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.

Hi Sure, still here :)

Still waiting for the appt to see the multidisciplinary team. Consultant promised me it wouldn't take months, but three weeks later I don't even have an appt yet -pah!

Meanwhile things feel like they are slowly deteriorating and I really feel the prolapses all the time now. Just finishing my period now, but during it I felt terrible and struggled to get to sleep even, because of the pain and pressure. Really sick of all of this now and just want it fixed. On the plus side, work is incredibly busy right now and not enough hours in the day, so its helping me feel like I've got my life back and stops me dwelling on things and feeling so sorry for myself lol

And as for you - wow! You're doing so well now, I'm so proud and happy for you.You deserve it, and like Fen am cheering you on in the sidelines - you go girl!

Roseanna - sorry to hear you are still waiting. Hopefully you will get news soon and can have more of an idea on the time scale of things. Isn't it strange how when it all starts to fall down, it seems to happen quite quickly although the info on websites etc. says it happens over a long time. Maybe we don't phsyically feel things until it is all too late and gravity has taken over from our pf's. I felt just like you - sick to death of it all and just wanting to get fixed, so hang in there as it is so worth it in the end. Although I still didn't quite believe the consultant at my final check up when he said there was no sign of any more prolapses and even the scar tissue was minimal. I kept saying, are you sure you are right? Nothing there? No prolapse? No bulges??? Lol! Just hoping it will all last long enough for certain things!!! .
Hugs to you
x

Well after spending the day trying to avoid bending and looking like a very poor impression of a limbo dancer as a result I've given in and called ooh to get some advice about my stitch.... It's now pulling so tight there's a dent!

Ouch Fen! What're they saying about it?

Sure - am certain when the time comes certain things will be just fine :o

Well that was worse than useless.... 'Put sudocrem on it and massage the area. See your gp on mon if still a problem'. Then put the phone down.

i have just spent 2 hours waiting in primary care for the doctor to tell me what i already knew ,he said you have a water infection and you are a bit sore down below i said a bit sore a cant sit down properly .So more antibotics for me i am beginning to wish i never had this operation what with all these infections and this bloody self catheterising rant over sorry x

Nana - you will get through it but it's horrible while it's happening. Hopefully as your bladder improves you won't need to catheterise any more and that will be the end of the infections. I think it would be a good idea for your gp to let you have some ABs so you can start them at the first sign of an infection if they will. I haven't been in exactly your situation but did have nine lots of ABs in my first go round (due to an abscess) so I can understand how you feel.

It's so frustrating when you don't feel like you're being taken seriously isn't it. I mean Sudocrem...really? What's that going to do for a stitch?

Nana - feel for you...you've had such a rough time. Hugs x

Nan/Fen/Roseanna - hugs to you all and keep positive (ie don't let the bastards get you down!) xxx

Hi All. I am 4 weeks post anteria and posteri repair and a TVT bladder sling.
Not sure what I should be doing by now. Still feel weak. Can manage about an hour around the shops then completly knackered. TVT still feels sore/pulling. I have put on so much weight sitting around, I phoned the nurse to ask what I can do and she said 'you are not an invilid apart from lifting anything' ?
I have just stopped bleeding and tbh am scared of doing anything as I am only just staring to feel normal. Three more weeks off work and untill I see my consultant. I had it done privatly and mt consultatnt has not given me any post op advice....... what can;should I be doing please. TY

Slinky - the nurse is a cheeky cow who has probably never had your op! Ignore her. You may have stopped bleeding but I'd lay money your stitches are not out yet and your deep tissues are definately still healing. Just listen to your body and do what it tells you. Walking is fine if you can manage it (I think around an hour a day at your stage but don't forget you probably do that pottering round anyway) but really you should wait til your checkup to start any serious exercise and ask advice at your appointment.
Right ladies, who wants to toss a coin and decide if I should ring the hospital (at risk of getting no reply at all or so late it's too late to do anything) or the doctor (who will probably try to fob me off or tell me to ring the hospital anyway)??? I've still got the cheese wire effect going on here....

Oh and slinky I hope you've been told no emptying bins or pushing shopping trolleys or similar for six weeks.

Fengirl
Thank you. Here was I thinking I should be doing more. Read it out healed yet. He has been good but starting to lapse a bit now so I have started to do a bit. I will wait another 2 weeks till I start doing anything. The info on these threads have been helpful but some scarey. I feel I am lucky I felt terrible for a few weeks and the stitches pulled,plus a water infection but the last few days have felt as if things are easing upinside. TVT will be the hardest I think as I do feel it all the time. If I can be of any help to anyone going for these ops please do ask. Not a nice op,but after the first few weeks it does get better
Thanks again

Fen ouch to the cheesewire effect! Did you manage to speak to some-one? Hope that you get some relief soon.
Nana what am awful few weeks you have had I really feel for you with your ongoing bladder troubles
Roseanna good to hear that work is keeping you busy but sorry that your appointment has not come through yet and you are feeling worse

Surewoman you go girl so pleased that you are ready to date again and are feeling so positive

Slinkychick 4 weeks is still early days for you get plenty of rest. I used the rcog recovering well leaflet for vaginals repairs as a guide for recovery, sorry that I cant link from my phone.

How are you doing whoknows?

Misty thank you for sharing and I agree with your comments about sex post repair. Quite uncomfortable to begin with but getting easier and my goodness what a difference in a very good way!

Saw my consultant last week and prolapses have healed really well but still have some healing to do and waiting for an appointment for a urodynamics test (bleurgh) would anyone care to share what delights that entails?
I am also back at work gradually building up my hours and loving being back feeling so much better in myself after a few wobbles last week.

Evening all,

Slinky - I'm 5.5 weeks post posterior repair and am still a long way from fully back to strength. I did as little as possible for the first fortnight, only walking around the garden and house and spent a lot of time resting. In fact it is only this weekend that I have managed to spend entire days without lying down at some point. It is a balance between keeping your fitness and not overdoing it. To be honest I have found that I wanted to be up and about doing things but with the restriction on lifting there hasn't been much I can do, no shopping, no work, no proper housework or laundry. I am finding that it is still uncomfortable to sit properly upright, eg at a desk or table, for more than a few minutes. I can't spend more than about an hour on my feet without feeling achey down below too, I struggled on the days I was at home with the DCs last week (half term), just overwhelmed. But I am definitely getting better day by day.

Fen - did you phone anyone?

Bladder - glad you are enjoying being back at work

Nana - hope you are feeling a bit better today

Bladder and Whoknows, ooh were unhelpful to say the least. I think I'll call the hospital in the morning as its really making me miserable and the pain is making me sleep very badly and grumpy with it! I'd just like them to cut the stitch - I'm not brave enough to do it myself (as I have done with other external stitches) as I'm scared I'll chop into myself - and need to know its ok anyway.

Just looked back down and owe you an apology Roseanna. Didn't mean to ignore you. For heavens sake get on the phone - gp AND consultants secretary and tell them all how you are feeling. Just remember they are happy for you to put up with things as long as you're prepared to - so its up to you to tell them you CAN'T wait. Do it!

Slinky I am now nearly 13 weeks post op for anterior repair, posterior repair and TVT. I would say that I only started feeling myself again at about 10 weeks post op. Up until that point I was sore and tired and suffering from recurring urine infections. Just give your body time to recover and don't push yourself. I am now doing everything I did before except heavy lifting. I know it's hard but you still need plenty of rest. Surgeons seem to think that everything will be better after 6 weeks but that's not the case. I thought there was something wrong because I didn't magically feel better after 6 weeks but other women have said that 12 weeks is more realistic and I agree. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Bladder I'm glad things are getting better for you too.

Fengirl I would ask them to snip your stitch. There's nothing worse than a pulling stitch. I remember the cheesewire effect well. Once it's snipped the relief should be instant. Good luck.

Can I ask all you post op ladies, is it just me or have your periods been horrendously painful since your surgery? The first couple of months I was in pain anyway so didn't think anything of it but now my pain has gone my period is horrible. Something seems to happen at this time of the month and my scar tissue gets really sore. It's like going back to just after I had the surgery. I hope this is going to get better with time.

Misty - can't answer that one I'm afraid, I have a Mirena coil which means no periods to speak of. I wouldn't be surprised if hormones aggravate everything though.

Misty - I had the same with regard to periods being horrendous post op. I asked my consultant and he said that it is quite common as your vaginal tissue swells slightly due to hormones around the time of your period, so everything feels a lot more tender. It does eventually get better; I am now about 18 weeks post op for anterior, posterior, tvt and perineum and the last period I had was a piece of cake - not painful in the vaginal area and tampax easy to use. Also my periods were really heavy post op and that seems to have lessened now too. I suppose it is just the scar tissue that takes so long to settle (my cervix was really sore too, but I do know they literally pull it out of the way whilst operating so maybe that was why, and it was just bruised and battered!!!). If you think about it, when you have a cut on your knee or something, it does take a really long time for scabs to form, fall off and the scar to lose its redness and just because things are on the inside, the healing process is the same. All this 6 weeks rubbish is ridiculous - I suppose by that they mean that scar tissue is strong enough to withstand a slight strain, but it doesn't mean that it can stand general wear and tear. Oh well ...

Slinkychick - I was still having an afternoon nap on the bed at 6 weeks. Don't rush it and listen to your body - if it hurts, stop!!! I felt ok for work at 10 weeks, but still quite tender then. After 12 weeks I was pretty much back to normal with only the odd twinge. xxx

Bladder - I would suggest going in to urodynamics blissfully unaware of what you will be required to do, so you can then see the funny side of it all. It is not at all painful, just embarassing if you think about it too much!!! Lol! x

Bladder - yes to what Sure says about urodynamics. Also, I put my scientist's hat on and asked lots of questions about all the data on the screen, which made it more interesting. The nurses that did mine were lovely. Just remember to take your socks off!

I've just phoned my insurers to check whether I can drive again yet. They just said I had to stick to what the Dr said, which was 6 weeks. Two more days to go then. I could really do to drive again now.

Thank you Surewoman and whoknows I am even more suspicious about the tests now but will go with the ignorance is bliss theory and remember to take of my socks... Eww

Whoknows I was only told to wait to drive for a couple of weeks and until I could turn around safely and do an emergency stop so started driving at about 4 weeks post op.

Thanks Sure. Glad to know that it's not just me and that it'll get better. My periods are bad enough without adding that into the mix. My poor vajayjay is throbbing

Sorry to hear that you are uncomfortable Misty I have found that periods are getting easier with time with just some stinging at the scar areas. Hot water bottle and chocolate?

Back with another question! I'm nearly five weeks out (and hopefully getting stitch that's giving me aggro snipped tomorrow). I've got a lot of pulling and aching going on (inside) - is it the internal stitches getting ready to come out? Don't remember this last time....