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.

bubbles I have my first pelvic physio app tomorrow so I am grateful to know a little of what to expect. Did they give you any indication as to whether they thought your problems could be fixed with exercises? Also, if its not too personal ironic considering thread are you overweight? Wondering if they will want me to drop a few more pounds....

Just checking. started swimming on Sundaya ns went again today. I really enjoyed it and felt fine, I am thinking it is not a lot different than walking but beter because not on my feet ?
I am 6 1/2 weeks poat anteria, posteria and TVT... anyone else swim at this stage ?
not seeing consultant till next Monday and a friend seems to think I will do damage ? someone on here said we get paranoid about everything and I think I am sometimes. But as you allknow this op is not a nice one and no way will I have it done again thanks............. Hope everyone is well

I'm 12st3lb so classed as overwt. For my height a stone is about right to lose. She reckoned it would be good to be the correct wt.
If you look back on this thread you'll find my history- I had surgery 7 years ago and it's gradually come back. I don't think it will reverse things completely .Interestingly she was less concerned about my cystocele and more concerned about the perineal repair being poor, and I thought that bit was ok (though she never saw me pre op!) At present the risks of surgery far outweigh the benefits.
The appointment was about an hour and most of that was getting a history, talking about anatomy, and discussing my expectations. The examination bit was about 15mins and she checked all 4 quadrants of my pelvic floor, whilst I contracted. It's normal for the right side to be worst affected because of the way a baby normally lies.She then explained the correct way to do the exercises, and checked I was doing them correctly. She said it was important to actually fatigue the muscles to make them stronger (like any form of exercise I guess). The biggest revelation was realising that all these years I've just been twiddling around rather than properly exercising my PF.

Slinky - as long as you've stopped bleeding and you feel ok to do it, swimming is absolutely fine. It's a very good form of exercise!

X-post with bubbles! I have an electronic exerciser but daren't do anything yet aside from a few clenches / lifts as I have some very tough stitches hanging around....

WhoKnows The only reason I found out about gynae physio was a small notice in the doctor's surgery. I asked for a referral directly to her and the wait was 3 months.

Oh and the lovely physio also reckoned that the electrical stim things only helped of there was proven nerve damage she said I don't have.

Bubbles sorry haven't read rest of thread as joined after a panic yesterday. Can I ask you about your perineal repair? I had an episiotomy with DC1 which was repaired badly / seems to completely have come undone, so there is not really anything there iyswim. Can this be a contributing factor to the prolapse? I assumed that it was just cosmetic or are you talking about damage to the wall between? Sorry if I'm asking stupid questions / going over old ground but I'm nervous about physio app tomo and want to go prepared.

Musttidy I tore during birth and was never stitched(like a huge episiotomy, but luckily no fistula) I had no idea how important my perineum is. It's basically the skin and muscle between your vagina opening and bum hole, and I had very little. I then carried a heavy baby which compounded the damage. Not one professional suggested it should be repaired between children . I now know it probably should have been done. It was only after DC2 , when I said "I think I have a problem", that they admitted yes, i had a big problem. It was as if no one wanted to say anything, they were waiting for me to raise it. If your physio has any major concerns she will let you know, but do ask. These ladies seem dedicated to their cause!

That sounds like me- there is just nothing other than the wall iyswim. DS2 was 9lb so I'm sure that really helped. Then went on to have a 3rd soon after. No one suggested any repair in fact when I asked the obst consultant said wait until youve finished your family.

Its like the middle ages sometimes isn't it Musttidy? Good luck tomorrow- I'm sure it'll be fine.

Musttidy, I had a bad episiotomy with my 1st child. It was repaired under general anaesthetic 6 weeks later but broke down within a week and I was (poorly) advised to wait under I'd had my children before a repair. Was also told "you've had a baby what do you expect, live with it".
I've had one more child but now have a posterior prolapse and possible anterior one too, the posterior is certainly as a result of poor support from my perinium.
I'm booked in for surgery on the 20th December to repair the posterior prolapse and perinium.
Good luck with your physio appt to tomorrow.

Has anyone tried any of the iphone apps for PFEs? I was browsing them last night, might try one, I do struggle to remember to do them.

Saw fantastic physio. Hour long appointment and she took a full history and examined me.
Rectocele and Cystocele (full marks tofengirl for her diagnosis ) she is confident that physio can significantly improve things. Good control and am doing my PFEs properly. Lot of scar tissue from episiotomy / tear has caused weakness in RHS PF muscle. Cystocele worse than rectocele. Continue with exercise but bounce less / shorter runs. Back in 2 weeks for more tests.
So, not too bad?!

Oh good, glad that went well Must. What sort of runs were you doing before? I am thinking about whether i can go back to running, I have proper fitted running shoes and figure that if I keep my stride low and short the impact is lessened quite a bit, also try and run on grass as much as poss. I would love to get back to 5k runs regularly. In the meantime I am going to start some Wii Fit and swimming.

I think I am doing my PFEs properly, but can't clench as hard at the memoent as I should be able to

Moment I mean. Cold hands!

Normally so about 7-8 km so will bring it down to 5 I think. She said less b

Bloody hell I'm at it too.
Also said dont go too fast (not much danger of that).
She said less bouncing at Zumba and try and switch one exercise sesh a week to swimming but that's not v easy. Also says need to ask consultant about getting a vaginal pessary to get a bit extra support but she's saus they're reluctant to give to 'youngsters' .
H/w is to do 10secs x 10 then 10 short clenches 5 times a day.

I'm going to ask about pessaries tomorrow too (I've got an unrepaired cystocele as well as the repaired rectocele), my GP did mention them but thought I might be a bit young too (I'm 45).

Goodluck tomorrow whoknows

My GP fitted a ring pessary as soon as she diagnosed my prolapses back in July (which fell straight out) so it sounds like this is one of those things that it doctor dependant rather than age as I was only 37. It was not for me but I can see how they would provide support and relief.

Physio seemed to think that reason docs were reluctant was because they needed regular checking and therefore more time and money but couldn't see why they don't fit them on younger women. But she did say there was some evidence that they can cause irritation sometimes (I think that's what she said) but that it might be worth an ask to have that extra support to exercise. Anyone know any more about that?
Good luck tomorrow whoknows.

How did you get on today Whoknows?

It went fine thanks, saw the surgeon who did the op, he said the cystocele was unchanged and the rectocele repair successful. He said the lumpiness I can feel and see inside is the ridge where the stitches were. He agreed that some of the discomfort I am getting at hhe front may be due to the cystocele and is referring me to physio to help prevent or delay it getting worse. He also said that although he is discharging me now I can self refer if the cystocele symptoms worsen and don't need to go back through the GP. I'm feeling a little sore from the examination!

Other than that I would say my energy levels have increased dramatically in the last couple of weeks, not quite back to normal levels but not far off. I'm 8 weeks post-op tomorrow. I started a diet yesterday too. If this doesn't motivate me nothing will.

That is fantastic news whoknows I am so pleased for you that the repair was successful and the cystocele is no worse. Hope that the Physio helps to keep it under control.

Goodluck with the diet it is great when life starts to get back on track and we start seeing the benefits of the surgery isn't it?

Evenin' all! Had my checkup today (7 weeks postop) and like Whoknows have been discharged. (I only got to see the nurse though.) Apparently my fanjo is still not looking youthful enough so I have more oestrogen cream.... The PDS stitches are now less uncomfortable - just as well as they're likely to still be with me in the New Year . I guess I'll just have to see how it goes as I'm still quite sore at times, but whatever happens they won't cut them which is fair enough as overall I'm pleased that I no longer have the Dartford Tunnel down there and don't want to risk spoiling it! I'll just have to remember not to get carried away with anyone (chance would be a fine thing) and do them an injury with my 'man trap'. I'm doing more now but as a result feeling just as tired which is a bit frustrating.... but I obviously still need the odd 'nanna nap' or two!