Pt 8 (Oct13) Any old prolapse! Uterus/womb prolapse, rectocele, cystocele, enterocele, urethrocele, incontinence, pelvic floor, anterior and posterior repair, TVT etc (994 Posts)

[gottagetthroughthis]

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
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.

Addicted I know it must be awful for you but hang in there - look over the threads and see some of the other girls had some probs in the beginning as far as I can remember and I know it prob wont help you but at least you will know it has happened to others.

I really feel for you and can see why you are a depressed and I haven't had the op I know but it is still early days for you and it is a big op you have just had. maybe when the swelling goes down a bit you will start to notice a change. Your ladybits have been bruised and battered give them a little time.

Poor love xx sending some ((hugs)) and really am thinking about you.

Riding have fingers crossed for you tomorrow hun xx hope all goes well.

Waiting thinking about you too, hope you are not too bad xx (hugs))

Hotbaths get icepacks on your lady parts for at least 24hrs it makes a huge difference long term. How long do they believe you are going to be self catheterizing? I am so sorry that you are in this situation. They offered me the choice of self catheterization is it hard to do? You will be better soon it hasn't been a week yet so just remember slow start with recovery usually means a faster finish xo thinking of you

Hi waiting - it's awful it hurts, the anticipation of it hurting too makes it worse. I did it once at the hospital and I've only just managed to do it again now. I've been trying all night with the catheter or sitting on the loo desperately trying to get some out. I can't stop crying I feel so trapped and in pain. I've just emptied my bladder but feel like I need to go still so I've probably got an infection now.

I will see how I go in a few hours but the only other option is a catheter for another week. I'm so scared they do that and I'm back in the same situation in another weeks time.
They told me there's no physical reason and it's just my brain which makes me feel like it's my fault.
Sorry to moan I'm feeling really shit.

How are you doing? X

They said it might only take a few days with self cath to get the bladder back to normal. Who knows...

And Gotta thanks for your kind words x

I am so sorry for all your pain, I would be beside myself if I couldn't get the catheter in straight away especially if I felt like I needed to wee. If you have to have a catheter for another week don't worry I know you are trying to avoid it but hurting yourself and trying to wee when you can't can make it worse. I tell you now it is not just in your head I know how much you want to get rid of the catheter and you are trying very hard. Thinking of you xo

Addicthotbaths, sorry you have having such a crap time. That cathatering must be very uncomfortable. The doc told me that too, that it can take time for the brain to work out where the bladder has moved to...sort of thing. I have heard others say if you try rocking back and forth on the loo more might come out. Like tilting in different positions. Another forum I read said the woman put a bowl on the floor and wee'd while down on all fours just to try a different position. And the breathing like blowing into a straw. It certainly is not your fault. It is terrible when you are just expected to self-manage a catherter just like that and it is in such a sensitive area that was recently operated on. It is a big expectation on the hospitals part. hugs and please let the wees come ASAP.

Thanks Sadie and Waiting. In the end I was in agony and couldn't pee so I went back to hospital and they've given me a regular catheter with a bag and a new course of anti bis since it sounds like I've now got an infection. Im going back in a week for another trial. I'm so relieved now there is no way I will ever be able to self cath again it's totally traumatised me. You are so right Sadie it's such a big thing to do.

My catheter has loads of bits floating in it, is that normal or infection?

Yesterday was the first day my stitches weren't painful I was making really good progress. I'm so wiped out now.

Waiting are you making any progress?

You guys are all so lovely x

So sorry you are having a hard time. I don't know why they seem to make out its unusual. I don't know anyone who hasn't had wee issues after an anterior repair

Gotta did you notice a difference straight away with the pessary? Mine is in but I don't notice any improvement and my stream is still weak and now I feel like I need a wee all the time (more than I did before!!)

It hasn't moved but I've not had a bowel movement which I guess is when it will shift!

He didn't want to start out too big but we can size up if my symptoms remain

Riding thank you that makes me feel reassured.

I hope you find the pessary helps. I found it instantly got rid of the urge to pee straight after having been and the bladder bulge and associated feeling of it. Maybe you should go back soon if it doesn't have any positive impact?

Thanks. It has helped the bulgy feeling though the urethrocele is still a bit bulgy. But weeing doesn't seem better and I'm actually significantly more incontinent! I thought it was just the lube he'd used coming out but sadly not. I'll give it a couple of days then call

Just to make you feel a bit better I had my posterior wall fixed, had to be kept in because I couldn't pee and then could only pee standing over the toilet for the next 3 weeks. If I sat nothing came out!! Even when I was desperate. And no one had operated on my bladder. So take it easy on yourself you know your body, don't be told how you feel or should feel

Hotbaths I am glad you have finally got some relief for your bladder. Honestly I look at the catheter bag as my best friend (and that's saying something because as you know I had a lot of catheter pain) but whilst I have the bag I can rest , there's no need to strain to wee or cause more swelling for sitting on the toilet..etc. Please know that I am still in agony at times and I had the op a day or two before you, there are a hour or two a day I feel good and can forget the pain. I went without an ice-pack for 4hrs last night and its taken me 2hrs of ice-packs and pain relief too bring it back under control. I am waiting for my surgeon's phone call to get advice regarding the large/medium blood clot that I had before I moved my bowels on tues. I noticed that not many people are as reliant on ice packs as myself maybe due to the three hematomas as I googled it and they can get incredibly hot(that explains melting ice-packs in under an hour) and painfull. I just pray he doesn't surgically have to remove it as I really can't face the thought of starting all over again so soon.
Thankyou riding and sadie9 and gotta all your experiences are valuable and your information and advice and support for myself and Addictedtohotbaths has really helped us through this. We have to support one another because we understand the pain not only physically but emotionally as we sending my love to you all xo

Waiting thanks but I really wish I could help xx
Riding no it took a couple of days and an odd time yet get a sort of pulling sensation. No I could go most of the day with no pee my problem is I am finding it a little more difficult to poo - I have been but it is difficult - pity because the rest is fine! I was hoping that if I persisted when she trains me to take it in and out daily myself I could do the business and then put it in, it would be perfect then as long as I could go to the loo first.

hope this helps I think I was lucky I got a really exp consultant and the first one fitted thank goodness!

Waiting how are you getting on? Your swelling sounds awful, you've been so unlucky. Have you got enough pain relief? Did your doc get back to you?

I'm feeling ok a bit cystitisy and uncomfortable bladder but no pain from repair. But loads of pressure up my bum tonight it feels really odd. I was sick earlier I hope I haven't pulled any sitiches...

I agree with you about all the lovely support it really helps. I hope I can do the same for somebody in my situation one day.

hotbaths you wont believe it but last night I noticed my catheter hadn't been working properly since lunch time when it made a weird bubbly noise, so after dinner went back to the hospital and found out the balloon had popped so more than likely it would of fell out in the middle of the night and I would of found out the hard way that it was not working...
Good news is that my surgeon was there and said my swelling is going down nicely and healing is progressing well. How about you today?

Oh blimey that was lucky you realised. Did they give you a trial or put another one straight back in?

That's wonderful the swelling is improving and you are healing, hopefully they won't need to do anything more in theatre?

I'm ok mostly uncomfortable, all night I kept waking desperate for the loo I guess that's just irritation since the cath is working?

How are your kids coping? I read back and saw you have lots of kids, your husband must be real busy right now! I think my dd is going to loose her bond with me I'm desperate to pick her up properly.

Thought I better add they replaced the catheter and I will go in for a check up on tues afternoon and arrange either wed,thurs for a trail of void which just means lets take out the catheter and see if you can wee yet (for anyone reading that may be new) My GP gave me an appointment over the phone and wrote me up so new scripts for pain management thank god, When my husband went to the doc office she wouldn't charge a fee she had told the receptionist she didn't want to bill me, I know this sound's strange but when my hubby told me this I almost cried how nice was that (I must be emotional) LOL

What a lovely GP. Little things like that can mean a lot sometimes.

After my A&P repair was first done I had to get up in the night to wee. As the weeks went on, I could sleep through the night easily again without getting up.

Hi Sadie - I mean I keep waking up needing to pee even though I've got a catheter in?

Did you have problems with going to pee after your op? Both me and waiting have had to go home with catheters in.

hotbaths I get the same thing at night feeling as though I need to pee and I wait to double-check the catheter is working properly, sometimes I feel like I need to push a little to pee, but the doctor told me that it is good news as it means the bladder is getting back to normal, waking up so to speak. l have 6 bubs age 18yrs-11mnths I find it is harder on my 3 older girls as they are the ones taking care of most of the house duties and younger children, my 11mth old I sing alot and ask her if she wants mummy cuddles and that's when I normally breastfeed her laying in bed. They didn't see if I could pee but that was possibly because of the time of night it was or because they want me to be successful so are giving the extra few days to heal first before the trail. I know the two nurses that looked down there were horrified at the bruising as one kept saying poor thing and the other said I didn't want to touch your catheter I decided to wait for the doctor once I saw how bruised and sore it looked. How different is my bruising I wonder these are the nurses that see these kind of operations all the time, why are they all so shocked with the way mine looks? But the one thing that really upset me was when the nurse denied that I needed to pee on my first trial and let my bladder fill to 1900mls as my surgeon told me if a bladder is stretched further than 1000mls it may have life long complications, I am a little worried that I will not get good results due to one silly nurse who would not listen and the doctor yelled at her once he saw the state I was in hence why I get scared of trials ever since.

I was wondering hotbaths how you are doing today? Also for your bladder issues try some Ural it can calm it down a little also cranberry juice but I preper cranberry capsules as they are more concentrated and you really feel the difference. Xo

Hi Waiting - how are you doing? Has the bruising improved yet? Try not to worry about long term bladder damage from the stupid nurse letting it overfill. I would imagine it needs to be really overstretched for a long time, I read about a poor lady on here who had 3.5ltrs drained.

I hope your surgeon is right that it's a good sign we can feel the urge to pee. I can't wait to get rid of this bloody catheter, if the trial doesn't doesn't work I'm going to struggle not to cry my eyes out in the hospital. When are you back for another trial?

Are you more mobile yet? I tried to do more yesterday, it felt better mentally but by the end of the day the pressure was really bad. My bladder feels less irritated I think the anti bis are working now.

I'm holding onto the end goal of having a big glass of champagne! X

hotbaths I have a appointment at the hospital tomorrow afternoon to find out when the next trial is, will be likely a day or two later. They didn't trial me last time when the catheter balloon broke as it was 8pm. The last couple of days I have been really tired, but the day before the tiredness I spent a lot more time out of bed and I think that caught up with me a bit. Are you still taking pain relief? I am and I was wondering how long the doctor will give it to us. Bruising is still pretty bad purple and blue and I still need icepack's constantly. But the swelling does seem better. Kids are fine so far, how about your end? How is your healing going are you itchy or sore and when is your next trial?

Maybe we will have simultaneous voiding trials! Mine is Wednesday.

My husband has been amazing luckily after a lot of anxiety about that not being the case. My dc's seem to be fine but when my son saw the catheter the other night he said gross not that again!

I seem to be healing well, no itching from the stitches, but.... I think I can see a hole in the middle of my perineum I will ask them to check it in Wednesday.

Mostly just taking paracetamol and codeine only when it gets painful which seems to be after being up too long.

Have you taken arnica for the bruising? No idea if it helps but worth a try?