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.

A bit so have NC for this.

I have two DC 6 & 3.
Sex was fine after DC1 but after having DC2 i didnt have sex for about 2 years after giving birth.

Within the last year i have had two partners and both of them just keep slipping out constantly during sex, i think i might have a slight prolapse but am not 100% sure.

So was wondering if anyone has had a prolapse and have the same thing happen everytime they have sex? If its normal and if the doctors can actually do anything to help before i go there and make my self even more embarrassed than i already am.

Bugsy Best wishes for a speedy recovery and I hope you get home today. You poor thing, I can just imagine you trying to convince them to get you out of bed with your drips and catheter because you really did need to go.

Fen I would get someone to look at it just to find out what has gone ping. I agree with WhoKnows, there is no need to mention what you were doing at the time. I think I would say I was lying resting on the sofa and I coughed!

Surewoman - Doing star-jumps and weeing all over his floor That made me laugh. You really do have to keep your sense of humour with this malarky, don't you?

Roseanna - You can do this, you've come this far to get things put right you can do this next bit. If it were me doing the test, I would be passing wind everytime my feet hit the floor. The consultant would probably have to be revived by the end of the appointment.

Skinikki - Good grief. How are you feeling today? Can you take it easy and put your feet up, it is not very long at all since you had your op and I feel worried for you.

Bladder Why couldn't your GP refer you to a urogynae? Has your GP just decided on another consultant without asking you?

helpme Can you have a quick feel about whilst standing up in the shower? If you have a prolapse of whatever sort that is big enough to cause you this problem during sex, you should be able to feeling it bulging down while you are standing up. Have a feel around then go to your GP. Keep posting on this thread, there is a great deal of knowledge and understanding on here.

7 days post op for me now. BMs under control at the moment and not causing any problems (hooray.) Been feeling generally hot and with a headache for a few days now but don't think that's related to the op. Still can't check the beauty of my fanjo because I can't see it for the swelling but I am certain it is a lovely thing.

Thank you, will check later when kids are in bed. Have drs appt on friday now.
Just so embarrassing for me, am only 24 and feel like it holds me back and ruins relationships.
Will keep checking in on here.

Livelong - keep an eye on feeling hot. You're not overdoing it are you? If your temp doesn't settle get checked in case you're brewing an infection (hopefully not though)!
Have taken it easy today and feeling a bit better but still sore!

I have just had a thought - I think the consultants must own shares in Tena Lady because if they fixed us all up, then Tena would go out of business; hence the reluctance to fix cystoceles!!!

Quick up date from me - I am almost 6 weeks post op, and the swelling has nearly gone so I can sort of see what it all looks like. Still have some stitches on the anterior and posterior, but... the main difference is that the whole perineum area is more elevated and flatter, not bulgy or slightly hanging down, (don't know if I am explaining that very well) and it has made me realise that things have been sliding down for quite a long time prior to these ops. Also, NO BULGES VISIBLE !!!!

Livelong - could it be hormones and period time??

Livelong defo keep an eye on your temp as mentioned could be an infection, of course could just be a cold. And very jel of your good looking fanjo

argh have you had a look down there? Do have a read through the tgread cause there may well be other symptoms tgat you have but haven't connected with it.

Is lovely to be home and had a much better sleep. So far not experiencing too much pain. Having the packing removed was really grim - miles of the stuff. I was in tears by the time it all came out. However, thankfully that is all done and not feeling too bad, a strong dragging sensation but not as bad as I was expecting. IBS is causing me more grief than post-op pain tbh. Low blood pressure annoying too as I feel so dizzy if I stand up for more than a few mins. Only just managed a very quick shower before feeling very faint.
Great to hear of others further down the line making great progress.

Post - would it be worth getting some buscopan to try to make your gut behave a bit? You've got enough going on without a crampy stomach too. The feeling faint is probably a sign you should be laying down!

Thanks Fen. I've taken a couple of buscopan now and the cramps are easing off. Trying to relax too, as being tense makes it worse. It's not helping that the DCs keep phoning and texting me to say they are not happy down at my parents. Gah!

Post - it's so difficult when our children say they are not happy BUT this time is so important for you to recover well and a time for you to put yourself first. They will survive and forget all about it. Definitely try to relax and put everything else out of your mind. Good luck.

I know WRBS. I've told them that they have to suck it up and to think how much they'll appreciate me when they get home! I've slept on and off for most of the day, so I know how much I need the rest.

Post - so glad you've been able to rest today. How is the low blood pressure? I believe drinking fizzy water can help (especially Vichy) as it has something in it which makes you feel less dizzy (can't for the life of me remember what though - salts/minerals???) Ditto what wouldrather said - children are survivors, and just think how good it is that they are able to spend quality time with grandparents without maternal influence - great for building relationships and also beneficial for your parents in a bizarre way!!! Lots of healing vibes your way xxx

Surewoman you made me giggle with your tena lady theory!

Livelong hope that your temp has come down and you are feeling better.

The GP had changed my consultant without asking me and I did have a mini meltdown I had requested an older very experienced urogynae and instead I am seeing a younger but still experienced gynae who is meant to be handsome and I was not amused (no idea why this upset me so much btw just changed expectations I guess and a lack of control). I have calmed back down again and realised that I am just finding this all upsetting and stressful. Any tips for coping any-one? I am usually very calm and placid but this topic has got me into a complete tailspin.

Post hope that you are still getting some much needed rest

Fen how are you feeling now?

Roseanna when is your urodynamic appointment? Hope that it goes well.

Ladies what is the first consultant appointment usually like? I have no clue what to expect and am already quite literally weeing my pants with nerves

Bladder - I know exactly how you are feeling, there is nothing worse than having to go through all of this but... it does help to remember that the consultants do this for a living (kinda like going to the dentist except it's vaginas not teeth!!!).

At the first appt. they will go through a brief history, births, symptoms, time-scale of problems, etc. etc. and then will want to look (usually very quick, involves lying on side with legs bunched up, lying on back and a quick look, sometimes finger up your bum to feel for rectocele). Try not to be embarassed, even though it is mortifying (I still blush every time !). It's all quite dignified and a nurse is present if it is a good-looking male consultant!!!

After having a look, they will chat to you about what they found and offer possible solutions to the problem - if they think an op is necessary they will ask if you want to go on the waiting list. I would go armed with any questions you have (get them off this thread!) because I never got to see me original consultant again until 4 months after the op and I had a bad time of it! . Ask for a lot of information, also you have a right to question the consultants experience. If you feel they are not the man for the job, ask them to refer you to someone else with more experience. Remember that without fallen fanjos etc they do not have a career, so you have every right to be demanding. Be strong and best of luck xxxx

Some of the american websites (e-health, web-med, etc.) have a list of questions to ask at your appt. so maybe you could google for ques to ask xx

'my' not 'me' xxx

Thank you so much surewoman I really appreciate your advice. I would have been lost without this thread.

Bladder, I specifically requested the two consultants I went to see. I didn't give the GP an option on who they might think best. I think you said you were going private, so you can always say you want a second opinion and see your preferred consultant too.
Starting to feel more human. Made it downstairs today and back up again. Also did my first poo, first 'unaided' poo in eight years. Nearly wept with joy on the loo! Hope that isn't too much over share, but there aren't many people I can tell.

Oh, blood pressure still rubbish but have some sparkling water, so going to give that a go and also adding salt to everything.

PostBell - on your first un-aided BM. Yes, it is very surprising when it comes out of it's own accord!!! Yey!!

Footle - I always used to have low blood pressure and was recommended by a nurse to drink Vichy Catalan as it is a bit salty and stops you feeling dizzy (don't know if you can get it here, as was living in Spain at the time!) I suppose expensive fizzy water would have the same effect?! x ps how are you?

Footle - worth a try with the fizzy water.

My leaking pee problems I thought were to do with the cystocele and I was recommended having a tvt inserted which I was very uncertain about. When the time came I did suggest to the urogynae that surely fixing the cystocele would cure all leaking probs. What he said surprised me, and that was the leaking is due largely to the urethra which has dropped and no repair on a cystocele would fix that. I was convinced then to try the tvt (but only because I completely trusted this particular urogynae - friend of my 80 year old Mum etc.). I am now 6 weeks postop for cystocele, rectocele (2nd time) and tvt insertion. There is no more leaking and I can sleep all through the night without having to get up to wee. Must be 5 or so years since I could do that. In terms of problems with the tvt, none at all other than a very slight pulling sensation on the left side where the external incision is a little higher (because he was right handed and it's harder on the left so he said - talk about honesty!). I am surprised that 'so far' all is very good and no more tena at all - the whole month so far and I'm due my period this week when leaking was generally a lot worse. The tvt insertion alone is a day case, but... if anyone is considering this, you must go for the original classic brand because all the others seem to cause problems with erosion, etc. as they were never properly tested and managed to get on the market on the back of the original research, hence lots of scary law suits in the USA. Any more questions, please ask.

No idea if this helps you at all Footle - gosh it's a never ending saga, isn't it. You have one op and it feels like you have opened a can of worms! XXX

Blimey Surewoman that sounds like a lot of work you had done. I'm glad all seems to be going well for you.

Footle - interesting about the low bp - mine is too (on the floor after my pack removal - they had to put me back on a drip!) I wonder if there's a connection?
Getting a bit twitchy about the urethrocele being left and wondering if I'm storing up problems for the future. Currently have to 'double void' when bladder very full and get a bit of dribbling when I stand up after a wee. Any thoughts???