After abdominal hysterectomy swollen tummy, shooting pain and now bleeding.

I am afraid I don't really know, but wanted to respond. It might be a good idea to ring the ward of the hospital where you had your surgery as I'm pretty sure that someone would be there to answer 24 hours a day. I hope you get some reassurance. The bleeding could be from internal stitches dissolving I would imagine, I guess it depends on how heavy it is. 

It is quite heavy. My hysterectomy was two and a half weeks ago.

Thank you so much for replying. Cancer haunts us more at night anyway. X

I had a robot assisted laparoscopic surgery and didn't have any bleeding until around 2 weeks post surgery and it alarmed me. I would definitely suggest that you ring the ward even if just for.reassurance . I found the whole cancer experience extremely isolating, so it may help to talk to someone. X

I’d echo B74’s advice about phoning the ward, which is what I was advised to do if I had any problems. Is it possible that you might have been overdoing things at all? 

Thank you so much for this it is all so reassuring in every way!! I am sure it is something simple. I just can't get over how big my tummy has got in all of this. Larger that when I came out of my op. 

you are so lovely to reply!! X

Hi Roxanna,

I had swollen stomach and shooting pains too. It seemed to be bowel related with me. It took a long time for things to settle. I had bleeding but not heavy. Hope you get answers and are okay. X

Hi Roxanna

Am sorry that I wasn't on here to see your post last night but the others have given some great advice.

If in doubt, always give your hospital a call- there should be someone who can take a call 24 hours a day- there should be a number for the ward on your discharge. Alternatively remember NHS111 can give advice.

Some swelling can be normal and my tummy would look puffy on and off for the first few weeks, particularly if I over did it. Some bleeding can happen and this can be where a bit of blood has pooled inside and comes away together. It can also happen when your stitches dissolve and sometimes if you over do it. I also had some slight shooting type pains and was told that this can happen and its where everything is settling after the op. These however are symptoms worth reporting (as there can be other causes potentially) and hopefully they will just give you some reasurance.

Jane

I’m still bleeding 3 1/2 weeks later.  I have asked nurses on a few occasions and they’re not really worried unless it’s lots (I think It’s like a heavy period) - but the pattern changes all the time - like 3 days no bleeding then I’ve had 2 days quite a lot - and it is worrying - but I guess I have to go along with what they think.  I think they only worry if it smells, has clots in or is mega heavy.…. it’s bloody exhausting this cancer crapp.

I find it all quite hands off as had lots of conversations with nurses and Drs but no one has actually looked at surgical scars, prodded tummy etc … all seems quite remote.

Thats probably doesn’t help you much - but if really worried then contact the nurse.  Good luck x

Thank you Jane and all of you that replied. The pain was so bad yesterday that I ended up in A&E and the back on the ward. I was released at 1am this morning. I have mega pain killers and have been told to go back if it continues or gets worse. I feel sick with it and am so disappointed having done so well with the first two weeks. I have had serious pain since Sunday. My tummy is very swollen, sadly it was quite flat last Saturday. I was very impressed with the Gynaecology Team here in Oxford and the lovely Oncology team, I got a call from one of the nurses this morning. 
i am going  to rest and hope it will resolve without intervention, I worry that my surgery is unravelling.

once again, thank you all for your replies, it is so helpful, especially when you live alone.

R x

Hi Roxanna

I am sorry to hear that the pain got worse and that you had to go back to hospital. Am glad that you were well looked after and they have also called you at home. 

Hopefully resting and the pain killers will help- but if they don't then go back to them. 

If there is anything else you need, you know where we are

Jane