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.

PostBellumBugsy

I had mine privately too. The questions I asked were how long off work, how long in hospital, GA or spinal (I had spinal which was really good). I didn't ask too many other questions as he explained it all to me really well and also gave me a leaflet. They should provide you with info.

Ben10, did you have a rectocele repair? Did you have a laprascopic repair, or vaginal? Were you meshed, or did they just pull the muscle wall together?

I am in danger of over-thinking this massively! [terrified emoticon]

I had a vaginal rectocele and cystocele repair. I didn't have mesh. He "just" took out the overstretched muscles and then stitched the incisions.

If you've looked at some of these posts, there is not one of us who hasn't been petrified of it. It is surgery after all. However it is a routine procedure that the gynae will have performed lots of times so they will be very experienced in it.

Ask anymore questions that you have. Sometimes just asking all the random thoughts in your head can be helpful. I've had 3 surgeries (2 non-gynae) in the last 6 months and I've lost track of the questions I've asked on various forums :)

Thank you Ben10 - I really appreciate you taking the time to answer.

How long was your recovery. I'm a single mum, working full-time. The DCs are old enough to actually be of some help, so I'm not too worried about them. I also don't have to do any heavy lifting - but my job is desk based & I have to be able to sit comfortably!!!! I'm very active; sail, walk alot, swim (will hope to go ski-ing next year again) etc. How long before I can sit for a whole day and what about all the activities?

I had mine 7 weeks and 1 day ago. I think that at between 5-6 weeks I felt good. However I am already on long term sick for my other condition so my level of activity is very low. The usual time off work for a desk job is around 4-6 weeks apparently. I drove at 3 weeks. I did have an infection but that got sorted out very quickly with meds once I realised that I had one. I didn't have many problems with sitting after the first week or two.

There are some much more active people on this thread who would be able to help with the activities. You can swim once you have stopped bleeding. Walking you are meant to gradually build up but they encourage you to walk the day after surgery (gently). No idea on sailing but due to the pulling of the sails, I would have thought 12 weeks. I've been told no heavy lifting for 12 weeks.

Your consultant would be happy to give you timescales on those activities though I'm sure.

I'm glad that your children are old enough to be helpful. I had my mum to help as well as my husband but my son has aspergers so not v helpful himself .

The main thing is not to rush back to anything before you are ready. You don't want to jeopardise(sp?!) the repair for the sake of a few more weeks off work or a few more weeks off the activity.

wow .... quite a few more members joining the (((8))) club. Not that we actually want you to be here ifkwim.... would be better if you did not have a fallen fanjo ... but if you DO have one, well here is as good a place to be as any

*waves to everyone

only got a couple minutes so quick mention to

PBBugsy ... I used one them memory ring cushions if I had to sit on hard chairs ( or in my DH car as its suspension is, eerrr, a little useless !) and found it was about 5 weeks till I felt ok to give it up

hiya shepherdess. You are having done almost the same as I did. I just had a butress extra . Is it Mr SS or Mr S doing yours ?

I will be back later and I will write more about what I found to be the things that others needed to do and what I could do so you can plan whether you need more help or not.... but if I can be of any practical help at all I would be most willing to do so. I will also fill you in on the hospital if you have never been in the WH ward

Hi
THANK YOU, ben 10 and bellum for your quick replys. To be fair my daughter who is in her thirties and lives locally will take care of my son during term time. She works and has 3 children of her own, but is williing to look after him term time

Hi, sorry everyone if this does not make sense, ITS ALL GREEK TO ME
Still trying to understand how posting works in the mean time thanks for the replys so far. BEN 10 special thanks

Hi Tazzle 22 YOU HAVE FRieHTEHED ME I HAVE mr c for my surgery,
Coments please please please

Hi, another lurker joining in for the first time here.

I developed a rectocele after episiotomy at the birth of my DS 8 years ago. It hasn't given me too many problems over the years apart from the occasional BM stuck in the u-bend and mild stress incontinence (when coughing with a full bladder etc). Anyway, about a month ago it all started getting worse and feeling very uncomfortable when I was out running, then about a fortnight ago it sort of went and I have been in a fair amount of discomfort when sitting or walking ever since. So, I've been referred to Gynae by my GP (waiting for appt) but not sure what to expect next. I've been doing my exercises diligently for the last 6 weeks or so and am fairly confident I am doing them properly. I'm trying to lose weight (2 stone) but my exercise regime (mainly running) is gone to pot.

A few questions really.

Has anyone here been under Basingstoke Hospital?
How can you find out how good your gynae department is, or where the best people are locally?
What are they likely to suggest?

Has anyone here been able to carry on running, it it likely to have made it worse? I'm really missing it.

Thanks for reading

ooohhh sooooooooo sorry shepherdess ... did not mean to give you cause for fear

Mr C is also consultant there , its just that I met the other two and they consulted over the treatment I would get as Mr S has a urological speciality as well as gynea whereas Mr SS is gynae more with obstetrics. Mr C tends to deal with cancer as his "speciality" (please dont read anything into that, its up on the hospital website) ..... they all do the clinics and routine surgery too.

They all talk to each other about things and each one can do the ops and refer between each other if needed.

The ward is small 7 beds and they tend to do lists twice a week as afar as I saw... I was on fridays list and all 7 beds occupied. One 4 bed bay and three single rooms. Stay usually till Monday.

Tell me what details you want to know as I dont want to give you too much at once... although if you read back a bit you will find out anyway .

If you want to meet up for a chat just let me know

Right, I've going to leave you all for a Laxido cocktail.

I'll be back for more sheep posting. I was posting about horses last week. Sheep this week. Anyone would think we were in farming corner ;)

Hugs to all - Fen it might be due to the anaesthetic that you are having these headaches? If so, the only solution would be to drink absolutely masses of water for a few days and see if that helps?

It is horrid when you are used to being so independent and you find yourself dependent on others and feeling rubbish too. It got me really depressed and quite tearful (also due to GA I believe) but that feeling of emotional disaster did eventually pass. Just wish I had a nice fanjo to show for it rather than one that looks worse than before, Lol!!! At least my consultant did say that it was obviously distressing me a lot (he noticed ???!!!) and promised to tighten it all up nicely this time (mind you, that was exactly what I was told in November).
Hang in there Fen and you will eventually be pleased with the results.
XXX

Hi to all the newcomers. I feel I can join in again now too!! I would suggest googling your consultant - from my experience, the good ones are quite happy to blow their own trumpets so to speak(!) so if they don't show, avoid them like the plague.

Thank you all for the helpful info. I have to force myself not to think about it, otherwise I feel terrified. I'm already stressing about the fact I haven't done a will and what will happen to the DCs if I die! (I know - must get a grip!!!!!)
Ben10, my DS is autistic spectrum too - funnily enough it makes him very helpful at home, as he is really tidy & rule orientated! If I give him a list of instructions, he will follow them to the letter - it only goes wrong if I forget something!

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome,
Footle the sheep are mainly crosses as they have been in the family for generations, the pure ones are Texel Rams, and mainly lleyns and Black Welsh Mountain.
Tazzle thanks for the info and reassurance regarding Mr C. I will try to read all the previous threads when I get time and come back with any further questions if you don't mind.
Ben 10 thanks for the advice. DS has school bus and DD will help so thats covered. Sheep will be looked after but I can't wait to get back to shepherdessing I love it and them. DH does not want strangers helping him but if it becomes neccessary he will have to put up with it.
He has good days and bad days but to be fair most of the time he can take care of himself if he has to. As long as he doesn't have too many bad days and I can look after myself without his help we should get by.
Thanks again ladies for all your help and advice. I really hope I am able to help some of you at some stage.XXXXXX

Hello all

I have not posted for ages as I have been so busy in RL we have moved house and have had to change schools so a bit frantic!

Anyway I am after some advice I have received an appointment for my op 2nd of June but it was for my old local hospital. Which is 2 hours away from where we live now. As I have been waiting since march for an appointment I am keen to take it but do people think a 2 hour drive after the op home is too long. I think if I have to be refered to my local hospital I will have to go back on the waiting list again. Another consideration is the letter says the op will be carried out by my consultant or a member of his team is this normal or can you somehow insist on the consultant? Obviously I want the best if I am having surgery on my fallen bits!

Also the school holidays start about 6 weeks after the op date I have two children 4 and 7 so hols can be busy. Do you think if all goes well I could cope with days out at that stage.

Also to confuse matters I now feel broody and I am concern about having the op and then having more kids!

However I would love to go to the toilet without all the fuss.

Tmi warning - really through it is the sex I want to fix it for recently I have noticed how big I feel . My husband bless him would never admit to feeling anything different but I can and would dearly like a nice tight one!

Any thoughts please?

Thanks

Maybe i should have said i am having a Rectocele repair, possible tape and I would like my cystocele done at the same time but consultant is not keen to do it.

Thanks for the welcome, I have tried googling my consultant and from what I have found so far (haven't had a letter yet so not 100% sure which one it will be) it sounds as though they know what they are doing.

Like Piply I was wondering about the Consultant or his team thing though, it's all very well googling the consultant but in my experience it's fairly rare to actually see a consultant, it usually seems to be a more junior doctor, I guess they are overseen by the consultant but it is all a bit unknown.

Ladies hello please can I have some advice on my thread here

Hi Ohno

I posted a reply on you thread.

Pip

Hi all. Pip, I know what you mean ref the sex thing! Just hoping it all goes well for the deed! Ben10 gave me some hope and optimism! My stitches have predominantly gone now but still have short spiky bits which I wonder if it's the internal stitches working their way out. My scars feel very lumpy and bumpy and I am hoping they smooth out a bit, otherwise it will be very uncomfortable for DH.

Pip, can you imagine having pooing issues while pregnant?! Personally I would have the op then insist on a caesarian section if I were pg.

Well I went to the docs about possible infection and had the oddest appointment I think I have ever had. The Doc was German a locum (to give context) so I don't think he understood what I meant by posterior and anterior repair and obviously did not read the note on the screen about my op. he kept getting confused about when I'd had the op, 17 apr obviously not clear enough for him. Then he said he'd have to examine me and said loudly 'expose the affected area!'. I was a little confused, so took off my tights and pants and he appeared before I'd got on the couch and proceeded to examine my tummy only which felt very awkward as I was pantless . He prodded my tummy, I said where it hurt then as a kind of final flourish he poked me hard in the lower tummy before moving away.....then asked where I was bleeding from. I paused for a moment and said, err, my vagina. He said, oh your front passage. I've never heard it called that before! He then proclaimed my consultant as very naughty for telling me to see the GP and not her.

He gave me strong antibiotics which are knocking the bleeding on the head, but I woke up this morning with every single muscle in my body really really hurting. Like I've run a marathon or something. They are painful to the touch and it's agony to move around. Not sure if it's a drug side effect....

Hi everyone. I haven't posted for ages as I have been having a bit of difficult time
It looks as though the swelling left over from the TVT removal was not a haemotoma after all. I had an ultrasound, but sods law, the swelling was quite small that day having been really fluid the day before, and the day after. The doctor kept saying 'where's this fluid you keep going on about?' which wasn't very helpful when you've been waiting for a month to see him in the first place. I had to have a full bladder and the swelling was pinging off it as if it was getting stuck on a ledge or something. It was very unpleasant. I warned him that if he pressed I would wet myself...he took no notice... and there was a flood on the bed. Very embarrassing, especially when he said I didn't need to have had a full bladder in the first place as that instruction ( given in capitals) was only for kidney patients! I ran off to the loo to find it locked and eventually found one, only to return with a wet dress to the doctor and his male nurse grinning like cheshire cats as I walked in. So, I let rip. I was not polite and let them know exactly what I thought of them.
The only good thing to come of it was that it doesn't look as if I have a hernia ( another possibility)
Anyway, I had to wait ages again for an MRI appt. The swelling was getting bigger and was squeaking, and bubbling away. On the night before the scan I woke at 5 am and the whole thing sort of exploded under the skin. I have no idea where the fluid has gone, but it went somewhere. Pretty scary. So when I had the scan the results appear to have been a bit confusing. I don't know what it showed as they won't discuss anything, other than to ask if I had had barium recently. I said that I had, but it was about 18 months ago for the proctogram. Goodness knows what they have seen and I sincerely hope that I am not full of barium even now! That would be worrying.
My consultant has brought my appointment forward because of the thing bursting and has admitted that she has no idea what is going on! I think we are in uncharted waters here. I was about number 8 TVT removal so it is all pretty new stuff.
Anyway I thought I would say hello even though I have nothing positive to say. In fact my message would be don't go for TVT. When it goes wrong it really does go wrong.
Tattle, please don't have any procedure just before a really big move. You won't have the support of surgeons who know what they have done to you, the flight won't do you much good and what about all the packing at this end and the other let alone the children. I'm sure the surgeons are excellent in nz and they will look after you.
Good luck to you all, I have completely lost track of all the newbies! Xx