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.

Hi, I really feel for everyone on this board who are having problems. I had my surgery in May and I'm still having problems with pain and other things and it's really starting to get me down. Has anyone on this board had haemmorhoids? I have got them and I am wondering if some of my troubles (not being able to stay clean, pants getting stained, bottom feeling itchy) might be solved if I get the piles sorted out? The doctors don't seem to want to treat them and I don't really want to have a haemmorhoidectomy but it seems like there are other treatments available which they haven't offered me? I saw a consultant and he said if it's not causing too much trouble to leave it as the operation is painful but I have heard about a new treatment called haemmorhoidal artery ligation. Maybe I should look on a different board....it's just the feeling of wiping and wiping and not getting clean, I'm not sure if that's the prolapse or the piles?

Hi - I have a wiping problem too sometimes. I think it is that the last bit of poo does not come out. It should be 'sucked up' as someone said a long way further up the thread. But it does not always happen in my case. I think it is because, although my perineum and rectovaginal fascia are now mended, there is probably still a baggy bit in my bowel after years of problems and constipation.

If I have my daily kiwi fruit (my current laxative of choice) and go to the loo properly when I need to go, with quiet, privacy, and my box for each foot, I can go days without problems. Then something doesn't go quite right and it is really annoying. I have on occasion resorted to a gycerin suppository to make sure it is all gone, on a bad day when I am feeling really fed up. But they have their own problems, so I try and do it properly. And keep practicing the relaxation. It might be worth googling Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. pelvicphysiotherapy.com/downloads. There would appear to be no magic answer to this - just keep practicing the diet, relaxing and feet up.

I had a pile on my holiday, in May. It hurt when I walked, which spoiled things somewhat. Thankfully, it went. My dear departed MIL suffered from them and had 'banding' which I think may be what you mean. She nearly had a haemorroidectomy later on, but they decided to band them again at the last minute and I think that went OK.

not being able to stay clean, pants getting stained, bottom feeling itchy

I can't offer any advice but just wanted to say I'm grateful to summertime for getting that out there - this is what I have and I've never voiced it ! And it often strikes when out and about as walking seems to bring it on .

I don't think I have piles ( and I presume I'd know ) but do have bulging in perineum ,so guess must be down to baggy bits .

At least I know I'm not alone .Though no comfort to fellow sufferers !

Thanks once again for all your words of wisdom , my gp thinks a nerve is being pulled by the repair and thinks the surgeon should go in again and free it , anyone had this surgery twice ? What I have realised is that compared to others my pain after surgery was very high and recovery long and painfull , can almost look back and identify the hot poker agony spot in my rectum when I awoke from surgery was a nerve

The surgeon I used is world renowned and I see him on Wednesday , I do trust him , but scared he may not be able to do anything at all, if I had to live with this nerve pain I'd consider chucking myself under a train :(

Footle - wise words as ever !

Westcountry sounds absolutely awful .

You know what though ,a world renowned specialist is going to roll his sleeves up and sort you out . No way is he going to give up and say he can't do anything . But tell him what you've just said here about the train ,make sure he truly appreciates the degree of the problem .
Roll on Wednesday .

And of course make sure you come away with medication to ease your current state - would a muscle relaxant help I wonder ?

Tell him some random poster on an internet forum has suggested it ,sure he'll be impressed .Not .

Following a total meltdown at my gp surgery this morning I have been precribed preglablin for the pain , told him about the train thing too hoping that ill get some relief at least - will post here the outcome of my appointment on Wednesday , the story may help others .

Westcountry I really hope that the medicine gives you some relief, do you have an appointment to see your surgeon soon?

Just had a letter from the hospital moving my appointment from next week out for 7 weeks Not sure how I can cope with pain until then

bladderama - I don't know background but there are lots of painkillers out there ,you really shouldn't be left to suffer .
Can you go to GP ,or book a telephone consultation ? Tell them you cant sleep for pain .

Thankyou gingeroots have had several appointments with GP who wanted me to see the consultant straight away. Will call his secretary next week and try and move it forward again.
Am stupidly tearful
Hope that you are recovering well.

westcountry I have had two lots of posterior surgery and the second one was alot more straight forward. I did find the recovery much slower and was more drained afterwards.

westcountry I know someone in RL who had a nerve trapped. She scarily needed to leave hospital in a wheelchair and after a week of being unable to walk properly her surgeon realised it was serious (!) booked her back in and released the nerve. She was better straight away.

bladder really hope you can bring your appointment forward. Not surprised you feel tearful hon.

Bladder but has GP prescribed something for pain ? And is it effective ?
Go back or phone on Monday if not .

Thanks troubled and ginger. GP had advised buscopan and co-codamol to tide me over to consultant appointment next week. My own stupid fault for not letting cons know that things have changed. Difficult with my job role and DH being away 5 days a week leaving me with DC' s.

My heart goes out to all of you who are suffering so much pre and post op pain and problems. My own experience is not half so bad and yet I still feel low. I am 2 weeks post rectocele repair and don't feel I was at all prepared for the post op difficulties. I didn't expect to still be in pain whenever I try to do anything for more than a few minutes. And to have to lie down all the time because I can't sit. Is it normal to still be in pain after what was apparently a straightforward operation? Also I have read and heard so many different opinions about when and what you can do that I am confused. I noticed on my discharge letter that it said no follow up appointment required, I had assumed there would be a 6 week check up or something. Sorry for all the questions, I just needed to get things off my chest!

bladderama I have been taking buscopan for my possible kidney stone pain, I was just wondering if you can take it long term as it says in the leafelt don't take for more than 2 weeks?

jcakec I think you should def have a check up. They forgot to arrange mine but I phoned them up and they made one for me. I think the main thing is not to lift anything too heavy, I read something on the internet the other day from an 'expert' that said some women have lifted heavy furniture and then felt something pop and then had to have further surgery. I can't remember where it was now but I was searching how to prevent prolapse happening again.

jcakec 2 weeks is really very soon in a repair recovery it does take quite a while and has taken a few of us by surprise on here.
Follow up appointments seem to vary quite a lot depending on where you are but I should request one if you feel you need one. Take care and listen to your body.

Thank you Mrsclairet I had not even looked at the leaflet I was just gulping the pain relief down. If I cant move my appointment forward then I will take a trip back to the GP for something more suitable for another six weeks, I have already been taking them for 3 weeks
I am feeling a bit better after my wobble yesterday, I forgot just how vulnerable all of this makes me feel.

jcakec - I had a rectocele repair a year ago this week, I was pretty restricted at your stage, mainly lying down still, I couldn't sit upright even on a soft chair for long and harder chairs (even cushioned ones, like dining chairs) no longer than a couple of minutes. Listen to your body, it is ok to go and lie down whenever you need to, it seems like forever now, but it won't be long till you are back to strength. I was pretty well back to normal after 7 weeks, but still tired and still a bit uncomfy in my office chair (I went back to work then and had to take a cushion and get up and walk round the office frequently. I would say it was about 3 months before sitting was as comfy as pre-op. Oh, and be really careful with lifting, pulling, pushing, keep it very light for another month or so, no big bags of shopping or baskets of laundry.

Bladder - so sorry you've had your appt put off, fingers crossed that the consultants secretary will be sympathetic.

jcakec I had a relatively light-weight rectocele repair and was told it was like having the baby without the baby. I expected to be able to sit on a pile of cushions, like I did after the baby that caused the original damage. No Way. 3 weeks was sitting for short periods of time only. I had a cushion on the office chair for months.

I also found sitting upright made me very tired - probably due to swelling etc.

Reclining was my position of choice for some time. Good position for sitting or lying down from! Make sure you have built up your pelvic floor and other supportive muscles and got used to the walks, before you start any sort of lifting

It took me about 6 months to gather together any sort of enthusiasm for catching up with the things that had fallen by the wayside during my recovery

Thank you so much for your replies. I need to be more patient! I had been wondering about the pelvic floor excercises. the leaflets the hospital hand out say to start straight away but it felt uncomfortable and painful, I think it may be time to try again.

bladderama I have been taking the buscopan for longer than 2 weeks too but have just started taking one a day now. I have got a doctors appointment next tuesday so I'm going to ask him about it then.

I'm feeling a bit down today. It's 6 years since my dad died. I'm also feeling a bit fed up of having to do everything on my own, it's like I got a month off and then everyone just expected me to be back to normal and as some other people have said on here I am really struggling with my energy levels and looking after a 3 and a 5 year old is no mean feat. My DH is off on a stag weekend from Fri until Sun and I've got them all weekend without any help from family or friends. I'm still feeling very uncomfortable if I am on my feet for longer than about half an hour and that feeling then seems to reamin even once I've sat down. This morning I did some ironing then some cooking and sorted out the washing etc so was on my feet for well over an hour and it just feels like I have got something sticking out of my bottom. I don't know what I'm going to do if this feeling never goes away, I can't spend the rest of my life sitting down!

Anyway sorry for the rant I'm just hoping and praying that after 4 months things aren't completely healed yet and there will be some improvement in another couple of months.

Thank you whoknows and mrsclariet

I phoned the hospital and the cons has cancelled his clinics so that would be the soonest I could see him anyway . Work and my Insurance company were not impressed.
He has done such a fantastic job at giving me my body back that I really can't complain. I have calmed down and got my head around waiting another six weeks. I am challenging myself to drop some weight and glam up for christmas.

So sorry that you are still so uncomfortable MrsClairet is your appointment with your surgeon to review? I hope so and that they have some answers for you. I will be interested to hear what they say about the Buscopan.

Hello ladies, I finally went to see my GP yesterday and she confirmed I have a prolapse with quite severe rectocele 'beyond anything physio could deal with'. She has referred me to the urogynecologist. What questions should I ask?

I'm a mum of two ages 8 and 7, both of whom were big babies. My mum and gran both had prolapses too.

Bladderama - I spoke to a woman at toddler group today who is a pharmacist who says that you might aswell take a smartie as a buscopan tablet. I said I found they worked for me and she said it must be something else helping as trials have shown it gets stuck in your gut and it doesn't get released. Just thought you might like to know!

Hi All, I posted on this thread about 6 months ago about my stress incontinence where I got some great support, I am now booked in for my TVT tomorrow. Having suffered for 12 years I cant quite believe this day has come. Realising so many of you have these problems made me pluck up the courage to finally see my GP who referred me straightaway to hospital rather than physio.
Just hoping it improves things for me as I know there can be problems with this op. Not really sure why I'm posting or if anyone will remember me. But wish me luck anyway, I'm bricking it now whenever I think about the actual op

Hi all. I was posting on this thread back in February but cancelled my surgery as had the frights but now have re scheduled and am having it next week. I am having a posterior repair and perineorrhaphy and think I understand what is involved but I have a couple of worries which I wondered if anyone may be able to help me with?
My primary concern is that my surgeon wants it as day surgery but the ward sister when she found out I had 3 small children said I should stay in as I will need a nights rest. Even at my pre op appointment last week the surgeon looked at my notes and said yes I'm doing this as a day case aren't I and I didn't say otherwise and not did the nurse who said afterwards don't worry we'll keep you in. Am I being a wimp? Everything I've read suggests a hospital stay and it's not that I want to be away from home, just that I am worried that the children are enthusiastic in their affection and too young to understand being gentle. I know the surgeon as I was under her care as a obstetrician and she is hardcore. Very good at her game but very clinical and lacks bedside manner IYSWIM? I always get the impression she thinks her patients are a bit soft. .
The second thing is the anaesthetic - I am thinking I will opt for a regional with sedation as I am not that keen in having a general if I can avoid it - anyone experience of this?
Sorry it's long, TIA.