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.

Ninniwig that's what happened to me. The midwife stitched what she called second degree tear, consultant however thought itore my muscle therefore the cause of my rectocele and making my perineum almost non-existent. He said a surgeon should have stitched my knackered lady parts.
My advice for any pregnant woman is if you do tear please get a second opinion from consultant surgeon.

happylilme I know midwives do a good job but an awful lot are expected to do more than they're capable of. Mind you in every job there is always someone ready to 'have a go' and then before you know it they are experienced! I think it's in women's DNA to put up with things. Realistically when you've just had your baby that what takes your attention, you want the repair done and you're unaware of time ticking by and who is doing what. At least that's what I can remember, it was a long time ago - my last baby is 28! It's always the next day, when you're sitting on a hedgehog, as it were, that the stitching has been done and any dropped stitches are covered up. I suppose you're lucky if you have your baby during the consultants working hours. Perhaps the trick would be to have a clause put in your birthing plan (don't recall having one of those), that if you tear you want an experienced doctor to give a second opinion. I can just see the midwife's face when you request that!!

I know what you mean, the Labour ward was so busy that day I felt sorry for the midwife. I just wanted the repair over and done with, bit embarrassing with legs in the air trying to have a normal conversation. I wish in hindsight I did ask even after repair as I knew something wasn't right. But us women struggle on. I never did a birth plan as they never go to plan, learnt from first birth.
Anyhow I am happy with my repair I just have to remember to watch my diet and avoid straining or over exercising to prevent stinging.

I also think the midwife made a mess of stitching me up. I had my first two children in Germany and was sewn up my a consultant both times, no problems at all. My ydd was born in the UK, the delivery suite was understaffed, she sat back and wrote up her notes, leaving me to it as an "experienced mum". I tore and she stitched me up on the floor where I gave birth. I've had lots of problems since, the stitches took ages to heal and 13 years on still cause problems at times!

The midwife then left us alone for hours because of lack of staff. I wouldn't go back there if you paid me.

Hello, could someone have a gander at my post on 25th May and offer any advice? I'm really sorry but I've so much on I haven't had time to read all the posts/other threads!

It's about a bladder/urethra prolapse?

Many Thanks

Kazza I too was left for hours on my own with baby, I had to go looking for midwife as my baby was turning blue. Turned out he had fluid on the chest.

Omg! That's terrible

Yep four nights in hospital, I did hear the consultant ask why was there no regular checks done. The midwife then said she thought that he had been making a grunting noise but did nothing???? Anyway by that stage my lady parts took back seat, I didn't look for weeks after then horrified with what I saw.
All fixed now though xxx very glad

I think when you've just given birth and have this little thing to hold, look after, feed, the last thing you think about is your lady parts. You accept they hurt and get on with it. It's only afterwards you realise everything isn't healing the way it should.

Hello all
Just post here as i dont know where Else to say that except prolapse h. I have new pain in my back and left leg i LNI its linked . I just know IT . I wa?nt able to move my bowel eventhough with the laxatives and tons of fiber and 4 litres of liquid i had . I needed a glycériné suppositories which always left me sore and and exite my pile pains.
I just wish i could Die . I have to go to work but i havent slept as the pressure woke me up SO early Now i am tired .
Its 8,30 i have to Call to say i Ill be late

I am sad and angry and lonely . Dh and ds are on vacation
I could here on the phone my 4 years old Was SO happy
He doesnt like being home With mummy who cries cant play is tired . I really think they would be happier without me
Why. This happened ? Why can they fix that more easily? Why i dont accept ? Life is SO crap few months ago i remember prégnant how happy i was i had IT all alvine husband a Nice job a Nice house a beautiful boy and The three of us Were SO happy to welcome the baby . And Now
I am on the Way to loose everything .
Well what can i do regarding constipation . I cant do more on the diet side ?
Thank you ?

Oh frenchfrog you are starting to worry me because when people feel suicidal they start to think people would be better off without them. (I know a bit about it because my sister took pills and alcohol, she didn't actually mean to kill herself, it was just a cry for help).

Please please please go back to your doctor and tell them how bad this is making you feel and tell them you are having to use glycerin suppositories. You shouldn't be having to do that, even though I had a rectocele I have never had to use suppositories. Can you go to a different doctor??

Since you only had your baby a few months ago things might get better but I still think you need to get something done. Could your husband or family member go with you to the doctor? Sometimes they take you more seriously when someone else can explain how bad it is.

My pile is playing up, I think it is thrombosed because it feels hard. I can't remember if I said in my last post but after 2 operations they are now saying I need another procedure done because the vagina has been sewn too tight which means sex will be painful. I just don't think I can go through another procedure at the moment, maybe in a year or so but not now. My dh is so understanding, I think I could have easily ended up getting divorced over all of this. Sometimes I think he would be better off with someone else but he assures me he won't. Your kids need you frenchfrog, it sounds like you are a bit depressed, because that is how depressed people talk, that you are a burden, that you are making others unhappy. Please get some help.

ps Yes I agree all stitching after birth should be done by doctors, not midwives.

Frenchfrog so sorry you are struggling. I agreeyou should go back to the doctors, that doesn't sound right. Tell them how you feel,.

frenchfrog have you a friend that you could confide in? You must go back to the Dr. I don't doubt your feelings and what is happening to you but perhaps you are starting in that awful spiral of depression.
Would your husband go with you to the Dr. and he could tell him/her what it is like for you and him.
Do you still see the Physio? Has she given you the pamphlets about pooing, having your knees higher than your hips, gently rocking backwards and forwards, this all helped me. My thoughts are with you.

For everyone post op. I am three and a half weeks into recovery. I have started going out for a short walk. Yesterday I went shopping with my husband but felt pretty crap at the end of an hour. I had that dragging feeling and period-type pain. On giving my activity some thought and where I felt the dragging I am going to give 'fat pants' a go. I am off to the post office now along with these pants on to see the outcome! I must say my stomach is very well supported.

Hello msclairet and kazza
Thanks for your mail really
I know i am really really down i think i Will have to take médication for dépression . I really thought i Will be better and accept but IT s too hard. I called to say i wouldnt go to work . We Will take another appintment with the docs but they were really clear they wont opérate . my husband always went with me. . At least i want to insist to have a defecography to mesure the extent of the rectocele they say its small . IT cant be that small according to my symptômes and bowel difficulties. I really exactly feel as a burden for my family my husband is 37 he deserves a better wife not only sexually but less négative and crying. I am the one working Now i cant afford to loose my job. Which i loved btw . All i had is pût in danger by this crap rectocele . IT took my Life away . An here i am complaining again and again. .
Ms clairet follow your intuition regarding the surgery . Maybe you need a break indeed to build up strenght. You had a lot to go through rêcently. Medically what was told you as the. Best option to opérate Now ? What does your Dh thinks?
I hope by summertime we Will have improvement wether physical or moral. I hope to read very soon how better you are on my side i Will try to post less i think its demoralizing to read me while as most if the ladies here are deal king with post surgery issues . Take care
Thank you

Could you have a bit of pnd French xxx you sound so low, it happened me with my first son. Of course I couldn't see it. I just thought everyone was telling me how crap I was when all they tried to do was help. I focused on all negative and use to watch my husband and his family with my little one and die inside as they all seemed so perfect. Again not the way I would usually see the world. It's ok to ask for help regarding emotions that's what Dr are there for.
With the constipation perhaps talk to Dr bout that and ask to be referred to a nutritionist who can offer support.
When our mood is low everything else in our body slows down as well including metabolism.
Please ask for support xxx

Thanks Ninni i hadnt seen your mail .
I have friends to speak with but i think i am in dépression its difficult to help someone at this stage . I see my physio i do the feet up and breathing things but every things stay in
The rectocele even liquid poo sorry Tmi . I Will see again my psy on tuesday
Good luck with the recovery !

Thanks happy you are So right about moral and métabolisme . I hope you are doing fine
I Will ask to my psy that i might go through a pnd indeed
Take care

everyone post op - had to laugh, and share. I have tried 'fat pants' for some extra support. I hadn't anticipated pulling them up or down, you do need to use your stomach muscles which I turn uses your undercarriage!! Other half had to help me, sort of defeated the object of my quick fix and being independent!!! All laughing aside, if you have help to get the damned things on and don't need to go to the loo in a public place it is a terrific support and worth the effort.

Hope everyone had a good weekend.

French frog don't stop posting, you need somewhere to moan and here is a fine place to do it.

I am 10 or 11 weeks post op, I have lost count, but I'm getting a lot more active. On Friday I went to a friends house, then on to the park, then to McDonald's, then the kids wanted to play outside. Then on Saturday I was babysitting my niece and nephew so looking after 4 kids with my husband, then yesterday was another busy day. I got a slight dragging feeling but nowhere near as bad as it used to be. I feel like I have got a bit of my old life back!

Has anyone else had a sort of 'prickly' pain down below at all, mainly when sitting on harder chairs? I am back at work half days and this morning it was really quite painful. Not sure if I've done too much too soon again but it's nearly 15 weeks since my op and I have been feeling so well. I tried calling my consultant's secretary to see if I could see him to make sure it was still healing as it should be and she was pretty shitty when she replied and said that I should go to my GP and that I was lucky it wasn't cancer!!!!! I don't have much faith in my GPs so I'm very hesitant about going back there.

Noordinarygirl - I am not as far on as you and I am finding that a stitch is digging into me rather pin-like. Do you think you have a stitch that hasn't dissolved yet? I feel good sometimes and pretty not at other times! I'm out for a short walk everyday now and feel better for some activity, can't wait to be 'doing' again.

Frenchfrogbutt - how are you today? I've been thinking about you. Are you living in the UK? Keep chatting to us all.

Noordinarygirl - have you got a Nurse Practioner at your GPs? I have, and often speak to her and have received really good advice. I prefer her to my GP, she is far more approachable and I feel she listens. Hope work is going OK for you.

I have managed to get an appointment with my consultant but not until 8th July. Ah well, it's better than nothing and if it does continue I will go to see the nurse at the GPs. Thanks Ninni, I had forgotten about her as I don't actually go to my doctors very often!

Frenchfrog please 'use' us on here. We can all offer you some sort of support - even if it's just for a cyber vent or hand-holding. At least you know we are out there somewhere for you. Big hugs xx

Noordinarygirl - good for you getting to your consultant. Sometimes it's the non-medics that can be a real barrier. You sound like me, you don't go to the Dr for ages and when you do go it's always for something quite heavy weight. My nurse is excellent, she can prescribe as well. I think it's her nursing experience and dealing with patients that comes to the fore. Goodnight.