Any old prolapse! Uterus/womb prolapse, rectocele, cystocele, enterocele, urethrocele, incontinence, pelvic floor, anterior and posterior repair, TVT etc part 5

[Piplysmelie]

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
Thread 3
Thread 5

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.

Did I 'kill the thread'?

Hope you're ok today Livelong.

Hello fengirl how are you? I think we have all been distracted by the Olympics
I am starting to feel quite nervous about seeing the consultant.

I'm kind of ok Bladderama! Living with symptoms and been feeling a bit down at the thought of another op and all the rigmarole that goes with it (I'm single). Been keeping myself busy getting ready for the new term (but half hoping I won't be there if I can get my next op earlier - and then feeling guilty that I will let my employers down)! So as usual a bit mixed up... Don't be worried about your appt. You've already done the hardest bit which is saying you've got a problem for the first time. Is your DH going with you? I find it helpful to write down everything that's bothering you and check the list at the end. Don't be scared to say 'oh I forgot to say...' - the more detail you can give the better, and the more it affects your life, the sooner you're likely to get the op. They really have seen it all before even if you feel embarrassed!

Sorry to hear that you are feeling down fengirl have an unmn hug
It is all very mixed isn't it? Wanting to be fixed but having all of the impact to deal with.
DH will not be able to come with he will need to look after the dc's. My GP took a very detailed history for the referral but I guess that it is only just sinking in the extent of the problem.
Hope that your op date comes through soon x

Livelong - how are the bm's today? I am still not 100% in that department and cannot go at all without lactulose every day and a suppository to get me started (after b'fast). It probably isn't the best thing to do, but otherwise I am very sore and nothing will shift. Once things are moving I don't have a problem (also find that if I cough when on the loo, then that is just the right amount of pressure to start things off with suppos). I am now 5 weeks post op (a&P) and guess that things are still very swollen in that department as BM's have edges like a cuboid!!!!

PBB - how old are your DCs? I am single mum too but this has been the best experience for my DSs (13, 15, 17). I had pre-warned them that if they didn't want me to go back again for another op they absolutely had to do everything around the house. Result!!! They now take turns going to the supermarket, dishwasher, table laying, washing up, washing, laundry basket, cleaning bath/shower, changing sheets, hoovering etc. etc. (I am going to be "out of action" permamently I think ). It has been a very positive learning curve for them and I don't think I was demanding enough of their help prior to this last op, and have realised actually I had been digging myself a hole and doing too much for them. They are now modern men that do housework, Hurrah!! I did stay at my mothers for the first two weeks (which was v necessary (youngest was away on school trip and the elder two came and went - I 'trusted' them to be home alone!). Hope my experience is helpful xxx

Fen - have you got any dates yet for next op? xxx

Just popping in to say hello, I'm still reading everything but haven't got much to report (I've seen the urogynae dept and am waiting for surgery, which will probably not be until at least September). I didn't take DH to the appt, but made a list of questions to go through which helped.

I'm a bit worried about the recovery period too, DH and my employer are very supportive but the DCs are 6 and 8 and I still do a lot for them including all the school runs, activity runs etc, not to mention the bulk of the housework, washing etc. Also we haven't got an upstairs loo, I am worried about managing the stairs the first few days. I might have to go and stay with my parents I think, but then I would be half an hour further from the hospital and DH would be stuck with all the childcare plus work (he is self employed and could probably manage that though)

Also, I know this is silly, but I am feeling so much better at the moment I am starting to wonder why I am doing this, I had just had a week away on holiday and barely noticed the prolapse, the symptoms have really receded. I am going to go ahead as if I pull out now I might not get the referral as easily again and I know it could all go wrong again very easily.

Here I am, lurking as always! My op (rectocele repair and perineum rebuild) and recovery have been pretty much straightforward, apart from the post spinal anaesthetic fluid leak and blood patch. Compared to some of you, I know I've been really lucky. I'm signed off work until the end of next week, and then I think I'm going to go back on a phased return. Most of the time I feel absolutely fine. Sitting in some positions can be pretty uncomfortable, and if I'm on my feet for too long, I have to lie down, but otherwise, all good.

I think the op has been successful - my rebuild isn't quite as neat and lovely as I'd hoped, but it's certainly looking a lot better than before. However, the rectocele repair seems to be good. I was expecting to see my consultant at around 6 weeks post op, but I finally got an appointment - to see her in October! I can't be bothered going through the rigmarole of trying to get the hospital to speed it up as everything seems ok anyway.

So, no news is good news as far as I'm concerned! Best wishes to all of you, recovering, waiting for treatment, or starting appointments, etc.

Hello! Five days after my re-stitch and all's going well now, the BMs have settled down after that first Hoover Dam monster and I'm getting as much rest as possible. Yay! Fen - I know what you mean re the baby's head and having a concerned person at the bottom of the stairs shouting 'are you ok.' I was reassured to hear that it isn't unusual to be fighting your bowel post-op as I was beginning to think something had gone horribly wrong. I know it will get better, it is getting better.

I feel pretty good if I don't do anything. So then I feel a bit of a fraud lying here and I think I feel ok so I'll go downstairs for a while, then I think I'll just do x, y or z, it won't take a minute...then I feel the pressure and discomfort and remember why I'm not supposed to be doing anything.

I can see it's going to be so difficult to not overdo it as I feel better and better and I've been thinking of those of you with children. Have your support plan in place, get help organised in advance so you aren't tempted to do those little things that won't take you very long to get them out of the way but will bugger your recovery if you do them too soon. Someone really bossy is handy to have around who is good at shouting WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE YOU DOING.

I seem to be ok at lifting/carrying reasonably sized things providing I don't have to raise my arms above waist height. I would never have guessed that even lifting my lunch out of the microwave would cause unwanted pressure on my nether regions.

WhoKnows - I had the same thought as you. In the month running up to my surgery it all didn't seem to be quite so bad but any let up in symptoms is only temporary, isn't it? I'm glad I didn't leave it any longer.

How are you all today? I can't tell you how important your support and advice is, and it is also good to hear from those who have had their ops and are getting their lives back.

PrancingBuffalo - when you say it isn't as neat and lovely as you'd hoped, what do you mean? Feel free not to answer if this is too personal a question of course.

I have no hope of seeing mine for a while yet as it looks as though it has gone a number of rounds with Mike Tyson. I can't imagine what it is going to look like. Will it have gone back in, the bulges I mean? Will it look like it did when it was younger (an Inny rather than an Outy) but with a hint of the Bride of Frankenstein?

WhoKnows - try an adult potty on a stool in your room so you don't have to do stairs to start with (but don't use it for BM's!). I found with the first op that I needed the loo frequently at the beginning and was up in the attic at my parents, so it was a life saver to have by the bed x (old victorian type!!!)

Thanks Sure, though we haven't really got much space in the bedroom. Where would you get one from? I was wondering about the OT service, they lent my Dad all sorts of things after his hip replacement.

This is another reason why it might be better to go to my parents for a few days, bathroom right next to spare room!

Livelong - glad it's not just me that has been wavering. And although I am carrying on pretty well as usual around the house etc, I cannot exercise properly, which is a sign that it needs sorting. You are right, all the advice on this thread is brilliant. I hadn't thought about the not lifting hands above waist height thing, that's the fridge ruled out for me then (top half of fridge freezer) .

This is such a great thread. It is so reassuring to have so much experience & knowledge. Good to hear about the recoveries going well - but also the issues that can occur too.

I have one more question. It is quite a long drive for me to get home from hospital this week. Will I be ok to sit in a car for an hour?

Also, what exactly is involved with an enema? I'm too frightened to eat today!!! [terrified emoticon required]

Well, I can't see my urethrocele any more..... I did some gardening for about an hour yeasterday, then went for a wee. I felt something 'fall' as I relaxed - it was (I presume) the back wall falling further down. Flaming' 'eck.

Hi,

Has anyone here had a prolapse repair with mesh which has resulted in erosion?

I am suffering with this painful condition now after prolapse surgery five months ago and wondering how other woman are coping and what treatments you have had etc. Most of the information on the web is from the USA but I'd like to hear from women in the UK, especially around the London area.

I would particularly like to know if there any any doctors who specialise in mesh removal as I understand it is a very difficult procedure which if not dome properly can cause untold physical problems.

Also I'd like to hear from other sufferers, it doesn't seem to be a common complaint here in the UK but it is an awful thing to experience so any support would be great.

Thanks for reading.

Thank you Footle for both responses. I won't have eaten anything for at least 24 hours (as am too freakin nervous to eat), so hopefully it won't be too ghastly.

Fen - good grief. I'm so sorry there's yet another thing for you to deal with. Hopefully they'll sort it all out in one go once and for all and you'll still be dancing at Christmas.

I've lost track of my slipping anatomy - just trying to get as fit as possible, do my PF's and then find out the score when I eventually get to see the consultant.

Melodyrose - sorry can't help and hope someone comes along soon to share their experience or offer advice to you. Good luck.

Prancingbuffalo - it's great to hear about a good recovery.

Post - good luck - it will be over soon.

Melodyrose - I think Jackie62 (?) from previous threads (addresses at the top of this one - 2/3???) had to have tvt removed so she might be able to point you in the right direction xxx Really feel for you

Fen for you too xxx

fengirl what a journey this has been for you

I have no idea Melody but hope that some one will come along soon to advise you.

Hope that all the post op ladies are recovering well x

Iwouldratherbeskiing still no appointment here so I rang the GP surgery today and was told that they were doing the referral today and that the hospital will be in touch in a couple of days, the waiting is horrible.

Bladderama - need to chase mine at my GP's surgery - I think my GP was writing to the consultant but I'll probably be given one of those referral forms with code numbers to ring and make my own appointment.

This is going to sound pathetic but I'm in awe of the women on here who are so in touch with their anatomy - I'm really not sure what is going on with the spongy mess I can feel BUT the good news is I can feel the back wall repair is firm and hopefully will remain strong.

Goodluck tomorrow postbelly I am not surprised that you are nervous. Let us know how you get on when you are ready x

Post - all good wishes for tomorrow. X

Yes, good luck Post. Will look forward to hearing how it goes.

watching women's weightlifting - do you think we should have a word?

I was thinking the same about the gymnastics. Mind you, I didn't give a second thought to my pelvic floor at their age.