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.

That's 11 days post op!

Lou I was told to keep your stools runny for the first 3 months to a liquid constancy to allow bruising and stitches to improve. The total time is 12 weeks for recovery but he (my consultant) said that I might have to be on and off softeners for life as once repaired there is always a risk of it happening again if straining. Key thing he said was lots of water and exercise ie walking rec but no weights.

Hi happy, thanks for that info, I was never told that. What do you use out of interest? Best get a job lot in then, really don't want to risk any problems.

Mind you that's as I had a rectocele repair and perenium sp??? So you might be different. I like to swap and change. Movicol is the drink but sometimes I find it doesn't always help. Senna or dulcolax is good but can be quite harsh on your stomach. Pharmacist suggested suppositories as these are less harsh, work within 20 minutes. Not suppose to upset flora bacteria in stomach. There is also lactalose medicine. This is rather vile to take. I would just try different types and see which suits you. Be interesting to hear what other people were told about bowels

Hi happy, I've been taking dulculax but have been getting bad stomach pains with it. Will have a look at the other options. Thanks

Tinkxxx I actually was referred for an appointment back with my consultant after my pre-op as I had so many questions that I'd thought of AFTER my original app when he told me what op I would be facing. I wrote ALL my questions down and went through them all with him. He sat very patiently and answered them all and even put them in a letter to my GP and I was also sent a copy. I think that's the procedure they have to follow now.

It did put my mind at rest a tiny bit but I'm still scared stupid about this op. Have NEVER been phased by any ops previously and have always sailed into the operating theatre without giving it a second thought but this one has really got to me. It's the mesh erosion bit and the messing near my spine and I really don't want to have to put up with a crap sex life after this either. I'm only 46 and hopefully have a plentiful and very good, long sex life ahead of me yet. Can I ask how old you are? Sounds like you are feeling pretty much the same as me now. Do you know when you might have yours?

I have just come across this amazing website by Michelle Kenway, an Australian physiotherapist specializing in pelvic floor protection both before and after surgery. She talks about how to protect your prolapse after surgery, how to have a BM safely, how to exercise and so much more. It's certainly worth a glance through.

Greening, a big massive thank you for directing me to this website. As someone who has received no post op care and just told to do pelvic floors this website has shown me great techniques. Isn't sad that we women are just left to recover with no real information. I get quite angry when I think about it and what I told blu was all the information I received from from my consultant until I see him again 12 weeks post surgery. Shocking.

Noordinarygirl _ My surgery is scheduled for the 6th March, pre op 19th Feb. I am 48 and have not had sex for over a year now, well I did try after my rectocele procedure last year but it hurt too much and then my problems got a lot worse and I lost all my confidence. Its all very sad really and stupid, but I pushed my partner away, did not let him cuddle me or anything as I was always worried he would then think I would sleep with him, in fact I am really horrid to him just to stop him coming near me. We dont live together but our relationship is ruined now.

I am going to try and get an appointment with the consultant but he is always really booked up. I first managed to see him in May and then he said the rectocele was back and that my perineum was knackered. But I had the bowel cancer scare and needed further tests with the colorectal consultant and the procedure to remove the polyps and did not get another appointment until Nov, when I got told the uterus had now dropped and that I had very little tissue left and needed an op with mesh and like I said until the secretary rang me I had no idea what operations he was planning.

Sometimes I think I just cant face it and whats the point as I believe once they start messing around things can get worse and maybe I should just learn to live with it all.

I think my main problems are with my bowels, the lining comes out my bum which makes life a misery really. But from what I have read any operation there, especially the starr procedure can make things alot worse. But if I dont get the bowel sorted out (I have to really strain) then I will undo whatever the gynae consultant does. It has all given me a mass headache. The previous operation was far from pleasant (I got an infection) and I remember saying I would never have it done again. But for at least two years now going to the loo is challenging. The colorectal surgeon was a twat and said that he could not get me back to pre children state..... I was livid at the time, no I do not want to get back to pre child state, I JUST want to be able to go to the toilet.

Anyway rant over, as you can see I got up in a bad mood lol.

greeninthedesert just had a look at the site you suggested and really wish I had seen the video on how to have a BM 6 weeks ago. I am looking forward to giving it a go. Aftercare is pretty rubbish and there seems to be little agreement from consultants about the recovery process in terms of work and activity, judging by what people say here and on the web.

Hi Footle

From your post it looks like everything is still holding well, that is really good news and gives me hope.

Take care x

I use a foot stool for BMs but check out this . Am planning to get one
www.squattypotty.co.uk/

Hi Footie- seriously, 2.5 yrs and still on it ?? that sounds crazy I had no idea, so naive of me I guess. I'm worried every visit I have to make to
the toilet at the mo but just presumed that would improve as time went on! Guess the docs don't tell us that side of things!
On another note- I went out for a slow stroll around the shops today, first time since op 12 days ago, all seemed ok slightly pulling feel when I was out. However, a couple of hours ago I was suffering with excruciating stomach cramps that had me in tears (and that's not normal for me!) could I have overdone it with the walk? Has anyone else had anything similar? 4 tablets later, lots of pain and tears and a hot water bottle it's finally eased but now I just feel exhausted. Was on verge of calling hosp for guidance! I do hope i haven't caused any damage.

Lou it could be that you over did things. It could also be as you have not been doing much for days you have trapped wind and wind from op. I remember feeling that pain around that time. I had to take tramadol again to ease it and the good old reliable hot water bottle. If pain continues please go and see gp as it could be early sign of infection ( don't worry yourself about this until you need to) Also peppermint tea or anything peppermint can settle stomach cramps down. It could also be due to the amount of laxatives you take. I know it caused me terrible stomach cramps.
I start work on Monday and am dreading getting to the toilets. It's all so glamorous eh.

Thanks happy, will see how things go, hopefully not an infection. The laxatives have been causing some stomach pain but this was something else, even had trouble breathing properly as it was so intense. I rem the nurse saying about excess wind but thought that would have gone by now but guess like you say I haven't been moving about much. Fingers crossed I don't get it again. Hubby goes back to work Monday so in left alone with my two young boys to get ready for school etc, gonna be a shock to he system I think. Good luck going back to work, hope it all turns out well or you.

Loublue - I went for a walk at two weeks to the local shopping centre, 5 mins away from my house after I had had my operation last year and the memory of it is still with me lol. It was painful and I got halve way and wanted to cry, but I think I read that you should be walking 10mins or so by two weeks so I carried on. My mum who was with me got me a coffee but even sitting was painful - the walk back took me ages and by the evening I was at the doctors as I was in so much pain. I had an infection and he told me that walking outside is different to indoors, surfaces uneven etc and not to attempt it again for another two weeks. I saw that you are planning to do the school run 3/4 miles each way. I think that is alot - have you not got anyone that can do it for you?

Hi tink, well I certainty won't be forgetting my experience either, if I had an infection tho would the pain have gone away? I feel ok his morning tho a little tender. I've managed to sort a lift out for tomorrow, an hoping they will kindly offer for a few more days too. When did you start driving again? I was planning on leaving it 3 weeks then giving it a go, at least I'll be able to drive to school then.

Lou I had to wait 4 weeks after op to drive due to insurance reasons, they like you to be able to do an emergency stop with no pain or causing injury to the area you had stitches. I think if you had an accident (God forbid) you might not be covered. I'd check your insurance details. I didn't drive until 5 weeks but I felt absolutely fine. No pain or discomfort.
If you had an infection there would usually be a rather unpleasant smell. It's usually a give away.
Don't be afraid to ask people for help though, I would walk ds to school and friend would bring him home. It is difficult trying to juggle everything when you have young family. My advice would be just leave the house work, it's not going anywhere. Relax when kids at school. It is very hard though when you see jobs that need doing.

I'd better check the ins out then, don't want to take any chances. I'm not very good at asking for help but thankfully a few friends have come forward to offer help. Leaving housework will be hard as hubby is very particular! Guess he'll just have to carry on helping me out. Got a few good books to read tho, haven't sat down and read in ages so nows my perfect excuse! Thanks for the advice.

Lou, leave the housework. It's just not worth the risk. If DH is very particular, be clear to him what you can / cannot do without risking the outcome of surgery and what he'll have to do if he wants it done... I hope you manage to sort out the school run/walk.

People really do love being able to help: I'm amazed at how much help we've been offered with childcare, meals etc. I keep having to remind myself to say yes. Although they're doing us huge favours i keep telling myself they're also getting to feel good about themselves and it means that they'll feel ok about asking us to help in return...

Tinkxxx just sending you big hugs for your post from sat lunchtime.

Happy, good luck with returning to work tomorrow.

I have a question, I seem to have more bleeding today. I haven't stopped since the surgery, although it was getting lighter and perhaps turning orange. Today it's a bit heavier again and bright red. Stupid question here, but I'm not sure if this is my period or because I've been up and about a bit more today (day 7). It seems to light for a period. Did anyone else have increased bleeding and going red again? Or was anyone's first period really light?

Hi greening, thanks for the advice. Hubby will find it hard but not as hard as me going back into hospital again.
The nurse said to me on leaving hosp that the bleeding should ease and turn darker and there should be no fresh or bright red blood. I'd pop to the docs if I were you to get checked. Could be period but best be on the safe side.

Lou I threatened my hubby Id get a sick note from the Dr with a list of do's and don'ts lol he soon got on with things. He's very good really just I have to praise him a lot when he does things round the house.

Greening like Lou said bright blood should maybe be looked at. Best be safe than sorry. If it is your period well that will be a relief.
I am very nervous bout work as today I went for a longer walk than usual and I have pulling feeling in my perineum as stitches still there (last 3 months).
Dragon if you're about have you decided when to go back to work yet? Hope you haven't had any other bleeding.