Pt 7 (Feb13) Any old prolapse! Uterus/womb prolapse, rectocele, cystocele, enterocele, urethrocele, incontinence, pelvic floor, anterior and posterior repair, TVT etc

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

This is thread 7 (again - see below) 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.

With apologies for confusion in thread numbers - the previous thread was called part 7 but it was actually the 6th thread.

Here are the previous threads:

Thread 1
Thread 2
Thread 3
Thread 4
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.

Thank you so much Troubled, for taking the time to post when you sound like things are a bit miserable for you too at the moment. Thinking of you and sending hugs your way x

Just noticed your post Neo as it was on the next page - lol @ coming round too quickly!

Crazy how bad the paincan be isn't it? Just had to stop typing midway through writing this as yet another spasm hit me. Got s telephone appt with the gp for this afternoon so hopefully will get it sorted out soon. This is just too fecking sore to keep on like this.

I have been lurking for a bit. I am due to go in on Monday for an anterior and posterior repair and hysterectomy. I am very nervous and have some unanswered questions, and wondered if anyone could help?

Did you shave 'down there' prior to your op?
Did you start taking laxatives before the op?
What kind of painkillers did they give you afterwards?

Thanks in advance

Just nipping back after a few months. now 9 months post op anteria and posteria repair plus TVT. All has healed nicely. Still had stitches comeing away at 7 months which shows how big an op we all have. Wanted to post as there was never many 'Happy ending' posts . I aws very worried about TVT due to such bad press but once settled all was fine
Good luck to everyone due for an op. and remember it takes time, and as a rule we only go on these threads when we are worried or have problems, and whilst some people may find things more difficult than others .... everything will be fine

Hi sorry to hear that some of you are still having problems. I have finally got a follow up appointment for next week so I will be interested to see what they say. I have had to lift my 2 year old a couple of times and push him in the buggy but someone who has also had the op said I shouldn't be doing this, I thought it was OK after 6 weeks?

Hi Knit,

In answer to your questions:

1. Quick trim...but they really don't care lol

2.Nope

1. Morphine, paracetamol (iv and oral), oxycodone later. Had a repeat posterior repair only, but for previous repair I only had paracetamol and ibuprofen and that was all I needed. Don't worry too much about pain while you're in the hospital - in my experience they will add/ reduce meds as they need to according to how you're doing. Usually the worst part is until the next morning (until the pack and catheter are removed) but they did manage the pain relief very effectively every time I've been in.

Good luck, and if you've any questions just ask x

kniternator - have you had your pre-op yet? I was told not to shave 'down there' as it was too soon before the op, I think she said not to do it less than 5 days before.

I didn't take any laxatives but would make sure you eat plenty of fruit/veg.

They gave me morphine, ibuprofen and paracetamol afterwards but be careful with the morphine as it makes you constipated.

Thanks folks,

I have had a my pre-op assessment but they weren't really able to answer any questions specifically to do with the operation, more assessing before anasthetic etc.

I received a good deal of information in the physio class yesterday but that was more about recovery etc.

I'll sort the lady gardening issue on Sunday, trimming it is!

Thanks again, I'll be back soon and share my experience.

Hi Knit - I would definitely trim as it makes it easier to keep clean afterwards, but not shave, the last thing you want is any stubble or shaving rash, ingrown hairs etc.

I took Fybogel beforehand and Lactulose for a couple of weeks after rectocele repair, but don't know how much difference they made, I don't normally suffer with constipation and didn't after the op either. I only needed paracetamol and ibuprofen after coming home, but it is different for everyone. I stocked up on all these things rather than hoping the hospital would supply them.

Roseanna - sorry to hear you are having such pain, hope it improves soon.

Troubled - sorry things aren't so great for you either.

MrsC - I would say that it's too soon to be lifting a 2 year old to be honest, it takes 3-4 months for the tissues to really heal up and I think it is 6 months before they are as strong as they will ever get IYSWIM. Can you assist him to climb rather than lift him up? Pushing the buggy is probably borderline, on the level OK but pushing up or pulling back on down hills wouldn't be great.

Slinky - good to hear things are going well for you. I'm another happy ending (so far!) - 9 months post rectocele repair and everything is fine down there, my cystocele has retreated and I am not having any problems with the waterworks either, so fingers crossed it all stays the same.

Hi everyone,

Good to see some positive posts, sadly mine is one of woe. Just been to see a new consultant and he has confirmed that my rectocele is back (first op dec 2012) and now to add injury to insult my perineum is now knackered as well and I have only a tiny bit of muscle left. For those that remember me I also have a rectal prolapse that no one took any notice of first time around and therefore the first op was destined not to work. So I am now facing a second back wall repair and perineum rebuild as well as a Starr procedure for the rectal prolapse. I am not looking forward to going through it all again.

So sorry to hear things are not good for you trouble. Sending a hug to you. I am having similar problems to you, going for a BM is now nearly impossible, it feels like I have lost the ability to push, well I can push but nothing happens :-(.

Has anyone had a perineum rebuild, I have read that it is really uncomfortable. But doesn't seem as horrendous as the Starr procedure, if anyone has had this done would love to hear from them, as to be honest I am so scared that it is going to make it everything worse.

Roseanna hi, sorry to hear your having problems too. Did the consultant say it would be worse second time around. The consultant today said it was a bigger op as you have already been cut once and there is scar tissue etc. He also said this time around he would be using much strong stitches, i presume he meant the thread and that they will take a lot longer to dissolve so as to hold the repair in place for the longest possible time in order for it to heal well!

Anyway I have the lovely protogram on Monday, fingers crossed nothing else is wrong.

Take care everyone x

Thanks for all the kind wishes and for sharing your e,experiences...feeling a lot better today.

Tinx - I am so very sorry to hear your news. I knew a while before the surgeon could see anything that it had failed, but when you hear it confirmed its awful. Yes, he did tell me it would be more extensive this time around. Although he'd said he might have to do some work on the perineal body, that didn't happen in the end because when he started, he said he could immediately see there was essentially a hernia sitting behind the original scar tissue which had then deviated off to the side and down. He also removed some scar tissue which hadn't healed right the first time. In terms of the stitching, the way he explained it to me was more that the stitches would be deeper and there would be more of them to make the repair stronger, rather than having a different suturing material. I have to say it has been significantly more challenging in terms of recovery this time - not trying to scare you or say that you'll be the same - but I have definately felt that its much tougher this time. Hugs xxx

If it is the vaginal wall - can this bulge be surgically removed?

Hello all! I have been following these threads for a while. I had an anterior repair just over two weeks ago.

I have been pain free virtually since coming round post op other than discomfort from the catheter.

I have been taking lactulose since as I have difficulty with constipation but its still causing me problems.

I am petrified of straining the repair. I eat properly but have inderactive thyroid and tendency for IBS.

I am going to need posteror repair as well
I still have a lot of swelling . I am walking up to an hour as I saw this was per RSG&O website
Do any of you have any advice please. Should I
Try stronger laxatives? Raising feet up didnt work.

Thank you in advance.

Hi Thewizenedone. are you on Facebook? There is a group called Pelvic Organ Prolapse Support which has a lot of very helpful people in it, there have been several posts in the last couple of days about constipation, high dose probiotics having helped one person (I don't get constipation so haven't taken any detailed notes). Might be worth looking for the group.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes

Thank you I will definately look at that, its very annoying esoecially as I am taking laxatives to no effect.

It is mainly Americans, so the products might not be the same here, but that is where Google is your friend.

Great explanation by footle .

Just had a shower and discovered a second stitch has come out. Ffs. I am now on complication no.7.

Also getting a heavy feeling and I'm dreading it's indicating the surgery has failed.

Seeing surgeon on Wednesday.

Oh sorry my most recent question was:
If it is the vaginal wall - can this bulge be surgically removed?

My previous question was:
I had cystocele and rectocele surgery on May 3rd. My first symptoms were the usual pain and that feeling that something was falling out - but most prevalent to me was a new large brain looking thing/ball (an inch and half to two inches) at the entrance of my vagina (not the bladder it self).This was traumatizing to me and disgusting which of course is a horrible way to view ones body non the less your sexuality (I am 44 and have been married 13 years - known him for 15). So after the surgery my doctor said that everything should go back into place including that brain looking thing. Two months later, the pain has gone away - and I do not feel like anything is falling out however - I still have that huge ugly brain thing at the entrance of my vagina. When I go to the bathroom I can feel it protruding so much that it is right below my clitoris. It feels so fat and huge. I am freaking out - please tell me it will go away! Has someone been in the same boat (I have looked for this specific issue online but haven't found the answers). How long until it goes away? Will sex help it go into place? What can I do to get this thing gone!

Whoah, I am no expert, but it could be a Urethrocele. If your not happy go back and tell them. After my six week check up they told me my operation had been successful, but I knew it had failed and it has only been with perseverance that I finally got a new consultant who confirmed it.

I have my protogram on Monday, I know this is a weird question, but what consistency is the paste that they put in you.

I went back to my cystocele/rectocele surgeon to ask her about this - she said that's my urethra - it's normal there is nothing I can do about it - which was so weird because it is not normal for me - I used to have a tiny hole for urinating but now it's a big old brain looking thing so tinkxx65 when said that word Urethrocele it fits with all of this. Is there surgery to fix this - it is really in my way bulging out of the vaginal entrance. If you can have surgery what is it like and what else can be done?

Hi all

Roseanna and troubled how you doing? Hope you are both feeling a bit better.

Whoah, I think there is an operation to fix it, but I would have thought they would have done is with the cystocele operation. I had that brain like lump and I still have it but it is smaller than it was before my op. The new consultant I have seen said my front wall is still moving but that he recommends leaving it alone as I do not have any wee problems. And as it is the least of my problems I agree.

I have been unable to sleep and feel crap, do not know if I can do the dreaded protogram which is scheduled for this morning. Am going with a friend who is very funny so am hoping that by the time we get there she has put me in the right place because at this moment I have a strong urge to go back to bed and ignore the problem lol.

Take care everyone x

how did you get on tinkxx?

Did it!!! It really wasn't as bad as I thought,but I would not want to do it again. And I am not sure how accurate it is really, the paste they put in me was very loose, like having diarrhea, nothing at all like a real BM. But good news came from it although it has left me feeling slightly confused. They said I do not have a bowel prolapse, which is great but it confirmed the rectocele which I knew from the gynae consultant anyway. But she did say that I could still have the lower lining falling but that today it had not shown up. TMI- I have a lump of red tissue that comes out my bum when doing a BM but she tried to tell me that it was all to do with the rectocele.

Anyway just pleased to have it over and done with, have one more embarrassing test to go and then that will be it.

Hope everyone is ok.