PART 9 (Mar 2014) Any old prolapse! Uterus/womb prolapse, rectocele, cystocele, enterocele, urethrocele, incontinence, pelvic floor, anterior and posterior repair, TVT etc

[gottagetthroughthis]

Welcome to thread 9 (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
Thread 8

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.

[Bavmorda]

I'll try that other thread too...

[Bavmorda]

Hello! Glad there is an up to date thread. Have just had DS2 (4th DC) and pretty sure I have a prolapse.

I've had a pretty shit time of it to be honest. I went down with pneumonia at 35 weeks, in hospital on intravenous antibiotics and then sent home for a week of a nurse visiting daily to administer IVs via PICC line. Since the end of the IVs (Christmas eve) I've had one cough after another due to reflux, the horrifically dry air in the birthing unit and a second chest infection.

DS is now 8 weeks and in the past fortnight I've had 2 courses of antibiotics for this second chest infection. I think the coughing has exacerbated the prolapse more than the birth - I started getting the bulging feeling a couple of weeks after he was born. Basically the doctor won't do anything until my chest is sorted as any coughing undoes the benefits of PFE (although I'm still doing them).

Anyway thought I'd join for a moan!

[whatevva]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/2029646-Pt-8-Oct13-Any-old-prolapse-Uterus-womb-prolapse-rectocele-cystocele-enterocele-urethrocele-incontinence-pelvic-floor-anterior-and-posterior-repair-TVT-etc-994-Posts?pg=27

Try this one (I know the title is out of date, but the posts look more up to date)

[Havalina1]

Is there a newer thread for this? Lots of info but stops suddenly.

[thecatsm0ther]

Thanks Addicted I'll have a look forit.

That's the problem, I was never interested in what it looked like before, so have nothign to compare to.

[Addictedtohotbaths1]

Don't worry I imagine most feel and look at by odd after childbirth! Apparently there is a DVD called Hab-It which is meant to be good

[thecatsm0ther]

Thanks Addicted. I thought it was strange that the physio didn't check. Yes I need to go back, I don't want it to get worse and I dint want surgery.

Can anyone point me in the direction of some good links re pelvic floor exercises?

I'm really scared now you've said it looks and feels odd. I have nothing bulging out, but it feels full inside if you know what I mean.

[Addictedtohotbaths1]

Thecats -I have stage 2 bowel and bladder prolapse, I'm seeing specialist women's physio who has a really good look and feels inside to see how pelvic floor is working. Unless you have somebody physically check its not that much help just telling you to do them. Could you pay privately for a session just to check if you are working them properly? Otherwise I would go back and ask for referral to women's health physio.

And if you are really worried go back to gp and ask for a gynae referrall. I didn't realise until now that if you leave it, it most likely will get worse and that there's lots that can be done to help improve it or at least stop it progressing.

And yes mine looks odd and feels odd!

Good luck

[thecatsm0ther]

I have a prolapse, I've seen my gp, who referred me to physio. The GP didn't tell me how severe it was. Physio didn't even look, but just have me leaflets. Didn't even help with exercises, just told me to do them.

I don't know if I'm doing them right, how can I tell? Will they actually make any difference?

I feel like I can barely squeeze at all. Also can't hold the squeeze for longer than a few seconds.

I leak when I sneeze or run. When I insert a tampon I can feel my bowel through my vaginally wall

I'm worried my bf will feel this too and that my vagina looks odd and will feel odd.

[Nameeman]

Thanks Sadie, that is comforting to hear. I have just felt so rubbish since the op that it's hard to think positive!

[sadie9]

Haven't had TVT but had surgical bladder lift due to prolapse. Doc said bladder had to get used to being in a new position and the brain takes a while to adjust. I had more 'frequency' for a few weeks, and getting up at night to wee etc, now I am never up at night. So all those uncomfortable sensations went away after a few weeks, so give yourself a chance you are only a few days out! My 'cure seemed worse than the disease' for a few weeks but everything is fine now. Give it time and hopefully it will improve over the coming days.

[Nameeman]

Hi all,

I'm looking for anyone with experience of TVT surgery. Have any of you had it? I had it in Tuesday and I have such an irritable bladder today. I constantly feel I need a wee when I don't. I'm terrified they have damaged my bladder as I never had this feeling before. I also feel generally awful and am really regretting the surgery. Can anyone offer any comforting experience?

[LittleOwl11]

To be honest most gynaeys will just refer you physio and not offer much else, perhaps a pessary. It sucks.

Surgery can fix prolapse if physio doesn't help but not always, unfortunately it has its own risks and failure rates.

Since you've had good success with physio before hopefully this time around will work too for you x

[TheDetective]

What happens when you are referred to Gynae after initially discovering a prolapse?

Had my 3rd baby 2 weeks ago, and saw the GP today who confirmed my thoughts. Anterior vaginal wall prolapse, cervical prolapse and cystocele.

Had a perfect birth, no tears, shortish labour, 3 pushes and he was born. My smallest baby yet.

Yet it still fucked up my fanjo.

I did have a lot of issues with my PF after my 2nd baby - episiotomy took a year to fully heal, been left with extensive scar tissue (on my arse cheeks, yeah thanks for that!). Had physio for stress incontinence etc.

All that seemed to be resolved in the last 18 months. Everything seemed fine down there.

So, what now? I've been doing my PF's religiously forever. I don't have any pain, or incontinence. I did have a UTI last week - which was what caused me to really go looking down there. I used to suffer with UTI's recurrently and had a urethral dilatation done 5 years ago which cured the buggers. So I'm terrified that I'm going to end up as bad as I used to be. They ruled my life at one point.

I have no idea if sex hurts. I'm single. Don't plan on having sex for quite a long time. And quite frankly, I don't want anyone to come anywhere near me down there with all that going on. And what if it does hurt?! That's gonna be a fun first time with someone, isn't it?!

Am a little bit terrified as I have no idea what to expect right now. If someone could talk me through it, that would be great!

[FluffyKitten21]

Just noticed thread 8 is now full.

[FluffyKitten21]

Hi ermintrudeclaire I had a TVT op a year ago. initially referred for rectocele as I felt time to sort as having to deal with bowel symptoms and stress incontinence daily. I wasn't aware of TVT surgery so no idea it could be fixed so easily. I just assumed I was rubbish at doing my pelvic floor exercises. Colorectal surgeon referred me to urogynae who offered me a TVT op. Said it was quick & easy to fix, 90%+ success rate, etc. Surgery went to plan. I had 2 weeks off work and then worked from home for 4 more to save a very long commute/carrying luggage whilst insides still healing. I was warned about complications but all went smoothly. No catheter in after op. I felt so well after op - only minor discomfort - I had to remind myself to take it easy. Stitches healed inside well and scarring on outside is small and fading well. I've been 99% dry since. The only time I have a very minor leak is if I've left it too long until I'm bursting so I try to make sure i go as soon as I need to - but day to day I no longer need to wear a pad, I can sneeze, cough, etc without leaking. It's had a huge positive impact on my quality of life. Wish I'd had it done years ago as only in my 40s & had put up with it for more than a decade.

I feel liberated and confident now. Coping with rectocele as in a way far more manageable in in control of that (and afraid of the amount of mesh that would be involved) - whereas the stress incontinence was in control of me - I just hadn't realised how much as it had become my normal IYSWIM.

If you know your surgeon and feel confident in him I vote in favour. He should explain all pros & cons. Mine had lots of audit data to show their record of outcomes & complications.

Don't hesitate to ask me more if you want to.

[ermintrudeclaire]

hi folks, going to see the surgeon today and discuss my planned TVT/cyctocele repair op .
Basically getting lots of UTI, vaginal soreness (feels like theres a bunch of holly stuffed up there)retained urine, noctouria and leakage. I can feel it and have to make sure my bladder is empty before sex or it leaks (eeeww).

So, the question is Should I have the op? The surgeon said last time it was minor surgery, 4 weeks max off work and 90% sucess rate but I am going back to discuss it further. Lots of questions - what if it goes wrong, what about sex? etc

I do trust him - he did my hysterectomy 18 years ago, but is this really the best option - ANY advice really really appreciated.

[funchum8am]

I'll go find the part 8 thread, thanks

[alteredimage]

I don't know what happened but the is also an active "part 8" thread with a few of us on.

I assume they can't be joined so perhaps we fill that one first? Or encourage people on that thread to come here. I certainly would welcome company.

[funchum8am]

Kegels, not levels!

[funchum8am]

Hi everyone, my GP said today I have moderate prolapse but didn't say of which organ. She says what I can feel at the vaginal opening is the tissues around the pelvic organs, whatever that means. I think I have both bladder and bowel trying to make a break for it.

She wants me to wait 3-6 months doing pelvic floor exercises and only consider surgery if it is still worsening then, as I only had DS (my 2nd and last child) in January. Her view on physio is that they will only give me levels to do do no point

I am dying to start running again but am now looking up local pool times as I am about 3 stone overweight

Thank you all for sharing on this thread; it is the only place I can find to talk about this stuff!

[Iamaslummymummy]

Checking back in. Had surgery march 2012 for cystocele and rectocele and unfortunately I'm booked to see the consultant again 20/4 as I've definitely got bladder and uterine prolapse. The uterus has come right down - I can see the cervix with a mirror :( really dreading the surgery that I'm sure that I need.

[FoulsomeAndMaggotwise]

Thank you loopy, I guess it's hard to remember how recently you actually gave birth when life forces you to get back to normal within a few days! I'll keep doings exercises and hope for the best.

Glad your surgery was a success and I hope you're still well.

[loopylouisa]

Dear Foulsome

It's far too early to tell yet - takes a few weeks for your uterus to shrink back - keep doing your pelvic floor exercises they are soooooo important - if you can stop a wee already hopefully you will be fine - you shouldnt be standing for hours six weeks after having a bub - try not to do too much (except for pelvic exercises they are a must) - good luck I'm sure it will be fine