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Post by aandmmama on Mar 19, 2013 21:50:34 GMT -5
Tomorrow I have my surgery. My doctor is going to remove and biopsy all of my endometriosis. I'm so nervous. I also have general anxiety disorder so I know I feel a little more anxious than normal. I'm scared I will be in so much pain after and on top of this all my 2 young children are going to be staying at my in laws house for a week so I can recover. I miss my kids and I'm so scared for 2morrow. How have all of you dealt with surgery and recovery?
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Post by butterfly80 on Mar 19, 2013 22:50:26 GMT -5
I have yet to do surgery..possibly early summer...but I hear you when you say you are scared. Let your Dr know you are scared, I am sure they expect it but don't be afraid to say it too. Your Dr/surgron may help ease the anxiety. Im sure it will be hard not seeing your kids:( will they get to visit you? If not taking on the phone may help..it will still be hard but maybe plan something special for you and then once you are healed and feeing better...a special fun movie or game night or something...cuddle them lots tomorrow. I am sure you will do great..Remember to breathe and don't be afraid to tell the Dr, nurses, etc how you feel. Sending positive thoughts your way!!! I have also had anxiety issues before so know what it is like...Remember to breathe and stay grounded. Maybe hold something in your hand, something you can rub..a pebble, stuffed toy, piece of silk, anything..something so when you feel your anxiety rising you can try and divert your focus. Hang in there. Keep us posted how it goes!
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Post by omaklackey on Mar 19, 2013 22:57:30 GMT -5
we all face anxiety the night before surgery. Even after five I still get that feeling. Its right to be a little frightened but do what you can to relax. I like picking a quiet movie, shower or hot bath. Try to focus on something good, and make sure no matter how anxious you are, to get some sleep tonight! Good luck!
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Post by chibineko717 on Mar 20, 2013 0:16:02 GMT -5
Bring your mp3 player with you to the hospital. The music can help while you're waiting for everything to be prepped. It also helps get your mind off of eating. If you are not the first patient of the day, there is usually a lot of waiting. After a couple surgeries, I started bringing my mp3 player and some magazines/word searches, etc. to pass the time.
During recovery, I watch a season of a tv series I like. When you have a lot of episodes, it can get your mind off of the pain. Walk around a little after the surgery to help pass the gas they pump into you. Although the recovery is painful, it has always been a different pain then the endo pain. I think that post op pain is easier to deal with than endo pain.
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Post by aandmmama on Mar 20, 2013 0:36:11 GMT -5
Thank you everyone for you're advice and words of comfort, I feel a bit better now. Luckily I have an early surgery at 7:30 am 2morrow so I wont have to wait too long. I'm nervous but knowing that all of you have gone through the same thing is a very big comfort. I am so happy I found this site because everyone on here is so sweet and understanding. I will def. keep everyone informed on how the surgery went and thank you again for everyone's kind responses =)
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Emily
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Posts: 148
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Post by Emily on Mar 20, 2013 1:22:33 GMT -5
Good luck! There are lots of good threads out there on recovery. I too have general anxiety disorder and was pretty anxious while waiting. You have an early surgery, so that should help! If you are having trouble dealing with the anxiety, tell them! They give you something to relax right before you go back to the OR but they may be able to give you something earlier. I just told them that I am prescribed Xanax through my GP and they made sure that I was comfortable.
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Post by Karen on Mar 20, 2013 6:02:48 GMT -5
Good luck!
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Post by nibletz on Mar 20, 2013 8:40:26 GMT -5
Good luck hope it went well hun xxx
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Post by aandmmama on Mar 21, 2013 12:48:31 GMT -5
thank you everyone for your concern, it means I a lot to me =) I just had my surgery yesterday and I'm doing pretty well. Still in pain but I have my wonderful husband here helping me out so its not too bad. It looks like my doctor found severe endometriosis,which I was expecting because I was in a lot of pain all the time =( I am sad because I think this was the cause of my miscarriage I had a couple of months ago. I have an appointment for a follow up with my doctor this week so she can explain everything she found and give me my options...She was telling my husband after my surgery that she wants to put me on LUPRON. I had already expressed my dislike for it and did not want to go on this drug because when i researched it, I found out a lot of people have died on this drug or had long term complications from using this. I'm not sure what other options I have, but I know I do not want to take this drug even though my doctor is really pushing this on me. Has anyone had success with taking the progesterone shot? I feel like my only option may be this or a hysterectomy and that would break my heart because I want more kids =(
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Post by nibletz on Mar 21, 2013 13:44:15 GMT -5
Aww hugs glad ur ok n it went well hope hubby waiting on u hand n foot lol
Its unfair to try force u into something ur not happy about ur gynae must understand speak with hubby too regarding this so he understands it n how him your research
U fortunately I've had numerous different pills ice had depo, implanon, zoladex, and have mirena now but no luck on anything so I can't advise sorry im sure somebody will chime in n point y to a thread
Glad ur ok dont let the stress get to u just relax n recover well hun hugs xxx
P.s.told u the girls here are amazing n welcoming like family xxx
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Emily
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Post by Emily on Mar 21, 2013 14:00:10 GMT -5
Glad to hear it went well! Don't let the doc talk you into anything you aren't comfortable with. There are plenty of other options.
For recovery, take it easy and don't push yourself. A little bit of walking does help though! OTC gas relief meds and stool softeners were my best friend!
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Emily
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Post by Emily on Mar 21, 2013 14:12:41 GMT -5
Also, were you able to keep your anxiety controlled?
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Post by aandmmama on Mar 21, 2013 14:31:16 GMT -5
All of you are so sweet! thank you =) Emily- I decided I wasn't going to take my usual anxiety meds that day because I wanted to be extra careful with the anesthesia...I know my anxiety meds make me extra tired and I knew all the pain killers were going to make it even worse so I toughed it out yesterday. My anxiety was really bad yesterday, I was shaking a lot, but the anesthesiology and nurses were really sweet and were cracking jokes, making me laugh so it helped me to calm down a lot. I also kept pictures of my kids with me to look at before surgery so it helped keep my mind occupied. They didnt end up giving me ne thing to keep my anxiety down but I managed to get through it...now that everything is over and done with my anxiety has gotten a lot better. I was actually researching endometriosis and anxiety and a lot of sites were saying that anxiety disorders could actually be linked to endometriosis (because of excess estrogen the hormones can make you feel anxiety) I'm wondering if there is some truth to that? After being diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis I stared reaching a lot and I'm finding out a lot of interesting things about this disease...If you dont mind me asking do you still experience anxiety? I've had anxiety problems since high school and have been on lexapro..which seems to help a bit..but I also take an herbal supplement called valerian root, which has been helping me a lot =)
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Emily
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Posts: 148
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Post by Emily on Mar 21, 2013 14:47:30 GMT -5
I'm so glad that you found ways to relax! I did not take my anxiety meds the day of surgery either, but I was schedule at 11 and didn't get taken to the OR til 1, so my anxiety got the best of me. Yes, I still struggle with it and take a low dose antidepressant daily, but I do not take my "as needed" meds as much as I used to. I think in the last 2 months I've taken 2 or 3 Xanax total.
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Post by nibletz on Mar 21, 2013 15:07:22 GMT -5
Glad u found things to help u deal with ur anxiety
I suffer from it like its my alter ego lol so I totally get I have Valerian tea breathing as well as low dose ant depressant sometimes
Its a whole lot better when the care ur in are calming n helpful
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