I've gotten my first real period since my pouch formation and I am having stabbing pains in my pouch(rectal)area and vaginal area. I had 2 episodes where I thought I was getting my period, but didn't amount to anything. I usually have painful cramps and heavy bleeding, but this is all located lower and isn't cramps, but sharper pains. Wondering if this is common right after surgery. I asked my surgeon's nurse and she said that it could just be part of the healing process. I just hope I don't have this every month from now on, as I will have to call off work each month or take heavy pain killers.

I know I need to make an appointment with my gyn for my annual pap, but wanted to wait until I get this j-pouch finished first.

I would appreciate any feedback!

Thanks

It's probably from the contractions of the uterus that occur during the menses. In addition, prostaglandins are released that tend to cause cramps in the surrounding muscular tissue. You probably also have some scar tissue that pulls when these cramps occur, thus causing the shooting pains. They may loosen and soften with time, but no guarantees. An option you may want to consider is birth control pills to reduce your menses.

Jan

Thanks Jan, I can handle the cramps, I've had them ever since I got my tubes tied, I was more worried about the pouch pain. I'm sure my gyn is not going to know much about the jpouch so probably won't know if the pain is related to the surgery or not. After several D&C's they wanted to do a procedure where they place a balloon in the uterus and circulate hot water thus thinning the lining of the uterus. She also recommended an IUD, but with each is a risk so I've just dealt with the monthly pain.

Hopefully this is just part of the healing and I won't experience this every month.

Hmmm....I thought that IUDs tend to increase cramps, not decrease them. The other procedure you are talking about; is this ablation therapy? May not be a bad idea. It has worked well for many women. Do you not tolerate BCPs?

Jan

i had a lot more cramps, pain, frequency etc with my periods post takedown. i got some advice on this forum to take BCP's and that has definitely helped

I've had reactions to a couple BCP's in the past and I had to have two lumpectomies (they never really said if I got the cysts due to the pills or not)

The ablation therapy might be my only option but I'm not looking forward to any other procedure any time soon, so I will most likely let it go until I can't take it anymore.

The pain is a little better today, not as sharp, more like a dull constant ache.

My periods have been irregular and more painful after I had surgery. I thought it was a reaction to them disappearding for 6 months as my weight plummeted, but it's been more than a year since TD and real recovery, so they look set to stay. I even wondered whether the trauma of surgery and near-death has pushed me into early menopause (I'm 38). I don't remember the IUD giving me painful periods.

Just wanted to post and say that the pain was gone by Sunday, but three days seemed like months! I'm going in on the 26th for the barium enema to make sure there are no leaks and take down surgery is scheduled for April 14th. So I guess I'll have to give it a couple months before I know for sure how my body is going to react to my monthly cycle. Thanks for all the tips!