Pt 8 (Oct13) Any old prolapse! Uterus/womb prolapse, rectocele, cystocele, enterocele, urethrocele, incontinence, pelvic floor, anterior and posterior repair, TVT etc

[Bladderama]

Welcome to thread 8 (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 - an earlier 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
Thread 7

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.

Flouncy how long did you have to stay in for? I got pre op tomorrow but have been told nothing so far. Very nervous.

Sorry just read 3 days, how embarrassing

happy try not be too nervous. I was really anxious and my BP was stupidly high because of it and i nearly had the op cancelled because of it! Was a whole load of faff to prove im just an anxious patient.

I do suffer from anxiety, someone in work suggested you can get a mild sedative the night before. Not sure if you are allowed. Im glad you came through it. My operation is on the 6th Dec hoping im feeling half human by Christmas.

Hi all. I have been reading through all your post and tracking people who have been having their operations. I am booked in for a rectocile repair and a TVT on 11th December. They might repair the bladder prolapse and uterine prolapse at the same time?
I was wondering if anyone knows if there are any problems with having a hysterectomy? I have had very heavy periods for years that are getting worse as I get older (48) and at the moment I would see it as a bonus to get rid of it. I wouldn't want to affect sex or anything else after the op but since the surgeon is down there I would happily lose it!
Any thoughts?

I got temazapam (?sp) on the morning of the op so was actually quite calm by the time I was taken to theatre. It was the pre op that was my problem. I'm a worrier which doesn't help things.

Just back from my gynae appointment. Saw a young registrar, after sending the first one away because it was a he. The good news is my womb isn't falling out. The bad news is that I have a large fleshy polyp the size of my thumb hanging down into my vagina. After deciding it was too big and would be too risky to try and remove it there and then (I am that she would have even considered it) they are sending me for hysteroscopy as a day case and once that is removed that should hopefully sort out the bleeding issues.

Re the cystocele and rectocele, they are definitely there, definitely worse than last time, but still what they consider minor, and they have referred me back to the physios again. They said that because of my connective tissue disorder they would be loathe to operate on me "this young" as I will undoubtedly need repeat surgery later in life. And I got the "lose more weight" speech again.

What gets me, is that although in the grand scheme of things they are small, they are having a massive effect on the quality of my life, but this is not a factor taken into account when deciding whether/how to treat . I do not want to be terrified of having sex ever again for the rest of my sexually active life or having to wear incontinence pads all the time. I'm only 44. I did ask if they would consider surgery if I went private and was told it would very much depend on the consultant, no offer to speak to my consultant or anything.

So, I feel like I'm back to swuare 1, but with no hope of things getting any better any time soon . Feeling a little bit glum about it all; I feel that they have basically said that because of my age I need to put and shut up and do my PFE's. I'm also a bit sore after all the poking and prodding that they did.

Had an impromptu visit from an old friend today though, so that has cheered me up a little bit

So into week 6 now and feeling a tiny bit more comfortable but as a number of you have said ' no way to the sex part'. I panicked the other day as I had a bigger than usual BM (tmi) and then was bleeding after!Totally threw me but bleeding stopped after a day, Still taking lactulose every few days just incase but as you said lotsofquestions don't really want to take it forever!
Quick question, saw my consultant nearly 3 weeks ago and he said he didn't need to see me again! I think I would feel more
comfortable if I was checked out as I still had my stitches then and would like to know how i'm healing and that everything is OK? I am right to want to see him again?
lotsofquestions and mrsclairet sorry to hear about your DHs. Bloody men are useless, think i've been a little lucky as mine wasn't too bad. Although he does seem to think that the 'cleaning fairy' comes in and does stuff. He was good for first 2/3 weeks but abit like yours, then just seemed to forget! It's only when i'm pale and physically dragging my body around that he says 'oh well you should sit down and take it easy'........ oh yeh ok the 'fairy' can pick the DCs up and give them dinner etc etc. I really think men would not notice if they actually lived in a complete pigsty at times!!
happylilme I'm sure your consultant will reassure you about the drugs they will use. I've had 2 ops since June and was absolutely petrified the first time i went down, but it's not too bad. As for your BM, try taking lactulose before your op just so that it softens you. You can buy it most places, got mine in boots.

Btw happylilme I am on citalapram (anti-depressant) and also take tamazapam (sleeping tablet) at night very occasionally and surgeon said was fine to take both night before my op.

lackadaisy sorry just read your thread. I went to my Gp first and they told me there was nothing they could do. I was suffering with heavy, painful periods. Went private was in within 2 weeks!! Surgeon/consulatant did novasure ablation, then 2nd op for rectocele, cystocele and perrineorraphy (sp?). If you go private that pretty much do what you want, if needs doing obviously. Whereabouts are you?

I'm in Leeds lollylou. It would be the same consultant if I went private, which is why I was hoping to speak to her today, but the NHS works in mysterious ways its wonders to perform and consultants are kept away from the patients at all costs it would seem!

I just need to check whether out PMI will cover it, as I have a feeling it might be classed as a cosmetic procedure.

Just wondering if I can ask if anyone has had problems feeling urine come out? Ever since I had my 2nd child in 2008 who was 8lb 13oz (and a very quick labour and pushing) I haven't been able to feel the urine coming out. I only know it is coming because I can hear it. I also have a mild rectocele and cystocele from this pregnancy but doesnt cause too much of an issue- especially after reading some of the posts I'm quite lucky.

Lately it has been a little harder to pass urine, as well. Actually, if I've had a few many drinks it can take a while. I know eventually ill probably have to talk to the dr, but was wondering if this was a fairly common thing to experience?

Someone up thread was asking about bleeding from back passage when menstruating, and I think got lost in the quick moving thread- that sounds to me like a doctor really should be looking at it. I wonder if there is a problem between the vaginal wall and inside your rectum?

lackadaisy Our PMI covered all of mine, with were with Aviva. Hope you get it sorted out soon x

Well after a sleepless night had my pre op today. Why I was so worried I don't know, I seem to like to torture myself. Spoke to anaesthetist which was very reassuring, I won't be having morphine pumped into like a previous operation, even though I requested I didn't want the drug. They will give me diazepam?? which I've had before. Will be in Friday until Sunday. Im still worried about pooing before and after operation LOL such a conversation point.
Flouncy and Lolly thanks so much for the advice on such a taboo subject. My eldest boy asked me what I was having done, found myself going red, Mummy is having an operation round the bum area. He found this very funny.
Most people are counting down until Christmas, mine is to the op, such fun. Still I get out of cooking Christmas dinner so every cloud has a silver lining.
Just one other thing, how long did anyone take off work after op??
Cheers xx

I've probably been a bit too open about my op, which has been referred to as a 'designer vagina' by my lovely friends, family and DH! I've been off for a month, it was initially painful and uncomfortable to move, and now I'm just bored and fed up of not driving, watching tv and eating too much. Have put on 5lbs of shortbread biscuit and cake. .

I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow to get another sick note, this is mainly due to my job- I work in a mental hospital which is physically demanding and mentally draining, and requires me to be able to restrain/carry heavy things/drive for miles to visit community patients etc. I'll probably need another 6 weeks off which takes me to ten weeks or so off of work.

I dread to think how much weight ill put on then all that Christmas food in the house lol huge.( . ).
I think it's good you have been open about it Macca. It's pretty obvious now, to me, how common this is. DH can't wait lol seems to forget the actual pain side for me. Dare I say typical man.
I work in the a children's centre (sure start) so fairly active job. I have asked to be referred to occupational health when I go back so work will have to follow by the rules. Maybe phase return. I'm just stressing as I have to be re-interviewed for my job (3rd time in 3 years). Interviews are end of January so hoping i'm recovered by then. (confused)

is surewoman about or footle would love to know how you two are doing - sure - you had been through soooo much and just wonder how you are I used to read your posts avidly you were so positive . Footle you also because I have been going thru my menopause for about 6 years now and am 53 and you were also a more mature woman and very positive . there was another girl who had been through a lot of surgery too at the time but I forget her name (age!!) wonder how she is too - I would love to know how you are doing please post if you are about.

It's ok, weighed myself this morning and have actually only put on 2 pounds! I can blame baking Chelsea buns at 700 calories each for this. I did make 16 . Not all for me, but I don't know how many I did eat in the end!

As for being open, I felt like there was only so much mystery I could create around going off from work for over two months, that meant I couldn't lift anything and would be walking like John Wayne. The last part confirmed by my FIL at the weekend. So, acquaintances got given the line 'I'm having some repair work done after giving birth to my DS'. Close friends got a better description, and my family know the gory details.

Just been signed off work til the 6th December- the doctor didn't speak to me so I didn't get the chance to plead my case. I'll speak to him closer to the 6th. I don't want to go to work until I'm totally fixed, thank you!

It's all worry it though, because I no longer wet myself or have a defective vaginal wall. It amazes me how so many feel this is a normal part of bring a woman

it's all worth it

lolly I think the BMs are going to be an ongoing source of anxiety to me cos if I don't 'go' in the morning like I almost always used to I am just going to be bothered about it all day and wondering if it will 'get hard' sorry TMI! Even taking regular lactulose my BMs are still unpredictable now which is really cheesing me off - just bothered by the fact that they say don't ever get constipated - what???! bit out of control even when eating the right things!. Things all seem much more normal that aside and tho my stitches were still in they didn't want to see me again but said if I have more problems to go back to GP for another referral - what a stupid system!!!!!!
happy 6wks off work but not a physical job - my advice is do take lactulose or other softener a few days before op - you will be glad you did! But don't worry too much its not as bad as the imagination thinks its going to be so good luck and don't plan to do anything except be looked after at xmas - its important you rest a lot!
Macca 'designer vagina'!! perhaps I shall start saying that far more dignified that prolapse surgery!!!
lolly a TMI qu - but do you find you can 'push' for a BM at all - I am so scared I will just rip stitches that I don't even try - if it doesn't move easily I go away and wait until the urge comes again later - dreading going back to work for that reason alone!!!!
Think Im going to pile on the pounds too what with lack of exercise and xmas grrrrr!

happy I had 5 weeks off but first week back knocked me for six, only do 3 days in teaching. So i would go for anything from 6 upwards especially if more physical.
lotsofquestions I don't strain but do give a little push now (only just been brave enough, so know eaxctly what you mean. My surgeon also told me I can't excercise till after christmas and i've already put on bout 5lb (never thought i'd actually miss exercise
macca I too have been fairly open with most of my friends and family, others i've just told 'women's stuff'. My best friend also thinks its hilarious to call it a 'designer vagina' and has done even before i went in for my op, but like i've told her is doesn't feel very bloody designer at the moment...... hopefully by next year she'll be right!

mmm Chelsea buns :0). Had the best nights sleep in ages. Going to try to have the attitude, it's a fairly common operation, so chill woman. Designer vagina lol since having children couldn't afford anything designer now, once done, they can't take this away from me lol.

Lolly, i was told by physiotherapist to leave the more high impact sport such as running, rowing etc until bout 10 /12 weeks after surgery, Does this sound right??

The Chelsea buns were pretty fucking beautiful- they were from the good food magazine Christmas edition so had mincemeat, apricots and glacé cherries in them. They took four hours to make but were worth the effort.

I agree, designer vagina is a good description. That or wizards-sleeve alterations . I am determined to keep my sense of humour about the whole thing! When I went for my MRSA screening the nurse mentioned they needed one from my vaginal area and before she'd finished talking my trousers and knickers were round my ankles. She then said- we'll do your mouth first! Ladies, i brazened it out . Shows how little I care about waving my lady parts around