Do any ladies out there who have had hysterectomy ops think that their immune system has been compromised in any way since? It may just be coincidence but before my hysterectomy I was relatively healthy (apart from the obvious symptoms that lead to my op) I hadn't had a cold for about 15 years (I kid you not) I had a very bad cold 4 months ago, I had had only one bout of cystitis when I was in my 30's (I'm 63), since the op I have now had 3 bouts in as many months and am now just getting over a bad bout of tonsilitis, something else I hadn't had for years and years, is it connected to the hysterectomy or is it just coincidence? I'd love to know what you think.
I think that if you had a total hysterectomy that your immune system can certainly be compromised! For one thing, surgery is a major stressor on your body, and since your immune system is in your gut, it's probably suffered an imbalance, i.e., where is all the estrogen I used to have?
I would suggest that you increase your intake of B vitamins and iron, just a bit.
I had total vaginal hysterectomy and a pelvic floor repair on 24 June (still got my ovaries) and since then I've had about 5 water infections. I have one currently that's been ongoing for over 3 weeks so yes I think it messes with your immune system I've just been put on antibiotics for another month I hope you're soon feeling better
It seems to mess with many aspects of our bodies' functions and more so when the ovaries are removed or fail from loss of blood flow and feedback with the uterus. The bladder and bowel issues are caused, at least in part, by their displacement. My bladder was "cranky" for quite some time and bowel issues never did resolve.
I hope your body is able to compensate sooner than later!
I would have to agree with you. I had TAH feb this year. After surgery, my immune system is quite weak. From feb till now, I had 3 rounds of sore throat, flu, cough vs before surgery of hardly had any in a year. Get infected from others who suffer flu easily as well. The flu and cough will last longer too for about 2 to 3 weeks. The whole body get tire easily, suffer sleepless night or still feel tired when waking up in the morning..... and other sickness .....
Thank you all for reassuring me that it's not just me but in the same breath I am sorry that you are also suffering, it's so annoying as I did so incredibly well immediately after surgery, I didn't bleed much (spotting only for a couple of days) I had absolutely no pain at all, I was lucky that way, my GP when I asked her said that the cystitis was nothing to do with the hysterectomy but talking to others on here I have to beg to differ with her, it has been suggested in the past on this site that some should start a blog of some kind to discuss all the different aspects of having a hysterectomy, the after effects etc, I wouldn't know where to start but perhaps one day some one will take up the challenge.
Hi Phoebe, glad you are recovering well - I am too (5 months post op). I was advised by my GP to take vitamin B (complex) so basically a multi Vit B. I also suffer with an auto immune arthritis - so definitely needed a boost. Been on them for a month now and have noticed an uptake in energy! I am really struggling to lose weight - have put on 7ib since the op (go to Slimming World). Best of luck xx
Hi Elaine, thanks I will definitely get some B complex, I feel so frustrated by it all now, you would think that at almost 2years post op that I would be OK now but I have a feeling that it may be an ongoing thing for a while.
I have also been struggling to lose weight ........... oh well at least the sun is out. xx
Talking about weight lost, do try cut off processed food, oily food from your diet. Understand that you are vegetarian and so I guess no problem of you consuming more vege and fruits in your diet. I manage to lost about 8kg from Nov last year by cutting off the above things. Exercise till I soaking wet is my next target. Going back to yoga classes next month.
I don't tend to eat processed food, I am a great believer in cooking from scratch, I enjoy cooking.....trouble is I enjoy eating too much lol! well done on your weight loss though.
I lost about 10 kilos late late year by getting rid of the extra's just little things, thought I was eating resonably healthy, but a biscuit for morning tea, and maybe late at night with cup of tea, it all addded up to calorie intake, instead dietitian suggested 20 grapes a day. No soft drinks, no fruit juices, she told us it was scary how much concentrated sugar was in juices. Skinny milk, Eggs OK, lots of greens & red vegetables, no potatoes, discovered I loved vegetable omelets or fritatas, can now eat them for breakfast lunch and dinner, just a spray of rice oil in bottom of pan, great for colesterol as well.
Hi, not strange, I had my op 10years ago since developed lichen sclerosis and lichen planus believed auto-immune skin condition. Diabetes auto-immune, arthritis auto-immune, angina which is linked to diabetes. Fed up. Trying to get healthy I ended up with plantar fasciitis in my feet which led to a discovery of serious foot deformities. Spent past few years in and out of hospital having ops putting feet right. Now recovering from hopefully last open but it will be 18months they say before I am likely to be recovered. So yes I think this is all linked to my hysterectomy which I think messed with my immune system.
Goodness Chrisy, you really have been through it haven't you? I have had plantar fasciitis so know what that pain is like, I could barely walk for 18 months or more.
I am definitely not the person I was before the hysterectomy, I sailed through the op and immediately afterwards but now 2 years on and really feeling generally yucky, trying to eat healthy and doing as much as I can exercise wise but by the end of the day I am beat.
Thanks for letting me know it's not just me, I do hope you will soon be feeling much better.
I have heard that plantar fascitis is thought to be connected to auto-immune conditions. I'm hoping once my feet are a bit more healed I can start exercising lose weight easier and hopefully improve my diabetes even reverse it. Maybe have improved control over angina and my skin condition.
I just wanted to say look lichen sclerosis up, a lot of people on this site suffer it after hysterectomy and go undiagnosed for years. Don't freak out though it was just a heads up.
I am wondering if you have considered yoga? I am about two months post surgery, now on an estrogen blocker, and I'm considering yoga. My husband has done it for a long time.
I've read that, among other things, yoga quiets the mind and strengthens the body, including the bones, without most of the wear and tear that working out brings.
Since we were on the same chapter of pain and screlosis, do anyone experience the same bone anotomy changes as per this statement I read from Internet
"Evidence of my spine compressing started 12 to 18 months post-op. A crease started forming about two inches above my navel. It gradually lengthened over the next 6 months to a year until it became visible all across my midsection. I’ve always been thin (underweight) with flat, toned abs and prominent hip bones. And contrary to what most women experience after hysterectomy, I lost weight. As my spine compressed, my flat abs became “fat” and flabby. My hip bones became less prominent in the front (as my belly pooched out) and more prominent in the back since my rib cage had fallen onto my hip bones. And I now have intermittent back, hip, and rib cage pain as well as tingling in feet. My sacrum / tailbone has also looked bruised since not long after my hysterectomy."
I have been doing yoga for past few years and practicing it now too. It does help relieve your lower back pain a bit but be careful of certain pose as you do not want to end up with organ prolapse.