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General health

Ring pessary for prolapse

19 replies

silentsigh · 28/09/2017 22:59

Today I had a ring pessary fitted for a prolapse (not sure what type - the consultant just said "to lift everything up"). At the moment I can feel the pessary, in the way you would feel a tampon if you hadn't pushed it in properly. It's also aching a bit and when I go to the loo the urine is stopping and starting. If anyone else has had one, I was wondering if this is normal soon after having it fitted of if I should contact the doctor?

OP posts:

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TheRollingCrone · 28/09/2017 23:08

Hi Silent , my mam has one so I'm answering on her behalf. She says you shouldn't be able to feel it; they may have fitted the wrong size.
And you NEED to go back regards the stopping of urine.

Good luck

silentsigh · 29/09/2017 11:53

Thank you, I went back today to the acute gynae and had it removed as the pain got progressively worse and they were concerned about bladder retention. It was quite excruciating to be put in and taken out, not sure if I can face trying others of a different size.

OP posts:

Tigerlovingall · 30/09/2017 10:39

Hmm, I had a ring fitted after I tried to move a heavy piece of furniture down a windey flight of stairs......ended up with what seemed to be my womb hanging out. But my furniture looked great in its new room
Actually it was the anterior wall of my vagina. Loads of pressure on my bladder constantly.
So, a ring thing fixed while I waited for a NHS repair, cos, as the consultant said you're too young for this long term. This is an old persons solution, I fit loads
And you know what? He was right
I went into h.and a bit of sewing up was done. Fabulous! I got my life back again. No more wearing pads to catch dribbles, no more wanting the loo mi

Tigerlovingall · 30/09/2017 10:42

Sorry, posted while I was writing.
Anyway, insist on a permanent repair and Get your life back. The older you get, the more the incontinence will be. Good luck.flowers]

TheRollingCrone · 02/10/2017 12:57

Tiger out of curiosity, did you have a mesh repair?

Tigerlovingall · 03/10/2017 19:52

crone, sorry for the delay....
Sorry, don't know what a mesh repair is. Can only tell you that the surgeon who stitched the collapsed anterior wall visited me when I was in recovery to tell me what he'd done. (He was very excited and pleased about his sewing skills )
He'd also performed a hysterectomy on me, which I'd agreed to beforehand if he thought it necessary- in my case it was an unwelcome side effect after 6 months chemo, so two jobs for one ga.
but I'm in complete agreement with my gp when he said that a ring pessary is an 'old person's solution', so in your position I'd certainly insist on exploring a permanent solution.
Again, sorry for the delay in replying
Now off to google mesh repair

Tigerlovingall · 03/10/2017 20:01

Right! Just back after a quick google, NO, deffo no mesh repair, stitching (surtures - get me, I now have the jargon!) - only. I think I must have been 39 when I had it done. I'm now early 50s and no problems at all. All done vaginally, too, so easy recovery.

TheRollingCrone · 04/10/2017 23:16

Oh that's good to know Tiger. The current info on mesh repairs is quite horrible. I can't believe women were guinea pigged in t his way

Mistyrose · 01/06/2018 12:16

Hi

Would appreciate any advice on 2 issues from members who have had a ring pessary fitted for prolapse. Sorry a bit graphic.

I have had a second, smaller ring fitted as first slipped down.
It feels ok so far but only a couple of hours. However I I can feel a slight bulge and although it is further back than before it is visible. Is this normal as an online video seemed to show this too but I had thought 'everything' would miraculously disappear!

I am still considering a surgical repair but put off by the mesh issue. My GP said they now have 'better' mesh being used but I haven't seen any reports about these. I am in the upper age bracket but still very active and do heavy gardening and lifting and worried surgery might mean a long painful recovery as I do not have family support nearby. Any advice?

Thanks

AbigailisFarty · 01/06/2018 13:31

How old are you Mistyrose? I didn't think there was an age limit for surgery as long as you were healthy.

You don't have to have mesh. That is only one way of fixing prolapse. I had a repair 26 years ago with no mesh.

You should try not to lift or do heavy gardening- it will make it all worse. I was told that I must never lift anything over a stone in weight, avoid impact exercise etc for life. I am careful not to lift anything heavier than a 2.5 k bag of spuds!

This would apply with or without surgery- it's certainly not wise to continue to lift if you have prolapse. The website of Michelle Kenway physio) had some fantastic videos and advice on managing prolapse as well as what you can do after surgery.

The recovery rate is about 6-8 weeks and you are supposed not to lift anything heavier than a mug of tea! Not even a full kettle. Certainly not pans of spuds or pasta - fill pans with a cup of water, one cup at a time when the pan is on the stove.

Recovery was not painful for me- I had no pain at all - but I did need help with my DCs at the time from family as the DCs were 4 and 2.

Lots for you to think about but a ring sounds awful and is usually only for elderly women who can't tolerate a GA, or for women who want more children.

Mistyrose · 01/06/2018 15:20

Thanks.
I was hoping a pessary would be successful but even with no heavy lifting since latest ring insertion I think the organ is protruding through. Not painful, but not comfortable. I think I shall now ask for referral to gynae consultant, as it is so limiting..

AbigailisFarty · 01/06/2018 20:35

You need to choose someone who is good at these procedures not someone who does 1 a year or whatever. read their bios on websites. Most consultants work privately as well and have websites listing their specialisms.

Mistyrose · 01/06/2018 22:03

Thanks. The pessary now out again as was not supporting at all. I have spoken with my GP and at next appointment expect to be referred to the hospital consultant. Thanks for advice, I will certainly be looking up info on the gynae consultant when I have the referral. Expect it will be a wait though.

itsbritneybeyatch · 02/06/2018 18:23

I wore a ring pessary for about 5 years (with regular cleaning at the doc’s). I am now 40 and a year on from surgery that I decided to have as I kept getting infections down below (foreign body). I’d put up with it for a long time and decided to bite the bullet. Haven’t looked back. The pessary was great but I never felt ‘clean’ (sorry -tmi). Surgery has limited me in that I have to be careful with what I lift BUT I feel so much more comfortable.

itsbritneybeyatch · 02/06/2018 18:24

Plus... re. the pessary... you should NOT be able to feel it. I never did over the time I had it.

stripes4 · 11/11/2018 19:38

Hi. Hope you don't mind me contacting you after seeing some of your comments. I'm at my wits end at the moment with a prolapse that's taken over my life. So painful and uncomfortable. I've tried a couple of sizes of ring pessaries. Did you have repair surgery that didn't involve mesh? Thank you

Seaweed42 · 11/11/2018 23:37

What type of prolapse have you? I had surgery for a bladder prolapse (anterior repair). It was done without mesh, just stitches. This is called a 'simple repair'. Talk to the consultant about it.

Janet81 · 11/04/2019 13:48

I had a posterior repair with no mess and it has not worked.Very disapointing.I was measured for a ring last year and collected the prescription but cannot make myself go back for fitting as it looks horrendous
Do not know what to do as I cannot do the things I want to.😢

Bridget944 · 29/08/2022 22:25

Can I ask how old you are was it really that simple? I’m in my 20s will they refuse an op?

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