Rectocele & Repairs continued....

[CAZ1958]

Rectocele & Repairs...continuation

Hiya Ladies...
Don't know if this will work, above is the Subject Title
Don't want to lose my friends.
Will come back with a link if poss !!!
Fingers crossed
ZZZ

Have never heard of lying on your back to do this??? Hope you get some answers Nannasylv.

Just packed my hospital bag (again!) for hopeful removal of my barbed-wire fence in the morning (good riddance!) so off to sleep as have to get up at 5.30 It better not snow tonight x

Good luck surewoman, hope all goes well!

Fengirl, I thought it was a weird, very unnatural way to test. Has anyone else had a defecography, and did they make you lie down for it, or is there some way they can do it with you in a sitting position? Is it down to the type of MR machine used?, this was the tube/tunnel type.

Sorry to jump on your thread without reading all of the posts, but this seemd to be the right place to come with some questions. I promise I'll come back later when I've more time and read through the thread thoroughly

I don't know if I've got a rectocele, I just came across the condition whilst googling my symptoms (never a good idea!). I hope you don't mind if I share some symptoms with you and maybe you can, in your infinite wisdom, let me know whether I've got a rectocele or not without me having to go to the GP Of course I have really been to the GP, and I'm going back next week.

So, I have two children. Ds born in 2005 with ventouse. No problems afterwards. Dd born in 2008, straightforward, a very 'bum pushy' labour if that makes sense.

After dd I found myself regularly expelling air, quite noisily, through my vagina and whenever this would happen I'd desperately start doing my pelvic floor exercises. This still happens and I have no control over it. Bloody awful.

No other problems but fast forward to recently. Since my periods returned I've always found it immensely painful to have a poo whilst on my period. Last month it was so painful that I almost passed out in the bathroom; it was an intense pain deep inside at the bottom of my back, much like labour pains.

Since that time I've been suddenly and completely constipated, for which I've been to the Dr recently. He felt up my bum and said that all felt fine, but I've been wondering if it's possible that something has collapsed further up? He put me on laxatives which have worked in the sense that I'm now at least doing liquid poos, but if I ever strain I get a very heavy feeling in my pelvic floor region.

I suppose what I'm asking is, if I had a rectocele would it be obvious to the Dr by just sticking his finger up my bum? Or are there further investigations that need to be done? I don't want to ask him about something that's completely unlikely because then I think he'll see me as a hypochondriac and stop taking me seriously, when actually there is a problem. This constipation is bloody awful and it seemed to come from nowhere.

Thanks in advance.

Oh, and my periods have gone haywire. Two days on, one day off, four days on. This month just two days and that's it which is unusual. Don't know if that's of significance.

Gingerwhinger - you need a vaginal examination to diagnose a rectocele really. Sounds like you may well have some kind of prolapse. If I were you I would definitely go back stating your concerns - it's not making a fuss and you know your body best.

Gingerwhinger - our last two messages crossed! Not sure periods are anything to do with it, although may well be to do with your age if you're in your 40's! If you're younger I really don't know, but again if you're worried ask your gp.

I'm 34!

I'll mention it to my gp. I just don't want to come across as a 'symptom-googler', even though that's what I am! They must get annoyed with people self-diagnosing with very limited information. He's an understanding Dr though, so hopefully he'll listen and take me seriously.

Thanks.

Also, is there anything that I should be able to feel for myself? I haven't had a dig around my vagina to feel anything, but to be honest, I wouldn't know if what I was feeling was abnormal or not.

Sex is infrequent and uncomfortable. I wouldn't say painful as such, but I get a feeling of pressure inside that makes me catch my breath.

Hi Ginger and welcome! Your symptoms sound exactly the same as mine, and I also had a very 'bum pushy' labour with my third child.

Basically, had a lot of vaginal 'noise' and suction too and if I went swimming, a whole load of water would get 'sucked' up and then rush out when I got out as if I was wetting myself.

With regards to pooing, I also went to a GP when I was 40, and was told that my rectum felt fine and that it was just constipation. But lots of laxatives only made runny poo and even then that eventually dried up (over 4 years) with me only passing very dark black, rock solid, tiny marbles every few days. By this time, my perineum was actually hanging lower than before by about 10cm and I was finding it really hard to do my jeans etc. up as the waist part was lower. (I am a skinny size 8, so not usual for me at all) I found I was heavier on the scales but not any fatter (went from 52kg to 62kg at one point).

Well, eventually went for a smear test and asked the nurse to take a look. She sent me on to a female GP, who took one look and said 'prolapse' and fixed up there and then for me to see a consultant ob/gynae.

Under anaesthetic he found I had a massive enterocele which is when the tissue that separates your intestines from your reproductive organs has torn (also something to do with the 'pouch off douglas' - a natural sack bit at the top) and your small bowel hangs down, stretching this pouch, so that all your intestines fall between the vagina and rectum making it absolutely impossible to poo however hard you push as you have a u-bed to empty before anything even gets into the rectum.

I also had a small rectocele which goes hand in hand with this usually.

End result, I have long straight poos, every morning now

I've also had some issues though with the consultant (not the best) so ask for a uro/gynae or a colorectal consultant which are available on the NHS.

Very long winded, sorry but I hope it answers some questions xxx

Back from hospital again with another incision (7cm) and more stitches, BUT, this time they will dissolve quickly. They spent a long time cutting out seven PDS ones that shouldn't have been there (and hopefully got most of them) - I am now officially a record breaker - the longest known PDS sutures take to dissolve is about 90 days and I am 94 post op!!! Lol . They all came to read my notes as it was so unusual!!!

So, back to feeling how I felt in November, crawling about and no lifting anything as there is a risk that I might undo the posterior repair. Still, I should be pain free within 10 days - although I can't have any of that yet.

Emotionally I have been on the most extraordinary 'high' all day, couldn't stop chatting all day on the ward, very weird, and ended with four of us inmates on my bed having a jolly good gossip - I was a fountain of information, answering everyones questions, and all thanks to you lot here on MN!!!!! lol.

The difference in patient care from this 2nd consultant was fab. He talked through everything, came with me to the anaethetist and lulled me into a mental holiday on a beach in the bahamas as I went under, which I was dreaming about blissfully as I came round! Maybe that's why I've felt so happy all day - just been on a Caribean Holiday!!!!

Sorry - I must shut up!! God knows what they gave me pill wise... I haven't slept a wink for the last 24 hours, so I have to be exhausted but can't stop - AAArgh!!!!

Signing off as now my fingers hurt as well as my throat from too much talking

xxxxx

Bye the way, got a copy of a letter to GP in post today from original consultant saying all fine and to be discharged in four weeks, dated 23 January; but, also got another letter from 2nd Consultant dated 23 January too, saying that I presented to him in a lot of vaginal pain and discomfort and he found two rows of rigid spikes the length of my vagina on examination . Wonder who is telling the truth??

Sure - glad you've got sorted. Amazing that you have the two conflicting letters.... Will be somewhat embarrassing if you were to pursue a complaint (your choice obviously). Make sure take care of yourself - and raise a glass as soon as you can!

Thanks for your reply surewoman. Long straight poos. How I miss them!

I'll definitely speak to my GP about this on Monday. Ever since my bowel problems started so suddenly, I just haven't believed that it's just constipation. I've been constipated before but it's never been like this. You know when there's something not right with your body, don't you? And it's so annoying to have someone professional tell you otherwise. I'll ask to be checked out. It may not be a prolapse, but on the other hand, it may be.

I never realised how long the journey from diagnosis to surgery to recovery was until I read all of the stories on here. You all deserve medals for what you've been through and continue to go through.

Hope you don't mind me joining in! i had rectocele repair in sept 2010, i thought it hadn't worked so had a few more scans to find out what the problem was, my gyn insisted it had worked, but i still have to press on perineum to finish after a bm. one of the scans was a mri defecoraphy and it was just as you described nannaslv,it felt like i was trying to give birth.

I so admire the way you are all supporting each other i keep dipping in and out i've been hoping to find answers to my problems, they found ovarian cysts and a bowel polyp on my scans and informed me the perinium is shot, but after having ovarys falopian tubes polyp and cysts removed 6&7 weeks ago and have only just come off strong painkillers i think i'll put up with other problem for a long time yet, i was so frightend before rectocele repair for nothing because after a few days discomfort and 5 weeks of being really tired it was fine and worth doing.

good luck to you all and sorry about the novel:)

Welcome ginger, lovely to have you on board.
Hi dudrop! I seem to remember you were on the thread last year? Isn't it amazing that it is still going on?
I think that these procedures are great once you have them but nothing is going to be like nature made us. We have to be realistic and hope that we feel better and stay that way. I have had six procedures now, things are so much better but, as you say, I still have to do certain things to keep healthy...I don't imagine anyone is going to pretend they can fix me any better. I am just truly grateful that I am in the position I am in but it took years to get to this stage, and a lot of ignorance, lack of interest, rudeness ( on the part of the medical profession, not me, although I did get frustrated!) and eventually a wonderful intelligent Ukrainian Consultant who saved me!!! I am lucky, I know!
Xxx

Feeling fed up - back to how I was in November, although slightly less pain. But bleeding, soreness, constipation post op, tired, full of anaesthetic , can't do anything..... crap! and all because someone put the wrong stitches in... Aaaarrgh.. How I wish I'd seen the 2nd consultant first, I would be all sorted by now x

Sure - sorry you're feeling down. Remember though that this time, there is a light at the end of the tunnel! (what an analogy to use lol!) hopefully a few days of rest and recuperation will help you feel a bit more positive. Sending healing thoughts your way. X

Thanks Fen - have you got lots of snow?? Two of my DS's are out in their pj's making a snowman!!!! Mad! We've got about 5 inches in Kent.
Don't feel quite so miserable this morning, just sore!! Yesterday must have been an after effect of anaesthetic I'm sure, as I was on such an exaggerated high the day before

How is everyone today? x

Hi Sure sorry you felt miserable yesterday :( hope things are looking up today , I know what you mean about anaesthetic lol I was as high as a kite after my op almost manic dont know if it was just the fact that I woke up lol never slept for about 18hrs post op actually thought I had had a euphoric reaction to drugs and like you very weepy a few days later . All normal I was reassured !!
Hope you heal well after this lot of stitches xx Hope all are keeping well or as well as can be expected xx

Ginger - another thought about the painful poo on your period is endometriosis. I had this and it was caused by endometriosis in an area called the pouch of douglas. Basically it gives you a very painful 'stabbed up the bum' feeling and similarly I found it very painful to poo during my periods. I eventually had a hysterectomy and had lots of adhesions including my bowel and bladders stuck to my uterus, so that may be another avenue to go down. Unfortunately two years post hysterectomy I now have a recotcele and I'm waiting for an appointment for surgery. The wonders of the female body!!!

Husky - didn't like to mention to ginger but endometriosis crossed my mind too.... Just wondering if your adhesions affected your surgery? I have them too and had endometriosis in the pouch of Douglas. I'm having a double repair and a hysterectomy and hope it won't complicate things.
Sure - most of the snow has melted now so facing the prospect of going to work in fog on potentially icy roads - not relishing the thought.... Roads were ok just now but who knows how they'll be tomorrow.

Fengirl - the adhesions meant the surgery for hysterectomy took longer than usual and I was in quite a lot of pain afterwards, especially my lower back. They left the urinary catheter in for longer than usual too and kept me on morphine on demand for longer too, along with IV paracetomol through my drip. I presume the rectocele surgery will be more difficult too, but thankfully it is the same surgeon so he knows what he is letting himself in for! Good luck for your op - you will feel so much better afterwards (well, once the healing is done lol)
On a different note - NO SNOW in north east Scotland :-(

Thanks for the welcomes. And thanks Husky for the thoughts re endo. It had crossed my mind because I came across the symptoms whilst googling. I don't know what it is but I'm sure there's something amiss so I hope the GP will take my concerns seriously and look into it.

I had a feel in my vagina today whilst trying to pass a stool and there was a definite lump that I could push up, and my whole vulva was swollen. I don't know how normal or abnormal it is because of course I've never felt what goes on whilst having a poo before! My skinny poos always look like they've had to come round a corner too. Weird stuff.

Regarding poos! When I had the surgery for the rectocele in September I pooed like a Toblerone for ages! Just thought I'd share that with you all! X