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.

Sorry lots of little spelling mistakes in last post. Probably best post after cup of tea

I am on metronadizole and I am feeling ok but it is so disgusting to swallow! The 2nd time I had it I gagged and ended up spitting out the tablet plus the water in my mouth! I too had a horrible smell, I'm not sure if it's going or whether my nose is just a bit blocked today, hopefully it's the former!

happy swelling gone down somewhat. This morning decided to go for a walk with daughter and granddaughters. A 30 minute stroll and a 30 minute sit over a coffee and I was in considerable pain. It is all round my bladder and has taken an afternoon of sitting/laying down to subside.i am sure it is pain from the TVT. Really looking forward to the scan.
Do you think your infection has gone?

As for discussions about mesh, I looked into it before I had my surgery and it was hard to get a clear picture. There are different types of mesh/tape and different ways of using it, all effecting the data. There are few long term studies either. I took the view that TVT was safer than mesh used for vaginal prolapse and that the stress incontinense I had needed treating. With the pain I am having surgeon was concerned about erosion and I am to have a scan but from a short/painful internal he thinks it is ok.

i agree Footie you put it" perfectly" as usual. i had rectocele 3 years ago, i thought it hadn't worked because i still have to splint, but doc says it has! the cystocele he was supposed to do at the same time,( he changed his mind as i had expressed concerns i would be too tight). The cystocele like most people has got worse once the rectocele was repaired. I have put it off because i had surgery 2 years ago and it has taken me all this time to get over it and pluck up the courage to finally go back which i have made my mind up to do next week, i have no worries about the cystocele repair itself it's the waiting that is the worse once you have a date, it took me about 5 weeks to get my energy back the first time and had metronidazol about 10 days after surgery for infection/hematoma and it made me feel terrible (sickly and the runs) but apparently its the best for the job i was told. Good luck to all you ladies recovering i have found great comfort from this thread over the past few years and it has helped me make up my mind to go back and get this sorted.

Footie Now would be a good time to go for women's health physio.
I thought I was doing my pelvic floor exercises ok but I was way off! The lovely lady got me to contract while she was examining me and I wasn't even close. By the end of the session I got it, but it was really hard work. I was given a list of contraction sets to do, and naïvely asked if that was every day. She laughed and said "no- 5-6 times daily"

I think your pelvic floor is something that really has to be nurtured and I don't think we're very good at that.
At least I have a clear idea now of what I'm supposed to be doing. It won't make things go away but it will hopefully slow down the progression.

Yeah infection seems to have cleared up. It's those antibiotics that dudrop said made me feel sick and runs. On the whole feeling better, a lot more energy went for over 40 minute walk, feel a bit of pressure this evening but not unbearable. I shall see how I feel this week as my sick note runs out this week. Still feel quite vulnerable as to what I am able to do. It's actually frightening the thought of going back.

I read about the mess, there seems to be a lot of conflicting evidence out there. I just had stitches so think I was lucky I didn't have to make that decision. Doing pelvic floors everyday. I am very glad so far that I had this operation. I personally couldn't cope with not being able to even empty my bowel even with high fibre, water and regular exercise. I think a lot is to do with your surgeon, I read up about mine and luckily my friend works along side him (not for my op though that would just be plain embarrassing) He appears to be very good. Told me he would not do it if I wanted any other children. He told me to keep my bm very loose to allow healing and to keep my doing pelvic floors. He also explained that it's not just high fibre diet but eat fibre in bulk so to eat 12 dried apricots in one go. He also said when lighting in the future to always bend knees to take pressure of my pelvic floor. I have no regrets.

Do you feel you have more energy now Dragon???

Intheround, I know what you mean about pfe I am doing mine but no idea if I'm doing it right. Not been offered physio as of yet. My post surgery support has been non existent. Have to wait 12 weeks post surgery before I see consultant as they said it takes this long to see if surgery was success. To me that's a very long time to wait.

What is the usual time people wait to see consultant??? That's why this thread and Dragon in particular has been a God sent to me. So thank you all you lovely ladies.

Footle did you have to ask for the physio??

happy I agree with you the post surgery after care is rubbish! I remember being so annoyed at just been left to it afterwards and I had to ring and try and get an earlier follow up appnt as I was so anxious about going back to work without having the all clear, it was still a bad experience on the whole but when I asked about physio referral I was put for it but am still waiting. I still feel anxious at times about undoing the good work/how long it will last/BMs in general but am glad I had it done so far - long may it last!

happy you have been fab for me too. Family are fed up asking me how I am and don't want the details but it is great to know this is here.
Happy, to answer your question, my energy levels are nowhere near where they were but have been out tonight with friends and it was lovely to feel a bit more normal. How are you doing? I know what you mean about feeling vulnerable where work is concerned. I need to be robust physically and emotionally in my job and it is going to be a bit of a balancing act deciding when that is going to be. I have 3.5 weeks left of present sick note.
I think I am bleeding slightly from my bladder. My pee is normal colour but when I pat dry it is definitely blood tinged. Good grief! Shall keep an eye on it.

Lotsofquestons - I agree the follow up is poor. It feels quite neglectful. I was scheduled for a 7 weeks check but my gp got me one at 4 but that involved numerous calls and a fax. I still don't know what would have happened if it was more than urgent but not an A&E job?
Physio appointment is on Tuesday and I will be interested to hear what they say.

Hopefully it's nothing serious, might be infection that was one of the questions Dr asked me if the tissue tinged with blood. Or possible period???? I have never paid much attention to bowel movements or when I wipe but now it's all the time, it's my new found hobby.
I think I feel vulnerable as my stitches inside have come away so I have no support. Just afraid of relying on my own body as it has let me down once before if that makes any sense.

Lotsofquestions I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels like this. It is shockingly bad US women have a lot to put up with.

Dragon glad you have been out with friends, sometimes normality helps easing us back in and feel human again

I waited 6 months to see a consultant and had to go back to the GP to ask what had happened.Apparently I was considered to be non urgent so kept getting bumped down the list. I then waited a further 3 months for the op and was given about 2 weeks notice for it.
Post op care was useless- no follow up at all, not even with the consultant. Just a 6 week post op check with the GP ( who didn't really know what to look for anyway). I requested to go back about 3 months later as I knew the rectocoele wasn't right, and was reduced to tears by the most dreadful consultant who told me I was imagining it all. I'm medically trained and I know my body for heavens sake! My personal view is that failure rate is much higher than anyone admits so you just get told it's all ok.
Happy You can usually self refer for women's health physio. I was offered none after my op and it was only when I saw a sign up in the GPs last year that I went. She said they were a lot more on the ball now and all cases of prolapse get sent for physio first to see what can be done, as they now realise that many women have had unnecessary surgery. They also seem more on the ball about possible side effects of the op. I was given no information whatsoever about all the possible complications.

Well, been to the doctors about blood coming out of where I wee. I walked down and by the time I got there I started my period! I explained the symtoms and that it was fresh red blood seeping out but she had a look and said she couldn't tell as the period confused things. Now, I maybe over reacting but bleeding out of your urethra is not normal and so I went home, put a tampon in and the blood is mostly still coming ie from the urethra. Have left her a message to call me back after leaving a very graphic description with the message desk.
OMG - scary!

That does sound scary dragon. I'm guessing they will want to re-examine you with a tampon in, or they may want to wait until your period is finished.

HAS the Dr got back to you Dragon. It does sound a bit alarming. Can you ask to see if they can push the scan along?? Something doesn't sound right with all the bloating. If you don't hear anything harass them tomorrow until you are listened to.
I went and met boss today said I'm on light duty for the next six weeks but for the first two weeks I'm just doing mornings. I really feel that I should have a letter from consultant to say what i can and can't do at 6 weeks.
Intheround I will ask gp bout physio as I really don't want to have opened again. My rectocele was due to not been stitched properly after childbirth. Midwife carried it out on a third degree tear. So surgery was only option

I went home and put a tampon in myself - great minds think aloud intheround I have a line of stitches up the back and it was a bit of a challenge! From my little experiment I was sure it is blood collecting in my urethra so I rang the GP back to explain. It was another doctor this time who listened to what I said and said he didn't know what was causing it (mainly because it doesn't hurt to pee) but I have dropped off a specimen for him to look at. He said that as the hospital are on the case, at present not to do anymore because the bleeding had stopped.
I am going to wait til I am sure it is happening again (after my period) and then ring the consultant. I was very spooked by it this morning and am fed up with one thing after another.
happy when are you back to work? Mornings only sounds like a good plan. Are you pain free now and back to normal activities day to day?

Just be careful with the tampon because surgeon said to me put nothing up there until after 6 week Mark for 2 reasons incase of infection and pulling the stitches. Mind you you are near 6 week Mark. I would have done the same just to see which end. (Sorry for the crudeness). I really hope you get it sorted out as you have had a horrid time.
Yes feeling back to normal although today did a bit more running about and I have to admit I feel very tired. I am so so anxious about returning to work that I think I just want to get it over and done with. If it feels too much I will just get another sick note. I go back Monday coming.eek

in the round can I be nosey and just ask how much your repairs have failed as you say the rectocele is back but you wont do anything unless it becomes outwards. Can you have one and it still be inside you?? but still have to splint etc. I am about 3mnths post rectocele repair and still seem to be spending far more time than I would like to being concerned about my lady bits and if they are still in the same place!! the reason I ask is because my repair feels ok but I still have paranoia if I have to do more pushing during BM that Im going to undo things and it is an awful thought to have to go through all this and end up being where I was before - really don't know the answer to all this do we live with our inners outer and not try and have it fixed or do with have them fixed and live with the constant thought that it could come back and all be for nothing!!! Sorry found this whole experience very emotional and having a bit of a bad day today

happy I am glad you are feeling more back to normal. I have measured my progress against yours all along so I am looking at 5 days time to feel as good as you. As for your concerns about work, why don't you go and see your GP and talk it through with her? She could give you a sick note that puts limits on what you can do. Having said that, schools and Children's Centres are very good at supporting their staff at times like this so you could just suck and see! You have been out of action for a while so take it easy and enjoy a couple of weeks of part time.
As for the tampon - it was a tight fit and really don't think a penis will fit up there.... also, probably left a lot of cotton wool hanging off prickly stitches as I dragged it out. Not to be recommended!

Oh dear Dragon you are really going through it at the moment. I really hope that given 5 more days, you'll begin to feel a lot better. I shall be reading your updates avidly.

Happy PLEASE take it easier than easy when you go back to work. I swear half of my problems were due to me overdoing things after I had my partial hysterectomy. I felt great and went back to work after 3wks and 2 days - a locum GP signed me back to work - initially only half days for a week but I think I just felt (and the rest of the family) that I was now fine and could get on with things normally. I am SO NOT going to make the same mistake again. I shall try not to lift much more than a finger for as long as I can manage this time around!
Have to ask a crude question but have any of you been repaired 'too tight' or just as you imagine you were in your 20s/pre-babies?

Intheround whilst I appreciate that we all should go into these surgeries with as much knowledge as possible, I do have to admit that after reading your posts it's made me question whether I really want my op or not and it's really scared me. If it hadn't been cancelled last minute last week I would be recovering by now and I suppose it's just preying on my mind now.

noordinary Your op is bound to be playing on your mind. The mesh issue is a concern but it is about balancing how much you need to the operation against the chances of a problem happening to you and the severity of the problem if it does.
I have to say I am panicking a bit that this odd bleeding is due to erosion of the tape. Just need this period to end so I can tell for sure what is going on. I am 5 weeks on from the this surgery and I think it is the TVT which is still causing aching and pain. The more I do the more it hurts. That and the odd bleeding is a bit of a worry at this point.
I shall spend the morning chasing an appointment for a scan.