Any old prolapse! Uterus/womb prolapse, rectocele, cystocele, enterocele, urethrocele, incontinence, pelvic floor, anterior and posterior repair, TVT etc part 4

[Ben10NeverAgain]

This is thread 3 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.

Here are the previous threads:
Thread 1
Thread 2

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.

Littlefish - I hope that is all your troubles over if that thing was that huge. That had to be pushing everything down. Trapped wind - you need peppermint. The nurses gave me something that apparently you can buy from the chemist. Some sort of syrup? Otherwise Windeze are meant to be good.

I go with earphones and music instead of earplugs. Gives me something to concentrate on and soothing soul music is a nice way to go to sleep!

Littlefish hope all goes well with results xx Peppermint water will help you can get this in boots, dilute it in hot water and it will work wonders . Failing that you can buy peppermint capsules in holland and barret again great for the wind and spasms x

Rather aching as I have come to my parents to convalesce with help with DD and DD won't settle. My mum is at work and my dad is limited help and they have no Cotbed so she's on a normal bed close to the floor. I've padded out the floor but I've already had to go and soothe her (unsuccessfully) and have had to make her lie down and now I hurt. She was apoplectic so I asked my dad to go and get her. He's just cuddled her for 10 mins then took her up to bed and literally laid her down and left the room and the little monkey is silent! Grrr

Hello again everyone, sounds like everyone is getting there... I posted a couple of weeks back to say I was due to have a rectocele repair and perineum rebuild on Friday 13th. Now, am not superstitious, but will never do anything of import on Friday 13th again. Had the op done under spinal and all went well, felt fine for the first few hours, consultant said had gone so well he didn't put any packing in, lay there in recovery thinking how it all seemed to have gone so well... I did wake up with what felt like period pain which wasn't what I was expecting, but noone seemed too bothered, and then got on the ward and had the first of three what I can only describe as uncontrollable pain fits, where the period type pain got worse and worse and reached a crescendo where I was shaking and screaming, ultimately controlled with morphine. I then found out my blood count had dropped from 13 to 8 but noone knew why, so early sat morning the docs did an internal exam to see if they could find any evidence of internal bleeding but they couldn't. Then spent sat and sun on the ward in a blur, they tried to remove the catheter a couple of times but both times I went into urinary retention and they had to put it back in pdq, saw another doc on sunday evening who did a front and back internal exam and who went higher up than you would really want anyone to go(!) and who said he could feel a bulge the size of a cheeseburger...so I had a CT scan and that confirmed a massive haematoma (?spelling) which was then drained on monday morning under GA following a blood transfusion. And then spent until Friday in hospital in recovery. So 7 nights rather than 1, 5 of those days on a catheter - I will never take weeing for granted again. I simply post the detail in case it happens to anyone else, you might be able to point the docs in the right direction instead of having to hang around for a gruelling couple of days while they work it out. The worst of it is, after going in the second time they did put packing in, and the memory of the removal of that will stay with me for a long time (consultant "mmm,yes, I did put rather a lot in".....mmm indeed).
On the positive side I have had very little pain from the actual op and can poo straight! So I hope ultimately I will be pleased I had it done, once the memory of the traumatic aftermath fades. And now am concentrating on trying to rest, feel v washed out but think that is all to do with the bleeding rather than the inital op. Good luck ladies x

Duckie - that sounds a bit of a nightmare! Sadly the bit about no-one doing anything for a while seems to be a familiar theme (my sister had a big haemorrhage into a repaired tear when she had her dd and ended up having it re-stitched in theatre after repeatedly saying she knew something was wrong). Lots of iron rich food for you - but not the constipation-making variety! Hurrah for straight poos! Something I'm looking forward to (as well as being able to 'go' properly ).
I hope everyone who was a bit 'battle-weary' is starting to feel a bit better.
Less than a week to go for me.... Starting to feel v nervous and lots of questions going round in my head about pain and moving around. Don't know whether to ask them for fear of scaring anyone else pre-op who's reading! One thing I will ask is about bleeding - have been told I will only have spotting and only need to take panty-liners??! (Am having hysterectomy too.)
Nannasylv, how are you? And Sure? You've both been a bit quiet and I'm hoping you're ok.

Well definitely too much information for you all, but I have done two massive poos today! I've been taking 2 sachets of laxido per day for the last 2 days and have finally come up with the goods.

I've had years of constipation, possibly due to the cyst pressing down on my bowel and compressing it. I just really hope that the pooing continues after i finish this course of laxido. I've bought some dried prunes, and some avtivia yoghurt with prunes to try and keep things moving along.

Not tmi at all - well done!
It's good when you hit on a formula that seems to work. Mine is 20mls lactulose in the morning and a fybogel sachet at night with a decent amount of salad thrown in.

Duckie, that sounds like a right old ordeal. I hope you are feeling better. I can recommend spa tone for non constipating iron intake.

Fen, I haven't found the pain too bad, the worst bit was the bloody catheter quite literally. I managed on diclofenac and paracetamol as I was keen to have no codeine based painkillers due to their constipating properties. If anything, the pain is worse 10 days later. It feels like my pubic bone really hurts, but if I touch it, it's not the bone. I've also got ovulation pain today which is adding helpfully to the issue. The lady next to me who had a hysterectomy managed on paracetamol AND they gave her a huge and unexpected episiotomy.

On the bleeding front, I was expecting more as well. I bought 2 packets of pads and only needed one before switching to panty liners. I used natracare cotton top pads for 2 days then switched to natracare curved panty liners. Make sure you don't buy liners that are really small and thin. Apparently you bleed for about 2-3 weeks and it's light pinky/light brown.

Some sites recommend large supportive pants, but you need comfort and not too much pressing on your belly IMO, so I use brazilian Knicks as they are my most comfy. I tried large supportive pants and the pressure on my belly was too much.

Good luck!

Fen - I didn't have a hysterectomy but I'm still wearing pads 4 weeks later as have clear discharge now. Had lots and lots of bleeding before but obv I had my infection. What date is your op? In the hospital they provided pads to start with until I was up and about - was private though!

duckie - you poor thing. That sounds horrendous :( I'm glad you are starting to feel a little better now. No more (((8)))). Welcome to the (((0))) club :)

Littlefish - you can continue with Laxido on a longterm basis if you need to. I now have it on repeat prescription and am experimenting with just 1 sachet with OJ instead of 2. I think I'll have to go back to 2 due to my other meds.

That's interesting about the repeat prescription Ben. I was prescribed it by my private constultant, so do I just go and see my GP when it's finished and ask for a prescription? Are they likely to do it?

You should be able to ask your gp little. I haven't asked for fybogel yet on prescription but am going to see if they will let me have it as I pre-pay.
Ben I know you had an infection but I am a bit suspicious of the dots the nurse drew on the paper to demonstrate the bleeding. (I also walked out of the hosp with a diagram of a fanjo on the back of my op info!) I will be prepared!
I know some ladies said maternity pads feel more comfy due to support - what about in the car on the way home? Have about a 45min journey and don't want to feel like I'm sitting on a brick!

fengirl .. I got one of those ring cushions and flipping glad I did. the suspension on my dH car is awful and I could feel every bump and pothole when I went in without it, I had maternity pads on too btw.

If you want one I is finished with it now

My dh decided to take an alternative route home. It had 12 speed bumps on it!!!!!!!!

I had vaginal hysterectomy and prolaspe repair done 6 years ago now, is it normal that I feel it needs doing again?

I had an internal sling? put in, and I tbh feel dragging, and can get leakage from sneezing again!

What to do? oh wise MN?

Fen - I had maternity pads to start with. They are much more comfortable and very long so protect the whole area. The bleeding to start with when I was allowed to get out of bed required changing every 3-4 hours. Not pouring but definitely not spotting.

Little - I told my GP surgery that my consultant said I was never allowed to get constipated again and that seemed to do the trick with getting the repeat! I didn't even need to see the GP, I just called the reception.

Watford - I was told that I have to keep up my PFE to make sure that it doesn't relapse. I hope you haven't had a reoccurance.

Hi,

My fanjo isn't "fallen" but it is "broken" and needs fixing. There's loads of useful, practical advice on here for the recovery - thanks!

I'm having a colpoperineorapphy on Friday. It's to fix my perineum, which is vanishing, as far as I can make out! The gap between my vagina and my anus is getting smaller and smaller, and apperntly the "wall" between the vagina and the rectum is very thin. I have an "absence of tone" (charming) in my anus too, so I'm am a bit faecally incontinent. (Oh, the indignity). And, to top things off, I get really loud fanny farts at inoppurtune moments.

The skin between my vagina and anus is really fragile, and tears pretty easily (ie with squatting, bending, pooing) which is bloody painful.

This all results from a ventouse and eopisiotomy with dd2, who is 14 months.

It looks like I've been pretty lucky to get to surgery as quickly as I have, and my surgeon seems great. I was lucky to get an appointment with the consultant himself straight away, rather than seeing a registrar etc.... and I had a very understanding GP who referred me straight away.

The surgeon says the op has a 50% chance of being effective, but he's already got a back-up plan for an onwards referral if necessary, which is reassuring too.

I've been told to take 6 weeks off work, but I've no idea what to expect. Fortunately, I have a great DH, and because I work full time, my dds are in childcare anyway during the day.

Thanks for all the advice so far!

Hi B. I think you win the prize for the longest and most complicated operation name! I think much of what's been said on here will apply in terms of advice / recovery. Rather than disappearing, my perineum seems to be sagging and becoming more prominent iyswim. Hope all goes well for the 4th.

BUnderTheBonnet - wow! there is no end to my education on this forum and as usual I am amazed and in awe of women who have to cope with these hideous problems. It sounds like you are in good hands with your surgeon.

Fengirl - I am nearly 7 weeks post op for rectocele and a friend is nearly 5 weeks post op for hysterectomy and front wall repair. We meet regularly and are both doing really well. You have to ensure that you give yourself quality time to recover and expect good and bad days. It takes a long time to heal but has not been half as bad as I expected. Oh and my sagging perinium is now neat and tidy!!! Good luck.

I have have been signed off now for 8 weeks post-op. Had to admit I was not fit enough to go back to work.

I have huge concerns for the future. My friend has horses and I ride with her - we both also ski at a local dryslope. She asked me to ask about lifting 15 pounds, which would be her saddle or skis. The consultant looked at me and said 'never'. Advice seems to be quite random - I can imagine in an ideal world we should never lift or do anything physically strenous again but it's not realistic - I am putting a hold on things for a few months until I know I'm fit and then will review but I can't imagine not being able to carry on with the activities that I love, and quite frankly keep me sane.

What advice have others received about resuming sporting activity?

Wouldrather - riding is something I would love to get back to, but sadly just as I was getting fit enough to try (had v weak legs, etc) everything started to fall out. do you have am appt to see a physio? I honestly think they know more than a consultant. Mine advised me to 'engage' pfm's before lifting to protect as much as possible - if you remember! I think it would be a terrible shame if you couldn't go back.
Starting to get really nervous now and not at all amused my period has started!

I've just been reading about a link between uterine and bowel prolapse, and hypermobility. I have knee and finger joints which all hyperextend, and even though I've just had laporascopic surgery to remove my grapefruit sized cyst, I can still not only touch my toes, but put my palms flat on the floor.

Are any of you particularly bendy? I will ask my consultant about it when I see him for my post op discussion in 10 days time.

I just lost a rather long post (twice )when mumsnet went down as I was posting grrrrrrrrrrr .. luckily I learn quick and copied it second time

I do not want to ask my cons re riding skiing and fenngirl .... would never want to give it up .... would not do my mental health much good I think riding itself is a very good exercise for core muscles..... despite me not doing particular exercises for it my core was quite good and riding prob kept the pelvic floor going on for longer than otherwise would have ... it was the other stuff that did for me

For me the saddle is actually the easiest bit of it lifting wise even though it might be a little heavier thatn 14 lbs ! Haynets prob come in at about 8-10 kilograms, even the smaller ones. I have decided that the big ones will have to be recycled as they hold 15 -20 KG and smaller one purchased. What will have to be allocated to someone else will be throwing around stacking haybales as they are 0ver 20KG.

And as for the yard DIY and maintainance, well I think fencing work might have to be rethunk .

Do not think today will have me done any favours though... something totally unusual and something hard to not do in the circumstances. Friday I arrived to find my horse on three legs... could hadly put one hind on the ground... suspected abcess. Vet poulticed it that day but I had to do it yesterday. Left her and companion on yard rather than muddy field. Arrived today in a storm and walked onto yard just as mahooosive tree came crashing down ....just missing us and almost landing on stable roof. Yard was half flooded and horses had got out into --field- swamp and dressing was soaked in muddy water despite having a boot on as well gggrrr. Horses shivering in horizontal wind / rain despite being hairy natives.

Friend had come up as her horse also lame yesterday with suspect abcess and my wonderful non horsey DH was there too. Still it was hard going as we had to tape off the now dangerous part of the yard then dry and rug all four horses. I had to then poultice both horses feet as frien d does not know how. My lovely horse is great holding her feet up and still despite having a plastic bag put on to try keep dressing dry..... so I could sit on a bucket to do her. Friends horse not so calm about it all and waving foot in air ... needed all three of us ( even my dH chipped in and held the biting head end while friend and I did the other end.

NOt something I would have found "easy" even fit given the weather conditions .. was soaked to the skin, with numb extremities.

Glad not to be home and warm !

It does give me thought however that its really hard to even comply with never lifting/ hadling more that 14lbs ... I would not be able to go back to work or even have my horses if that were so. How would parents cope ..... or even as a gradparent I would have to consciously think never to lift my grandchildren up . And it does have to be a concious thought / decision because it is not as though its painful... its a pressure on a certain region that might cause future problems.

If I had had pain today I might not have doen so much..... but I still instictively go to do things even at this short post op stage. Sometimes I remember in time and stop but often its other people seeig me going to so it and reminding me not to !!!!

littlefish I can put my palms flat on the floor too but I think it might be more down to exercise than hypermobility . I certainly can't hyperextend any joints.... would be interesting though

It is nice to see bonnet here ... and yes, even more education for us all [grin

duckiedaddles - phew after that horrible episode I hope you are recovering well.

Littlefish - interesting there could be a link re hypermobility but a definite no from me - distinct lack of flexibility.

Fengirl1 - I've been discharged so no physio. Thank you for reminding me about engaging muscles when lifting etc. I plan to use a TENS pelvic floor exerciser (similar to Kegel 8) once stitches healed. I used the TENS machine for a while after prolapsing before realising an op was the only way to sort a large rectocele. I found it helpful in 'tuning' myself into the right muscles for when I did them myself the added discipline of doing quality exercises regularly as it is so easy to forget. My friend has told me she plans to return to the consultant who did her op (and mine) with a list of questions so will I will know more then. I think consultants often say 'never' to cover themselves. What I'd love is for somebody who's had this op to come forward and say - "I had this op years ago and I ski twice a season and ride regularly and I'm perfectly fine". Well I can dream can't I?

Tazzle and wouldrather - I think all we can do is try to be sensible, having said that, things arise that we have to deal with. Keep it up with the four legged friends! I have promised myself a visit to a yard with a very beautiful Friesian stallion for whom I am a groupie and whose owner has promised me a ride when I am all fixed and healed. (check out Hawthorne/jousting in google)

oooohhhh drooling re friesian ...... brill. Have a really great time when you do go !

Fen - gorgeous - now that is something to look forward to. Onwards and upwards! :)