Seems like I found the source and solution to the abdominal pain!

April
April Member Posts: 34
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
I couldn't wait to post this follow-up report on treatment for my post hysterectomy abdominal pain that feels like menstrual. Cramps. I've had it since February. I started working with a personal trainer who thought the source of the pain might involve the psoas muscle. This is a deep abdominal muscle that can create pelvic pain, groin pain,and back pain. It aligns with the ovaries and lymph nodes, and I had both ovaries and some lymph nodes removed during surgery.

I went to a massage therapist and she has really helped my pain in just two sessions so far. She said the muscle seems unusually close to the surface and massaged it while I laid on my side. I. Just completed a 1.5 hour session and feel so much better. I'm sure I'll need more sessions to free the muscle, but I am optimistic that it will work.

Hopefully, some of you can find relief through massage therapy. I understand, though, that massage isn't suitable for every type or stage of cancer, so run it past your dr first. Also, sometimes insurance will pay for medical massage.

Comments

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #2
    Oncology massage / oncomassage
    Glad you found some help, April. Are you seeing a certified oncology massage therapist? I learned about them shortly after I was diagnosed. Haven't tried one yet. Before I had either of my surgeries, I had an appointment for a massage. When I told her I had cancer (active, untreated), she didn't want to touch me. That's when I learned about oncology massage - and that's all I know. Just thought it might be worth mentioning as they have further training regarding the needs of cancer patients.

    Suzanne
  • April
    April Member Posts: 34
    #3
    Double Whammy said:

    Oncology massage / oncomassage
    Glad you found some help, April. Are you seeing a certified oncology massage therapist? I learned about them shortly after I was diagnosed. Haven't tried one yet. Before I had either of my surgeries, I had an appointment for a massage. When I told her I had cancer (active, untreated), she didn't want to touch me. That's when I learned about oncology massage - and that's all I know. Just thought it might be worth mentioning as they have further training regarding the needs of cancer patients.

    Suzanne

    Thanks, Suzanne. I'll ask
    Thanks, Suzanne. I'll ask my gynecologist about that this week. Thanks for the tip.
  • April
    April Member Posts: 34
    #4
    Double Whammy said:

    Oncology massage / oncomassage
    Glad you found some help, April. Are you seeing a certified oncology massage therapist? I learned about them shortly after I was diagnosed. Haven't tried one yet. Before I had either of my surgeries, I had an appointment for a massage. When I told her I had cancer (active, untreated), she didn't want to touch me. That's when I learned about oncology massage - and that's all I know. Just thought it might be worth mentioning as they have further training regarding the needs of cancer patients.

    Suzanne

    Thanks, Suzanne. I'll ask
    Thanks, Suzanne. I'll ask my gynecologist about that this week. Thanks for the tip.
  • April
    April Member Posts: 34
    #5
    Double Whammy said:

    Oncology massage / oncomassage
    Glad you found some help, April. Are you seeing a certified oncology massage therapist? I learned about them shortly after I was diagnosed. Haven't tried one yet. Before I had either of my surgeries, I had an appointment for a massage. When I told her I had cancer (active, untreated), she didn't want to touch me. That's when I learned about oncology massage - and that's all I know. Just thought it might be worth mentioning as they have further training regarding the needs of cancer patients.

    Suzanne

    Thanks, Suzanne. I'll ask
    Oops. I hit send too many times.
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    #6
    April said:

    Thanks, Suzanne. I'll ask
    Oops. I hit send too many times.

    April
    So glad to read about your relief. Amazing how we have to keep digging and eventually stumble onto the proper direction for our situation.

    One thing I learned via my chiropractor, when lymph nodes are removed (I had 24 removed), plus all the girlie parts...things aren't quite the same. Meaning, we'll have some goofy signs of pain or parts adjusting to new locations. Remember those open areas where organs were removed, need to be filled, and it takes time. Even after 3 years since finishing treatments I feel some goofy sensations.

    Keep up the good work as happy for you April~
    Jan
  • nerwin
    nerwin Member Posts: 2
    #7
    Mom has this pain
    I am so glad to find this post! My Mom has been having cramps for a several months now. Her hysterectomy was in November and the pain has gotten worse. We thought it was a spastic colon and they put her on Bentyl which helps some but she still has to take pain pills. I'm going to ask the doctor about this! Thanks!!!!
  • April
    April Member Posts: 34
    #8
    nerwin said:

    Mom has this pain
    I am so glad to find this post! My Mom has been having cramps for a several months now. Her hysterectomy was in November and the pain has gotten worse. We thought it was a spastic colon and they put her on Bentyl which helps some but she still has to take pain pills. I'm going to ask the doctor about this! Thanks!!!!

    You're most welcome! Please
    You're most welcome! Please let me know what you find out.
  • April
    April Member Posts: 34
    #9
    jazzy1 said:

    April
    So glad to read about your relief. Amazing how we have to keep digging and eventually stumble onto the proper direction for our situation.

    One thing I learned via my chiropractor, when lymph nodes are removed (I had 24 removed), plus all the girlie parts...things aren't quite the same. Meaning, we'll have some goofy signs of pain or parts adjusting to new locations. Remember those open areas where organs were removed, need to be filled, and it takes time. Even after 3 years since finishing treatments I feel some goofy sensations.

    Keep up the good work as happy for you April~
    Jan

    Having the open areas made
    Having the open areas made it easier to locate and treat the psoas muscle when I laid on my side.
  • jackie65
    jackie65 Member Posts: 3
    #10
    jazzy1 said:

    April
    So glad to read about your relief. Amazing how we have to keep digging and eventually stumble onto the proper direction for our situation.

    One thing I learned via my chiropractor, when lymph nodes are removed (I had 24 removed), plus all the girlie parts...things aren't quite the same. Meaning, we'll have some goofy signs of pain or parts adjusting to new locations. Remember those open areas where organs were removed, need to be filled, and it takes time. Even after 3 years since finishing treatments I feel some goofy sensations.

    Keep up the good work as happy for you April~
    Jan

    I was diagnosed with Serous Carcinmoa of the Endometria, and had a hysterectomy in May. They removed 20 lymph nodes, all negative. I had a clear PET scan, and CA-125 blood test.The wanted to do a very aggressive form treatment of two kinds of chemo and radiation, and I refused. I am eating organically, dieting, and working out every day. I feel fabulous! Occasionally, I will have little shooting pains in my stomach, and I was interested to see that happens after a hysterectomy. I didn't know that because no one told me what to expect. All they cared about was telling me to take their chemo and radiation. They keep calling me to see if I have made a decision about their treatment. I feel like they are sharks in the water. Did you take the treatments that they proposed?
  • April
    April Member Posts: 34
    #11
    jackie65 said:

    I was diagnosed with Serous Carcinmoa of the Endometria, and had a hysterectomy in May. They removed 20 lymph nodes, all negative. I had a clear PET scan, and CA-125 blood test.The wanted to do a very aggressive form treatment of two kinds of chemo and radiation, and I refused. I am eating organically, dieting, and working out every day. I feel fabulous! Occasionally, I will have little shooting pains in my stomach, and I was interested to see that happens after a hysterectomy. I didn't know that because no one told me what to expect. All they cared about was telling me to take their chemo and radiation. They keep calling me to see if I have made a decision about their treatment. I feel like they are sharks in the water. Did you take the treatments that they proposed?

    Good for you! I was told
    Good for you! I was told that I could elect to.have radiation but my Dr did say she wouldn't do it if t were her. As tempting as it was, I opted not to do it:)

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