A hysterectomy is the surgical procedure in which a woman's uterus is either partially or entirely removed. It is the second most common major surgery among women of childbearing age and is done to treat many conditions that affect the uterus. Depending upon the type of hysterectomy that has been performed, you may expect to stay in the hospital up to a few days to recover. There will also be a variety of pain management options available to you during your post-operative hospital stay and after you've been discharged.
Pain Relief in the Hospital
Up to 85 percent of patients experience moderate to severe pain after having a hysterectomy. In the most severe cases, an intramuscular injection of an opiate such as fentanyl, morphine or hydromorphone is given.
Alternatively, you can inquire about the ON-Q pain management system, which is one of the newer options available to women. This system provides a continuous drip of local anesthetic directly to the site of the surgery. The tube which delivers the anesthetic is inserted into the incision while the rest of the system is small enough to fit into a pouch that can be carried over the shoulder, providing mobility.
A morphine pump is another option that may be available. This allows you to have control over the amount of pain relief you receive as you operate a clicker which increases the dosage as needed. If you find that Demerol or morphine makes you ill, many women have found that Toradol is a beneficial alternative.
Pain Relief at Home
In some cases, oral analgesics offer adequate pain relief, even on the first day after surgery. After being discharged, you will be sent home with a prescription for pain medication and instructions on how it should be taken. For the first few days, it is imperative that you take the medication exactly as prescribed. Otherwise, you will run the risk of allowing the pain to set in and thereby make it much more difficult to regain a sustainable level of comfort. To avoid this, you should jot down your medication schedule and place it on your refrigerator or near your prescription bottle. The most commonly prescribed pain relief medicines are Tylenol 3, Motrin, Toradol and Demerol.
Most women find that their pain subsides within the first few weeks and they do not require a refill of their medication. However, if you experience pain beyond one month after your surgery, and it cannot be handled by Tylenol or Motrin, you should contact your surgeon or personal physician.
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