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.

[mrsclairet]

Where has everyone gone? I'm feeling a bit low today, I keep getting pain in my side where my appendix is and I was talking to a friend today who was saying I should push for a ct scan and she thinks I've got to push my gp to find out what's wrong. I don't know if I have got the energy.

I have spent a whole day with my 3 year old today and I sometimes think he is a little bit autistic. He just flips out at the smallest thing which I never went through with my other son. He wanted to pick out the milk in M+S and I did so to save having a massive tantrum I had to go back and put the milk back, then let him pick it off the shelf. Then he was trying to play a game using the mouse and I ended up doing it for him and he started screaming and shouting saying that he wanted to do it. He just really drags me down, there are times when I really don't enjoy spending time with him at all and feel like I'd rather be back at work.

I have still got a horrible discharge, I am hoping my tomorrow the antibiotics should have kicked in and I will start to feel a bit better.

[flouncymcflouncerson]

I'm here. Just don't have much to say as still waiting in my second opinion

Sorry to hear you're feeling down. If you're having pain then I'd always suggest seeing your Gp. The discharge etc should hopefully clear up soon with the antibiotics. How many days have you been on them now?

[Frenchfrogbutt]

Hi Claire , those kids can drive us mad especially as you are not well physically and emotionnally.
Yes insist any pain should get considèred and again
ITs easy to say but Time Will ease things .
I am Still upset i am not considered as a surgery candidate
Whole i Still have symptoms. You have made the tougher part and yes sometimes we feel lonely broken and angry and doomed with all these irritations and Stuff IT seems IT Will never end . But IT Will you Will get better you Will be pain free you Will have sex with your husband you Will feel good again. Sorry i sound like a sect guru but this is also my objective and i like when people remind me of that jut like today when i cried on my physio shoulder !
Its true the thread is very quiet lately i would live to read from former members
Take care have a good Night and tomorow is another day

[happylilme]

Clairet I had all that different coloured discharge and still have more than I previously had before op had tests done, all clear. Gp was not concerned about it. I notice it gets worse if I have had a busier day.
It's hard to be a stay at home mum and keep a 3 year old entertained at the best of time never mind when recovering. Just take those few minutes away and take deep breaths. It sounds like you are feeling a bit low, maybe make some time for YOU and not mummy. Remember we all have those crap days so you are not on your own x
Things will improve physically down there and your energy levels will improve but look after yourself emotionally, be selfish from time to time and put you first, usually when you have you time things that can grind on us doesn't seem as bad :0)

[mrsclairet]

I have got a check up tomorrow and I'm really dreading it. I had to go into a+e a week after my op and they said whilst I was in there that it might be too tight. Then they said to see my consultant. He checked me and said it was fine and was a bit annoyed they had criticised his work! So he said to come back after 8 weeks when I would have resumed sexual intercourse. So tomorrow I have got to go back but I haven't had sex yet! Its an hour drive there, hour back and I really don't want to go. Last time he was just like yeah you will have had sex by then like its no big deal at all. Oh well nothing I can do now, I'm on my period so I don't want to try tonight!
I've also been having pains and have been told it could be a grumbling appendix so now I'm panicking and worrying myself sick its going to turn into acute appendicitis. Aaargghh I hate feeling so stressed!

[kate2001]

Hello Ladies,
I'm hoping for some advice/support. I have a grade 3 cervical prolapse, but no cystocele or rectocele. I have been offered a vaginal hysterectomy, a mesh sacrocolpopexy (either abdominal or laparoscopic), a supraspinous ligament fixation, or the Manchester procedure. Really not sure which way to go.

I would welcome any thoughts/opinions/personal recommendations!!
Thanks
Kate

[flouncymcflouncerson]

Hi Kate and welcome to the thread. Sorry you've found yourself here. Have you been given the pros and cons for each surgery? I have a uterine bladder and possible bowel prolapse. I initially had surgery for bladder in Nov last year but surgeon found uterus had dropped and didn't fix it so now I'm waiting on further surgery. He offered a hysterectomy but I felt that was very extreme as I'm only 30 so I'm waiting on a second opinion from a urogynecology specialist as well now.

[Monty123]

Hi Ladies

I'm new to this thread and looking for some advice, please tell me about you experiences.

My background: I'm 31yrs old, I have 2 fabulous kids aged 2.5yrs and 14months and a very supportive hubby.

Back in November I had an operation to repair a rectocele prolapse, which at my 6 week check had healed well and i was told to go and enjoy my life, which I did, 2 children, 2 horses and a dog keep me and my family very busy!!

fast forward to now, I was getting the dragging sensation but BM were ok but in the back of my mind I though the op was failing so rang my consultant to have another follow up.

That was last week, and i came away with mixed results. The original op has held up to my hectic busy life - but I have a second prolapse of the Uterus/womb.

He asked me if I had finished having my family, and I said for now, and he said who knows what the future holds as i'm young - which is a fair point.

He said that he would be inclined to leave it unless it interferes with my life, (surely thats why i went backs something was uncomfortable - but didn't say this). He said that he was happy to operate but that it would be a sub-total hysterectomy - WHAT surely thats a last resort?!

Unfortunately I was so convinced that I was seeing him over the original prolapse I hadn't prepared any questions relating to the new one.

My mum suffered the same uterus/womb prolapse and has had a repair and didn't need a hysterectomy, she has suggested seeing her consultant and getting a second opinion.

I'm going to do this as I'm feeling very emotional and confused about the whole thing, but would like to go armed with the appropriate questions etc.

Thank you in advance for reading and helping, and I"m sorry that its a long one.

[flouncymcflouncerson]

monty I read your post and apart from a few details would have sworn I'd written it.

I'm 30 had a large cystocele repaired in November. After surgery I was told repair had went well but that uterus had dropped. 6week check I was told uterus had dropped further and need a hysterectomy. My bladder has dropped again and I now have bowel symptoms. We have two children.

I have requested a second opinion and am awaiting this currently.

[mrsclairet]

I would request a second opinion. I am sorry even though I have had 2 ops I don't actually know the technical name of what I had done, all I know is both times they didn't use mesh. Hope you get some answers!

I saw the consultant tonight. He said everything looks fine but when he examined me it really hurt and he said I have got slight webbing of the skin which might need to be cut. I have got to try having sex and if it really hurts I have got to go back. I'm gutted in a way it looks like I will have to have something else done but he assured me it will only take 5 minutes. I'm sort of pleased everything else looks good. I just hope it holds up for at least the next 5 years or so.

[flouncymcflouncerson]

Mrsclaireglad the op has went well. Hopefully having sex will stretch it out and you own need it cut but good to know it's only a 5 min thing.

I've finally heard from my second opinion appt and it's in a month's time.

[Noordinarygirl]

Kate I had a really bad cervical prolapse - it came totally out by about 2cms when it first happened. Anyway, to cut a very long story short, I am now almost 3 months post laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (as well as 'mobilisation of my rectum with mesh too!). I am 46 and my consultant said to go for that particular procedure as it's a mega strength fix which should last me for the rest of my days! If you'd like to PM me to talk about it more, please feel free. It's not a very common operation at all and I really struggled to find one other lady who'd actually had it done. So there's 2 of us now that I know of.

[catbus]

Hello
I've just been pointed in the direction of this thread- I'm on the hop at the mo, so c&p ing my post from the general health board to here, in the hope of wise words and support. Hope this is ok..

I had a mild prolapse in late pg with dc4, 3.5 years ago. It was apparently mild and was my vaginal wall. Felt like something stuck in my vagina, iirc.
It's been much better over the years, only sometimes I feel it.
I had an ERPC a couple of months ago. I think I had a period 10 or so days ago. This last week I am feeling massive heaviness in my pelvis/ womb area and dull back ache. It feels like a lot of pressure, aswell as in my rectum
I also have spd and am not sure if it's that aswell (only really bad in pg)
Does this sound like a prolapse of some kind? It's really getting me down now because since my MMC, I have just wanted to feel normal. I will make a GP appt in the meantime, but am a bit scared..

[Frenchfrogbutt]

Hello i know this thread is more dedicated to women who went through surgery . But today i feel less than crap . I start my job tomorow
Dragging feeling is back hemmoroids are back. Poo is not under control too liquid too solid . Relations with Dh are down. I dont know what to wear as my rectocele is low and i kind of feel ITwhen sitting.
I have no energy i wonder if its anémia as i am very used to IT but afraid to take my iron . I was woken up this morning by poo pressure in the rectum . I am loosing SO much weight i took too much during prégnancy but Now i have l'ost 20 kilos in 4 months . I start to devélop kind of an anorexia actually so afraid of the poo thing
And doctor and physio are telling its small no surgery its in your head
Husband Run out of compassion for me .
Psy doesnt seem to help eventhough i take anxiolitics
I thought about ending that i became the Worst mother in te world
SO empty of patience and love always focus on myse?f
Its not a Life is IT ?
Sorry for the self pity while some of you enduré post surgery pains
But k am Still in the why me phase
Love

[Frenchfrogbutt]

And hello catbus
IT Sounds indeed as some of the prolapse symptoms that i do feel( rectocele )
But never know go to your gyn
Take care and courage

[lauren6283]

Thanks everyone for the replies the other week. I have been back to GP and asked to be referred to physio which he said he would do, but then I saw someone from the peri natal team for my depression and she said it could take weeks to sort out so she suggested going back to the Gp until it gets sorted. So I think I'm going to make another appointment with my regular GP and tell her how unhappy I am.

I'm also going to make a list of symptoms as I've started getting a lot of lower back pain (not great as baby is getting bigger) and the last few days I've noticed bloody vaginal discharge. I think this is normal for what I think is a rectocele?

I really feel for all of you that are further down the line and still having complications. It's disgusting that they seem to think we should be able to manage 3 years + with no sex life and bowel and urinary problems. I always think that if it was a man complaining of similar problems they wouldn't get fobbed off and told to wait all the time. I makes my blood boil.

[mrsclairet]

Hi frenchfrog, lauren and catbus. I'm so sorry to hear you are all so down. I have been there and done that! It's frustrating because I am actually starting to feel a bit better in terms of the op but now I have got other problems...I need to have sex but I'm getting pains and a brown discharge which i think is due to fibroids. So I've got to go back to the doctor and see if I can get a referral and hope I can get it sorted out.

I find it so frustrating because other people don't understand how much it all gets you down, they tell you to go to the doctors and get antidepressants or to try and make the most of life but they don't understand what a daily struggle it is.

Lauren I had a cystocele and rectocele and I had a pinky discharge which seems to have gone after the op but now I have got a brown discharge instead!!

You can always come and have a moan on here, it always helps me to get my feelings out as sometimes it's hard to talk about in real life.

[Frenchfrogbutt]

Hi msclairet
I hope the discharge Will be solve soon so you can go back
To normal Life with your husband
People dont get IT at all . I have the "focus on what each day brings you or
Yes BUT you have beautiful healthy children .or Try not focus too much on the sensations/pains or the best one ( from my physio) your dépression increases the symptoms your rectocele is much bigger i?your head
Sorry but when IT said hello between my labia i thought IT was not that small
Well anyway i completely ruined this sunny sunday crying and playing the if game if only i knew i had c section if if
My eyes are puffy and red tomorow i go back to work
Full Time and in a busy period .
I havent ironed or chosén my clothes
Already in bed in the spare room with my anxiolitics
Ooops i almost Forget my vaginal treatment for a neverending trush

Tomorow another day i wish you a good Night and a mondây without pain fear or sadness
Take care

[mrsclairet]

Yes I have also had the you've got 2 beautiful children thing and I know some people don't have that but there are also loads of people who DO have 2 beautiful children and DO NOT have a prolapse. I have also thought the if only, if only I'd had a caesarean, if only they knew he would be 9lb 7 ozs maybe they could have induced me earlier, if only I'd had a better midwife. The thing that I also found so hard is that I'm only 32, so I could potentially have to live with this for the next 50 years!! (or more!!)

But now I've had the op I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I just hope and pray that it will last me a good few years.

ps I always seemed to be getting thrush before aswell, that too seems a bit better after the op.

[lauren6283]

I know what you mean. If I ever manage to have sex and get pregnant again, I am going to insist on having a caesarean. Bu you do what you think is right, what they constantly bang on about being the best thing, and it turns out it's all rubbish. Out of 9 other people I know who were pregnant at the same time as me, only 2 of us have birth naturally. It's the same with breast feeding I think, they say it's the best thing and yet when baby fails to gain weight they tell you to switch to formula. Oh and you have to take supplements if you are breastfeeding but no if you give formula. It makes me wonder wether breast feeding is actually any better, there are pros and cons to everything.

If only I knew then what I know now! Some of the midwives I saw just came out with a load of $!

[kazzawazzawoo]

It's taken me a long time to pluck up the courage but I've finally been to see my gp who diagnosed a mild prolapse on both walls, I think she said. She's referring me for an ultrasound and for physio, so my fingers are well and truly crossed this will help, at least prevent things getting worse.

[Frenchfrogbutt]

Sorry for the News. I hope the physio helps.
IT did for me for the dragging feeling a little bit a least
On my side i Will insist for an ultra sound or defecographie
I As never offered that as they think its small but the symptoms i have doesnt seem small

Take care

[mrsclairet]

Hmph, I'm feeling really down today. I have been having abdominal pains for a while now...have been back and forth to the gp and they have said it could be a degenerating fibroid, ibs, grumbling appendix or the latest is it could be an infection. I have got to go back on thursday and have a swab taken as I have got a discharge but I had one done 2 weeks ago and it came back all clear. The latest gp said they don't always show up infections. I am just so gutted because after 3 years of problems with my prolapse this is now just another thing causing me to worry, lose sleep and have pain and with a 3 year old and a 5 year old to look after and not much family around to help I pretty much never get a break, ever.

Rant over!

[kazzawazzawoo]

Thanks French. tbh I don't really have a dragging feeling, it just feels uncomfortable at times a bit.I've only noticed things aren't right because I was struggling to insert my mooncup.

[Frenchfrogbutt]

Hello kazza , Good as its an Awful feeling to have
I also have pressure un the rectum and bas constipation
Consider your self kind of lucky ( if pne cannsay so. )if you dont have too much trouble . I am sûre physio Will help a lot
Msclairet i am SO with you with the FED up thing i went back to Work and was literaly burning on my chair. Coming back home with ds 4 years old over exited . I went to bed crying with the relief an on my bad destiny
They Will find your problem and Time is a great healer
Take care