6 days post UAE

[Guest guest]

Well, I'm 6 days post UAE, Dr. Romano at Beaumont Hospital in

Michigan, and I feel pretty good. Had the procedure on Monday. This

post is kind of long, but for those of you considering this

procedure, this gives some pretty specific details of what I've been

through. Anyone with any questions can e-mail me privately or

through the group and I'll answer.

I had Versed and Dalaudid (sp?) for a conscious sedation. I remember

most of the procedure and remember talking with the Dr. throughout

the procedure and feeling " weird " (according to the nurse, weird is

good). Felt them numb the area before the incision and that was it.

After that I felt warm in certain areas. Dr. Romano told me it was

the dye they injected right before they imaged the area. Also once

felt something like pain (about 2 on the 1-10) scale and he said it

was due to the catheter being in that area. You loose all sense of

time during the procedure. Seemed like it only took about 20 minutes

(really took about 90).

The RN that was in charge of the drugs told me to tell her right away

if I began to feel anything. She said the key was staying ahead of

the pain. About 10 minutes before the procedure was over I began to

feel very slight cramps. Told her, she turned up the drugs and they

were gone. Once the procedure was over, I had on pretty big cramp

(no warning, about 8 on the 1-10) that brought tears to my eyes. She

was on it immediately and it went away. My family said I looked like

hell after the procedure (pale, red face from the crying). I

remember a little of them moving me to my room. By that time I was

feeling pretty loopy from the Morphine. I couldn't keep my eyes

open, it made me dizzy. The first 12 hours after were the worst. It

was mainly due to the nausea and vomiting from the Morphine. I

couldn't even keep sips of water down. They had given me something

for nausea that didn't work. Then I remembered the nurse from the

procedure said to ask for Zofran for nausea. I did and it worked

great. I also quit using the Morphine at about 9pm. The pain was at

about a 2-5 on and off all afternoon (even with the Morphine). Once

it hit about an 8, but I was still on the Morphine and used the PCA

pump to give myself some more. Also, about that time, they gave me

Tordal for inflammation. Another GREAT drug. Felt much better after

that. They took the foley catheter out (actually having this

catheter was not that big a deal and I've had pelvic exams that were

more uncomfortable than having the foley inserted). A light

discharge started at around 9pm. Was glad I had brought some pads

from home and some underwear.

Slept for a couple of hours and woke up very thirsty. Took some sips

of water and was able to keep it down. About 4am my roommate and I

were up (she had a fallopian tube removed and had had surgery the

same time I did). We were both not impressed with the nite nurses.

They converted me to oral meds in the middle of the night. Only

problem was that I was having cramps and they only gave me 600 mg

Motrin (HA, what a joke) and some Oxycotin (slow release narcotic).

The cramps stayed around a 5 for a while until I got some oral pain

meds a couple of hours later.

I went home on Tuesday. Was told to take Oxycotin every 12 hours

(pain) for 5 days, 600 mg Motrin every 4 hours for 10 days and

Vicoden as needed for break through pain. I needed to hold on to

walls while walking and was not hungry and still woozy. Got period

like cramps and had to take 2 Vicoden in addition to the rest (it

worked). Also took colace and had a cup of senna tea (to help move

things along). My roommate stayed home with me that day.

Wednesday felt much better but had gas pain. Actually someone

insisted I try Mylanta and it worked GREAT for the gas pain. Took

more colace and another cup of senna tea. Couldn't stand for more

than 5 minutes without feeling uncomfortable. Tummy felt ok and I

ate some. Began running a low fever (99.1). Mom was over watching

me on Wednesday.

Thursday the bowels moved! Yeah! (it is amazing how exciting this

can be) Had some more gas pain and took the Mylanta. Worked great

again. Low fever on and off, went up to 99.9 at night. Took two

tylenol. Also took more colace. Ate well, went for about a 100 foot

walk. The slight discharge I had turned to period like bleeding, but

much, much lighter than normal (was not due till next week). Could

touch my belly today without being uncomfortable. Mom was over

watching me again. Have a bruise at puncture site about 6 inches

across my leg and 2 inches down my leg.

Friday. Ate better, the fever stayed around 99.1. Only complaint is

bloating (kind you get with period). Was very tired today and took

2 - 2 hour naps in addition to sleeping about 10 hours at night. Of

course received a form from the Insurance company stating that they

denied my procedure. This was dated the day after the procedure and

after they had given authorization numbers for their approval. Mom

was over watching me again today.

Saturday. Woke up feeling pretty good. Still have period like

bleeding. Feel a bit tired but not like Friday. Had a bunch of

relatives come over. This tired me out and I slept 12 hours last

night.

Sunday. Today stopped the Oxycotin. So far so good. Am still a

little tired but not too bad. Still no pain. The " period " seems to

be slowing a little.

Ann