Health Organization for Pudendal Education

Violet,
I'm a nurse as well... Were you ever able to return to work in any capacity?
Lara

Yes, I work as a nurse now. I can't do a lot of heavy lifting but that's partly due to ligament issues. I can sit for quite a long time. Are you hoping to return to work eventually? Hope this works out for you.

Violet

It is really encouraging to hear you returned to work as a nurse as I imagine it's a very demanding job both physically and mentally. I am a secondary school teacher and the school are hoping I will return on a phased program in July then full time in Sept, this will be approx 9 months after surgery. I certainly am not in a position to return now, wouldn't last an hour but do you think after 9 months I will be able to function again? How long was it after surgery that you returned to work?

Hi Violet and Poppy
I would love to return to work someday but I have also prepared myself financially just incase things don't work out that way. I am hopeful but also have to be realistic. I so miss it tremendously though! Yes Violet, at what point post op did u return to work?
I actually think I am turning a corner with my recovery? I never understood when I would read "recovery is in months not days or weeks" but wow it really is! I can look at it as though ..... The past month I only take 2 baths a day and not 8 for pain control, I only take 4 pills for breakthrough and not 8, I don't need my hot pack between my legs at all and I'm not moaning in pain all day (just half the day lol). So now at 4.5 months post op, I am better than I was pre op..... Immediately post op, I felt way worse, and I am now about 20 percent better. So I hope I am turning a corner. I am able to go for walks everyday, go for short shopping trips and take short driving trips in a car with my cushion. I still have the burning stabbing in the perineum. I have been started on Topamax and I am not having any side effects from this new dose that my GP has me on which is great.... She says the only side effect will be weight loss! Yah!!! I am hoping this Topamax is starting to help with this nerve pain.... Take care all and here's to some pain free "months" ahead!

Lara

Lara, that's great to hear you are doing better. You are right that it is a very slow process.

Poppy, I went back to work about 4-5 years after surgery but I wasn't working before surgery -- I was a stay at home mom. I might have been able to return at 9 months post-op but it would have been a challenge. 18 months would have been much better. I love my job now so I can sort of understand how difficult it would be for you if you have to postpone your return to work even longer.

Violet