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.

Troubled - I think your bladder is protesting. Hopefully it will settle down, but keep drinking plenty for a while.
Tink - that's rubbish! Of course you shouldn't have to put up with it. Is there another doctor you could see? I can't remember who it was on here, but someone suggested that a surgeon have the same problem with their penis that they had with their vagina. A change of attitude rapidly followed! Not suggesting you do the same, but the simple question of 'would you want to live like this?' must surely elicit at least a mite of sympathy. I would think a colorectal surgeon is the one to deal with the rectal prolapse - so ask straight out for it. Take someone with you for moral support if you can. Good luck.

Troubled I had my urodynamic test this morning as well and am feeling the same. The nurse said I might feel as though I have cystisis for around 48 hours.

Hello everyone, I am now 11 weeks post cystocele and rectocele repair. It hasn't been totally successful and this is why I dropped off the thread, I was so disappointed to be still having problems.

for those of you still having difficulties and for those of you who have undergone successful repairs.

Still can't poo properly and urodynamic test this morning seemed to show over sensitive bladder made worse by the constipation.

Feeling more positive so will be lurking on this thread. Love to all.

When I had my urodynamic test they said to keep off cafeine for 48 hours and have the odd glass of cranberry juice.

So I doubt my double shot tall mocha has helped much. Oh well, my toddler fell asleep in her pushchair and I needed a pick-me-up!

Thankyou for your responses. Livelong sorry you're having to have more tests post op, hope you get a positive plan for going forward. Should I have expected to get some sort of result straight after the test? The lady who did my test didn't offer any information so I just assumed I'd find out my results at my next consultant appointment at the end of the month. I hate not knowing what's going on.

Tr0ubled well said to Hannah. I feel like screaming for you Hannah and Tink. So difficult when GP's are the gatekeepers to referrals - luckily my GP has been supportive. I did have to go through the process of him recommending pfe's, doing them religously for about 8 weeks and then returning to ask for and being given a referral (twice!). Is there a different GP you can see at your practice? It's criminal to deny women a proper diagnosis with a specialist. I can only suggest you go through the process of pfe's for a period of time and if you still feel the same, go back and say something like "I've taken your advice and have been doing all I can with pfe's with no improvement - I really want a referral for a proper diagnosis as I cannot live like this." Explain all the horrible symptoms you are experiencing. Good luck.

My appointment came through today for an op at the end of January. I am very happy with the timing. Life seems to be taking a turn for the better in lots of things even though I feel like my insides are slipping further on a daily basis - hopefully they'll be a 'completely fixed me' in 2013.

Hi, does anyone have any experience of this newish Surgisis biodesign graft which is being used in pelvic floor repair as an alternative to mesh. I am seeing my consultant soon and want to go armed with as much info as possible.

Fen, I am being referred back to the colorectal man, but I had to insist.

I feel like I did when I had an ingrown toenail.... I went to the doctor who peered at my toe and told me it was a corn and to take ibuprofen, this ingrown toenail really hurt and after a further 6 months I could barely walk with it, but he had made me feel such a fool that I didnt go back. It was not until my mother came to visit and looked at it that she insisted that I make another appointment and low and behold I had an ingrown toenail that was severe.

This is how the consultants are making me feel today with regard the prolapses, I know something is wrong yet they are in the main dismissive.

Livelong so sorry to hear you operation has given you the result you wanted, hope they can sort it out for you.

I don't know why the doctors and consultants keep sending people off to do pelvic floor exercises, my colorectal surgeon said I could do them until I was blue in the face and it wouldn't make an ounce of difference!!!

Tink and Hannah - I really feel for you both with regard to your GP appointments etc. Keep pressing them for a referal, exaggerate the symptoms and act like you are a suicidal mad woman who can't cope any longer due to this psychological/emotional/physical problem.. they will eventually take notice!

Fen - sorry, it was me that asked my original consultant how he would feel if someone had sliced and diced his penis, bandaged it up and wouldn't tell him what they had done for two months! His response was that I didn't need to be so graphic! Got me listened to though .

Please don't be fobbed off, any of you. I am at last symptom free and have a vagina that doesn't look like the grand canyon full of doughnuts. I am in control of my BMs and urination. The difference psychologically (not to mention physically) is worth everything. I am still a little tender now and again if I have done too much, but that doesn't bother me as it is a reminder of how far I have come and what I have been through to get here. My letter of official signing off and ((((0))) club membership arrived yesterday, and I feel like framing it!!! !!! Long may all these repairs last - forever if I am careful! Keep positive ladies - only you know how much this affects your day to day living, so don't be put off by some man in a suit who is in a hurry to get home (most of them have wives, so it is also worth asking if their wife has had/may have a prolapse and which course of action did/would he recommend to her, and how did it/would it affect him in the 'bed' department!)

Love to all xxxx

Hannah - how frustrating. Does your GP practice have a website? Ours lists all the GPs and what they specialise in, maybe if yours does the same you could see if any of them specialise in gynae and try that one?

Troubled - in my urodynamic tests the nurses talked all the way through about what was happening so I had a pretty good idea where I was at by the end of it, they explained what all the graphs were on the screen etc. That was the last I heard about it though, they said it was all passed onto the consultant.

Jan - sorry, no experience of that, I have been repaired without mesh.

Skiing - glad you've got a date that suits you.

Well, I've started on my ABs tonight, so hopefully that will sort me out. What with going to the Dr this morning and being prodded, getting in and out of the car etc, then spending another half hour on my feet this afternoon pottering, which was too long, I was pretty achey tonight, so resting again now. It's getting harder to resist getting up now, DH has managed pretty well but a couple of weeks of him winging it with the DCs and house have resulted in a gradual descent into chaos. However my body clearly still needs the rest so I am staying in bed as much as I can over the next few days. Luckily I have got a big crochet project which I can do lying down and a telly in my bedroom.

Troubled - when I had my urodynamics test, the consultant went through the results there and then and we discussed further courses of action e.g. tvt etc. He explained everything to me and what exactly the tests show ie sphincter deficiency or intruser muscle weakness (ie urge or stress incontinence, over active bladder, etc). Was there only a nurse present when you had your test done? How annoying that you have to wait for the results. I find it so frustrating when information relating to us is not discussed openly.

Drink lots of water to calm your bladder (also cranberry juice etc) XXX

Thankyou both. I'm not sure if the lady was a nurse or doctor but she didn't give me any info or show me any of the graphs. I thought it was strange that there was no one else in the room as I thought there were meant to be 2 ppl present for anything naked?
The reason for the test today was because a scan in August showed a weakness in some of the muscles surrounding my bladder/uretha but even at that scan they said they wouldn't discuss the results with me until my appt at the end of this month. I suppose at least i have time before my op in December but it is frustrating to not know whether I need an anterior wall repair on top of everything else.

I should add that I think I only had the urodynamics test because everyone who gets referred to urogynae gets it at our hospital. I haven't (so far) had too much problem with urination other than mild stress incontinence and as they would only agree to doing the posterioer repair this time (which was the major problem area for me) the urodynamics was not the most important thing. I am trying to mentally prepare myself for worsening bladder problems now though

whoknows, bladder issues have returned here too so I will join you with the worrying

Oh no Bladder .

How are you feeling whoknows?

I'm OK, but feel as though I'm not making much progress towards getting better, still uncomfortable down below, unable to stay on my feet for more than a few minutes, a long way from being able to sit upright at all except on very soft things like the bed. I'm only two weeks post-op today though, so early days. You?

Two weeks is such early days whoknows keep resting!
I am doing much better thank you and able to do much more and sit and stand for longer. I still end up exhausted when I spend more than 3 to 4 hours out of the house and am feeling quite mixed. Delighted with being fixed and comfortable but gutted about my bladder but I guess we can't win them all.
Hope that everyone else is recovering well x

Oh no, what's happening with your bladder, Bladder?

And can anyone tell me, what tests does a colorectal surgeon carry out?

Bladder - What kind of trouble are you having with your bladder? Think you and I had the same repair at the same time and I never had any issues with my bladder post op until I had my internal exam last Thursday and I'm still suffering. Feels like I need to go all the time but I put it off cause after I've been the discomfort gets even worse, then when it settles down I need to go again. Had a 3 day course Of antibiotics but its not made any difference. Still hoping it'll settle and that its just been as a result of my internal exam. Anyone else had a bit of a set back as a result of their post op check up exam?

Sorry Leonnie that I cannot offer any advice but hope that some-one else can soon for you.

Never I have not had a post op check only a small one at two weeks so don't know if they upset things again or not but hope that it settles down for you x

My bladder is leaking again big time the cystocele has gone but it still leaks and I have no idea why - any advice?

Hi Leonie. My problem has been a rectocele so a bit different to you. However I would say that you want to make clear to the consultant that you are seriously considering surgery and want to know all the various options, likelihood of success, potential side effects etc. Also, what sort of repair they wre proposing - is it a colorectal or gynae consultant? They might offer different types of repair and it would be well worth asking if it might be appropriate to see the other one as well.

The recovery and time out of action is a problem, you are looking at 6 weeks of very limited activity, no driving, no heavy lifting at all, no sitting on hard chairs etc plus another couple of months to really get back up to full strength. If you don't go for surgery they will presumably discharge you though and then you have to go through all the referral etc again. It's a tough one.

Bladder - oh no, has this just started? Is it worse or similar to how you were pre-repair? I don't know much about urinary incontinence but I'd say it was worth a visit to your GP or phone call to your gynae dept.

WillIever - it does sound like a UTI. Did whoever prescribed the ABs take a sample for analysis? Have you tried the sachets of Cystocalm or whatver it's called, or a bit of bicarb in water (only if you've got not heart or blood pressure or other health problems). Failing that I think I'd be heading off to the GP.

WhoKnows - I had a telephone appt as couldn't face sitting for around 2 hours at my GPs open access on a hard seat so I got a 3 day course of antibiotics based on what I'd explained over the phone. When I'm up walking about I can feel my bladder sort of bouncing about as if its full. I'm also a bit constipated too so wondering if this is maybe contributing to the problem and pain