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Post by DeAnna on Mar 13, 2012 18:46:20 GMT -5
Paint, I havent been on here in a while and have been meaning to post an update. Then noticed your post.... I have to tell you.... Im here for you if you have any questions. I had excision surgery By Dr Nezhat last year around this time. The post op pain was the worst pain that I have ever felt.. And I only had stage 2 endo (with lots of bowel adhesions). I was bloated and in pain for..... 2+ months. Of course the pain wasn't terrible enough to require narcotics, with the exception of my initial post op pain and it gradually subsided. But, I was frustrated and convinced that something was wrong. Despite having Nezhat as my doc, I called Redwine's office and spoke to his nurse. She reassured me that it could take a few months to completely heal. She reminded me that my excision surgery was very different from the other surgeries that I had endured. So do NOT let it get you down. I am happy to report that I am 100% pain free now So please keep that in mind. Definately take it easy so that you heal properly and prevent compications (like adhesion formation). If you continue narcotics for pain..... take Colace (its over the counter). No straining of any kind is important. Also, the presacral neurectomy can make you more prone to constipation. If you are becoming itchy with any medications, you need to stop using them. Your sensitivity to that med will only worsen the longer that you take it. A heating pad and motrin were my best friends during this time. I hope this helps. I am on my way to an appt, so I have to run. If you have any questions, please let me know. Best of luck
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Post by painttheseconds on Mar 14, 2012 1:48:12 GMT -5
Thank you so much DeAnna. I really appreciate you posting. I'm not sure what stage endo I have actually. I was told stage 4 by my first surgeon, but when Dr. Redwine operated on me he found that I don't have bowel endo like my first surgeon said. I'm not sure where that puts in me in terms of stages. Not like it really matters that much. I've been sort of worried because the pain I'm having is still pretty bad. Unfortunately the NASAIDS just don't cut it for me. I've tried going down to a half of a Percocet, but I'm still having to take them more then I would like.
I'm not having any issues with constipation and diarrhea like I was, so already I am noticing a difference in my symptoms. It's just been hard because today my tail bone pain is back and I am starting to get pain by my rectum again. I'm just trying not to panic and remind myself that it's going to take awhile to heal. I didn't have nearly as intense of a surgery as Dr. Redwine initially thought, but he did do a lot of work on me in a very concentrated area. My pelvis was full of endo.
I'm just trying to focus on my healing and taking it easy. I will try and see if I can find Colace tomorrow. Thanks again for your response. I really needed to hear that tonight.
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Post by DeAnna on Mar 14, 2012 15:55:13 GMT -5
Just keep your chin up. There will be some inflammation in the areas where he excised endo so i would expect pain in those areas until things calm down. I had the same issue. I felt the same symptoms as I had prior to surgery, only there were amplified..... until I healed. I do not tolerate vicodin or percocett AT ALL. Recently I had a very painful root canal done and the dentist gave me tramadol. I took the max dose (100mg) as frequently as he would allow and added the ibuprofen on top of that, and this worked well. Tramadol does not cause the constipation like vicodin/perc's do. The staff at Redwines office is awesome, you can always touch base w them about your concerns. Keep us posted.
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Post by semicolon on Mar 14, 2012 18:43:00 GMT -5
DeAnna- I am the same in the narcotics, and Tramadol was ok for me too. Paint, you were in a lot of pain before surgery, so the inflammation is on top of all that, and it takes a bit to break the pain cycle. How are you today?
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Post by painttheseconds on Mar 18, 2012 16:47:31 GMT -5
Just wanted to update you girls. I'm doing really really well. It's amazing the positive changes I have been noticing with my body the past few days. I was able to be off pain meds the last three days. I had to take some pain medicine today, but that's because I had a situation happen last night and didn't sleep well at all. Overall the pain I have been experiencing is almost completely gone, I have more energy, and I'm so much happier emotionally. I feel like this 100 pound monkey is finally off my back. I didn't realize all the pain I was experiencing before my surgery was really weighing on me physically and emotionally. Everyone I have seen since getting home from Oregon has told me that I look amazing and I have that spark in my eye again. It meant so much to me to hear that from people. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry. I still have a lengthy recovery process ahead of me, but I've been taking care of myself and resting. My Mom is staying with me for another week and has been amazing. She's helped me out so much around the house I feel really fortunate to have her as my Mom. It's really cute she's been learning so much about endo lately and it's all she wants to talk about lol. It kind of irritated me at first but I'm grateful that she wants to learn and educate others. That definitely means a lot to me. I feel like myself again. I have hope, I can laugh and make jokes, and I just generally feel a peace in my heart that I haven't felt in so long. I know I made the best decision for myself and I am just so glad I listened to that voice in my heart that kept telling me not to have surgery in Colorado. Without Dr. Redwine who knows how long it would have taken for me to get an accurate picture of what my endo really looks like and entails. I don't know what the future holds, but for now I feel happy and healthy. That's good enough for me.
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Post by hellsbells on Mar 18, 2012 17:35:30 GMT -5
I am SO thrilled for you! That's amazing!
Now hurry up and play the game!!
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Post by Karen on Mar 18, 2012 17:49:08 GMT -5
Aw, Nicholle, that's so nice to hear you say that!! I was thinking about you yesterday and wondering how you were doing. I'm so thrilled that you have that spark back!! I couldn't be happier for you.
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Post by semicolon on Mar 18, 2012 18:30:28 GMT -5
This is such great news! I'm so happy for you. It sounds like your mom has noticed the difference too, so nice that she wants to know more. Thanks for the update!
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Post by painttheseconds on Mar 18, 2012 19:00:01 GMT -5
Thanks ladies. You all have been so wonderful and supportive since I joined almost two years ago. I owe a lot of that to you all. You all really helped me feel empowered about my health and have shown me that I do have options. I love you girls!!!!!!!
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Post by Karen on Mar 18, 2012 20:06:02 GMT -5
I always love it when us endo ladies can feel more in control of this awful disease and I hope your future has nothing but good in it! You've been incredibly supportive of everyone here, too - myself included. Sending the love right back at you!
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Post by JC on Mar 18, 2012 20:48:51 GMT -5
OH NICOLLE!!! This is such great news!! I am SO happy for you! Good for you for taking charge and getting the answers you needed! Your story can help inspire others to keep fighting! I'm also so thankful for Dr. Redwine and what he is doing for so many women. YAY I'm so excited that you are feeling good!
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Post by 1234 on Mar 19, 2012 11:02:00 GMT -5
Nicolle, this is wonderful news. SO happy to hear your voice sounding content and full of energy. Thanks for posting--you made my week!
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Post by rhodygirl on Mar 23, 2012 10:07:33 GMT -5
So glad you are feeling better. That was a long recovery -- i hope it was the last one you have to go through!!
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Post by painttheseconds on Mar 23, 2012 21:40:35 GMT -5
Thanks girls. I've been having a rough couple of days so I'm here to vent. I've been really run down, my pain has gotten bad again, and I've been super nauseous. I just feel completely worn out and I haven't had much of an appetite. My Mom is leaving tomorrow too so I've been emotional about that. I just feel like I can't do anything for myself and am worried what it's going to be like after she leaves.
I haven't been sleeping well either so I know that is adding to the emotional part of it. Thanks for listening girls. I just feel like I'm on a big roller coaster. I'm ready to get off now.
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Post by JC on Mar 24, 2012 7:08:40 GMT -5
Aww well I imagine the stress and sadness over your mom leaving is also not helping. Recovering from a surgery is such a long process and it truly is a roller coaster. I am really glad your mom has been with you for every step. She seems so awesome. I hope that you can feel better soon! I think you definitely are in the right direction toward feeling better overall though. In the mean time, you know you can always vent to us!
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