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.

Hi all
the knobbly lumpy bits go away when the swelling is gone completely. At first thought I still had my rectocele took nearly 12 weeks to look at all normal xx have a peek every so often just to make sure its still ok lol xx

oops sorry Sure hope all is well tomorrow and speedy recovery xxx

Thanks Happy - and I think you're possibly right about the back but the front has still got the 'horizontal ribs' it had before iyswim? The surgeon said it was a high cystocele (I wondered how on earth it was I could see it) and while what's there looks smaller it doesn't look like swelling. It would be great if it was though - but I don't want to be sent away from the checkup and find out it isn't.

Good luck sure for the op.

Fen so sorry you are not that happy feel awful now congratulating you. I sure happy is right in that maybe it needs a bit more time to settle down.

Happy did you have any lumpy bumps that just hanged down on their own. I have a lump by the entrance near all the stitches, it is just dangling there. Sorry probably TMI. I am hoping after reading your post about the bumps this one will magically disappear too. This seems to be my panic of the day wish I had never looked now.

Pip - its ok, I hadn't said anything so you didn't know! I have a sea urchin btw!

Hi ladies, saw new consultant wed who was very nice. Am booked in again for 3 july. Cannot wait to get it over with although still anxious about dealing with my 2.5 year old and 6m baby during recovery! Thought I would just chip in to say that consultant specifically mentioned to me not to be alarmed during recovery that stitches can come out with 'lumps' attached and this is to be expected. Maybe this is what some are experiencing? Also stiffy - I had no idea of effect breast feeding has 'down there' and I dont think many do. I am now 6 ms post partum and just feeding at nights. I have been using oestrogen cream for last 2-3 ms in prep for surgery as the tissue will heal better apparently. Be warned though- when I first started using the cream it made all the sensations I was feeling worse. But once my body had acclimatised to it that seemed to settle down.

Thanks for the well wishes - can't sleep, excited and very very frightened... aaargh! Got to get up at 5.45, help.

With regard to breast feeding - I fed all three of mine until they were one. Ended up with no boobs and a fallen fanjo, bladder, rectum, uterus (you name it) - nobody warned me of the effects either. If I had my time again I would defo go for bottles rather than have to go through all of this!! Lol!

Oh help, was better the first time round as I was innocently quite relaxed about the op and looking forward to getting 'fixed'. Don't trust any of them now and will believe it when I see it, and they better bloody well use the correct suture thread this time!!!

I won't have internet so will fill you all in when I'm back. Hope all are ok and stitch free now.

Drink loads of water to fight constipation...

Love to all xxx

Ps anyone want to swop places!???

Sure - I hope you can come round to a different way of thinking about it. This time round you know what it expect AND more importantly what to look out for and to speak up if you think there are any problems. I know you won't see this for a whole and am hoping that by the time you do, you are home, safe and well and feeling confident that you can put it all behind you (except us lot of course!). Xxx

'while' even....

And stitches are 'go'!!!! So much for I only had one left - it must have been HUUUUGE and run the entire length of my fanjo and back. Think I might knit myself something with them.

Lol Fen I felt like that when the final one came out my back passage at 6mths post op .....what a fright xxx Some stitches are running stitches which go the length of the wound I think it depends on the type of stitch your consultant uses.
My Cystocele had the same striations on it that were there before and it took longer to go down than the rectocele , it actually gave me the most discomfort. I can feel the scar tissue on it aswell, dont know if that was because TVTO was put in also xx I actually felt it when I sat similar to my cystocele but it did go. It now feels smoother and moist(the way it did before) apart from the scars.
When u get your check at 6wks do you not get a further check up? I got seen at 3mths also and have further apt in sept(but I have had further surgery). From what I can gather my consultant likes to see you around 1yr post op routinely for discharge.

Happy - I've never been able it beat the one from when I had an op on my nose...
Nobody had told me so I assumed that when I found a bit of stitch dangling it would be ok to pull it out.... No exaggeration it was about eight inches long!!!! Made me feel a bit sick!

Fen - stitches in every orafice lol!!!!

Sure - good luck and look forward to hearing your post-op account - you're on the home run

Happy - it sounds as if you have a good consultant. I felt I had to be discharged to be able to return to work. I wish I hadn't been as could have sought advice directly from the consultant without a re-referral.

Pip - no knobbly bits but can remember having quite a big skin tab when I had an episiotomy and it all settled down. It was big enough for the consultant to talk about some sort of 'refashioning' :0

I've not posted for a while as am pretty cheesed off being in limbo from my GP sending me away to do PFE. The cystocele has got bigger but is not painful as such, just very uncomfortable, especially at the end of the day. I've also got a bit of pulsing and pulling in my bottom but after reading Happy's thread about a stitch coming out after 6 months perhaps there's still something in there as I only had the rectocele repaired in March. Ahhhhhh it is so frustrating. I am caught between wanting a quick fix (doesn't exist I know) and not wanting further surgery so soon. I rang the consultant's secretary to find out how long the waiting list is to see him for a consultation - it was 2 weeks for private and around 3 months for NHS. I will need to be referred first. So far I've had no continence problems and wonder whether they repair a bulge without these symptoms. It's a dilemma but this is certainly continuing to impact my life when I'd hoped I would be 'fixed' in March. Any advice welcome.

Wouldrather - I had to do physio for three months before the consultant would even see me . However, I did finally get a 'hurry it up' letter sent to him by my gp after a worsening of my symptoms. Like you, I never had continence issues but did have a gradual worsening in pain (backache, leg ache, low lying pain etc). There is no reason at all why you shouldn't go to see your gp and explain how this all affects your life. Mine wrote the letter without me asking as he could see I was in a mess (and told me so which nearly made me cry - at last someone listening!) Worth giving it a try? I also found out afterwards (sadly can't remember the exact name) but there is an NHS 'pathway' which is supposed to be followed and worsening of symptoms is one of the red flags, along with affecting sex life. It's a long road but you will get there in the end.

Lol Fen...that's gross but I actually did laugh out loud at your post!

Wouldrather - know what you mean, and think the discomfort you feel is a symptom in its own right. For me, am really pleased to have the rectocele fixed, but there is a.bulging area at the front too that gets uncomfortable but noone can detect it but me. I have incontinence with it, but consultant is going to see me in 3 weeks to start treatment for overactive bladder with meds and pfe referral rather than prolapse. So like you, not keen on more surgery but keen to get a definate solution that I.have confidence in and am not 100% sure that I have that confidence just yet. Will go with it for the moment and see how it goes though. How long have you been stuck on pfe's for?

Lovely to receive such quick responses - it is such a comfort. Confidence is def a big issue but I think I was lucky to get the consultant I did and am keen to hear his opinion. As you say Fen it is standard practice to recommend PFE with pessaries or cream thrown in. I did have to do this before being referred for rectocele. GP and consultant at clinic diagnosed small rectocele and only put me down for an op when I made a bit of a fuss. Turned out to be large rectocele and I have a feeling cystocele may prove the same. I knew I would have to go through the motions of doing exercises etc and then asking to be referred - just a bit impatient and can feel it worsening. Good points about 'worsening' and 'sex life' as key things and will use them as it is true. I need to ring my GP soon as will possibly need further prescription for pessaries + discuss 'light duties' sick note. I'm trying not to be too pessimistic but realistically no amount of PFE's are going to hold this!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Roseanna - I'm sorry to read about your problems - good luck with a clear diagnosis and successful treatment.

Wouldrather - it's too long and I can't do links, but if you google 'care pathways prolapse' and then click 'PoP - Pathways for Health' you will get to the appropriate page.

Wouldrather - I don't know if this is an option, but if you have a private consultation, you can be referred back to the NHS for any surgery or further treatment.

Fen - sorry, but lol at your stitch comments. I have a lump of stitches (almost like a French knot, as if it's where the surgeon finished sewing iyswim) near the front, which I've managed to catch a few times - ouch. Looking forward to that one going, but it's early days, so I will continue to grit my teeth.

I ended up back in hospital because of the post spinal headache. It was all a bit of a mess trying to get it sorted - after trying to contact GP without success, NHS24 told me to go to A&E. They recommended caffeine, painkillers and lying down, and then to go back if it didn't clear. I ended up being re-admitted to the ward, was going to be seen by the anaesthetists that day for an epidural blood patch, but they got busy, so I had to stay overnight. Saw a different anaesthetist the next day, who told me if the patch had been done sooner it had a better chance of working!! Anyway, they did it - blood taken from arm and then injected into back - not nice. I don't think it work, but the headaches are getting better, and I'm not going back for another one!

Overall, I feel ok - a lot better than I thought I would.

Prancing gosh sorry to read about your headaches that is the the last thing you need after surgery. Glad your starting to feel better.

Wouldrather thanks for your help with the skin tag. I did ask my GP about it and he said the same thing, so just going to forget about it. Sorry to hear about your troubles, as sugested i think the sex life angle might help because when I went to see my consultant I had to fill in a questionnaire regarding how it was affecting my life there were a lot of questions about sex life i.e. feeling disgusted, doing it less, pain, etc so I would definitely use that.

3 I hope you are doing ok.

Best wishes to all

Hi all
Prancing -hope they have finally sorted it now and you see improvements soon.
sure I know you won't be reading this right now but hope all has gone well.
Pip -thanks for asking after me, though you might wish you hadn't .............

Well, not sure if things are going well for me or not.
Not too much pain or discomfort-good thing.Bleeding lots -not good ,though hospital (when I called ) didn't seem too worried so just accepting it for now but monitoring, but still not sure how much is too much..
Also have had a look and its awful. Really upset me .Everything seems really lumpy and deformed and 'outside'.Had been expecting I suppose everything to be all tucked in nice and tidy like but instead it's seems worse.Can also see a piece that has obviously been stiched-obvious stitch Mark /cut but seemingly the stitch has popped and it's come 'back out' rather than being stitched in.I know it will still all be swollen and can only hope things will improve -though obv if I have popped a stitch resulting in a bit that was meant to be in coming out again, there is not a lot I can do about that-just not sure if I should be getting second opinion yet or not or if it has failed or what. Just so tired.And putting on weight -inevitable I know but feel all blobby .
Wibble over-thanks for letting me 'self indulge'
Hope you ate all having good weekends
Take care x

3 - how awful. It may be worth trying to get an appointment in gynae outpatients or GP so you can talk through your concerns and hopefully be reassured. What a battering our bodies are taking. Good luck.

3 - I told my consultant I'd had a look at her handiwork, and she said to me that it would all be a bit bumpy and puckered, but that would go. So fingers crossed that it will settle down and the final result is more what you expected. No harm in getting a second opinion though, especially if you feel you're bleeding too much.

Hope everyone is taking it easy x

3 so sorry to read you are not happy. Like the prancing wrote it is early days. In regards to the bleeding I bleed for well over a week bright red blood and a fair amount of it. I noticed i bled more the more i moved around. After the bleeding stopped I had a brownish discharge that has only just stopped (3rd week anniversary today!) I was told this was normal and I have read on the Internet you can bleed for upto 3 weeks after posterior and anterior repair.

I did see my GP as I was worried about a lump and he did say at 3 weeks I was no where near healed it would probably disappear and to not worry about it at the moment. However I would definitely go and see someone if you are at all worried

Are you resting enough?

Hello everyone, I've been reading these threads for some time but only just getting the courage to post. Kicking myself for not doing so sooner as prolapse is about one of the loneliest conditions you can have.
I'm 38 have 2 children DS 5 and DD 2. I had a spontaneous delivery with my 1st (2hrs from 1st contraction) and a badly stitched episiotomy. It was repaired when DS was 6 weeks and I had to have part of my labia removed so my vagina unfortunately is more exposed, but anyway the repair broke down within a week.
DD was also quick and I tore but refused stitches after trauma of first time.

Long story short I was aware of vaginal tissue falling outside and also needing to use finger pressure inside to help me poo, difficulty inserting tampons and uncomfortable sex (not that it happens often due to feeling pretty hideous down below). I went to the doctor in March 2011 and got a referal to colorectal surgeon. He sent me for all sorts of tests including colonoscopy and 2 defecating proctograms. He diagnosed large lower rectocele but said he wouldn't operate due to my age.
In February this year I saw a UroGynae who said I need a perrineal repair as that is also damaged and the vaginal wall is hanging out with large skin tags (as I thought).

All of this has been NHS but I am now keen to try and do this privately as it seems to me that while I am having the perennial repair I should also have the rectocele repair and the 2 depts in my hospital don't seem to want to liase so my only option is to take some control and pay. I am also nervous that whilst the surgeons will correct the functionality they won't care about the appearance and that is a huge thing for me. I really cannot bear to let my OH down there looking as I do now.

Anyway not sure what I'm expecting here but it will just be nice to have some company :)

Thanks guys - and Pip, in terms of rest yes and no.I am honestly spending a vast amount of time feet up on the sofa , but then will try and do something -yesterday, out for a sandwich for example.Today however was slightly ridiculous as for some reason I thought 1/2 hour at the school fair was a good idea !!!! I'm not cleaning or anything, though did try and secretly stack the dishwasher (I know I know ) I mean FFS -as if that should be top of my desires list right now !
With the bleeding, I had had the browny discharge thing for the first 5 or 6 days and then it turned to real dark red blood which is why I had wondered if I had done something but sounds reassuring ,Pip ,what you have been told.Equally, I'm going to wait until swelling has gone down more before I worry too much -I'm ok really;I'm quite an 'it is what it is' type person so not getting too upset -I think it was just a bit of a shock and not what I expected to see whilst glamourously balancing a mirror between my knees .As woldratherbeskiing says -the battering our bodies have taken ;and I know I need to remember I'm only 9 days post op too, so very early in this long healing process we are all facing
Thanks for your concerns though.This thread really has been a comfort and an ongoing educator and it is so reassuring that I (we) can spout out any question /worry etc and someone who really understands is there.
Thank you all.

Hi troubled
Sorry to read you have had such a long drawn out journey already and I really hope this thread, and the support you will get is of help.
Can't believe you were told you were too young -you deserve a quality of life at any age .I'm am (still for another 3 weeks ) 37 and have just had an anterior and posterior repair for a rectocele and cystocele and age was not even mentioned, other than in a sympathetic way of 'your too young to be having these issues ' type thing -not saying that any age should accept or be the right time iykwim.
I really hope you can find a way to get these repairs done.I know how it feels to be so physically aware of how you look and it is important you get this done for you and your own self confidence. but , and cliched and trite as it sounds, I can't believe your DH will actually care how you look as a) it was your amazing body giving him his , i presume much loved,children which caused these changes and b) well look, if he is anywhere near there, what it looks like will probably be the last thing on his mind.
Ask anything.There are some very knowledgable ladies on here who I'm sure will be able to help.