Hysterectomy patients are bound to feel pain after a hysterectomy. The same is true for any patient who undergoes any type of surgery. This should not prevent you from undergoing your hysterectomy, though, as there are ways to lessen the pain you'll experience. Keep in mind that these methods won't totally make the pain go away, but they can help you feel more comfortable.

Hysterectomy Pain - Managing It

Pain management is one of the things you should discuss and plan with your doctor before you undergo a hysterectomy. Ask how your doctor plans for you to cope with hysterectomy pain, which you will likely feel after the surgery. Ask your doctor what can be done if the pain management plan you make does not work. Ask what the alternatives are. You should also ask and determine the following: how soon you can start the medication; what type of medication you'll take when you get home; and how you can avail of the medicines when you run out of them.

How to Manage Hysterectomy Pain Right after the Surgery

A patient can manage hysterectomy pain right after the surgery with any of the following methods:

On-Q. This method for managing pain consists of the administration of local anesthesia on the area operated on. This is done with a small tube that is inserted through the incision.

Morphine pump. This hysterectomy pain management system allows the patient to get a dose of morphine by pressing a mechanism on her IV to which the morphine pump is attached.

Post-op epidural. This pain management system pertains to the administration of a low dose of local anesthesia to the area of the surgery. This is done through a catheter that is inserted at the patient's back. The patient can still walk and move around with this, and she would have less need for oral medication.

A doctor usually administers these pain medications one to two days after the operation.

How to Manage Hysterectomy Pain at Home

The type of pain management you can implement at home would basically be oral medication. You can take both narcotic pain medicines and anti-inflammatory medicines. Take the former every 4 to 6 hours. You can take the anti-inflammatory medicines at the same time, but you must take these every 8 hours.

Hysterectomy Pain - Can You Get Addicted?

The amount taken for pain relief is as prescribed by the doctor, so there is no risk of getting addicted. There is also little chance of needing a refill since the pain usually goes away in a month. Moreover, the pain medication is taken to relieve pain and not to please the senses, further reducing the likelihood of addiction.

However, in the event that you would really need a replenishment of your pain medication then ask your doctor how you can avail of more.