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.

Think I have found out how to, Thrify, so have tried a pm!

Yellow, if you look at the header of each post there is a Message Poster link on the RHS, you need to be using the desktop site though.

Thanks everyone for helping me compile my list of authorities which may repair me on the NHS. I've spoken to my GP, and he said that if I can't get Mr. Kharandikar to refer me, I am to let him know, and he will look into another referral, to another area. If anyone can add any more to my list I'd be VERY grateful! Oh how I envy those of you who got fixed! xx

Hi Fan - I did not have physio before as was told my pf muscles ' top of the range'. However, my rectocele was a result of childbirth injuries not being sewn up many years ago, so all the exercises in the world were not going to change that so I decided to give the op a go (with some trepidation).

So far, I can poo without it trying to get out of my fanjo and perineum instead and do not need to use my fingers to redirect it. That is a huge blessing. I am still using fibogel and prunes daily (along with the rest of the high fibre diet I am now stuck with). I need to take care not to be constipated and to maintain my muscles (for my bladder as well) in order for it not to recur.

I would stick with the physio, and exercise, even if you go on to have an op. If it does not cure the problem, it helps everything else and helps you recover after the op. When you have done the pelvic floor, it is worth extending it to all your 'core' muscles as it helps your posture, and protects your back, makes exercise easier and you can enjoy your body moving more, which I love.

Nannasylv - I am very cross on your behalf - everyone should be repaired on the NHS - hope you get a referral soon.

I have had a return of the 'pinkish' discharge. It is not as wet as it was when I had the infection, and so far not 'offensive'. Is this what it is like when stitches come away. It is 5 weeks now and I now there are still some bits of stitch up there, somewhere.

Thanks a lot for the info.

To be honest, if the cystocele is causing the UTIs, then my immediate want is to go see the physio and get the exercises and request an operation to fix it anyway, because the way things are it could significantly increase my quality of life after years and years of decline into disability. Not being able to walk is one of the biggies, it hurts my bladder. Then there is the possibility of becoming stuck on a toilet for hours and hours with not very pleasant results.

I would like to kick the whole thing in the arse quickly rather than slowly, but I don't know if they will see it that way also.

Have got to speak to my Urologist about this diagnosis.

Fan - I put up with my problems for years, then found out something could be done and my feet did not touch the floor! Even if it is early days, I am not regretting it.

So far things are either the same or improved (not tried the 'intercourse' yet) although rather hurty/achy/tired at times. I am missing my dancing and should be getting back to it but it is half term. I think it will be Easter before I get anywhere near the level of fitness I was at the beginning of January, after all this sitting/reclining around.

Thank you Yellowhorse :-) I spoke to the private secretary who couldn't help me except to tell me to go privately would set me back around £5k, I would need to see Mr Currie as I hadn't actually seen him, and that the first date I could have for an op would be march 9th, so that's a no no cos I don't have 5 grand kickin around, but it was interesting to find out that I could have been in in less than 3 weeks, just goes to show really, its taken 6 months on the NHS, from Dr to op date. Anyway she gave me the number of his NHS secretary, who I left a message for, but didn't hold out much hope of getting a call back due to the fact that she only works short hours 2 days a week.
So no news today, so have had a busy day sorting out getting ready to go back to work tomorrow, will keep you all posted re another date.

Dahlia, glad your getting better and over your infection, great news on the poo front :-) it coulkd be stitches, others have had bleeds with them coming away, my leaflet said the stitches start to come away at around 6 weeks up to 3 months.

Neoprene, how did you get on?

Mrsannie, hope you are taking it easy today.

Fan - I too bypassed the physio and went straight to surgery, I had been trying PFEs but the GP said my rectocele was way beyond help from that alone (mine went from mild to fairly severe virtually overnight last year). I am seeing the physio next week though (5 months post rectocele repair) as I still have a cystocele which is asymptomatic and I want advice on keeping it that way now it hasn't got the rectocele propping it up. I also have poor core strength / intermittent back problems so want to get the whole core stronger without putting too much pressure on the PF.

Dahlia - I never really noticed my stitches coming away (other than one tiny bit) but there were a couple of times in the 2-6 week spell when things definitely got a bit tighter, can't remember getting any bleeding particularly. The surgeon said they were all gone at my 8 week check though.

Nanna - glad your GP is being helpful.

Sorry for repeating a question but it's been pretty busy on here the last few days so my previous post may not have been seen!
Just wondered how long those that have had their surgery were 'on the table' for? I'm having posterior and anterior repair and perrenial repair. I was told by my previous surgeon it would be around 2 hrs but new surgeon says under 1 hr. So I'm a little confused!

All done and home now! Feeling pretty sore but I'd expected that. It was all done under local anaesthetic so I didn't need a catheter and was awake throughout. Lovely team - the registrar handed me her iPhone and asked me to choose the music! One of the scrub nurses had had the same op in November and was v reassuring.

I've got paracetamol, diclofenac and antibiotics so will keep caning those until the pain stops. Those of you who have had the op, when did the soreness startbto subside?

Nannasylv, I saw Mr Kumerage on the NHS.

Troubled, my op (anterior repair only) was about 30 mins today but I can't really extrapolate front that how long yours would be.

*from that.

Troubled - I really don't know how long mine took, the whole day was a bit of a blur to be honest.

Neoprene glad it all went well, mine was a rectocele repair, there wasn't a great deal of pain once they had taken the packing out - did you have that? Mine came out after 24 hours and I only needed paracetamol and ibuprofen after that, I kept on with them for 2-3 weeks, but the pain wasn't that bad in between doses.

Hi Thrifty - yes taking it easy. Day time telly and catching up on reading. Still feel tired but there is no pain as such, just a feeling of discomfort and draggy feeling which starts very quickly if I am up and about. Difficult to tell if this is the repair or the new coil which can be uncomfortable for a while? Much easier than coping with a toddler and a baby after a Caesarian (17 years ago!)

Sounds like quite a few posting here have had problems with infections post op - not nice...

Tr0ubled - have just sent you a PM. XX

Annie - I got that draggy feeling very often in the first 2 or 3 weeks, I couldn't stay on my feet for more than half an hour and probably no more than 10 mins standing still. Little and often is the way to go. Not sure about the coil, I have had one for several years now and it stayed put during surgery.

Well, I'm feeling pleased with myself, just been out for my first run since he rectocele problem started last May. Took it very slowly, more of a power walk/jog than a run, covered about 2.5km in 25 mins but it felt very good. Although I want to go back to running regularly I am quite happy to do a lightweight schedule, probably no more than 5k with very gentle stride pattern to minimise any future damage, no marathons for me. It's on my list of things to talk to the physio about next week

Well done Who - that's amazing! I was a runner before all this happened and really hope I'll be able to get back to it.

Hi again. I have just been given a date for a posterior repair and perineorrhaphy in April. Apparenty my consultant is the only one who offers it as day surgery and the lovely lady who booked my appointment hinted that I might be better off in a different hospital, a bit further away, where they keep you in for a night or two. Same doc doing the op though. I have 3 small DCs so I assume this is a more sensible option?
I have been told no heavy lifting for 6 weeks but not how long I should book off work? I am a teacher. Anybody got any ideas?
Thanks.

Hi Musttidy - I was in for two nights for rectocele repair, they kept me catheterised for 24 hours then wanted me to wee 3 times before discharge. I also had packing (a wad of bandages in the vagina) that had to stay in for 24 hours. I was very wobbly on my feet when I first got out of bed and didn't want my DCs anywhere near me for the first few days in case they climbed on my lap or similar. As for work, I think for a job where you are on your feet all day and presumably can't just sit down if you need to you would probably want more than 6 weeks off, some people do a phased return but I guess this might not be possible.

Thanks. I was thinking more like two. Oh. Not sure I'm prepared for this.

I was on the afternoon list, if I had been on the morning one they would have let me go home the second evening.

Musthave - I am recovering from the same - I was booked in 3 nights and stayed 2. I think it would be better to stay a night or two. The second day was a bit painful, and I couldn't do anything much, and was still bleeding. When I came out, I had a shower and then tried to pack. The physio came in and told me I needed to lie down after the shower as I would be tired, so I did and, DH packed for me. I went home and lay on the sofa for the rest of the afternoon. It was enough to get up and go to the loo and making a cup of tea was hard work! The next day, I overdid it by going on the computer for 20 mins after my shower and tidying up. It was a huge relief to be horizontal for a couple of hours. My 3 DC are at uni, so not a problem!

I was feeling quite OK by 4 weeks and trying things out, but I am feeling more OK at 5 weeks! I would give it 6 weeks.

Thank you too Dahlia for your info. I only work two days a week and feel awful about having time off especially as its nearing exam time an I have exam groups. At least I will be able to give adequate notice so I hope they can cover me. Might warn them it could be 6 weeks but will try and get back sooner. Think it'll be harder work to be at home TBH. The children are quite demanding (aren't they all?) and DH is to the best housekeeper. I have my mum around though.
I am just not entirely convinced I want to go through with it - but I dread things getting worse and then having to wait all over again.