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Pt 7 (Feb13) Any old prolapse! Uterus/womb prolapse, rectocele, cystocele, enterocele, urethrocele, incontinence, pelvic floor, anterior and posterior repair, TVT etc

994 replies

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 20/02/2013 19:05

This is thread 7 (again - see below) of a long-running series of posts from ladies suffering from pelvic prolapses to support each other through the process of diagnosis, repair and recovery.

With apologies for confusion in thread numbers - the previous thread was called part 7 but it was actually the 6th thread.

Here are the previous threads:

Thread 1
Thread 2
Thread 3
Thread 4
Thread 5
Thread 6

Info from BBC Health

What is a pelvic prolapse?

As the muscles, ligaments and supporting tissues in the pelvis become weaker, they are less able to hold in the organs of the pelvis such as the womb (uterus) or bladder.

Gravity pulls these organs down and, in the more severe cases, may appear through the entrance to the vagina.

A variety of problems can occur, depending on where the weakness lies and which organs are able to descend, but in every case there is some degree of prolapse of the vaginal wall, which begins to invert (rather like a sock turning inside out).
Prolapse of the womb or uterus is the most common prolapse, affecting as many as one in eight older women to some degree
Prolapse of the bladder, known as a cystocele, is less common.
Prolapse of the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the bladder) is known as a urethrocele.
Prolapse of the intestines is quite rare, and known as an enterocele or rectocele.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on which tissues descend, and how severe the prolapse is.

They may include:
A sense of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis.
The appearance of a bulge of tissue in the genital area, which can be quite alarming, and is often red and sore.
Urinary problems, such as having to urinate more frequently, feeling the need urgently, being incontinent (losing control of the bladder) or, conversely, being unable to pass urine when you need to.
Pain in the pelvis or lower back.
Sexual problems, including pain and decreased libido.
Constipation.
Vaginal discharge or bleeding.

Treatment and recovery

Once a prolapse has developed, surgery to fix the affected organs is usually the only way to cure it effectively.

However, another option is to use a device known as a vaginal ring pessary. This is rather like a contraceptive diaphragm or cervical cap. It's made of silicone or latex, and placed in the vagina to push back the prolapsed organs and hold them in place. Many women happily manage their prolapse this way.

OP posts:
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MustTidyUpMustTidyUp · 20/02/2013 19:17

Thanks again for answering my queries so promptly.
When /where do I get the cert to sign me off work?

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WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 20/02/2013 19:25

The doctor who did my discharge paperwork did mine at the same time. She initially said 4 weeks off work, 6 off driving but when I pointed out that I have to drive to get to work she changed it to 6 for each.

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FanFuckingTastic · 20/02/2013 19:32

Placing my saggy bits here.

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Bladderific · 20/02/2013 20:27

Thank you Whokknows

Apologies for my complete inability to keep up with life the thread atm

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blueberryboybait · 20/02/2013 20:43

I took my saggy bits to to the physio today and she did an internal, checked bits out and checked how strong my pelvic floor really is, she expected to find a saggy pelvic floor causing my rectocele/cystocele/urethrocele. She was shocked that my pelvic floor is super strong and I have been doing my exercises but there is absolutely no connection between the pelvic floor and the falleyouty bits bits. Now I am confused Confused

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mangledmess · 20/02/2013 20:44

To the lady needing advice on how to tell work, could you just say you need to have your bowel straightened out as it is squashed so it will not empty properly and the surgeon is going to try and do it by slicing through your female parts to get access to the bowel that way and recovery is halfed to 6-8 weeks rather than trying to access it through the abdomin where recovery is 12 weeks. This will lessen the shock that you are going on long term sickness and say you have to lie down as much a possible for the first few weeks so gravity does not pull the stitches out and need a second repairing surgery.


That is my plan IF and when I get a caring surgeon to help me. My boss and all colegues are male and I find the whole situatuation humiliating which is silly really but more because they are male. Although they happen to be male they are nice bunch of guys but if the medical people who are suposed to understand and have compassion have let me down then I reckon my male collegues are very much so in the dark at how miserable life like this is for us women.

What have others said to their employer please ?

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MustTidyUpMustTidyUp · 20/02/2013 20:46

mangledness are you the poster to whom they said your PCT won't cover it anymore and you'll have to pay?

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mangledmess · 20/02/2013 20:53

I have caught up with all the posts now but unable to reply to say thanks to you or offer any support to questions asked as I only have access on my mobile and I can't read the posts then remember what was said or who by on this titchy screen.

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mangledmess · 20/02/2013 21:25

musttidyup. I am the poster who has 4 prolapses. Cystocele rectocele urethrocel and internal rectal prolapses and nobody will help me and do not have any further appointments with anyone as im discharged back to GP so I intend to pay by credit card and max it out to 10 thousand. No funds to pay or intend to as I only work part time. Prison or bailiffs has got to be better than this torture.

Moving on from that my transplant consultant referred me for 3rd opinion to a gynae which I have just received after 6 weeks of waiting for it to arrive and my appointment is 5 weeks away.

Got sick and desperate of waiting so I went to see a private colorectal Dr on Fri 15th and took all my previous hospital notes. I was very tearful throughout the consultation and even more so when he said i would have to do all the tests and xrays again. I went in thinking if I took my letters from the previous hospital he could see what was wrong and just operate. Well as he had no access to the tests on his computer the tests need repeated to see whats wrong so he might help . I was more upset that I had to do the tests again because the poo xray alone will be approx 2 grand to say the same results that I have intussusception. He has agreed to see me in his nhs clinic to run a few tests andcexaminations. So more waiting for me.

The lady who was told she can not have surgery on nhs and has to pay for intussusception repair because this particular operation is now placed on the low priority list (along with things like mole removal and the likes). Nannasyl is that poster. Sorry Nannasylv if you are upset that I have mentioned your details un this thread without asking prior permission from you x

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thrifty · 20/02/2013 21:40

Marking my place, thank you who knows.

Mrsannie, glad to hear you are resting up.

No news here...

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MustTidyUpMustTidyUp · 20/02/2013 21:45

Yes I apologise mangled I should have re read. I remember reading your story and was relying it to my mum when we were discussing whether I should go ahead. How absolutely dreadful for you. Angry.
I don't understand why they are refusing you surgery? I am new to all this (lucky for me)and I'm sorry if you're going over old ground but why are you being refused? Is it a postcode lottery? I do so hope that this consultant comes through for you.

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slinkychick · 20/02/2013 22:25

Thrifty sorry you were all prepared for nothing.
4 1/2months post op not feeling that things are right down there,pains and discharge, still had stitches comeing out last week so booked to see mr Currie on Monday
Lots going on here at the moment........... sad that there are so many new but good that there is this thread for support

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mangledmess · 20/02/2013 23:30

musttidyup, I am being refused any surgery because I am a bit of a complex case with having a kidney transplant. I also do not wet myself, quite the opposite, poor flow and I have to lean right over to urinate. So that is the cystocele and urethracele dismissed by the gynae. The Dr does not count all the pain I am in or the fact I can not hardly walk properly and I am strugglung to do my job either because of pain.

The rectocele and intusussception with added major constipation has been dismissed as not being a problem enough for surgery because I can take laxatives to rid my bowel of contents. They Dr does not see it as a problem that with laxatives I have lots if wind, abdominal pain and become incontinent also. My constipation is stuck rather than hard poo. The pain and the fact I can hardly walk or do my job does not count.

my problems have gone on 4 year now and mainly because Drs thaught all the pain was in my head and I was depressed and pain is always worse for depressed people grrrrr

So now they say I need councelling to help me cope and prepare and be in a better frame of mind if surgery in the future is needed. And the added reason my kidney is transplanted in my pelvis so I have slightly different parts and tubes to be cautious of while any operation is performed. Then there is the risk of infection and the chance that I could loose and reject the transplant.

So here I am still fighting for help. I could not feel any worse and can not go on much longer. I am being tortured to death and no amount of CBT or whatever will help and nor will I do it either. I need an operation and not someone to tell me to think happy thaughts.

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MandyAJ7 · 21/02/2013 07:33

Hi again, as a 'manager' (as well as someone who has POP) my advice to the lady who doesn't not want to go into detail with her employer would be to say the procedure is gynaeological. If you are pressed to give details, I would ask to speak to one nominated person, someone you feel comfortable with. Your doctor's note should say what the reason for absence is anyway.
You may, however, need a referral to occupational health, upon your return to work. This isn't a threatening thing and should be really positive as OH can make recommendations about reasonable changes to your work place to support you.
I've also learned over the years that being pretty graphic about the symptoms and problems caused by POP generally gets you more support!
Hope that helps!

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NeopreneMermaid · 21/02/2013 08:05

Thanks Whoknows. Marking my place.

Day 3 post-op and I have dared to take a look. I have a normal-looking fanjo! It's amazing! I want to post a pic on Facebook but I believe that is not encouraged. [Wink]

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MrsAnnie · 21/02/2013 08:36

Ok - just realised we're on a new thread - doh (bit out of touch with this posting stuff)
Musttidyup - I do understand your problems. I have told work that I have had small gynae op which covers a huge spectrum of problems. I have told details to close friends only. This is probably why I have not handled the off work issue very well as I found it hard to admit what I needed to be fixed. Doesn't help that my boss is a man : o

Neoprene - also had a look today (at mine obviously haha) and all looks very neat and normal - bulge is gone!

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NurseryNetty · 21/02/2013 10:51

Hi Ladies,
I really wish I'd found this thread a few years ago to learn I'm not alone.

I finally got surgery for a cystocele 4 1/2 weeks ago, and am meant to be returning to work a week on Monday. I have an appointment with the GP for Monday, before going to see Occ Health on Tuesday, as I really don't see how I can go back. The advice on the NHS website is to not lift anything heavier than a 2litre bottle of water for 12 weeks, and I am a nursery nurse working with 3-5 year olds - quite physically demanding.
I felt great straight after the op, no pain or anything. However now I am convinced that it hasn't worked. I have no external bulge or anything now, but I am so aware of my internal bits and they feel like they are squishing when I move.
I'm spending ages pouring over the old threads - they are really helping.
NN

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NeopreneMermaid · 21/02/2013 11:43

Netty, have you had a look/rummage around? Let us know what the GP says. I've been signed off my desk job for 6 weeks so I can't see how you can do your job in 4.

MrsAnnie, thanks for the reassurance you don't have a webcam in my loo or anything. Grin

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WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 21/02/2013 12:43

Netty - I'm sure your GP will sign you off for longer if you explain the nature of your work, some posters on here have been off work involving lifting for 12 weeks. Also as regards swelling/discomfort, my rectocele repair felt very bulgy and swollen at 8 weeks when I had my checkup, but I was reassured that this was normal, sure enough a few weeks later it felt a lot less swollen internally and the residual discomfort when walking disappeared.

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cardamomginger · 21/02/2013 13:29

Hi Netty. I agree with Whoknows about the swelling. It can take a long time for all the swelling to come out and then to settle down, and four and a half weeks really isn't that long at all.
And I think you are going to need to take longer off work too. It's probably not what you want to hear, but the NHS advice is good advice. X

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NurseryNetty · 21/02/2013 20:15

I've resigned myself to being off til the Easter hols now, to give myself some time to properly heal. I think it probably is just swelling (no, I haven't investigated - daredn't!). There is no post-op exam offered. I assume they think you'll go back if there is a problem in time. I am back to using my Ovestin pessary which should also start to firm things up.
NN

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NeopreneMermaid · 21/02/2013 20:27

So day 3 post-op and I'm definitely less sore but sitting and specifically sitting on the loo is uncomfortable (actually weeing and pooing is fine though, just the position). Anyone else find this?

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edwinbear · 21/02/2013 20:47

Hi, with regard explaining to work, I work on a trading floor so very male dominated. I have said to my boss that I had a difficult birth with my son that caused a lot of damage which needs to have fixed. That was enough for him to understand what I was talking about without having to say anything too embarrassing/specific. Counting down to 5th March when I will be having my surgery.

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NurseryNetty · 21/02/2013 21:39

Neoprene Just reading back and think you have had same repair as me. I haven't had any mesh or anything, just a stitch and repacking. In my mind I imagine it being like shoving the stuffing back into an old sofa and stitching it back up!
I didn't have problems on the loo, but was shocked (bit naive or stupid maybe!) t discover I'd been shaved whilst under anaesthetic! I'd given myself a bit of a tidy up before I went in, but the baldness was a surprise. Not a complete Brazilian, just the bits between my legs. Anyhow, once that started to grow back in.... Itchy Ouch Shock

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NeopreneMermaid · 21/02/2013 22:22

Yikes Netty! Mine was under a local only so I got to keep the lady garden. How are you feeling now (apart from the itch!)?

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