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.

Oh and P.S. to all you ladies.... went to dr again today (practically live there) and I have either a virus or the start of a chest infection. The dr told me to stay away from people with bugs for the next two weeks (as she thinks my immune system must be very low)... As I work in a school, that's going to be a bit difficult isn't it? I'm thinking about seeing if I can buy some of those masks chinese people wear when they have a bug - only in reverse.

Hurrah = managed to sleep through the night without getting up to wee for the first time in months . Don't know if the ab's have helped with that, but down below is a lot less painful now and discharge has cleared up. My stitches are on the way out (new experience for me!!!) making for a painful day yesterday with stabbing pains, pulling, etc. but slightly better this morning. I'm really scared that I still have bulges, but I imagine it is swelling that I am feeling, now that nerves are reconnecting, etc. Seeing consultant on Monday so fingers crossed that all is as it should be. Fed up with teenage sons, as they took advantage of me being in bed to stay up all night on x-box so we are going back to my Mum's for the weeked (Ha!) where there are no electronic gadgets and they can do mowing and pruning for Granny instead!!!!

Skini - are you back in the land of the living yet? How did it go?? Been thinking of you x

Shattered - any more joy with the weeing???? When are you allowed home? x

Fen- I'm so sorry that you are having a bit of a downer, so to speak. End of term soon then you can get some rest. Get stuck into the vit C etc, it might help, plus manuka honey (high strength, 10+ or higher) is brill if your immune system is down. My Mum is allergic to ab's and can only use that - it does keep colds etc. at bay (she has copd and asthma so not good if she gets ill). Hope you feel better soon xxx

Hello, well I am back in the land of the living! Had a bit of white coat syndrome with the BP before the op and was worried they wouldn't do it but eventually went down just before 3pm. Think they gave me too much anaesthetic as after an hour in surgery it took them 2 hrs to get me to come round!!!! Only just feeling with it this morning. No pain though just a bit uncomfortable. No packing in place and catheter has just come out so am hoping to pee before the consultant does his rounds. If all goes according to plan they will let me home today :-)
Thank you to everyone for all your good wishes. I hope you are all feeling better today with your various issues. Let's all get well soon so we can all be running around back to our 'normal' selves :-) xx

Skini - glad you are ok x

Finally the Physio has agreed that my pelvic floor is rubbish!

Consultant has said muscles are extremely weak - and I am being examined thoroughly on Wednesday including to look for the anal fissure.

I pointed out that there is a dimple where my perineum was sewn as well as on the muscle of the anus where it was sewn.

I'm relieved that they finally believe me that all is not well.

Sorry have not read the previous posts I will come back and do that, just need a rant.

Thiis is driving me insane I do a bit I bleed I rest. I do a bit I worry I am damaging myself. The shape has all changed inside now and I am worried the cystocele is back.

Will this ever end.

Sorry for the rant I am sure you understand how I feel.

Thanks

Pip - sorry, I've forgotten, how long post op are you?

Hi sure i am Six weeks today.

Well it was all going so well!!! Was discharged late afternoon and half way home ( only 10 mIns from hospital!) passed out in the car!! Poor hubby, think I scared him to death!! Needless to say I am now back at the hospital for another night!! Am sure they gave me a horse tranquilliser instead of anaesthetic :-) One consellation it is a lovely hospital and the nurses are fantastic!! Oh and the fire alarm has just gone off so we have also been treated to some hunky firemen :-)

Skinikki - well that's one way to clock the firemen! Hope you're feeling a bit better now. Did you feel a bit funny on the way out and kept going? I had to stop at one point as everything went a bit hazy but was then ok. When you have another go at escaping, take it very slowly and make sure you're not too sore before you start as pain is the worst thing for stopping you.
Good luck for your next attempt!

Well 2 weeks and 4 days after surgery, sensation is gradually returning so very relieved but.....ouch! Lol

Glad you're feeling a little better Sure :)

Pip - do you have a follow up consultation planned soon? Can totally understand your anxiety and I think you should speak to someone if only to put your mind at rest x

Skinikki - what some ladies will do to get the attention of hunky firemen..sheesh! Lol...take it easy and you'll be out before you know it :)

Hairy - glad they're taking it seriously, and let us know how you get on.

Shattered - hope you're peeing like a camel by now xx

Fen - bless you, you've been through so much and still give so much support to everyone else. Hugs xx

Hi Roseanna no my consultation is not until September I think the aftercare has been rubbish. I am going to speak to PALS on Monday and see what they can do. My consultant does not see you until 3 months after op which is just useless.

I think I just had a panic earlier tbh and fed up with not being able to do what I want. I just feel very achy but i seem to remember someone saying earlier it does get achy around 6 weeks as the stitches are coming out.

Skini at least you got to see the firemen! Seriously take it easy and don't be in a rush to leave the hospital.

Roseanna glad sensation is coming back

Sure so glad you are feeling better lol about you sons gardening rather then playing games!

Fen sorry to read you are feeling low I hope things pick up for you soon.

Pip

I would agree Pip - 3 months is just too long if you're having problems. They should at least have given you a contact number in the event of any issues. Might be an idea to contact the consultant via his Secretary (just go through to switchboard and ask for the consultant). My sister works in a fracture clinic and often patients contact through that route if they have questions or issues prior to their scheduled return date. Don't know, but might be quicker than PALS. Might be another avenue to explore. If nothing else.

Sorry...darned auto correct on this phone is doing.my head in :o

Hey everyone, day 5 and been sent home with a catheter with a tap on the end. I think you mentioned having this fen? How long did they keep yours in and did everything work ok when the took it out? Am not good with these things and feel completely grossed out. Was not the blissful homecoming I had been dreaming of. Lovely to see my 6m old and my toddler but feel so horribly useless and disabled. My husband has done well to cope these last few days but now feels he is the authority on all matters relating to the kids! Tried to point out that I did not need to be told how to change a nappy (having done the majority over the last 2.5years) and ended up having a row! This is going to be a long 3 months :-(. I just hope on tuesday that my bladder stops pissing about (ha ha) and starts doing its job. If not I think I really will lose the plot. Pip-totally understand your frustration. I am seeing my consultant @ 6 weeks which seems to be more standard. X

Shattered - glad you are home, albeit with tap in place. Please take it easy, and force yourself to take a back seat re the kids. I can't begin to imagine how frustrating it must be to have DH 'in charge' in front of your eyes!!! Just let him get on with it, don't criticise, and stay in bed, or you will be back to square one and needing a repeat surgery!!! The more you rest, the quicker you will get better! (Lecture over, just don't want you to have to go through all this again!). Hope the pee gets going xxxx ps It's normal to feel very weepy after all of this

Pip - please try and get an appointment with your original surgeon. I was fobbed off after my first surgery - 10 weeks appt. post op (even the gp told me to pay and see him privately ) but I now know it doesn't work like that, because if you ring their secretary it is possible to book an appointment directly, as you would when visiting the GP (don't forget that you are their patient!). The consultant I had this time wants to see me tomorrow (2 weeks after surgery) and again at 6 weeks. Good luck, and hope you get some answers.xxx

Fen - hope you are feeling better xxx

Oh Shattered! They put the tap in for me the second time they catheterised, I kept it in for the morning and than had it taken out. (the catheter itself had been in for 24 hrs when I got the tap) I think the problem for you is that your urethra is fed up with being messed around with and has swelled up in protest! Mine does at the slightest thing too. (once had 2 litres drained and went home with a leg bag which I think is worse than the tap) I would think that by Tuesday all be calm and you'll be fine. P.S. Are you keeping it tucked in your knickers? I didn't know what to do with mine!

Thanks for the advice I will ring on Monday to see if I can get an appointment to see my consultant. I will let you know what he says. Any advice on what to say to his secretary she is a bit frierce on the phone! I did ask earlier about a six week appointment as that is what I was told when leaving the hospital. She range me back after speaking to the consultant and said no he does not need to see you till 3 months. I really want to see him just to put my mind at rest.

Shattered take it easy and take this opportunity to rest. The novelty will soon wear off of being in charge!

Pip - if you just say that you need to see him because you are concerned that all is not as it should be and you are having intermittent bleeding and pain, they should give you an appointment; (you could also say that your gp recommended you see him as he did the op ). If they don't give you an appt. you could try saying that you will pop by the surgery and see if he can fit you in!! Good luck and be assertive (don't let the sec put you off!) x

Hi all. Finally made it home in one piece. So good to be back in my own bed. Am just struggling to stay awake at the moment. Have been to the loo and feels like there is loads of pressure down there probably due to the swelling. Haven't had a BM yet so am on the lactulose to help things along. Feel like I have been out of it for ages but it's only a couple of days.
Shattered, really hope you are finding things a little easier and you manage to get yourself sorted this week.
Pip, good luck with getting the appointment. Make a stand and don't take no for an answer.
Fen, hope you are feeling a bit brighter today x

Fen I feel for you :(

Surewoman, Think you maybe the one to help, water sample-no infection so that's good, had a bit of a nose down there today & think I can see a cystocele, well put it this way there is something there that wasn't before :( so had a few peeps on YouTube, when my bladder is empty it feels spongy & can sort of push it back...OMG the thought of having another Op :( does this sound like a cystocele or just a few bits moved after the Rectocyle Op??

Hi Gail - the best way to look is stand over a mirror with your legs apart, squatting and strain/cough. Basically, the entrance to your vagina will disappear and in it's place will be a round, ridged, pink bulge (sometimes two or three if you have a urethrocele and rectocele too). Also, if you locate the bulge and push it up while you are weeing, then it can alter the urine flow (stop or increase it) - probably TMI here, but I'm past caring on that front!Lol! My consultant made me stand with legs apart, he then inserted a finger and asked me to cough and you can feel something bladderish move down as you cough.

Apparently if you had a rectocele, then that can hold the cystocele up and it is not till that is fixed that you begin to notice the cystocele which then gets worse quite quickly :( - How long ago did you have your rectocele fixed? It could also still be swelling as this takes a long time to go down. I became very aware of my cystocele about three months after the second op (to remove stitches from first op) but I think it was there shortly after first op in about Jan (op Nov) and that is what was such agony as I think the bladder was pressing on my barbed wire fence! Hope this helps xxx

Gail - I'm so sorry but I think your suspicions may be right. I had a rectocele repair in March and now have a cystocele. What you describe is what I can feel - a spongy lump I can press back. I have not had any difficulty with continence or peeing. I was discharged at 11 weeks by a different consultant who did the operation as needed to have the all clear to work. In my notes from the op there was mention of finding a slight bulge on the front wall - when I mentioned this at the 11 week check up this was disregarded as nothing to worry about but I knew from the moment they mentioned this, the day after op, I would need further surgery. Of course it has got bigger now. I am going along with PFE's recommended by my GP purely to get referred. The cystocele is nowhere near as uncomfortable as the rectocele and I have a gut feeling I should wait a while anyway to fully get over this op and in case the rectocele fails and I need a further repair on that at the same time as a repair for the cystocele.

Sure - I know you have also been frustrated by the way they only repair one bit, only for another to go. This also happened to a friend of mine so it was in my mind. I wonder if theres ever been a study of this as it would save so much emotional upset and I suspect a lot of money if they just did both at hte same time.

Although part of me wants it sorted now I feel I need just a bit of time to evaluate this. I've had a stressy week with bleeding. I now think was definitely a period, which made everything very sensitive and uncomfortable. Bottom still a bit 'pulsey' and 'pulling' at times. Won't leave it too long as also need to think carefully about work as light duties can't last forever.

Skinikki - pleased to hear you are home. Don't rely solely on lactulose if you don't have a BM soon - you may need something more. Lots of info already posted on this but shout if you need advice - as you know peeps on here are so helpful and have lots of experience.

Pip - good luck with appt.

Good luck to everybody with their recoveries. I can't wait to change my name to Allfixed - better still Backtonormal. At the moment if feels a long way off!

Thank you ladies for the quick response, I was supposed to have the R & C repaired together 6 weeks ago now, but when the surgeon came around the next day she said the C wasn't bad enough to be repaired :( made Hubby have a look before :0 he said he ain't seen that extra bit before lol!! Off to Drs tomorrow .... Suspect with the Rectocyle repair all has been tightened up it has allowed for the bladder to drop more...

We should do a brain storm for suitable name changes once we all belong to the (((0))) club!

I think the reason that they don't like to touch cystoceles is that there is a lot more risk involved as you can damage the bladder, so the surgeons need to be very experienced in that department (urogynaecologists - a rare breed !). Plus, it can make for painful sex afterwards and no-one wants to be responsibile for that!! If you get the right consultant for the job, then they don't seem too bothered about fixing things in one go, however small the cystocele (also I think there is quite a high incidence of recurrence for anterior repair).

Still, I would rather be fixed now, while I am younger, with the possibility of renewing a relationship, than carry on with everything falling out, the embarassment, freakish feelings, uncomfortable at work, bladder problems, etc. etc. and I am sure that any consultant would also, given the choice, prefer to regain the use of his willy at the age of 40+ rather than put it on hold until he was in his 60's (bet they never think of it like that!!! Lol! ) x