Bladder prolapse - please share your stories

[MrsSnootch]

Hi all,

Is there anyone else out there suffering/recovered from from a Bladder prolapse?

I have been recently diagnosed at the gp and am waiting a consultation with a euro-gynecologist. I didn't need the GP to tell me this what was suspected, you just know when something isn't quite right down there

No idea what to expect or what treatment options there are

I have this awful bulging feeling 'down there' which I cannot seem to get any relief from, almost like a tampon is not sitting correctly. This discomfort feels like it is literally taking over my life as I can feel it every minute of every day and is making me feel very down.

I think there is a large psychological aspect to prolapse and anything vagina related as it is a bit of a blow to a ladies womanhood in some way- I don't know I just feel rather down about all this, and this constant feeling of discomfort is getting me down. I cant find any single way of sitting comfortably nor can get a full nights sleep due to the discomfort. and needing to wee on such a regular basis these days is embarrassing

I feel almost hysterical at the thought of potentially waiting months on the NHS for some kind of relief from this feeling. I know what waiting list times can be like for non urgent issues, and don't get me wrong I know it is not life threatening but I feel like a freak.

Please ladies, come forwards and tell me your stories, what treatment options are available? How can I get any kind of relief from this bulging feeling?

If anyone knows anything or has any words of encouragement, please, share them, I cant be the only one.

[Mozfan1]

Hi!

Mine is mild but there, caused from carrying two babies in short succession

You're not a freak silly!

And YY to nhs waiting times, it took 3 months just to get me in front of a gynae 🙄

Just go with the the flow, but be firm. You want this FIXED, you don't just want a temporary solution (if that is true)

I am adamant I will not take the option of the rings they insert, I want it properly fixed

Good luck op

[MrsSnootch]

Thank you. I feel like that - I just want it properly fixed. I dnt want to go through months of pessaries and temp fixes. I wont be having more kids.

This feeling, of bulging, it is driving me mad. I don't think I can live with it honestly for three months it is literally making me feel suicidal when I think I may still be in this situation in three months. It sounds really dramatic but I really feel it is having massive negative impact on my life, I cant eat or sleep because this burning bulging feeling is there...all the time...nagging away at me.

HOW do people cope with this

[Mozfan1]

Oh crikey my dear I'm so so sorry

Yes we are the same there, I don't want to go through all the Fanny torture for the sake of... What? I want it bloody well fixed!

Don't get fobbed off with 'oh it's not severe a pessary will do' - it's not on.

I'm so sorry you're feeling suicidal over it

It sounds really really weird and I'm sorry if tmi but if mine is having an outie day () then I use a little bit of lube on the general vulva area to make things feel a bit smooth

[MrsSnootch]

Mozfan, the term 'fanny torture' really made me laugh

I'm so glad I posted. its awful to think of others going through this however good to know I'm not alone. I feel tearful and over emotional a lot of the time because of this, has anyone else felt that

[Mozfan1]

I knew early on after giving birth that something wasn't 100 per cent but had to wait for the 6 week check to have if confirmed. It was good in a way as I was able to come to terms with it, but it was also torturous having to wait (sensing a common thread with the torture here!!!)

Btw, I hang out daily on the ninja thread, if you ever want to talk to a load of strangers, just vent and have a laugh we're all easy going. And nothing is out of bounds!

So yeah, I did cry about it, a lot at the beginning. But time has healed my anxieties and concerns about 'being fixed'.

Much love op

[Mozfan1]

But yeah it is a very lonely problem- male partners don't understand it and it's not something discussed at work/coffee shop/the pub etc.

YOURE NOT ALONE!!!!

We can be little pee pants ladies together

[chatnanny]

There's a huge thread in MN under general health which some of us are on with lots of info and advice. Sorry I don't know how to link to it but search in general health and it pops up. I had urodynamics for this yesterday which I was worried about but was a doddle. Looks like a hysterectomy for me though, as predicted, as have quite severe bladder and cervical/uterine prolapse but bowel and vagina wall are ok.

[mineofuselessinformation]

Get yourself over to the any old prolapse thread. The women there are very helpful and knowledgable about it. They were a tremendous help to me (in a previous name).

[MrsSnootch]

Thank you so much ladies.

My GP seems less concerned about this, I just took a five min break from the office to phone the GP to check if she had sent my referral and she hasn't even sent it yet!

I'm really surprised that this is treated with such a relaxed attitude, yes I know it is not life threatening but the discomfort and mental anguish it can bring, really puts the brakes on your life. When I am hearing stories of ladies having to wait 3 months even to have an initial meeting with a Gyno, it literally brings me to tears, that in three months I may well be no further forward in sorting this out, than I am today

All this upset and discomfort and the referral is sitting on someone's bloody desk!

[Tanfastic]

I've got a mild bladder prolapse. I think it's causing me some UTI issues but I can't really feel it that much.

My GP wasn't concerned, just told me to do pelvic floors (I am currently doing three sets of 20 a day).

[Mozfan1]

snootch it's typical of the bullshit male opinion. We're so often told 'it's just a side effect of child birth'
Or 'you learn to live with it'

Why the fuck should it be that way?

I very much stand by that if it was men that gave birth, they would not struggle to get prompt treatment for problems like this.

Phew! Rant over

[MrsSnootch]

It is ridiculous isn't it - I feel as furious as you do

The fact the referral has sat on a desk for a week has made me livid. I was very pleasant to the receptionist as it isn't her fault but I felt like screaming.

I have just booked Monday morning off work so I can go in and play bloody merry hell with them until they post the referral off or whatever they are dragging their feel

[MrsSnootch]

dragging their feet with

[Mozfan1]

Can I ask how your prolapse has come about? Is it child birth? If so, how long post Partum are you?

[MegGriffin]

I had a bladder prolapse repain a good 6 years ago and it was a fantastic success. It was so bad before that I had to push it back in but 6 years later its still as good as new. I do not regret having it done one bit. Good luck with yours.

[MrsSnootch]

Mozfan, I am not 100% sure what brought it about, to be honest. I think this is something that I have had for ten years approx and it has suddenly got worse. I have given birth but when i first noticed it, my son would have been around 12 so not sure if childbirth played a part or not

I went to the doctors several years back, as i suspected a minor prolapse, I felt more urgency and frequency for going for a wee. The GP said there was no prolapse, but back then I felt he was wrong - he said I had an overactive bladder. I had a bulge then but it would only be felt under examination, i would never know it was there otherwise

A couple of weeks ago, my bladder dropped severely and suddenly. I knew because I had that awful bulge feeling like when a tampon has gone in wrong, and sometimes a very weird vibrating feeling. Felt like something was literally dropping out of me and like it 24/7. I don't remember lifting anything heavy when i first noticed the dreaded feeling

this is all a pain in the butt. no scratch that, its a pain in the foof

[Mozfan1]

Ah. I see! Yeah the gp fobbing you off doesn't surprise me tbh.

Okay on that though; the sudden drop, constant uncomfortable feeling. Make sure they know it's disturbing your quality of life.

And in my experience, I wish it wasn't the case, but when you see a gynae, ask to see a female. I saw a male gynae who basically said to me 'oh your baby was only small how on earth have you prolapsed' et cetera. It made me very upset, so. I refused physical examination from him.

The lady gynae I saw was an Angel

[Mozfan1]

Play not okay*

[Shakey15000]

Prolapse veteran signing in

I had bladder/bowel prolapse repair last May (also perineum rebuild). I think it's failed, well the bowel at least. Have had another MRI last week and waiting for appointment with urogynae and a colorectal surgeon.

I do NOT regret having the surgery as the blessed relief from the symptoms (especially the backache) was worth it for the 8months. I'm prepared to have surgery again, it will probably be a mesh this time as last surgery was the normal stitch up and hope for the best one.

And yes to the "vibrating" feeling! Mine feels like it's having a fucking Lush fizz bomb party all by itself down there

[Mozfan1]

I'm 7 months gone, I'm dreading mind getting bad again

[Mozfan1]

Mine*

[Shakey15000]

Hope it all stays up for you Mozfan

I agree, the quality of life thing sucks. My urogynae was male and thankfully, great. Just before the op I said " Operate on me as if I was your wife. Unless you're divorced"

[bookbook]

Has anyone mentioned the facebook group for more help/advice? It is just women with all prolapse problems, and is incredibly supportive and informative. Its a closed group that you need to ask to join
here
I should say, that on that group, its widely held that drs should examine you stood up - prolapses tend to not be so noticeable when you are laid down -(what a surprise- hah)

[Mozfan1]

shakey that is brilliant and yes fingers X it all holds up!

Great advice book

[Whitecovers]

Reading this thread has prompted me to try and get booked in to Drs next week. Over the past 2/3 months I have to urinate frequently throughout the day and night.
And I can also feel something heavy, not right in my vaj, but just above?

I thought I had an overactive bladder (I might do) and didn't want to go to Drs about it but will defo go and get checked out now.