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

Cardamom - massive hugs to you >> Totally understand where you are; my first op was beginning of November too when they only fixed half the problemsand I have just had to go under the knife again to dig out the PDS sutures that were like spikes all the way up my vagina. So I am back to square one with new incisions, more stitches, more discharge, more sanitory pads and am feeling seriously pissed off with it all.

Had a row with my brother today who was being all patronising and wanting to 'help' with some other major issues in my life that need attention which I am psychologically unable to deal with right now as I am so completely worn out with all this surgery, painkillers, pills, doctor visits etc. etc. and the prospect of more tests and more surgery looming to fix the rest of it, that when he said he only wanted to help I yelled 'well get me a new bloody vagina then' which sent him scuttling off...
This is all so exhausting isn't it - all we did was have children and now look; not fair at all. The emotional guilt of not being able to pick up your dd must be very, very hard - at least mine are older (early teans) but I find they are making the most of me not 'being on top of things' and getting a bit wild (am single Mum so no DH to help)
Hang in there - it will get better one day, and feel free to vent as much as you like on this thread xxxxxxx We all support you!

Thanks Surewman - and hugs to you too . Although I haven't been posting, I have been following the thread and have been reading your posts - what you've been through sounds awful . XXX

Hi all, have been lurking and trying to think what to say as have had period from hell and think I have a chest infection which has been pulling on my adhesions every time I cough (never mind the fact I keep visualising everything heading further south ). Have tried to see gp to discuss what to do now and can't get in....
Sure - could your bro have the kids for a day just to give you a chance to re-group? Sounds like he means well (you do have to remember he is a man tho!) Had to lol when you wrote the bit about him getting you a new vagina and tried to imagine my bro's reaction if I said that to him.... Mind you, he has more sympathy now he's had a prostate scare.
To all the ladies still on this long rocky road, hang in there. The only thing that keeps me going at times is that I know I'm not alone. X

Hello. I've been lurking for a while - I also post occasionally on the sphincter repair thread. I have one DS who will be 4 this summer, and I've finally got a rectocele diagnosis after much to-ing and fro-ing. Starting with 'oh you're bfing, it will all tighten up when you stop' from when he was a few months old, to finally getting referred to hospital almost 18 months ago, and then going through months of appts, physio (which has made barely any difference), tests, more appts.

All the time I said I was sure I had a rectocele; they lost my records, eventually I saw a wonderful physio who referred me v quickly to urogyn and colorectal consultants. On the way I've had some horrid tests - I'm sure you'll all be aware of those. I had an appt for 'final' diagnosis back in November, that was cancelled because of the strikes, rescheduled last month. Still with me...? At that appt, I was told I have a rectocele (oh really??!!), given the options, and I asked if I could consider the next steps.

I have decided to have the repair - rectocele and perineum rebuild - so I requested an appt to discuss with consultant - and got my next appt for 2 May!! Anyway, after speaking to consultant's secretary, I am booked in for procedure, but suspended at the moment, otherwise it would be within the next 9 weeks. There are approx 3 weeks in June I can have it done, when DP will be off work and able to look after me and DS. So fingers crossed this works, they don't lose my records, etc etc and I can get the op done then, otherwise I won't be able to have it done until next year. I'm a bit disappointed they can't give me a date for the op until the beginning of May - I feel my life is on hold until then.

So, I thought I'd join you all if that's ok. Happy2beme - you're in Scotland aren't you? I am too. Do you mind if I ask which hospital you had your op at?

Hi Prancing. I'm interested in the sphincter repair stuff as my consultant thinks this may be an issue for me too. I am going to see someone else to have this checked out. If you could bear it, it would be great to know what your symptoms are and how they diagnosed a sphincter problem for you.

Hi FiveHours. I had scans and tests, which showed sphincter damage - however, the colorectal consultant said that I had very good control, surprisingly, considering the damage, and that a repair wasn't necessary. The muscle damage there isn't causing me a problem, and he said if he did anything it would be likely to cause more damage without any positive result.

The test to diagnose this was anal manometry (sp??) which involved ultrasound, and being 'filled' with water enclosed in a bag to see how much I could hold. My symptoms are related to the rectocele - unable to have a BM, or even know if I need one, until my bowel is absolutely full, and then having to go VERY quickly. I can only empty my bowel properly by manually supporting myself. DS wasn't a huge baby - 8lb12, so no lightweight, but not excessive, I was induced and had a pretty fast and full on pushing stage. I didn't tear externally at all. I knew soon after he was born there was something wrong, and I asked one of the MWs on the postnatal ward about it. She didn't spot anything at all, and so began 3.5 years of trying to get it diagnosed!

This sounds a lot like me, but I have a obvious rectocoele too. My consultant mentioned scans- sounds like fun.
All my babies were 10lbs plus. I think most of the damage was done by my smallest who came face first, she was 10lbs 5. I was induced with my next who was 11lbs 10 and I can remember all the pushing felt in my bum, so I wouldn't be surprised at any damage.

Hi prancing :) Welcome to this life saver ..we all lurk for a while xx
Had my op done at RAH in Paisley x Are you near here? .

Hi sorry to but in Five and prancing x
I read a few articles which said that induced births with syntocinon (oxytocin) were more likely to contribute to developement of rectocele , just a wee bit food for thought, dont tell you that when attaching you to said drip lol xx

Sounds rather familiar Happy.... My first was augmented (failure to progress), large baby 8 13, finally born after 2 1/2 hrs pushing and only told after was a posterior presentation..... All this at a hospital that wouldn't even offer a paracetomol for pain... I was trying so hard to do the natural birth thing and never dreamt of the problems it would cause later. I just hope that these days midwives actually warn mothers WHY they need to look after their pelvic floor (although I don't believe it would have helped in my case.) could say much more about it but won't. Suffice to say I'm supposed to be going back to same place only because it's nearest and therefore easiest for me and they're still messing me around!

Hello Happy. Yes, I am close - Glasgow. I've also read about the connection between induction and rectocele - and plenty of other things they don't tell you about beforehand! I get quite cross when I think back to what I was told, i.e. not much. I'll never forget an absolutely hideous mw running the antenatal classes. One of her gems was, 'It's like putting on a polo neck, it stretches, but it goes back.' My comfort is that she must have already have a fanny like a wizard's sleeve from what she said.

Fengirl, I had a couple of paracetamol, I asked for some more, and was refused, as 4 hours hadn't passed between the doses - so they got me onto the diamorphine, and that's when I really started to lose it. Doesn't seem right to go from over the counter meds to heroin! I had two good mws for the birth, but a horrible doctor, who kept turning the drip up and up.

Prancing - you've just really cheered me up with the wizard sleeve thing...

Mine were lovely too but cant help thinking they are all a different species lol .....Had 3 induced births all with syntocinon, 1st 24yrs ago, big babies, 1 epesiotomy/2 tears, all back to back during labour and epidurals (outwith my control0 for 1st/2nd but demanded on my 3rd as the labour pains with the syntocinon were bloody awful.....felt quite proud managed first 5cm naturally without pain relief on 3rd dc, then wham up goes that bloody drip....just about high tailed it myself across to general theatres for the anaesthatist who was delayed....midwife was most put out when I refused to let them start the machine till I got an epidural.. Adds up to recipe for female organs on floor lol . Not much consultation or information given at any point ,when I told them that I wanted normal natural birth for 3rd they said no I was down for " active management in 3rd stage " still not sure what this means xx Dont know about the wizzard sleeve lol but probs could pull a rabbit out of mine xx

I'm really not sure when and why my prolapse happened. I have one dd, aged 7. She was spine to spine and I was having contractions for 5 days before she was born. I had a very quick 2nd? Stage - I only gave 2 or 3 pushes before she was out, but they were mighty big pushes.

However, I was significantly overweight until about 15 months ago. I've lost 5 stone in the last 15 months, so I'm pretty sure that the obesity was a contributing factor. I'm still 2.5 stone above a healthy BMI, so am doing my best to lose another half stone or so before I have surgery.

Littlefish - well done you whats your secret xx
I too am overweight and have been for the last 4 yrs (put on after loss of son) probs about 5st so yes I do think this is a factor although my problems started much earlier after the birth of my youngest 10yrs ago x Consultant did say at post op check to lose weight but he also said as well as the problems with births, standing for long periods and heavy lifting have part to play also.... I am a nurse and he said it was a hazzard of the job.... I was very aware of my weight and asked him if this had caused it ..his reply was "not entirely" xx maybe he was just being kind lol. I do think there are things that make it worse ie obesity but dont necessarily cause it xx thankfully now through the worst of it, there will be no more children for me and I have to change my lifestyle, so wake up call as dont want to be back here (operation that is) anytime soon xx
One thing I do wonder about is I only had pelvic scan which I think was to rule out causes for excessive bleeding, other than that one physical exam lying on back , although very thorough " fidling" for want of a better word and questioned me on symptoms ???? that was it no fancy tests ect and I was booked in for surgery all within 9 weeks of initial exam , granted I took cold feet and postponed for a few mths (5) . Feel a bit unsure about it all ie was it lookd into properly ?? dont get me wrong I have no issues what so ever with consultant treatment or outcome (as yet) but human nature does make you wonder ??.

Littlefish and Happy2beme - I don't think weight is all of it by any measure - I'm just over 9 st and have been for most of my life (at 5ft 4). I'm really starting to think its lifestyle (I.e. what your job is, how much lifting etc you've done and most of all down to birth of children....) Yes lose weight if it makes you healthier but I think we are to quick to blame ourselves when actually we've been let down by poor management of our births (natural at any costs), poor information and post-birth care. It's easy to be down on yourself as I well know. All we can try to do is sort ourselves out and then look after our bodies. X

Happy - I've been doing Weight Watchers. I'm hoping to lose half a stone by Easter and then another stone by September. I'm a primary school teacher, so although there's no lifting, I am on my feet all day.

That's interesting fengirl. I suppose I am just very aware of the list of contributing factors, and the word "obesity" always jumps out at me.

I've managed to find a consultant whose specialism is the pelvis/pelvic floor etc. and ways in which it changes after childbirth. I'm going to go and see him to discuss my prolapse in the hope that his expertise in vaginal repair will mean that I don't have to have a hysterectomy.

Hi littlefish and Happy - prolapse definitely doesn't have anything to do with weight I don't think, as I have everything falling down and out and I am 5,3 and weigh just over 8 stone.

However, I did have an induced birth with my 1st DS (who also had a big head), 2nd DS shot out in 20 mins (might have had something to do with the fact that I was working until that morning and put off going to hospital as long as poss so they couldn't induce me) and 3rd DS I had a trainee gynae who gave me a massive episiotomy (without consulting me) and I had absolutely no pain killers (all 3 natural births), so when it came to stitching me up I kept kicking him in the face as it was so painful - probably why he did such a rubbish job. A friend whose a nurse visited me in hospital and I got her to have a look; she just suggested I'd do better not knowing what they had done. I went back to gynae two weeks later saying that nothing felt right, and she just told me to go away and buy some chinese weights for PF training! Mind you, I had my kids in Spain where it is legs up, epidurals, and ear piercing if they have their way (DS 2 nearly came back with earings two hours after birth!! LOL!).

I also think lifestyle has a lot to do with it, as I was a primary English teacher then (little ones), on my feet all day, lugging a big blue box around and being fairly active and back at work 4 months post birth. I have also renovated a house and moved 6 times in the last 9 years lugging all the furniture myself in and out of vans. So really I'm not surprised that I ended up with an enterocele and a hole in my upper fascia the size of a fist . Mind you, had someone warned me to take it easy 'because....' I would certainly have listened.

Sorry this is such a long post - really only wanted to say don't blame your weight!!!! x

Hi prancing

I am also from Glasgow and had my op done in the Royal Infirmary (supposed to have it done in the Southern General but due to work being done there the ward was decanted) I had my op done on the 12th Dec and first posted on here a month later when I was feeling really sorry for myself but happy2beme replied to my post and told me that around 4 to 6 weeks she had pain similiar to what I had etc which was reassuring. Anyway I havent posted for a while but just wanted to say that I am now 9 weeks post op following trans vaginal mesh repair for cystocele, enterocele, vault prolapse i.e "the works" and I am delighted to say it has been a great success x

Hi Maisied wondered how you were doing, xx glad to hear you are well.

It is so funny, well not the HAHA kind but at the begining of this journey we are all so naive...... Information given does no justice what so ever to how you will feel.........Getting together in the forum can be great for the support, wish they would tell you all about the pitfalls, thought I was losing my mind at one point, Couldnt think why I had inflicted this on my body and even thought living with the rectocele ect was the better option.I am now glad to see the light at the and of the tunnel and sex life getting back on track .

Sure I remember when my firt dc was born and I was getting stitched , I would look up at midwifes face and see her grimacing lol when she caught me looking she would smile and say dont worry everything is fine lol I thought she was gonna pass out and now I know why it was a mess sex was painful as I had been overstitched and I got hacks at the enterance to my vagina at the perineum, I have to admit I had read a piece ofobscure research prior to 2nd child and decided to let myself tear instead of being cut (something to do with less layers being cut into?) anyway insisted midwife stitch me up and same for 3rd. When I had my surgery the perineum was fine and dd not
need any work ?? so maybe I was just lucky.
Anyway thanks to all once again for support xxxxx

Very interesting re. the stitching everyone. I had a bad, 'y' shaped tear which was sewn up with lots and lots of stitches. in spite of local anaesthetic, I remember it as being much, much more painful that the birth itself (which was a lovely water birth).

Sure woman, I had to chuckle when I read your last post re. the big blue box! I now have a wheely trolley, but still have to remember not to overload it or I can't actually lift it into the car. We're just at the end of a 2.5 year house renovation project too!

Surewoman, I agree with you, that I probably would not have done a lot of the heavy work, had someone told me of the risks, like you, I just thought how wonderfully independent I was being (no man to share the load with, so just got on with it).
Maisie, it sounds like Glasgow is the place to be, if you're in this situation. How long did it take to get diagnosis/repair?

That was very interesting (rectocele and induction meds link), as I was induced, with my 1st (my doctor turned the drip up when she thought I was too slow), and told nothing, I have no idea what was used, and thought 4 hours, from start to delivery was quick (although extremely painful!) as I heard many mothers mention 2 days labour. I was in so much pain after, that I thought I was dying! I had forceps, with my 2nd, and couldn't control my bladder afterwards. No-one told me there could be any damage (oh how naive I was!), and (at that time) I had absolute faith in the NHS.

I am hoping to get my defecography results any time in the next week, but scared that they still won't have found the problem/ won't offer me any repair or solutions.

The Fentanyl patches have helped a lot, with the level of pain (although it still ticks along constantly, with higher levels at times), but I still can't drive, and still have to spend a lot of time in the loo/ horizontal-with bum-raised.

I've sent in the beginning of my appeal against being switched to ESA, from Incapacity benefit, but, from what I've read, it makes no difference how incapacitated you are, so bankruptcy/loss of everything I've worked for, is a very real threat (they didn't tell me this when I was paying into the system for 33 years, so just as dishonourable as many Insurance companies, only I imagine it's legal if the Government does it!). Any suggestions for what work I can do from home, drugged-up, horizontal, whilst maintaining my close relationship with the bathroom?

Sorry to rant, but if anyone can educate me, in any way, about how to deal with any of this, all advice will be gratefully received.

I still find it inspiring, when I see you lucky post-ops! Please keep posting!!!!!!!!

Huge hugs to you all!
XX

Sure and Little - interesting that 3 of us are or were teachers (I'm secondary but nomadic due to being part-time so carry a lot of stuff around.)
I finally insisted on seeing the doctor today after 2 weeks of 'I've only got emergency appts', after almost a month of constant pain which has actually started to frighten me because it was not improving or even easing with paracetomol / ibuprofen. Nearly cried while I was there - feeling v low and fed up as well as absolutely knackered (my kids have had a rotten half term tbh). When the dr said really I should have had all this sorted a long time ago and that I was in a bit of a mess didn't know how to feel - relieved that he was going to try to hurry things up, but at the same time made me feel even worse. He's given me codeine (and lactulose before you all start!) to see if that helps. Not really pain free but feeling a bit more relaxed about it....
Thinking that the tunnel has disappeared as well as the bloody light at the end of it....
Oh well, if I feel a bit better might go out this pm and maybe spoil myself a bit....