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.

haha Nice, I do to lol, I try to hold it in until the kids have gone to school which is sometimes difficult. Laughing aside it is a symptom that has made me really depressed at times and was part of the reason my relationship ended as I stopped letting my then boyfriend stay over as I was so embarrassed.

Anyway the nerves are well and truly in overdrive, on the plus side at least I think my bowel will be totally empty :) as everything is coming out with alarming speed!!!

Still have my cold, dont really know what to do, it is not that bad but still blowing my nose, just keeping my fingers crossed that it has gone by tuesday.

Hello Nice, haha about the 'man trumps' - I was famous for them in my family (and once out a huge ripper at work when I was laughing). Since my op I am much more of a laydee!

I did wonder if it went hand in hand so to speak as I don't remember having this talent pre my youngest two! Tink, that is quite sad. I am with you tho.. I couldn't let one rip in front of (or in ear shot) of anyone other than my two small people either. I am naughty tho because I jokingly blame them and they think its hilarious. It has started backfiring lately, as my little boy (3), said loudly the other day, 'mum, you trumped!' (Him flipping my joke on me!). I was mortified as there were people in earshot and probably thought I really had, lmao!

Lol Nice...I will just say I can relate and leave it at that!

Tink - I had a rectocele repair 6 months ago, then a tvto for stress inc. that had to be removed a week later for nerve pain. I think the reason for the tests is because its not a massive prolapse, but the repair failed within weeks. The consultant felt that she didn't want to do any more surgery until she had ruled out (or counted in) any other problems they haven't identified yet so that I don't end up with another major op that fails again. She did say she's not keen to do two ops together, but if necessary she may do a joint op with the colorectal surgeon. I'm kinda mentally prepared for another two separate ops...not great, and I understand exactly where you're coming from, but try not to worry too much. You'll need all your energy and focus on recovery from this op. Yes, you may need more surgery, but try to roll with it and take each part asit comes. Easier said than done I know, but I find its the only way to mentally cope with it all x

Had my pre op on Thursday and it has left me full of angst. Firstly I'm having more done than I thought; I knew about perinium repair and posterior prolapse but on my notes was also an MUT (like a TVT apparently) and a cystoscopy, and then also a poss anterior repair. The nurse was lovely but preferred to give worse case scenarios, i.e 'don't underestimate how much pain you'll be in' and has made me nervous about heading to my mothers in the countryside post op. She's 30 mins from nearest A&E and the nurse seemed to think this might be a bit risky. So all in all I left quite shaken up, I even had a cigarette from a complete stranger outside the hospital and I don't smoke anymore!!

Tinx have been thinking of you alot. If I don't get a chance to come on here before Tuesday I wish you all the luck in the world, look forward to hearing from you pain free on Wednesday .

Hi Troubled, you seem to have been given more information that I was at the pre op, the nurse didn't even mention what I was having done, but yes that must of been a shock to have all that thrown at you. I agree I think the pain is going to be quite bad as the one point the nurse went on about was whether I had help at home and at the very end she said again you definitely have help? because apparently if not they get social services or something like that involved. Thanks for thinking of me and I will of course let you know how it has gone, but I think Wednesday is a bit hopeful, the nurse said I would be in two or three nights.

I still have a runny nose, so I am still not sure if it is going to go ahead.

I am trying to keep positive, and will be so pleased if I can just poo normally

Take care all xx

I have been told that I may need two ops now. This is depressing me quite a bit. I knew one was inevitable, but I saw a colorectal surgeon recently and he (of COURSE it was a he. A young one. Why are these specialists never nice middle aged women?) said that the prolapse and rectocele are probably not what is causing my incontinence. He thinks that the pudendal nerve was completely severed during delivery and that's what's wrong.

I have to have three more mortifying tests and I have to wait until March next year to get them done. Long waiting list.

It's all getting me down a bit today. I thought I had a clear path to progress with a rectocele repair. But it's not going to be that simple unfortunately.

Hugs to everyone here!

Sorry to post here but I can't get any answers and I need help if its ok with you ladies?

I've had problems with my bladder in pregnancy - do much so that pretty much I lived on the toilet. By the end I was going fifteen times in the night and actually got much more sleep when I had the baby. I have a toddler and we were housebound.

After the birth I had urine retention and like the first birth I was given a catheter, which I was convinced injured me. This time wearing the catheter was so painful I could not walk and I just counted the 24 hours until was out. I was also told that my vaginal wall was protruding and to exercise to get it back.

I feel permently sore in my muscle area around my urethra in a burning way - and it's near four months on. My pyjamas bottoms always smell noticeably stale (my three year old girl told me I smell) and I go to the loo everytime I wake up.
What is this? Someone mentioned to me a kink in my urethra? Any ideas?

Hi Val, you poor thing, sounds like you need a bit more help than just exercises. Have you been to your GP about this? I would suggest you start with them, they can refer you to your local uro-gynae dept who will be able to make a more detailed evaluation of what needs to happen next. It might be useful to go armed with a little diary of exactly what you are drinking and how often you are urinating and under which circumstances the incontinence is happening. Above all stress how much the symptoms are affecting your every day life. It might be a good idea to have a look at your GPs website to see if any of the ones at your practice specialise in women's health issues and try and see that one.

I'm not totally expert on this area, but there are various possibilities and treatments, at the very least you need to get some advice on making sure you can do your pelvic floor exercises properly. If you have been doing them properly you probably need to have urodynamics testing, which unfortunately involves cathetisation, but is fairly straightforward otherwise, they measure the performance of your bladder by filling and emptying it and analyses it all by computer. This is in conjunction with a detailed diary from you. They should then be able to advise you what your next steps need to be. Hope this helps.

Hello Val, the kink you mention may mean that you have a urethrocele - where the urethra prolapses into the vagina (kind of like a hernia but in your fanjo!), and the aching is also suggestive.... Your best bet is to see your GP and explain everything that you've said here. You may be told to do pfe's to begin with, but make sure you ask how long before you need to come and get checked again. This may be enough to help you, but maybe you need some extra investigations too. FWIW, I'm not sure the catheter is the cause of the problem, although they're not pleasant (!), but that you might have been feeling discomfort from some kind of problem already there. Have you ever been investigated for an over-active bladder? This may also be the cause. Good luck.. Hopefully the solution will be a simple one, but if not you know where we are now!
Whodve - that's horrible, but having possible nerve damage means that your case is more 'complicated' so the road to recovery might be a bit longer. It sounds like your surgeon is taking a cautious approach and trying to make sure you get fixed so i would take heart from that. (I still have a urethrocele which causes some minor issues and no-one wants to touch it so I do understand how you feel.)
Troubled and Tink - don't be too put off by the mention of pain.... I had an anterior repair and hysterectomy the first time round, and this time a perineal floor repair and posterior repair. Looking back, I've worked out the horrible pain I had the first time was due to the hysterectomy and an abscess. This time has been more discomfort than agony! Not to say any pain is pleasant, but I do hope you are both surprised to find it's far better than you thought it would be. You do need to take things VERY easy at first so some help is essential for the first two weeks. Having said that, I could manage with someone coming to do the cleaning and help with the washing - I am single and had DD2 around for the first op but not the second.
Troubled, I do think the nurse has rather painted the worst scenario for you. Bear in mind that they can't really tell exactly what they need to do until they 'get in there' so to speak, so will have told you ALL of the possibilities. Go to your mum's! It should be fine and you will probably be more relaxed and comfortable there.
Tink - to be honest, I would have been reassured by the possible stay you've been told about, because that way they're making sure you are really ready to go home (having had BM's etc). I only stayed in 29 hrs the last time which was ok as I knew what to expect, but I wouldn't have been up to it the first time. Try to relax a little - or as you say, sleep like a log after! Hopefully the nose will be behaving and you'll find it's a bit like going on holiday - if you're like me, you can only really relax once you've checked in at the airport!!!
sorry for the long post (again)

Tink - the best of luck for tomorrow!

Goodluck tomorrow Tinx, will be thinking of you x

Thanks, to say I am a nervous wreck is an understatement. Oh and just want to apologise to Roseanna, for some reason I did not read your post, I remember now the problems you had, sorry for getting muddled.

I cant believe I am letting someone slice open my fanjo

Anyway ladies I am off to have a shower and then bed, though I doubt I will sleep.

Nite all and hopefully I will be back a new woman xxxx

Tink - good luck, will look forward to hearing from you again afterwards.

Good luck

Tink - wishing you lots of luck; hope it goes ok and you are soon feeling like a new woman with a designer vagina !!!

Anyone still have considerable aching nine weeks on? I might have myself to blame but I've had things to do.... It feels like someone's given me a good kick in the fanjo - and I go back to work tomorrow!

Hi

I've been referred to a urinogynaecologist about possible rectocele repair, due to damage from the birth of my son. Can anyone tell me what to expect from a first appointment?

(ps - my son is over 21 - is that a long time not to be able to poo properly and am I mad!!!)

I have a rectocle - and have been offered an op in a few weeks
-for 4 years several of my GPs were useless and just said it was normal when I asked about this odd thing! so not very impressed with GP at all - a specialist has just confirmed my fear - its not terrible one I guess but not quite right I haven't worn trousers since child birth am in no real pain but always a bit uncomfortable it took over two years for me to sit with out a lot of discomfort after childbirth- so wondering if I should go for the op - as I don't want things to turn out worse? also it says there is a risk of painful sex as a complication -
any advice would be helpful thanks

Hello ladies. I have just been diagnosed with a prolapsed bladder - I have had symptoms of an irritated bladder for some time but thought it was interstistal cystitis. Then noticed a bulge just at the entrance to my vagina. I have just been to see GP (not my usual doc) and she has diagnosed a cystocele. I have made an appointment with my regular GP with whom I have a great relationship for after Christmas but in the meantime I'm feeling pretty low and anxious. I'm a regular mnetter and found it really helpful reading through these threads last night. I am in awe of you ladies who have been through so much, I fel pathetic in comparison.

Anyway, my current concerns are almost constant discomfort (feels like cystitis but no pain when weeing). I wonder if running has made things worse? My ds is 11 and I had a c section so no traumatic childbirth issues. I am 50 though and from what I have read, probably am peri menopausal which is probably contributing. Can any of you advise on lifestyle issues, dealing with the discomfort etc? The GP I saw recommended pelvic floor exercises. I am wondering if I have been doing these correctly. Can they really help? I would prefer if at all possible to avoid any surgery (terrified!).

Many thanks in advance and hats off to so many brave women on here.

Have read the most recent four posts, not got time to answer now as I'm off to work, but will try and get back on tonight (busy day in prospect so it might not be till after about 9 though).

Frequentwee - I was diagnosed with a cystocele and three other prolapses back in October. I am 52 and had been running regularly since April, so I am pretty sure the two things are linked. Anyway I have been told I will eventually need surgery, but for now I have a ring pessary which so far has worked out very well. Most of the time I don't know it is there and it has stopped the horrible burning, dragging feeling.

Thanks for reply Jan. I feel sorry at the thought of giving up runnng but I don't want to make things worse. Glad to hear that the pessary has worked out for you. I'm trying hard to be positive and not get anxious but early days and unfortunatley I think about it all the time, mainly because of the discomfort. Does anyone find levels of discomfort change with cycle? I started my period today (bleurgh, just what I didn't need) but conversely the discomfort feels less. Maybe due to using a tampon? Tough I can feel the tampon which I cant usually.

Sorry if tmi. Glad to find somewhere to ask questions though. Thanks.

Frequentwee - most people seem to have good days and bad days - which is probably hormone linked. When it first happened to me I was very upset and could think about nothing else. I have started alternatives to running like more swimming and fast walking -its not the same, but better than nothing.

Fen - hope your return to work went OK. I'm not really getting the discomfort or aching now, just the odd moment two or three times a day. Maybe you do need to rest a bit more still? I am definitely not as energetic as usual yet.

Dahlia - they will need to do an internal exam and ask you what symptoms you are having, it would be a good idea to make a list, not just the actual symptoms but how it's affecting you, eg discomfort is preventing you from exercising, poo problems making it difficult for you at work or whatever. The alternative to surgery is the pessary, described by Jan. Have you been invited for any specific tests? They have test for both urinary and fecal incontinence problems, if those are applicable, you would get sent information with your appointment letter. You probably know if you have been reading this thread that surgery is a major op, needing at least 6 weeks off work and avoiding any lifting for a couple of weeks, you would definitely need help around the house.

Frequent - I too have developed a prolapse within a year of taking up running, I had a rectocele repair about 9 weeks ago and still have a cystocele so not going back to running in the foreseeable, unfortunately. A lot of exercises do strain the pelvic floor, both high impact eg running and strength (esp core strength) types, squats, planks, Pilates if done incorrectly, weights. Try googling Michelle Kenway, she is a specialist physio with lots of good advice for taking care of your pelvic floor.

MrsA - quite a few of us have had rectocele repairs, mine was about 9 weeks ago. I'm definitely having a lot less discomfort now, when sitting, wearing tight jeans etc and it has solved my pooing problems (getting stuck in the rectocele). I'm glad I had it done but it is a major disruption to your life (I have primary school aged children and needed a lot of childcare and household help for at least 6 weeks afterwards.)

Jan - glad the pessary is working out well for you.