How long to get over an Operation?

Fibromite59 · 22/03/15 - 12:04

I had a fairly minor operation nearly six weeks ago and all is well and I've been discharged from the hospital. However I can't seem to get over a terrible tiredness and just feel as if I could sleep all the time. I am not feeling depressed or anything like that and apart from the exhaustion I am perfectly happy. I do have lots of other health problems though like rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.

I just wondered if anyone has experienced this overwhelming tiredness after an op or is it unusual after six weeks?

Caxton · 22/03/15 - 13:11

That depends on the type of operation but I would consider first to have chat with your doctor over your tiredness who would give you an indication of the after-effects of the operation you had or whether something else is causing it, like any medication you are receiving, some medications possibly for you other health problems can make you feel very drowsy.

The doctor can be the only one who can really answer that for you.

Will_Bee · 22/03/15 - 15:24

Deleted

Fibromite59 · 22/03/15 - 15:53

Thank you for your thoughts. I am not on any different medications to the ones I am normally on. With all my health problems I am always tired but this is worse than normal. I know I should really ask my doctor but to be honest I think they get puzzled over my problems & usually just say that I have complex health problems and they don't offer much advice really. I just wondered what a person would normally feel like after six weeks post op. The op was an orthopedic one to replace a joint.

Billy_Value · 22/03/15 - 16:28

if you're tired sleep, your body is telling you to seep and will help you recover quicker

pugamo · 22/03/15 - 16:38

I had major surgery a few years ago and the tiredness had worn off after about a fortnight.

c4rv · 22/03/15 - 17:18

you should have been a phone number to call if you have any questions. Probably better then asking on a forum.

albertd · 22/03/15 - 19:45

It may be long lasting aftereffects of powerful painkilling drugs which may have been used while you were in hospital, something like Tramadol perhaps.

duckylucky · 22/03/15 - 21:34

albertd wrote: »

It may be long lasting aftereffects of powerful painkilling drugs which may have been used while you were in hospital, something like Tramadol perhaps.

There is no way the effect of Tramadol will last six weeks
OP you may need a full blood count to check your levels and ensure you are not anaemic

mklass · 22/03/15 - 22:19

After I had a hip replacement operation years ago it took me all of the 3 months that I had off work to get over it all!... some days I felt as fit as a fiddle and then the next day I couldn't get out of bed I was so tired!...... I know my sister who has had a few operations in her time always feels tired for quite a while afterwards, she always puts it down to the anesthetic still being in her system.....

I must say I am quite a sleepy person so whether that makes a difference or not I don't know!, but I always say 'I could sleep for England'.....................

Fibromite59 · 23/03/15 - 02:15

Thank you to everyone who has posted with their thoughts. I actually take Tramodol for pain every day and do realise that can cause tiredness but I have not been taking any more than I usually do. I have a full blood count every two weeks as I tend to get anaemia at times and also because of some medication that I take. I also have an under active thyroid so I should maybe get that checked soon.

catscradle · 24/03/15 - 16:17

In my experience (chronic bowel problems with associated pain and debilitation) get the email address of your consultant's secretary and send an email describing your symptoms, FAO your consultant. Good luck, this has helped me in the recent past

Sky_Guy · 24/03/15 - 16:36

walk about, keep busy. that helped me.

Fibromite59 · 25/03/15 - 11:31

Sky_Guy wrote: »

walk about, keep busy. that helped me.

As the op was on my foot, I can't walk about.

I have so many other health problems that I think they may have gone into a bit of a flare up, causing me to be even more tired. I felt much better yesterday though and it was wonderful to be able to do things without feeling so exhausted.

scottl · 25/03/15 - 12:03

I had a laparotomy (abdominal surgery)
Told 5 weeks - and was on tramodol for a while (its an opiate remember).

I think sometimes staying at home to recover makes you tired in a way.

Blackjack Davy · 28/03/15 - 15:45

Fibromite59 wrote: »

I had a fairly minor operation nearly six weeks ago and all is well and I've been discharged from the hospital. However I can't seem to get over a terrible tiredness and just feel as if I could sleep all the time. I am not feeling depressed or anything like that and apart from the exhaustion I am perfectly happy. I do have lots of other health problems though like rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.

I just wondered if anyone has experienced this overwhelming tiredness after an op or is it unusual after six weeks?

Six weeks for mine. If the pain is gone you're good to go. If you're feeling tired well thats to be expected your stamina has taken a pounding. It'll come back. Sitting around moping won't do anything to bring it back.

[Deleted User] · 28/03/15 - 19:31

Ive had 2 operations and the tiredness lasted about 2 days if I remember correctly. Then again I always feel sluggish and tired so I'd probably not tell the difference.

noise747 · 28/03/15 - 21:40

Fibromite59 wrote: »

As the op was on my foot, I can't walk about.

I have so many other health problems that I think they may have gone into a bit of a flare up, causing me to be even more tired. I felt much better yesterday though and it was wonderful to be able to do things without feeling so exhausted.

When i had part of my bowel removed it took me 3 weeks to get back to some normally, and then they stuck me on chemo, which makes me feel worse.

going by your user name, I can guess your health problem and it may be your health problems which are stopping you feeling better, Goo to the Doctor that is the best idea.

neo_wales · 28/03/15 - 22:11

It can take a long time to recover from surgical procedures and something like real 'flu' can knock you flat for well over a month, pneumonia for a couple of months before you get back to good health.

Talk to your Consultant/nurse team or GP, diet can play a vital role so check into this too.

Good health to the OP.

noise747 · 30/03/15 - 09:04

People are different, while it may take one person a few days to feel better, it may take someone else a month or more to feel better. We are all different.

Fibromite59 · 30/03/15 - 09:25

noise747 wrote: »

People are different, while it may take one person a few days to feel better, it may take someone else a month or more to feel better. We are all different.

Yes, I feel sure you are right there and the fact that I have other problems such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and M.E. won't help.

[Deleted User] · 31/03/15 - 10:05

I had a double operation last Friday (27th), gall bladder removed and flexible cystoscopy to check for bladder cancer.

As background, before the op I had a pulmonary embolism and was put on Warfarin for 6 months during which time I was taking 8 Tramadol a day to stop the pain (it didn't all the time so I was given Oramorph to take if needed).

I was in hospital until Sunday lunchtime and was then discharged.

Apart from the four small cuts from the gall bladder removal, I have no pain and feel ready to go back to work, though I can't as I have to take two weeks off (the hospital gave me the sick note for that long). I don't do a manual job though.

I was told that if I drive in the first week after surgery I may not be insured.

Hey there!

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