Any old prolapse! Uterus/womb prolapse, rectocele, cystocele, enterocele, urethrocele, incontinence, pelvic floor, anterior and posterior repair, TVT etc part 7

[gottagetthroughthis]

This is thread 7 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
Thread 6

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.

[Pinot79]

Hi all, after my first baby (8lb 9oz) it was clear in days something wasn't right down below, after been told by a midwife I was basically a wimp and that African women were back working in the fields within hours of giving birth I felt pretty stupid! Even after the birth of my second baby (9lb13oz) it took me 4 years to see my GP. I had entrocele, rectocele and hysteropexy (too complicated to repair cystocele at the same time) repair done almost 6 weeks ago. Tbh the uterine prolapse wasn't really a concern, it was the awful bulge that felt like my undercarriage was dragging on the floor that really bothered me and how that looked in general. Other than soreness to the tailbone and when I need to poo I have had minimum pain. I don't think I have overdone it in anyway and certainly haven't lifted anywhere near what I probably could. I am so curious as to what's going on down there so I have has a feel and there is still a bit of a bulge, it feels like a spongy sausage. Is this normal?? It's been so long since everything was normal I don't even know what normal is! I can also feel a stitch quite high up but thought these should have dissolved by 3 weeks!?!?

[FlowerGirl321]

WOW, That's possible the longest thread I've ever read! :-)

I was fitted 3 months ago with a Ring Pessary which helps no end and has allowed me to function well without the need for surgery (for now it seems anyway - fingers crossed).

A couple of weeks ago I bought a new pessary online which is so much softer, easier to put in and take out for cleaning and just wondered if anyone else is using them?

They're blue :-( (wasn't overly keen on the colour but hey, its not like anyone see's it! ) it was from //www.mypessary.com (sorry don't know how to make links).

They just seem so much nicer then the white rock hard one I was fitted with, it seems to do the job just as well but wanted to see if anyone else has tried one and if you were happy with it?

Kindest Regards

FG x

[katieinthesunshine]

Hello "mangled mess",

I read your posts on the "any old prolapse" thread and just wanted to offer you my sympathy and any help I could. You are not alone in the dismissive, abusive treatment you have received from those we trust to care for us!! It just seems to go with the condition, as you'll have noted - I think you said you had a kidney problem too? - I bet you found that the care for that was ok but the care for prolapse issues was dismissive and uncaring!!!

I had a prolapse operation..privately...but I'm sorry to say mine did not go well. I picked a high risk operation, I think, and the wrong consultant. Who is the consultant you mentioned who you went to see privately?

Do you have uterine prolapse or is it rectal prolaspe with the back passage coming out?

Please could I offer you all the support and advice I can on both peristeen and many many other ways of trying to manage bowel issues, as I have tried every single thing under the sun for these. IMHO you do NOT need to have a nurse watch you use peristeen irrigation in order to learn how to use it! You can learn yourself, don't let them tell you otherwise, just takes a few goes to get used to.

Warmest wishes and hope you are coping,

katieinthesunshine

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Here is a link to the more recent thread following this one, it has been quiet for a few days and dropped down the lists.

Most recent thread.

Jadie - yes, I've been using that App, it's very useful isn't it?

[Jadiexxxx]

Girls I also want to tell you about a great app I found on my iphone, it's called PFE, (pelvic floor exercises I think) its pink with a purple tick! It's much easier to do the exercises when something's telling u what to do x

[SameAsYou]

Going to have a read of everything on here - I'm going to the docs on Friday as convinced of a vaginal prolapse, I started out thinking its my mirena coil coming out but more symptoms pointing towards a prolapse

[Jadiexxxx]

Ignore that, it just showed!! So I'm 3 weeks post op, front and back wall repair. I am in so much pain in my perrineum, it's Rock hard, itchy and painful! Is this normal?? When do stitches soften?? I'm regretting having this but I'm So Grateful I've found this thread

[Jadiexxxx]

Is there a new thread to this as nothing's been posted since feb and I'd like to talk xxx

[Jadiexxxx]

Is there a new thread to this as nothing's been posted since feb?

[librarygirl55]

Just wondering if anyone has had the feeling of a bulge at about 6 weeks post op. I do not see my doctor until next week and am worried sick. I have followed doctors orders. Cancelled trip to Florida to continue recovering. I have had no bleeding or pain

[Noordinarygirl]

Another newbie here. Had vaginal pessary ring fitted today. Had sub-total laparoscopy in November - recovered great....or so I thought. Then about 5 weeks ago found my cervix falling out!!! REALLY do not want more surgery and hoping this ring does the trick. Don't have uterus or anything else big behind the cervix so am keeping fingers crossed that it works as don't want to have to stop all the stuff I've been told NOT to do if it turns out I need surgery! I'm only 45 and want to keep having sex/mountain walking/gardening/lifting etc etc etc. Feel quite ticked off and angry today. I don't want to feel like I'm 75 for the next however many years. Doc said only slight 'flop' of back vaginal wall which isn't too bad but have to see how the next 4 weeks go and see him again. Has anyone had similar stuff happen?

[Nims99]

Hi, new here and so pleased to have found somewhere where I can feel "normal". I have a cystocele and rectocele, and I think uterine prolapse too now, since having my third child (now 16m) who weighed in at 10lb11oz. I saw a gynae almost a year ago who said it was grade to and justified surgery, but wouldn't do it until I wasn't having to lift my youngest around. I asked about a pessary but he said they're for 80 year old great aunts (which I thought was a bit rude!). I was told to come back if it was really bothering me. Well that time is now here, I've had enough of it now; the poking about to poo, weeing my pants, dragging, discomfort, protrusions, aches, bloated feeling, the list goes on as you all well know. The thing is I've read so many bad reports about the success (or lack of) of repairs with many saying they wished they'd never had it done. Is it really so bad and is a pessary a viable option? I'm seeing my gp next week to get referred again but would really appreciate any advice. N.

[Nixidan]

Hi all, I am about 2 weeks post op for rectocyle and TVT. Had a catheter for 4 days after leaving hospital. I still feel, though, as if I'm leaking somehow and have a pale brown discharge that seems to be at the bladder end, rather than the vagina end. Also, on 'exploring' the area (trying to figure out what's different etc), I've noticed that inside my vaginal opening, there doesn't appear to be a 'hole' or a space. I'm trying to find out if this is normal or if I should go back to the surgeon. Any thoughts?

[Noordinarygirl]

I had lap. sub-total hysterectomy in November. Maybe I did too much too soon - but seemed to recover very quickly. Had to self-catheterise for months beforehand due to large fibroid messing everything up inside - hence the operation.

Ended up at A&E 4 weeks ago with cervix falling out by about 2 inches. Have had to cut down a lot on what I do now and can't walk anywhere as much I used to due to it falling down all the time. It's not come all the way back out and doc at A&E said my vagina was OK and that it was just my cervix. Waiting for app to see specialist on 1st July but was wondering what others had this and what treatment there is. Another op, some sort of support inside or what? Disappointed as I felt SO well after op and now it seems that just caused another problem! Will it ever be better enough to do what I want (mountain walking etc) or has it scuppered all that physical exertion?

[RF67]

Hi, all. Just found this thread and now posting on Mumsnet for the first time.

I'm 6 week's post- TVT surgery. Having severe pain on one side only, which only started to develop a couple of weeks ago. Have had scans, nothing. Consultant has fobbed me off with antibiotics "in case" and said to come back in a month if I'm still in pain.

It's not constant pain, it's triggered if I stand up for more than a few minutes at a time (so the school gate is a real problem). It's excruciating, presumably it's around the top of the tape, although I can't be 100% sure.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[MrsAnnie]

Musttidyup - I do understand your problems. I have told work that I have had small gynae op which covers a huge spectrum of problems. I have told details to close friends only. This is probably why I have not handled the off work issue very well as I found it hard to admit what I needed to be fixed. Doesn't help that my boss is a man : o

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I have started a new thread NEW THREAD

[FanFuckingTastic]

I too have sent a join request.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I can't remember what I told the children, just that mum had an injured bottom I think (mine were 6 and 8 at the time, thought that was enough detail).

I was told not to drive for 6 weeks and off work for the same (can't get to work without driving, but I don't use the car for much else). I could have done a bit of work at home, but my laptop is pretty heavy and I wouldn't have wanted to lift it for the first few weeks, it wouldn't have been possible to sit at it comfortably either for long. I just told my boss it was a gynae op, I shared the details with my female colleagues but not the men.

Fan - I haven't had problems in any of those three areas really, my problem was extreme discomfort walking plus having to splint for BMs (using the thumb to press on the rectocele to evacuate it). The cystocele does lead to incomplete emptying of my bladder according to urodynamics, but I have not suffered any actual problems because of it.

Mandy - thank you for that link, I have sent a join request.

The thread is nearly full, I will start a new one later tonight, we have a lot of people at the moment which is lovely in terms of support (sad that so many need it though).

[MandyAJ7]

Hi I'm new here but (sadly) not new to prolapse. Four years ago,after a hysterectomy, I had a vaginal vault prolapse, cystocele, rectocele and enterocele. I've had several correction procedures. I can see this is a great support group, but I also wanted to let you know about the Pelvic Organ Support group on Facebook. It's a private group (you have to ask to join) and a number of health professionals, including some really great, knowledgeable physios are members and are always happy to answer questions.
www.facebook.com/groups/184143085606/

[FanFuckingTastic]

So is it normal for cystocele/rectocele combination to affect your sex life? Are there any hints and tips on how to have an active sex life before correction?

Also, how do people deal with the constipation issues?

And do any of you have problems with recurrent bladder issues because of it?

And how quickly does surgery correct the problem?

[NeopreneMermaid]

I told my children (nearly 3 and 1) that I have a poorly tummy.

[NeopreneMermaid]

Musttidy, my surgeon said not to drive for 3 weeks or lift anything for 6. The certificate for work says I can't work for 6 weeks! I only started my job last week and hope to work from home from Monday (I do a desk job and have my laptop home with me) but will see how it goes. I haven't told work any details and the certificate just states "Major surgery".

Not feeling as sore today but can't stand for more than 5mins and sitting is uncomfortable. I don't think I've been able to lay down for this long in 3 years (when dc1 was born) - might have to arrange fanjo surgery more often.

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

Ok thanks mrsannie now I just need to pluck up the courage to tell work . I do not relish sharing the details with my boss - I do blush easily . Anybody got any idea what I should tell the kids? I thought having my tummy fixed but DS1 (5) will interrogate me and I just know he'll proudly broadcast it at school....

[MrsAnnie]

Hi Musttidy - I thought exactly the same as you, thinking of 2 weeks off. I now realise its not going to be enough. I am day 8 and still needing to lie on sofa most of the day. Not in pain but standing, walking, even sitting upright is not good. I plan to have at least 2 full weeks off and then see if I feel we'll enough to work from home. I don't think from reading the other posts here that I will be ready to go back into office for 4-6 weeks min and that does make me feel bad as I did play it down a bit at work. My advice is to plan 6-8 weeks well in advance and then if you are ready before that's fine but if not there's no pressure. (Wish I had done this).