anyone know what this could be?

[maybebaby23]

Hi guys, this is a bit TMI so sorry but i just need some opinions on this..

Bit of background for you..My Nan is 78 and hasn't seen a doc for years, hasn't needed to. She won't take tablets or anything she has always just been "ok" if you know what i mean. We have never worried about her and joke that she is as strong (and stubborn!!) as an ox. She is VERY prude and a private person and if she doesn't feel well we would never find out because she doesn't like everyone fussing.

So, yesterday my mum went to visit her and Nan just came out with it, she said "i think ive got a problem" Turns out the problem is that she has a lump in her vagina that she can feel and it is "agony" she says she feels like she needs to wee all the time but not much comes out. Those are the only symptoms she told my mum. Mum asked how long she'd had it and my nan said SINCE XMAS thats my nan for ya, and this is why we are panicking because it must be bad if she has told someone!!! She can't sit without pain and she has a bit of a cough which must be awful as she holds herself funny as if trying not to strain it further.

My mum was thinking it could be a prolapsed womb or something, nan has had 6 children and she is always doing housework like cleaning her high windows and painting ceilings etc..mum thinks maybe she strained herself seeing as it happened at xmas when she was doing these chores and also putting xmas decs up on ceiling, stretching up and that.

Does it sound like it could be a prolapse? I really hope it's nothing really serious. My mum is taking her to the doctor today..really worried Thanks for reading

[PortBlacksandResident]

If it is a prolapse (and it could be her womb or her rectal wall) the operation is relatively straightforward for a healthy 78 year old. My neighbour had one in her mid 70s and was fine after lots of rest etc. (this will be important - she will need to be waited on etc. for some weeks post op). Neighbour even went on to have knee replacement 2 years later.

Hope all is well for her. To be prudish even after 6 children is a generation thing i'm guessing.

[mammyto1]

I have no idea but want to say I hope everyhing goes well for your nan at the docs today!

[maybebaby23]

Thankyou! I agree it must be a generation thing! I think my nan had all her children at home and didn't call anyone until it was too late!! She had doctor etc turn up each time after she delivered her own baby! Madness. This is why we are worrying, she wouldn't ever tell anyone about this problem if it wasn't really really bad.

Just hope she will be ok She is going to doctors at 2.45. Thanks for your replies x

[mammyto1]

Maybe how did you nan do at the docs?

[maybebaby23]

Thanks for thinking of us mammy, i just tried to call my mum but no answer..am going to keep trying, they will have been seen by now.

[maybebaby23]

Ok my mum just rang and said that it is a prolapse but they are now waiting in A+E because the doctor was more concerned about nan's swollen leg/foot! It's been swollen for a few weeks now and they think it might be a blood clot! She is also being tested for diabetes..they face a long wait in A+E, my poor nan

[PortBlacksandResident]

Awwww maybe......lets hope they can set her on the road to recovery .

[maybebaby23]

Thanks a lot I hope so.

[abroadandmisunderstood]

best wishes to your nan. Glad you and your mum were able to help get the diagnosis. I know about stubborness. My dad had 3 heart attacks and STILL hasn't learnt to admit if something is wrong (sigh).

All the best to your nan

[maybebaby23]

Thanks abroadandmisunderstood, oh dear sounds like your dad has had a rough time. Why oh why are they so stubborn!!

Another update, there is no blood clot thankgod. It is an infection in her foot/leg so she has been sent home with antibiotics for that. She is waiting for an appointment to have a ring pessary thing fitted to sort the prolapse out. She has to give a water sample to her GP tomorrow for tests.

Thanks for all your replies, much appreciated! I am so glad she is now back home. She has agrophobia (can't spell that!) and hasn't left the house since i was born! (23 years!!) Apart from her garden..My mum said she did really well today considering.

[mammyto1]

Maybe so glad everything has/will be sorted!!! Hopefully she won't have to wait to long for that appointment!!

[alypaly]

i agree with PortBlacksandResident .
sounds like uterus. Really common in ladies of this age.
If it is a prolapsed womb they just put a ring pessary of the correct size in to support the uterus and this is changed every 3 - 6 months. My own mum had the same.
If it is the bladder they just "mesh" it up by putting two small incisions in the abdomen and sewing it back into place.

[maybebaby23]

Oh thanks alypaly. It is her womb, she was examined yesterday. She is waiting for an appointment now to have the ring pessary. I didn't know they change it every 3-6 months..thanks will let her know.

[Buda]

Your poor nan. Glad it is all 'general maintenance' as it were and not anything sinister but it must have been so hard for her - going out after such a long time and being poked and prodded and having such an intimate examination. I think she deserves a bravery award!

[maybebaby23]

mammyto1 thanks a lot i am glad everything is going to get sorted for her too
Thanks Buda, we are so relieved its nothing sinister. Im so grateful for everones lovely posts on this, it'll be a year on 30th sept since my dad passed away from cancer so i have been in a bit of a state about my poor old nan. Can't cope with bad news so soon..Thanks for all your best wishes
I too think she deserves a bravery award!! She spent the whole day very anxious and twitchy, it was a hell of a long time for her to wait in a packed out waiting room. Im glad its over for her now.
Does anyone know if she will have to stay in hosp overnight after that ring pessary is fitted? I hope not!

Thanks a lot x

[alypaly]

Make sure they change it otherwise she will get infections. When my mum went into her nursing home they forgot to ask the doc to change it regularly and she ended up with a dreadful infection. I made sure when she was with me it was done and i had hoped her medical records would have prompted them.But unless you tell them to do it ,they will forget.
Used to sell them when i worked for ortho pharmaceuticals...here is part of the data on them.......Pessaries are generally recommended as treatment for women who are waiting for surgery, women who are pregnant or want to have more children in the future, and women who are unable or choose not to have surgery.

Pessaries need to be individually fitted and you may need to try a few different shapes and sizes before you find one that feels comfortable and stays in place. Your doctor should have a variety of pessaries for you to try. During your fitting, your doctor will insert the pessary and ask you to walk around, sit, squat, cough and strain to test if it's comfortable and remains in place. If you feel uncomfortable doing this in front of your doctor, ask for a minute or two of privacy while you test the pessary's staying power. Tell the doctor if it doesn't feel right, even if it's the second, third or fourth pessary you've tried.

Once you've found the best fit, you will be asked to try it for a month or two before returning for a follow-up appointment. If you have any difficulties or concerns during this period, contact your doctor for an earlier appointment. If your pessary is not working or is causing problems, you can either try a different pessary or a different treatment option entirely.

If the pessary is relieving your symptoms and you're not having difficulties with it, you'll be scheduled for follow-up visits every 3 to 6 months. At your follow-ups the doctor will remove the pessary, check whether it's causing any internal problems and whether your prolapse is getting worse, and will insert a new pessary. Follow-up visits are also a good opportunity for you to talk to your doctor about any changes you've noticed or concerns you may have.

If your pessary becomes less effective at relieving symptoms you may need to be fitted with a different type or size. This is common. If you have any difficulties with the pessary or if you have any unusual discharge, bleeding or pain, contact your doctor immediately ? do not wait for your next appointment.

[alypaly]

maybebaby23...no it only takes about 15 minutes to sort it out... the nurse at her surgery can sort it out and size them up.
Dont be worried if she has more then one fitted,it is quite normal to have 2 or 3.

She will feel mildy uncomfortable at first and then it should settle.

[maybebaby23]

Excellent thanks a lot for that info!! Am jotting it down now to hand to my mum! She never mentioned having it changed so i bet she doesn't know, we will make sure it is changed. Your poor mum! Good job she had you to help her get it sorted! I just hope if it does get uncomfortable after a while that my nan will tell us! I will tell her how easy it is to get a different size sorted out and hope that will make her feel she can tell us.

Thanks alypaly x

[alypaly]

there are vinyl and pvc ones ...one is softer than the other so get her to check which is the best