Bladder prolapse - please share your stories

[MrsSnootch]

Hi all,

Is there anyone else out there suffering/recovered from from a Bladder prolapse?

I have been recently diagnosed at the gp and am waiting a consultation with a euro-gynecologist. I didn't need the GP to tell me this what was suspected, you just know when something isn't quite right down there

No idea what to expect or what treatment options there are

I have this awful bulging feeling 'down there' which I cannot seem to get any relief from, almost like a tampon is not sitting correctly. This discomfort feels like it is literally taking over my life as I can feel it every minute of every day and is making me feel very down.

I think there is a large psychological aspect to prolapse and anything vagina related as it is a bit of a blow to a ladies womanhood in some way- I don't know I just feel rather down about all this, and this constant feeling of discomfort is getting me down. I cant find any single way of sitting comfortably nor can get a full nights sleep due to the discomfort. and needing to wee on such a regular basis these days is embarrassing

I feel almost hysterical at the thought of potentially waiting months on the NHS for some kind of relief from this feeling. I know what waiting list times can be like for non urgent issues, and don't get me wrong I know it is not life threatening but I feel like a freak.

Please ladies, come forwards and tell me your stories, what treatment options are available? How can I get any kind of relief from this bulging feeling?

If anyone knows anything or has any words of encouragement, please, share them, I cant be the only one.

white

You've made the biggest step! I hope it all works out for you, whatever happens. The sooner it's dealt with the better

Thanks for that advice Book, I shall bear that in mind when I do get in front of a gynae.

I have noticed today that i am getting a bulging feeling in the bum area as well - so am not sure if it IS just the bladder that is a problem

I don't have any bulges from the back or backache and can go toilet ok so unsure if there is a bowel issue or just the large bladder bulge pushing further over

i just don't know and until seen by a specialist its all guess work. I am going back doctors Monday morning though to ensure they send this referral though immediately and will mention these additional feelings then

There are more than one prolapses us women can get. But they are all called different things, and your specialist can be a gynae. a urogynae etc.
(If you are getting a feeling of a bulge in the bum - check up on rectal prolapse too, not just prolapse into the vagina.)
We don't half draw the short straw , us women

Mrs I know it's hard but don't get yourself worked up. Whatever happens it's going to get sorted one way or another. Always here for hand holding m dear

I really appreciate your post Skakey, your attitude to it all is amazing. I really admire that you are staying positive despite your op being a potential failure. I sincerely hope that there is something that can be done soon to ease your situation

This vibrating feeling is crazy, it literally never goes away

Thanks Bookbook, I have 'investigated' further and to me it doesn't appear there is any kind of bowel prolapse, no bulges from the back etc, However the bulge coming from the front literally takes up most of the space down there, so I feel it may be this (weirdly vibrating) bulge from the front wall, which is touching the back wall and causing sensations at the back as well

I'm only guessing though

I found this leaflet really helpful to understand my own prolapse

ptug.pl/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/POP-Q_Reference_Ethicon.pdf

Hi there, can I ask, anyone that has had a bladder prolapse surgery, did it involve an overnight stay?

apparently my healthcare will cover me for it, as long as it does not include overnight stay - they advise asking the consultant to get me in first surgery 0730am and being on target to leave that evening

what do you all think, ladies that have had this surgery?

I have a bladder prolapse after 3 fast births. I can't feel mine though. I had a tvt operation to stop the incontinence issues and am pretty much fine now. It really is fairly common, people just don't talk about it.

The surgery I had was just day surgery, although some of the older women having the same op ended up staying in, it is noted as a possibility in the info you get. I was almost kept in too as I had really low blood pressure and could barely stand up.

It's well worth losing weight/getting fit if you aren't already and seeing if that helps. You can have gynae physio to ensure you're doing the right about of pelvic floor exercises and that you doing them correctly. In fact I think they will send you to physio before they'll consider surgery.

I had TVT surgery. It didn't make me back to normal - just gave me different problems (retaining urine, frequent infections). There are some class law suits about certain types of TVT so do definitely read up before you consider this surgery. The type I have, once it's in, it's incredibly hard to get out again, because the tape meshes into the flesh - it has to be cut out in bits. It's not something to consider lightly. It was supposed to be a day procedure but I was last on the list and then the surgeon did it too tight - I was kept in overnight and given a catheter for six weeks. I had to go back one day a week during that time (from 10am to 10pm usually, with my baby when I couldn't lift) and do a trial without catheter.

I wouldn't recommend it myself, but then I've had a bad experience with it. I'm sure others haven't. I don't think it's a quick fix thing. I do wish I'd tried longer with the exercises the physio gave me - maybe a year or two.

I have just looked up mesh surgery and I see what you mean user1470997562 - a lot of ladies having issues afterwards - I really appreciate your honest comments - definatley a lot to think about

my consultant is going to be a MALE . arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I'm not prudish don't get me wrong but how the heck can a man understand this stuff if he don't have a fanny!

ive just looked at his reviews and women are singing his praises though. Oh well I may as well get used to the indignity hahaha

Don't panic op. My experience was probably a one off. Go in with an open mind my dear!

I also have had a TVT. Was told 90-95% chance of success. It's been fantastic. No problems & a complete cure of my stress incontinence. My only regret is not having it done sooner, but I wasn't aware there was a surgical fix. I had resigned myself to a life of stress incontinence & wearing panty liners and trying not to have a visible accident in the office every time I sneezed.

My consultant was a "vairy attractive man". I went to a neighbouring hospital to avoid him. All the staff sort of swooned and said " I see you've been under Dr x". Yes I said, that's why I've come here. To avoid him.

He was horribly arrogant - you should just shift your arse type of thing then your fanny would tighten - but in posh terminology.

I was told there was a 1 in 100 chance of having a catheter for a few days by my consultant. He totally lied to me. I had no idea this wasn't reversible.

Even the NHS website now says this procedure works for 2 out of 3 women. That's a hell of a high odds of failure.

The other thing I would say is that I thought I was paralysed. I was completely numb in that area for a good year following childbirth.

Three or four years later - the feeling was pretty much back to normal - it just took a hell of a long time. It would probably have been quicker I think if I'd had time to exercise/swim.

I realised i had a bladder prolapse 8 years ago after giving birth to my 5th dc.

Its only got slightly worse. I had another dc 2 years ago. I realised my bowel has been prolapsed for years but I had quite severe injuries after my first dc. So thought my symptons were due to the injuries.

Increasingly, I'm having symptoms. But, I cannot bear the idea of being exaimined by hcps. I've never discussed this with anyone.

My smear is a year overdue but I just can't book it as I know it will be like opening a can of worms.

How do you cope with the lack of dignity/invasion of privacy?

Winnie - I think just mention it when you are ready for help.

I would look very carefully about the options then request that - if you want it.

How do you cope with the lack of dignity? The nurses are kind, that's their whole remit every day. It's normal to them.

Thank you for replying.

I think its very likely i will need surgery. THe bladder is almost out, it doesnt move back now.

I will probably be forced to seek help in the end. I will put it off for as long as possible.

Winnie - I feel the same. There's no rush.

I'm 5 days post pelvic floor repair op - I had a cystocele (bladder bulging) and rectocele (rectum) so had both walls of my vagina repaired. Mine was definitely caused by the birth of my last child 2 years ago - knew as soon as he was born that he'd done irreparable damage! Once I realised it wasn't getting better and only getting worse I went to seem my GP.

It started with bulging and discomfort like you, though with my rectum first but by the time it got to surgery my bladder was much more the problem.

Surgery has been fine. It is a very long recovery period - 6 weeks of largely being on the sofa, no lifting, being very careful for 12 weeks and then decisions to be made for the rest of my life about how much I lift etc. But the surgery itself was simple and ok. I have had no pain - at most a little bit of stinging, much less bad then perineal stitches post childbirth - and I had a quick peak yesterday and despite some swelling my vagina is no longer a cavern but a nice neat hole :) I'm a 40 year old with a 16 yo vagina I think!!

Although I was warned the surgery would solve the bulging and hold everything up longer term but not necessarily solve the leaking I was having, so far I am not leaking when I sneeze etc. So I'm hopeful it is doing a good job.

Although I had a bit of a delay as I was referred to a rectal surgeon first due to it mainly being rectal issues at the start, once I asked for the gynae referral, from referral to appt was 2 months and then it was 2 months to op date.

Do push for a gynae referral and don't fear surgery.

Good luck!

Winnie - the gynae appt was a very simple examination. First we talked symptoms in detail, then the dr did a quick exam (2 mins or so) where she used a speculum to have a look (the thing they use for a smear) and then a very quick feel with her fingers while I coughed. It was very similar to a smear test.

The tests for rectocele was much more invasive and longer, but the bladder ones weren't.

Hope that helps

MrsSnootch - if you had it under a spinal you might be able to go home same day but I had mine under a GA (no way I was doing it awake though they did offer me a spinal!) at 8.30am and was in overnight. I don't think they'd let you home on same day after a GA. I couldn't go until catheter was removed and I'd done 2 wees and 2 scans to show my bladder was empty.

If the bulge is causing distress ask for a pessary (a ring in old terms) to be put in, I had one while waiting for a hysterectomy.
I had a TVT op a few years ago, along wirh a womb ablation and was a day patient. The nurse wanted me to stay in because I was a dreadful colour but Im very pale naturally and just wanted to go home.
The tvt worked very well for stress incontinence but slightly worsened the urge incontinence.
I am now waiting for a gynae referral. Which can take a year because my vaginal wall has collapsed and my bladder and bowel have slipped into my vagina.
I am completely and utterly sick of peeing myself, still no stress incontinence but the urge is out of control. And I can't poo properly

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this and have been looking for advice and support from other ladies in a similar situation. I feel the same as you MrsSnootch.

I was diagnosed with a grade 1 cystocele - certainly doesn't feel like a grade 1- in August and the consultant sent me away for 6 months with a print out of pelvic floor exercises.

I feel awful. It hurts (burns and stings) when I sit, stand and lie down. Now I wake up at 3am and have to wee every 20 minutes (only at night) I leave the house to go to work and that is it. I'm shattered. The last visit to the GP she prescribed me 'lube' and told me to keep positive.

I am going back to see another GP tonight and try and push to see the consultant again. I would like to try a pessary - I think - and see if it will stop some of the dragging pain. I'm 49 and keep being told I'm too young for surgery. I feel 90!

Hope you ladies are keeping well under the circumstances.