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.

Merde Welcome to a fantastic group of Ladies that really have been a (my) life saver for support and information. I always felt as though I could ask anything and I hope you feel the same. It is so much better to know that someone else knows, understands and can point you in the right direction when needed. Love theses girls x Welcome

Happy New Year Girls
I wanted to share some good news with you all, as you all know I took the hard road in almost every way possible ticked every 1 percent chance box of things that could go wrong well I ticked them all... I went to surgeons app 1st jan and he said the hemotomas have significantly improved they have improved so much I am now allowed to start using the estrogen cream I am on antibis for a week as that funny smell is still there but I don't mind the antibis. I am just so happy to be on the almost normal recovery road after such a bumpy one
It has now been 6 weeks hotbaths since our op how are you doing? x

Waiting - Happy New Year! That's great news you are making progress now. What is the Oestrogen cream for?

Are you more active now?

I've got my check up later this week. I'm having a lot of random sharp pains and still really feel it if I do too much. My perineum is still mega sore. I'm meant to start work this week but I'm going to work from home a bit longer, I don't feel I can cope with commuting and sitting at a desk all day.

X

hotbaths oestrogen cream will help promote healing. I don't know if it has been prescribed for other women but the reason the doctor wants me to use it is because for the last 18yrs I have either been pregnant or breastfeeding with short breaks in between so he believes I would be low in Oestrogen (he thinks that is why I bled so much as well, but there has been a lot of conflicting advice regarding why I bled so much).
The oestrogen cream is supposed to thicken thin skin and heal stronger.
I have been on it for 4 nights and the first two nights were horrible I was so sore, but that seems to be settling down now.
I think you are doing the right thing by working from home a bit longer as those sharp pains are your warning to take it easy (we don't want to have to repeat this so giving your body enough time to heal properly now is the best thing you can do). My doctor said at 6 weeks you are 90% healed and 100% at 12 months, He said for me the only thing he can tell me is at 12 months I will be 100% healed, Yes I am more active now have been shopping a couple of times and started cooking dinner every other night and just pottering around the house I really have had enough of laying around. Sorry for the long post but I thought the information could be useful x

My dd aged 41 has had a bladder prolapse since the birth of her last child in 2009. She had some physio and it seemed ok for a while but she has been told she will need surgery as it has become troublesome whenever she exercises. She would have liked a third child but was advised not too as it would exacerbate the problem.
She is very very anxious about the surgery. She doesnt come on here so I wondered if anyone had any advice or positive stories about recovery from this type of surgery.

Pranmasghost I had this surgery almost 7 wks ago now and I am so glad I did. It was a hard recovery for me at first but even saying that I would do it all over again to live without the problem I had before the surgery. I had a bladder and bowel repair at the same time which makes a tougher recovery period because you are healing from 2 surgeries at once.
I have 6 children and was told I cannot have anymore DH wanted 1 more, but I have heard of some women having a baby after having this kind of repair, you would have to have a C-section for delivery though, and face the fact that you would possibly undo the op and need one again. Hope this information helps any more questions just ask

Sorry gotta I use the app and threads always drop off the "I'm on" and I forget about them!

The pessary is going ok. I've found one that fits well (50mm was too small and 62mm too large). I'm buying them myself as I can buy them direct from a pharmaceutical company for less than £3 each!!! Exactly the same as the hospital provide!

How are you getting on?

Glad to hear everyone else seems to be halon nicely

Had my urodynamic testing today, not the most pleasant experience. I have a pelvic scan and then the dreaded defecography later this month.

I had hoped that I'd have a date for my surgery in early spring (which was what the consultant said) but I haven't got another appointment with him until mid March so it's not looking hopeful.

I hate the idea of this dragging out and affecting holiday plans, school holidays etc.

Waiting how are you getting on? I've had my check up, everything healed no prolapses but a knot of stitches inside my perineum she has given me Ovestin for. Is that what you have? I'm not sure i want to use a hormonal cream?

We've had sex once. It was a bit scary at first but fine as long as he didn't bash the area with lots of scar tissue. I thought it felt better DH said no difference from before?!

I'm back to work next week, so glad to get back to normality but I'm sooo bloody tired all the time and still a bit sore so I think it's going to be hard work.

Hope you are doing well? X

hotbaths I feel like saying ''GO GIRL'', I cannot believe you were brave enough to get back in the saddle I am a bit that DH felt no difference though......
Yes I am on the same cream Ovestin I will give you a bit of advice the first couple of times you use it, you may feel a little more sore then usual (that's normal, I freaked out a little, But all fine after the first couple of days) But I would definitely give it a try as it does really help the healing, I had a stich with a knot internally that was really hurting (doc found it when examining me, cream got rid of it in 2 days) that is when he told me it was the right time to start using the cream. I did a lot of research regarding this cream because like you I didn't like the idea of hormones, but it seems hardly any will make it into our blood stream if any at all, so there should be no side effects apart from the local area you are applying it to. It has really done a lot to normalize the area as well, I have been able to stop the antibis. How many times do you have to use it? I have to use it every day for 2wks and then 3 times a week until I finish breastfeeding.
I am so relieved to know that I am not alone in the tiredness department, I thought I was being lazy. I have my days where I can do a lot but the next day I am exhausted. But as you know a lot can change in a week especially if you start using the cream now and get a head start. I feel like Congradulations are in order you have been through so much and you are coming through the other end Thankyou so much for being my op partner through all this I am so grateful for all of your advice and understanding and putting up with my extra large posts

Merde I am glad the process of testing has started for you though so you will be getting the right treatment for your condition when they operate. I had my anterior and prosterior op done without them ever testing anything they only examined me and that was it[shocked]
But it is all fine as the surgeon keeps telling me he thinks I will have amazing result (hope he is right)
I know what it is like waiting I think it is worse then just getting the op over and done with but march will come around rather quickly and hopefully they will give you a date when all the results are in
I completely understand your frustration and will be here to answer any questions I can to help you in any way I can
Hang in there and let us know how it all goes x

Thank you waiting that's very kind of you.

I had a pelvic echographie (ultrasound) today. I'm pleased with the thoroughness of the tests but disconcerted by the intimacy of the investigations. My ultrasound today was an internal one which I wasn't expecting, particularly because I had my period

I expect the gold standard is the heap of investigations I'm having. I feel sure that NHS budget constraints prevent gynaes ordering them. What a shame because it means that they are essentially going into the surgery not as prepared as they could or should be.

I had no tests either just an examination but it was plainly obvious to see what had prolapsed. However I've read about a progressive Urgogynae in Oz who thinks it's really important to undertake scans prior to a repair and says they can detect issues that would still be left underlying and cause surgery to fail. I can't remember his name though so not that helpful. Will try and find the info.

Waiting thanks for the info on Ovestin that's v helpful. She said 3 x a week but I don't know how long for??

Saw my physio last night, do you see a women's physio? It's really useful. She said it's a good repair and nice and tidy! I think it still looks like frankenvag! She said she would expect it to last me 15 years?? Consultant gave me a 20% recurrence rate. Do they sound like good odds??

What have you been told Waiting?

I feel like in the next few months I want to start to get fit and strong but I'm paranoid of causing it to return.

Waiting thanks to you too for being my op buddy, I'm sure it's helped keep us sane! X

It's Professor Hans Peter Dietz

I'm thankful for the tests today as they discovered a fibroid and adenomyosis in my uterus. I suspect the gynae may recommend either fibroid removal during surgery or a hysterectomy. Not sure how that impacts on my planned surgery though. Better to know in advance I guess.

Hotbaths Thankyou so much for Professor Hans Peter Dietz name I have never come across him in all my research, will be looking into him now as I am still having bowel problems. Warning for TMI but the doctor has me taking magnesia everyday and wants my movements to be liquid, even though this is the case I still have trouble completely emptying this can't be normal??? I am so worried as they tell me do not strain, but at the same time if you have to go there is some pressure being applied.
I am in the same boat I really want to start getting stronger and fit but I am so paranoid about the prolapse reoccurring that I don't really know what is too much, I have not be given the ok yet I have an app tomorrow so I will see what he has to say about all of these questions.
Because of all the problems with surgery I have needed more time then normal to heal so they have not referred me to physio as yet but I know they plan to as they told me pre surgery that I would need intense physio.
They have told me that it is possible that it would return later in life due to me having the surgery at this young age (34) I would really like to avoid that so I will be as pro active with the physio as possible.
Oh the Ovestin cream in normal circumstances (not breastfeeding or menopause) is 6 wks 3 x a wk but check with your doc as they might want you on it for longer x

Merde Glad they found it as now everything can get treated the right way at the same time, how do you feel about the possibility of a hysterectomy? keep us posted x

Waiting - he looks really interesting doesn't he.

I can't believe they would expect you to have permanent diarreah??
To be honest my bowel function is not perfect, I have to keep good diet, take movicol before bed and usually drink a tea first thing to go. I have started to have a few occasions where I've felt I needed to go and couldn't and had the natural instinct to start pushing my perineum but I just stopped and waited and also really importantly resisted the urge to strain. However I don't know to what extent it's down to a slow bowel or other issues I don't even know about. The consultant told me before the op that I had 50% chance the bowel repair would work as there could be some other problem which would require a colorectal surgeon.
I am making massive steps to improve my health (although I'm underweight not over) and have been to see a nutritionalist who has given me so much advice. Something that really might help your bowel issue is taking cod liver oil really high strength, it lines you bowel and helps the poo move though. For the first time since my op this week I have been in the morning on waking without needing any caffeine and I'm sure it's the oil. I take two with meals twice a day.

I went back to work this week but only managed two short days, by the second day I was in loads of pain, pain that I haven't had for a week or two and thought it was all better. I was nearly crying at work and so exhausted I could hardly think and there was some blood when I got home. So I'm working from home today which has coincided with both kids coming down with chickenpox so I'm not resting at all (apart from right now while one naps and the other watches TV). I was warned it would be exhausting going back now and could be too much but i really thought I was over the worst, wrong! I don't think they should tell you 6 week recovery because it really isn't and makes everyone wonder why you are still struggling!

Hi all, glad the recent op-ees are on the mend (kinda). Just a note about poo-ing. The physio at the hospital I was in told me rather than straining to do a poo, to instead squeeze and relax the anal sphincter as many times as you like when you are on the loo waiting to go (like the pelvic floors only try to concentrate on the backside part). If you feel you need to go this helps. Also putting your feet up on something gets you at a better angle for gravity to work, I find a tub of those wet tissue wipes is the right height. Because in the weeks after the operation we are not walking around as quickly or as often as before I think the bowel process is slower to work also, as that sort of exercise and moving around normally helps it. It is very up and down even a couple of months out. I had numerous times I thought I could feel it coming back, but it must have been intermittent swelling again. Also some clothes were worse than others, if I had tight clothes around my tummy, that evening I would feel the pressure again. I don't wear those stretchy jeans anymore as they do put a bit of pressure on the tummy. Same with tights I always buy the XXL tights now and even still some brands are just too tight on my tummy pressing everything in.

sadie9 Thankyou for the advice I am going to give your wet wipes tub a try as I did try with a step but couldn't get comfortable, now I realize it was to high. I don't usually wear tight clothes but sometimes firm tummy control underwear which does usually set my tummy issues off (I am on the waiting list for a hernia and separation of the tummy muscle's op) x
Hotbaths I got a little bit of a telling off from my doctor/surgeon about doing too much, he brought up the fact that if you start bleeding it is a sign you have done way to much as the tissues down there are not normal they are still recovering. So swelling and pain is your first sign you need to rest and blood is really the final warning before you damage yourself.
I was told that because my bowels were sluggish before the operation I will have to manage my bowels for the rest of my life it will not have to be diarreah once the hematoma's heal, but I have to make sure I go everyday I have to be really proactive. Sex isn't even on the cards I have another appointment with him in a month and he will check my progress then. Just found out we are moving this morning, it is going to be hard moving a family of 7 without lifting or doing to much x

hope all is well for everyone. Haven't been back to doc yet Gravytrain but size of my pessary is 57mm but was too big I felt so waiting on appointment to see her again - will look on internet to see how much pessaries are xx

Hi everyone , can I join please .
I'm 45 and 3 weeks today post op following posterior repair and perinioplasty . I knew the posterior repair would be most likely successful as I had one of the best Consultants in that field do it. However even he said he would only be able to do what he can with my perineum as there really was very little to work with . I had a 3rd Prob 4th degree tear 23 years ago which unfortunately wasn't managed as well as they are now and healed wide open . I had the whole lot inc post repair done aged 25 . Then silly me at 35 had more babies and undid it all and this time it was even worse .
This has been a huge thing for me ( and I know it is for each and every one if us ) . I had to put the operation off for a few years because of one thing and another but it got so bad that I had to self catheterise every day . Then my marriage of 25 years broke down and delightful ex did make me feel like a freak .
Anyway 3 years down the line I thought id better get this done if I ever want to have the confidence to have an intimate relationship again . I'm 45 and suddenly I have a chance to start over ....hopefully a new me in all departments !!
Anyway so far ... No catheters needed after about the first week ( Prob when swelling went down ) , and ive been beside myself with worry re my perineum . As expected I got an infection ( skin was so friable and never healed after every birth ) . Consultant said he did what he could and built it up a little bit . I've just finished more antibiotics and taken every vitamin I could to aid healing . I was really worried that it wasn't healing but I haven't looked for 3 days now and completely rested and it feels tons better. When I looked it seemed to open everything up so Ive left well alone. I did expect stiches on the outside but apart from one which was pretty much in my flipping bottom there all inside .
I so so hope it looks better as I was so sore and uncomfortable for years and yes I felt abnormal.
Phew ... Sorry so long .

tinkerbell welcome I completely understand how you feel and hope this surgery does correct all the issues and pains you have been facing in the past so that this can now be your new beginning you have been waiting for x
hotbaths I have gone backwards a little bit in the healing department.
I warned everyone about the signs of overdoing it and then ignored them myself. All I was doing was sitting at the kitchen table for about 3 to 4 hours on Monday felt really sore so rested the rest of the day laying down the next day sat up for a couple of hours, I started to get really uncomfortable swelling begun and then I started to bleed I have been bleeding ever since. Went to my app yesterday and the doc said it is the surgery site that is bleeding they did a swab just to be safe. I knew it was hurting but all I was doing was sitting so please everyone listen to your body I feel like I have undone a months worth of healing. The doctor said I still have a couple of stitches in there also, now I am back on bed rest....
I am now also moving so I am laying in bed house hunting while everyone else is packing it is so frustrating not to be able to help...
I hope everyone is doing much better x

Just wonderin how everyone is and where have you all gone? maybe its a good sign that all is well hope so xx

Hi Everyone, All is finally going well in recovery it has been 3 and a half months after my surgery. I must say it is now a distant memory although I am still on pain medication but am slowly weaning off now and have resumed normal daily activities. Has anyone got any questions? I am more then happy to assist in any way I can x