10 years on from a third degree tear.

[AmberCurtain]

I'm just wondering how others have got on as I'm suffering at the moment.
When I had dc1 10 years ago I ended up with a third degree tear...I was taken in for surgery and "fixed" however the recovery was the most agonising thing Ive ever been through. I felt like I was pooing glass.
I have since developed haemorrhoids which I have been to the dr about several times and have been fobbed off with cream which does nothing. I also have diverticular disease which (even though I stick to a special diet ) can cause extreme changes in my bowel habits putting more strain on the haemorrhoid.
I'm extremely uncomfortable......every time I go to the loo it's painful and I have to lay down afterwards. The haemorrhoid also now comes out with bowel movements and I have to push it back in with my finger. I have on occasion had a feel around "up there" and I can feel a bumpy line which I wonder if it scar tissue from my tear......any who it's quite painful to touch.

My question is I have got to the point where I really think someone needs to look at me.....but I suspect my gp will refuse again. What can I do?

I'm 7 years along. I got stitched after the birth and then redone 3 months postnatally. I then suffered fissures which were like shitting glass for ages. 5 years of normal followed and then three months ago I got a perineal abscess on my scar tissue. The doctor was baffled. I had antibiotics which cleared the abscess but the skin still doesn't feel right. It's like nappy rash.

I don't think they take it very seriously. I'm really struggling to go to the loo at the moment. My dp is amazing but we spend a great deal of time talking about my bum at the moment.
the scar along my perineum seems fine, it's actually up inside my bottom which is causing me problems. I think it may be a fissure

You poor thing. I can empathise slightly as I had tearing of urethra during surgical procedure and the pain was faint worthy. Also have micro colitis near rectum. Its horrible dealing with such issues.

Anyway, best thing you can do is go to gp and ask to be referred to either gynae or gastro or both? If gp fobs off write a complaint to the nhs board explaining how traumatizing this is and the pain etc. Odds life altering. They will definitely take heed and get you seen to.

Good luck and I really feel for you.

In the last 10 years, a lot of gynae services have set up clinics to review women who have had perineal trauma. In my trust, all women who have had third degrees are seen at six weeks. In addition, any women, however long ago they gave birth, can be seen, reviewed and treated as needed eg specialist physio or surgical management .

This is because it is recognised that in the past there was a lot of inadequate management or that problems might take a while to appear.