QuestionThis could be a long story, but I believe I had an abruption clot an hour after delivery. It happened when they came in to firm my uterus. Noone advised that is what it was but they weighed it and it weighed over five pounds.They got the hemorrhaging to stop and when we watched the season premeire of ER, when they showed the abruption clot,my husband advised it was identical to the clot I had when the nurses were pressing to get all of the blood out.It was seven weeks after that I hemorrhaged severely. We were simply riding down the road, but we were halfway across the country. The ultrasound showed "something" in the uterus. A week later we did a d&c and I hemorrhaged severely that it took six hours in surgery. They did three experimental laps. They couldn't stop the bleeding and had to keep giving me blood. My OB advised he couldn't see for all of the blood and punctured my uterus. I was advised that it would heal in 24 hrs. They finally got it to stop by putting in a saline filled baloon with over twice the normal amount of saline. They thought they wre going to have to a complete hysterectomy, but didn't. Since then, November 11th, 2005, every month like clockwork I swell severely and have pain that is so crippling it is like mid labor pain, but there is no bleeding. I have never felt pain like this. I had two ultrasounds yesterday when i was swollen, showed three doctors and all agree they don't know why the massive swelling takes place. We know I need a full hysterectomy, but I have to wait a few more months to build up time at work and of course, I would like to not have to take hormones for the rest of my life. But still, the swelling and severe pain I don't understand. I have to wear maternity clothse and it goes from flat (well, it will never be flat) but wearing jeans with a belt to maternity clothes. Everyone asks me if I am expecting again. I can forward pictures to anyone that wants to see it. Does anyone have any idea?
AnswerDear Cheryll,
Well, talk about a first...whew! You have definitely been through the proverbial ringer!
As far as a specific cause, I certainly am not going to claim to know more than doctors who have actually studied your case. My general feeling is that your uterus has simply chosen this particular way of responding to the trauma it has been through. And when your body releases those hormones during that point in your cycle which trigger your uterus to shed it's lining, your uterine tissue just cannot respond in a normal way. The muscle tissue may try to contract but it causes the increased pain like a really sore, injured muscle does. And if an injured muscle is contracted, it gets inflamed (swells). That's really the best explanation I can come up with for you if all pathology tests have come back normal and everything on ultrasounds have looked normal to your doctors/OB specialists.
I must say, I'm glad you have lived through all that you have described. It sounds as if it may very well have been touch and go for awhile.
I would definitely be looking in the same direction as you are, as it sounds as if this has very much affected your daily life. I don't know if it will help or not, but my very best friend in the world had an elective hysty at about 33 years of age. I thought she was crazy then. She swears she'd never go back - always has. I assume they will leave your ovaries, as you have not mentioned any ovarian issues. If they do, you should not need hormonal replacement therapy.
I don't know how much I've helped, but I will have a good thought for you and very much wish you well.
