain Management
The following are some ways of dealing with hysterectomy pain right after the surgery:
On-Q. This is a pain management system where local anesthesia is administered to the area of the surgery through a tiny tube that is inserted through the incision.
Morphine pump. This is attached to the patient’s IV. The patient can get a controlled dosage of morphine whenever she needs it by pressing a mechanism.
Post-op epidural. A catheter is inserted in the patient’s back where low dose pain medication is infused to provide localized anesthesia to the surgical site. The patient will be able to ambulate and require less oral pain medications.
These pain management systems are usually given to the patient for one to two days after the surgery.
Hysterectomy Pain – Pain Management at Home
Pain management at home consists of oral medication. Narcotic pain medication is usually taken every four to six hours and can be supplemented with anti-inflammatory agents every eight hours.
Hysterectomy Pain – Refill and Addiction
It is seldom that a patient would need a refill of the medicines being taken because the pain usually eases a month after the surgery. Because of the short period of medication as well as its controlled use, there is no risk of getting addicted to the pain killers. In addition, these medicines are taken to relieve pain and not for the sensations they provide, which help further in preventing addiction.
However, if you would really need a refill then you should consult your doctor. Your doctor can make the necessary arrangements for this.
4 Responses to “Hysterectomy Pain”
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So I am having a complete abdominal hysterectomy tomorrow for cervical cancer. I have had this type of surgery before to clear pelvic adhesions which of course causes more scarring. I am so afraid of the pain. I cannot handle narotics for home use. I have tried them all and I throw up continually even with an antinausea med. I am so scared! Is there anyone who knows of something else to kill the pain after leaving the hospital?
You will need the meds. I was once givin a vicodin pill and trough up too so i figured i couldn’t take them. Remember it is for pain and just trying them without pain is what might be the reason it effected you differently. At least that is what i think happened to me.
I had my total surgical hysterectomy 3 weeks ago and i still have pain. It is subsiding but i guess my healing is taking longer. I also use a heating pad to help with the swelling and the pain. Hope that helps.
I am having a hysterectomy in 2 weeks. The dr doesn’t know yet for sure if she is doing it laproscopically or abdominally- she said if she gets in there and there is to much scarring from my c-sections she will switch to abdominal. I think I would like to just request an abdominal and not have that “unknown” out there. I’m also scared to death of the pain. I have had 7 children- I have a high tolerence for pain medications- meaning- it takes alot to take my pain away. I’m also on daily vicodin for an ongoing back injury. Oral pain meds don’t do much- so in the hospital I would rather have injections- Do I you think I will be able to discuss this with my dr ahead of time? She already said that she won’t send me home with vicodin since I’m already on it. I hope not because I know it won’t touch the pain. I’m nervous as all get out anyway about surgery – had a bad experience with pain relief after my last c-section (not this dr) and just don’t want to have another bad experience. Would appreciate any input. Thank you.
Start with the laparoscope. If this can be done vaginally this is the best for you. Less pain, less pain, and shorter recovery time. For pain control, ask the anesthesiologist for an epidural prior to you going to the operating room. After the surgery, the doctor will increase the pain medication flow thru the epidural. This will numb you from the waist to the pelvis. You will be able to walk around and keep it 24-48 hours post surgery. This epidural will allow you to move around and will allow for return of bowel function quicker.