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.

[flouncymcflouncerson]

Hello. I had my appt this week with original surgeon. I seen a registrar initially but on talking to me she went and got the consultant. He said to wait and see what urogyn say as he agrees that's a good idea. He will try and speed up appt and we should wait and see what they suggest. He thinks I'm better to get a full review and need only one surgery.... My point all along so why did no one suggest it!

[Le1890]

Ladies can I ask for some advice please?

After feeling a pressure sensation I went to my gp who diagnosed a mild cystocele and rectocele.

I am having problems fully emptying my bladder in the when I go to the loo and finish then stand up a tiny bit dribbles out when I move. I also feel when I need a poo that it feels worse. Generally when I am on my feet I just feel like I want to pee a lot of the time.

Is it even possible to have these symptoms with what I believe is a grade 1 in the cyst and rec?

My gp has referred me to a urogyn mainly because I'm worried something bad is wrong. I had my second baby 1 year ago, forceps and 3rd degree tear.

I'm stressing out worrying.

Thanks

[mrsclairet]

Le1890 yes you can. When I went in for my 1st operation he said afterwards that when they opened me up it was worse than they thought because my uterus had started to drop as well as my bladder and bowel. Plus gp's aren't specialists. Apparently a urogyn is the specialist rather than just a general gynaecologist.
It is now 6 weeks since my op. I had such bad abdominal pains the other day they sent a doctor out in the night and he said it could be IBS. It would explain the constipation. So I've got to go back to my gp to discuss that. I'm still getting sore from feeling a bit wet, I don't know whether that will go or not. I should really start doing my pelvic floor exercises.

[Le1890]

Thanks Mrscairet

Can I ask what you symptoms were pre op?

I'm also noticing that when I'm sitting on the loo for example and I have a feel around inside tmi I know that incar now feely cervix just sitting there too!! It feels very low down.

I know for a fact that it wasn't like this before as we planned our second baby to the letter and I was in tune with when I was ovulating etc and I remmber ladies saying they would check the position of their cervix and for the life of menu could not reach to feel it! Now when I feel in whilst sitting on toilet it's not far up at all!

That's a nightmare regarding the ibs.y gp had said that often after a surgery or severe stomach big etc etc then that when ibs can flare. I had a serious food poisoning (from Greece) 10 years ago and was hospitalised for a week when I got home. It took me a year for my bowels and stomach to feel 'well'.

You sound as though you are recovering well which is so encouraging to hear.
X

[mrsclairet]

My symptoms were needing to go to the toilet very often and soemtimes feeling like I wasn't going to get there in time! (for wees, not poos) Also a very heavy dragging feeling when I had been on my feet for a long time. I don't think that ever goes away completely, but it gets better. I find that so hard because there are so many situations where everyone else is just standing up and nobody sees a problem with it, for eg I had to ask for a chair at my son's nativity play because we got there a bit late and all the seats had gone but I knew I wouldn't be able to stand for 30 or 40 minutes.

The recovery is not easy, I'm constantly worrying about whether I have lifted something too heavy or whether I have damaged the repairs by getting constipated etc etc but it definitely looks a lot different and I think that psychologically that is a really good thing. You don't expect to find something falling out of your body and I think that puts a huge strain on you emotionally. I still worry about how long it will last but I think you just have to try and enjoy now and not think too far ahead.

I hope the urogyn will be able to help you x

[lauren6283]

MsFanackerPants your situation sounds very similar to mine. I'm very overweight at the moment and I know it's not helping at all but I've had an eating disorder in the past and my issues with food are just so hard to deal with on top of everything else! Well done to you for losing weight and not giving up now!

I don't know what exercise you could do, swimming is probably a good one, what about yoga or something like that? I don't think running is a old idea because there will be a lot of pressure on your pelvic floor and that's why you have to avoid long periods of standing and heavy lifting. Did you get a referral? I hope so. My first appointment is at the end of this week (unless they cancel again!) and I'm dreading it.

[lauren6283]

flouncy Sometimes, no actually a lot of the time, doctors need to be told the bleeding obvious! Try and be assertive if you can :-)

[mrsclairet]

Hi, oh I'm back to lying on the sofa today, I can't sit on a hard chair, its just too uncomfortable. I didn't do a bm yesterday but usually I go every day. Its just so hard though and hurts every time I go. I worry that I am doing some damage because even though I have been going regularly its really hard. Something really really hurts today, I can't tell whether its just pain from constipation or whether its a stitch been pulled. I'm not sure when all the stitches are supposed to be out?

[mrsclairet]

I think it was pain from constipation as I went to the toilet and feel a bit better now. I am feeling like I have spoilt brats for children though. They haven't been out anywhere today as we are getting bunk beds soon so we had a big sort out. Anyway they have just spent all day saying I'm hungry, I want a biscuit, I want a drink, I want to watch TV. I am counting down the minutes till they go to bed!

[MsFanackerPants]

I had to rearrange my doc appointment as it was the locum who while very nice I don't really want rummaging around. My female GP also did my six week check so she knows what it was like before and can also look at the stupid scar.

I can't do yoga because I'm hypermobile so I can get into the positions easily but not properly. I might give pilates another bash though as it's good for strengthening core so I reckon it should help pull everything together a bit.

bmrsclairet* have you got dissolving stitches? If you're not sure get it checked out.
I found that for epic constipation a combination of prunes, coffee and branflakes got things going as well as copious amounts of water, however it was like giving birth again and I did cry a bit. I also had to use a gloved finger to erm probe a bit to get things going. Once it all got started it was fine.

[mrsclairet]

Hi, I am feeling a bit happier today so thought I would post a more positive message for once! I went to the GP and she said I have got a tear so she has given me some laxatives (laxido) and she said then it should heal. I have been having abdominal pain too but I told her I have been taking 1 dulcoease a day and she said that can cause abdominal cramps. So hopefully on the laxido I will start to feel better and won't be in agony every time I need to do a poo!!

[Noordinarygirl]

mrsclaire are you still on painkillers? I took myself off them as my constipation was horrendous at times and I had to use micro enemas (it would take more than 1 normally!). Since then I've been absolutely fine with no BM problems at all. I was convinced that I'd damaged the surgeons work when I was totally bunged up. It almost felt like I was trying to push a tennis ball out of my backside sometimes!

BTW - I STILL can't sit on hard chairs too long and I'm 10 weeks post op. I would say 2/3 hours absolute maximum at the moment - thankfully have 3 weeks on current sick note left.

[mrsclairet]

noordinarygirl no I'm not on painkillers still. The laxido seemed to have an immediate effect, so I'm sure I will be fine on them but not sure how long I will have to be on them for! It's also disgusting to drink but with some food it's not too bad.

That's really great that you have more time off work. I had a big chat/argument with my dh at the weekend. We sort of sorted things out in the end but this had certainly put our relationship under a lot of pressure! He finds it hard that I'm not happy a lot of the time and I'm moaning, I try to be positive but I have to be so strong for the kids when he gets home I tend to offload on him. I still just find that I'm sore a lot of the time, either from going to the toilet being painful or from feeling like I've got nappy rash!! I am still wearing pads, the discharge is a lot less now but it must be a bit of stress incontinence I guess and that gets me down. Still he's right in that you only have one life, I just so wish I didn't have this at the age of 32!

I am going to see my consultant on the 12th may and there's loads of questions that I want to ask but I bet he'll just be like yeah you're fine, off you go. They seem to be so uninterested in my opinion!

[lauren6283]

I really need some advice. I'm so angry and upset right now.

I'm pretty sure I have a rectocele, from what my GP has said and from looking up my symptoms online. (Sex is too painful, I cannot finish a bowel movement, when I sit in the bath it feels as if things are falling out, and I cannot use a tampon all since my son was born 6 months ago.) So my GP referred me to a gynaecologist and my appointment was cancelled two hours beforehand.

I got another appointment which I went to this morning. They were over an hour behind and when I eventually got seen the guy barely examined me before saying there was nothing wrong and to wait another 6 months then come back. He didn't even tell me to do pelvic floor exercises or anything.

I just walked out and burst into tears. How on earth can I expect my husband to wait for over 12 months until we can have sex again? How can they expect me to go every day needing a number 2 and not being able to finish going? I am so upset right now. I just don't know what to do. Please, please can anyone give me any advice?

[flouncymcflouncerson]

If you're not happy with the dr you saw then request a second opinion, you're perfectly within your rights. Saying that I know that up to 9 months to a year post partum things do change and heal and settle down. Breastfeeding, if you are, also can affect tissues. Ask your GP for a referral to a women's health physio in the meantime. Most of all I'm sorry to hear you're going through this. We all understand here. I'm 30 and awaiting my second surgery.

[mrsclairet]

Lauren I really feel your pain, it has been 3 years since I had sex, I should be ready to try soon as I am almost 7 weeks post my 2nd op. Sometimes I can't believe my dh hasn't left me! I am lucky he has stood by me. Have you talked to your dh about it? Could you do 'other stuff'? Could you afford to see someone privately? Have you tried laxatives? I wish I could do something to help, its such a hard thing to go through. I am only 32 and it feels very unfair to have to be dealing with this.

[Frenchfrogbutt]

Hi Lauren as flouncy and msclairet advised, insist on seeing
Someone Else.in the meantime try to start a few things on your own not that IT Will solve the problem but SO that you feel more in control . Its not bad on the short term to use glycériné suppositories to help you finish your bowel movement i assume you are already monitoring your diet
The idéa is never straining . You can start some séries of kegel through the day IT wont cure the rectocele but IT Will help with the building up of your pelvis floor which is important eventhough you éventually are offered surgery.
I think physio is great also to do before any surgery i have also a very low rectocele which spécialist SAID IT is small . At the beginning i had Awful dragging feeling which Now is very less annoying and pressure on the rectum also which is gone i felt IT twice in 2 months. I had my baby 6 and half month ago the posterior wall became stronger when i stopped weaning and with the return of my period mi april .
But on the bowel side i am SO stressed everyday first thought in the morning ! I take macrogol i drink a lot and i take a huge amount of fiber am afraid to suit the laxative .
I didnt have relations with Dh bécause of the episio scarring and a lot of vagina irritation i am on treatment.
You need to share with him your fears
IT is a very emotional impact i know i didnt sleep for two months and had to stop weaning to take anxiolytiques
Maybe you should see someone also ?
I also wanted to add eventhough i confirm you should consult someone Else the fact IT didnt see anayrhing doesnt mean you dont have but IT certainly mean its not a
An advanced stage mine as IT is low was forming a bulge at the entrance you couldnt missed
Take care

[CaptainSinker]

Another one looking for advice here. Had DD nearly 3 years ago. Difficult delivery with episiotomy and forceps, pph, problems getting dd out due to her big head! No tearing though.

Since then I have a little urine leakage. Saw specialist physio eighteen months ago, which helped. Lately I am noticing changes with bowel movements. It is often hard to go even when I fell the need and I can feel bulging into my vagina. Sometimes I have to sort of push against the back of my vagina to get the bowel movement to start.

What does this sound like? What should I expect from my GP? The physio has retired now.

[mrsclairet]

The gp in my experience isn't very knowledgeable. They referred me to a gynaecologist but I have since learned that urogynacologists are the specialists in pelvic floor repair.
I am 7 weeks post op now and on laxido every day which I think is the same as movicol. I am still having pains but I read the other day that its normal to feel twinges up to 3 months afterwards. I think I have now also got either thrush or a vaginal infection so I am back to the doctors tomorrow. Its a long old recovery for me from this op!

[Frenchfrogbutt]

Captain it sounds as the symptoms of a rectocele
Mrsclairet hang on you are almost there ! I am myse?f with a irritation causéd by an Antibio prescribed by my gp the gyn when she saw the results of swab and the Antibio je had given me SAID its like giving an H bomb to jkill a mosquito
Now i am on a new treatment and wonder what is causing more pain irritation ? Hemmoroids ? Rectocele ? Poor us we deserve so much more confort .
I Will make a pause on my side visiting the spécialist all say not worth the operation .at the same Time its kind of a relief but mentally i would have love to have IT sorted out
Anyway one thing after another 1 solving the irritation 2 scarring of the episio etc
I go back to work very soon and i am SO scared when do you have to go back ?
Take care

[mrsclairet]

Hi I am lucky in one sense in that I don't I have to work, I have a 3 year old and an almost 6 year old so I stay at home to look after them. Its a bit easier now as the 3 year old does 2.5 days in pre school and I don't lift him anymore. So things are difficult but at least I don't have to worry about work. I will go back when my youngest starts pre school but that is still over a year off.

[Frenchfrogbutt]

Lucky you ! Take your Time to enjoy your little one and for a good healing

[mrsclairet]

I meant when my youngest starts school. Yes I will try to enjoy it! Thanks.

[mrsclairet]

I have been to see the nurse today and she has given me some antibiotics for a vaginal infection. I only had one in January so I said is there anything I can do to avoid it and she said sometimes we are too fastidious and clean too much. I told her I have started using the wet wipes after going to the toilet and she said she wouldn't and to use some simple shower gel so I might give that a try. It was really weird though last time she said she could see (TMI) green discharge and it smelt offensive but she checked the results as they sent a sample off to the lab and it came back all clear?! I don't really know whether I should be taking the antibiotics now or waiting until the results but they did really help last time and when I have discharge that smells I feel really self concious, it's horrible. Ugh I just wish I could have a normal life without all these problems!

[Frenchfrogbutt]

Hello msclairet
i had exactly the same dilemma few weeks ago but wasnt post op and Still struggling to peace my burning vagina and on a treatment to restore the good natural flora? ( good bactéries)
But I would say as you are Still in a healing process with stich to care about etcthat by précaution you should take them and Call back when the results return if négative to Check if you can stop the treatment . But again i am not medically pertinent its just
What i would do . Sorry not much help have a good evening