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.

Jogging bottoms - check
Crocs - check
Lipsalve - check
Wipes - check
Kindle - check
Earplugs - check
Big pants - check
STs - check
Painkillers / laxatives - check
As much housework / gardening done as is reasonably possible - check
Massive lists for DH and family
Sort out all the DCs sports kits etc for the rest of the week - to do
Ocado order - to do

Unfortunately I threw away a slip on pair of clog type shoes a couple of weeks ago, but crocs will do, even if I normally wouldn't be seen dead outside the house in them

I was definitely in "what the hell" mode up until about 10 days ago when I realised I was completely exhausting myself. I am finding it hard to let go though.

Whoknows - it will be alright!

I know

Surewoman and EWWWWW I so did not need to know that!

Nanasylv hope that all goes well at your appointment.

Good luck tomorrow Whoknows I am mightily impressed with your organisational skills and need some tips when you are well enough again!

Just been to see the GP and have been signed off for another month which is a relief I was getting worried about trying to drive and the sit at my desk when I can barley manage 15 mins at the dinner table each night. I really thought that I would be finding it easier by now (5 weeks today)

Bladder, glad to hear you got signed off for longer but sorry to hear you are still so uncomfortable sitting. I can't remember if you've had your check & if the consultant is happy with everything. Might be worth checking that the stitches aren't too tight.

Just seen your enema question Whoknows. I was supposed to have one when I arrived at the hospital, but given I had worked myself up into such a state, I'd given myself diarrhoea, they didn't bother in the end. However, the nice nurse did explain what your supposed to do when she thought I might need one, which if I remember correctly was go into the bathroom, if you are filling up with water, try and make it a little warm, just because very cold is a bit of a shock. Lie down on your side, insert the nozzle into your chocolate starfish, slowly so that you don't tense up but try to push it well in and squeeze liquid in. Stay on the floor for about 5 mins & then hop up onto the loo & let it all come out.

Another Q: did anyone have to drink preop stuff? Finally finished my patio, front path and drive - lots of hand weeding with hoeing and raking thrown in. Shrub trimming next!

Thanks Bugsy - I am just bracing myself for it now, would rather wait till the DCs are in bed TBH. That's more or less what my nurse told me. Warming it is a good idea. I can't lie down in the bathroom as it's too small, think I will have to do it upstairs and then get down to the bathroom sharpish.

Fen - the surgeon advised me to start Fybogel a few days ago, which I have, it's horrible, like orange squash with cardboard dust in it. And it doesn't seem to have any effect. Nothing else though. I am sending DH out to stock up on bran flakes, prunes and beans. Well done on the patio!

Whoknows - all the best! The drink is some kind of Popeye concoction to keep up my strength... 4 x 200 ml to be drunk evening before, 2 x 200 ml between 5 and 6 (haha very funny not) on the morning of surgery.

Post - LOL! Chocolate Starfish!!! x

WhoKnows - wishing you loads of luck and a speedy recovery for tomorrow xxx

Fen - I've never heard of this concoction, what's in it??? Powedered spinach?

Bladder - I am now 3 months post op (13+ weeks) and still get the odd twinge sitting down, especially if I haven't had a BM that morning. Also get the odd shooting pain in the perineum occasionally (nerves healing??), so I would try not to worry. I do definitely feel better than I did a month ago. Hope this reassures you (I couldn't have gone back to work at 5 weeks either, more like 10!) xxx

Job done .

Sure, the drink is nutricia preop. It's got carbohydrates in it and is supposed to help keep you hydrated. (Possibly as procedures have changed and they intend to send me home the day after surgery - with a catheter still in place if necessary.) We'll see about that!!! I had retention last time and don't relish going home (long and bumpy journey) and then having to go back a few days later to see if I can then pee. Never mind the cost which is £15 minimum each way....

WhoKnows - I've only just seen your last post, and hopefully by now it is more than one job done! Hope it all went well and you are ok xxxx

Fen - when is your op? x

Hope that today has gone well whoknows x

Post I had a check at 2 weeks and stitches were fine but I was told that I should expect to be uncomfortable for while yet

Surewoman thank you for the reassurance it does really help to know that I am not alone

Fen make sure that you stay in as long as you need to!

Have overdone it here today and am exhausted and sore not to mention grumpy - poor DH.

Thanks all, I woke at about 4 and feel fine in myself but sore below. x

So pleased that all went well whoknows and hope that you manage to get some much needed rest. Would advise you to keep taking the pain relief! X

Whoknows - don't know if you will see this but don't be scared to ask for more pain relief if you need it. Take care. X

Bladder - you too!

Hello everyone

New to this, just been diagnosed with a cystocele. Feeling absolutely gutted to be honest, would really appreciate some advice from you all. Apologies if some of the info is answered further up, got overwhelmed with the number of pages in here.

Basically the doctor told me what I already suspected, but was just kind of "Yes there's a prolapse in there, not too bad yet, pelvic floor exercises, off you go." Left me feeling a bit lost about what to do next.

I am fairly sure, haven given myself a examination yesterday , that I have a rectocele. In fact having a sneaky poke around today, I think I probably have both (rectocele and cytocele), which would make sense with my other symptoms. Fairly sure it all got worse in the last couple of week when I noticed a feeling of something being "in there".

Feeling a bit overwhelmed now, that I have something that potentially seems to be forever, and no real solutions. Generally my questions for you ladies would be:

• Should I go back and get the rectocele diagnosed? Will it make any difference what kind it is?
• And in general, is it right that there is no help? I have heard some people mention a physio, is that worth doing, or pushing to see any kind of specialist? Or should I just deal seeing as it is mild?
• Do the pelvic floors make a difference, or just slow down how much worse it gets?
• What is sex like for you all with it? Does it hurt, can your partners feel the difference? At the minute mine are a couple of inches up my hoo-ha, but they feel really obvious to me.
• Can you do any kind of exercise/ sports?
• How do you cope with not lifting when you have a toddler? Is there any "better" way of lifting so you can get away with it?

Sorry, loads and loads of questions here, just don't know who to ask.

Thank you, and good luck to you all, especially those having ops, a scary future prospect. xx

Thanks Fen I have been dosed up with all sorts and been much better today, especially since they took the packing and catheter out at lunchtime.

Tadpoley - I can't give a long answer today, but think from your description you are very unlikely to be offered surgery, especially if yhere is any chance of having more children. Physio may well help stave off any further deterioration.

whoKnows - glad your doing ok. Any news as to when you will be allowed to go home?? Don't push for an early escape as once you are home it is difficult to be strict with yourself and stay in bed, which you must do to aid recovery! xxx

Tadpoley - It is horrid to be told you have a prolapse as it is psychologically upsetting as much as anything. Swimming is a good exercise for this as it gets the weight off the stretched area and helps things back in to place (albeit temporarily). I would suggest physio too, as strengthening your pelvic floor will certainly stop things getting worse and at least you will feel you are doing something to fight it.

You might find that when you are lying down, the symptoms disappear. If so, it shouldn't affect your sex life too much (as long as you don't have a grand canyon now, like many of us on here prior to surgery! Lol!). You will know when the prolapse(s) are worse as it becomes almost impossible to have sex as the lumps are in the way (bladder and rectum).
Try not to be upset as it will only get you down. There is no reason why you couldn't have a consultation with a specialist anyway, but you might have to exagerate your symptoms to get seen.

If you are planning on having more children then I would forget about it as much as you can for the moment, do the exercises and enjoy the sex, and look at the problem again at a future date. xxxx Hope this helps a bit

Sorry - spelling is all over the place tonight!

Oh dear - we are already on 773 messages on this thread - we'll be needing page 6 shortly!!!

Hey all, not been on for a while (feeling sorry for myself lol) but a lot better now and looks like loads of progress being made x

Whoknows...glad its all going well..now comes the hard part - REST! Lol

Bladderama - see above re REST :o

Fen - when are you in? Can't be long now...give me a shout if you have any q's about the rectocele repair...

Hope everyone else is doing ok too x

I'm embarrassed to say I got it right round my neck and it's actually Tuesday! Yikes.... I know several people have said either not to bend down or can't..... Not a word on this from the hospital of course. Just hope my lift to hospital hasn't gone awry,

Wow..not long till you're all fixed Fen x

For me I had no pain at all for the first few weeks, and even after that it was much, much less than I had expected. I had no problems bending over, was a bit stiff and terrified I would damage something more than anything. Makes sense to avoid bending where you can though. I found that even where I didn't have any pain, your body kind of tells you when you're overdoing it and slows you down automatically - not too different from the cystocele in that respect I would think....

Keyword: REST :o

You'll be fine I'm sure :)