Spincter injury, fistula - support eachother?

[Cyee]

Hi everyone,

Wonderful weather we're having

I am propped up in bed post-hospital and I was wondering if anyone out there knows of, or would enjoy/benefit from, a thread or support site for people who have experienced the above (sphincter damage, fistula etc.) as a result of childbirth.

In my own experience, this whole area is a bit taboo. In fact the consultants reckon there are many women who have some symptoms related to the above, who never seek treatment. The thought of women embarrassed to discuss these matters is awful, yet that seems to be the case.

So - this (while souped up on painkillers) is a call to arms:

• Is there a site out there for women like us?
• If not, would you like there to be?
• Would a thread on MN especially for this, be useful?
• Would it be useful to share experiences with consultants/physios/hospitals/procedures?

If these matters resonate with you or anyone you know, it would be great if you could point them in this direction. I'm going to post in the 'health' and 'childbirth' sections too.

I know too well the taboo around this. I posted on MN when I got my diagnosis and used a different name...

Hope to hear from some people soon.

Cyee
(successfully repaired as of last Wednesday (fingers/legs crossed))

I was advised Preparation H or anything that the pharmacist can recommend with Local Anaesthetic in which is the only thing that helped me with pain from Piles/Fissure Post Delivery.

What I meant Jacksmama about the letter,is if you read it it says "put an F in front" so I did,but then if you look further the examples are "B".

Jmontan, I was absolutely gobsmacked reading your story that they didn't allow you to have a CS I would sue the flippin pants off them if it was me.

I am also gobsmacked about the truly horrific ridiculous things you have been told about cancer e.t.c.

I have had a RV fistula for just over a year following the birth of my son. Up until December when I had a temporary colostomy, I had a small amount of poo coming through vaginally every day and didn't once get an infection.

I'm no expert but it certainly sounds like you have an RVF. You need to speak with a colorectal consultant - get referred through your G.P. They can heal on their own but I think most people do end up having surgery. I totally understand your reluctance to be examined, (my smear is unforgiveably way overdue) but you shouldn't have to live with your symptoms. There is a lot of choice now about where you can go and I know from this page that St Marks in London and John Radcliffe in Oxford are 2 specialist centres for this kind of thing.

Whoops - sorry Sawyer - didn't see that

(Love the bunny emoticons though!!! )

They're good, aren't they?

This morning, two days - or is it three - after getting my appointment date with the plastic surgeon for June I got another very similar letter. Only this time with a consultation a week on Thursday! Blimey, blimey.

Now how do I explain to him that I'm still fat as a house (albeit decluttered since February) but that I will, honest guv, start doing some proper exercise when I start feeling a bit better in a month? Hmmmmmm .

RinkyDinkyPinky, yes I have read that you can't take the steroid cream for more than a week, but the GTN ointment you can use for weeks (I think I was prescribed it for 6-8 weeks). Most people do get the headache side-effects though, which is a down-side.

imnotalone, thanks for your reassuring post. I was so petrified of giving birth that my DH and I both went to my GP to ask him to contact the gynaes in support of me having a caesarian. However, he was very reluctant and didn't want to put himself out, saying there wasn't much he could do. DH nearly lost it and said that he was supposed to be my primary carer, the least he could do was write a letter (what are they paid a 3 figure salary for if they can't even do a simple thing like that?). We both feel very let down by the whole system. With regard to my symtpoms, the only time when poo came out the wrong way was when I had diarrhoea. Haven't even got an unusual discharge, though I do feel like a have cystitis a lot, but the lab says no sign of a UTI, so it's probably just more scar tissue or something else mechanical. Like I said, I never had any of these problems until after I gave birth

am just cathcing up on posts

thingone wow bet your pleased the date is sooner rather than later

rinky hi and welcome

i hate nether regions ..... im still worried mine looks er dunno bits bulging or tags, tbh i cant describe what im looking at i just know it didnt look like that pre op.
As the weeks are going by the swelling is really going down now and i can see quite alot of white and black stitching, makes me feel very sad (bsad)
the perinium area still looks red and is still very sore. Im feeling a little like a patch work quilt and am hating the fact i had the op at the moment. Its also the feeling of pressure like thers somethere packed in there.

Oh well time to stop feeling so sorry for myself.

Must go and make a cup of tea for dh who is putting ew fencing in our garden.

Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine

why wont my smily bunnys work????? (Bsad) (bsmile) (bhmm) (benvy)

not fair

anyways just had a shock eeeeekkkk some stitches have come out. Its about a cm on each side with a knot in the iddle.

wonders will i fall apart now

fantastic lol

Sounds normal to me kentmumtj i noticed about 2 of these threads myself.

I thought I'd see more.

Was going to say its your brackets that are wrong.

lol i saw it was my brackets im so happy now how silly of me.

well it must be a sign im mending i just hope im mending correctly.

how are you feeling now?

Getting better each day really.Will be glad to see the back of the tablets as the Metronidazole taste really bitter.

Definitely not so "twingy" as before,and the discharge has eased up at last! So no more "nappies" for me lol.

As to the "hows your father" who knows?Can't resume activities until Wednesday night,but my "soreness" as I said was on the outside,so don't know if that will be any different.

oh er the thought of 'bedtime fun' still fills me with dread i have my 6 week post op appointment on thursday so i will see what they say then

So glad your feeling better.

Do you still have a strange feeling down there. The only way i can describe it is, and i hope this doesnt sound strange lol but here goes
when your in labour and you get that sensation of uncomfortable pushing/pressure down there and it feels really uncomfortable and huirts but is not painful
well i get a feeling very similar to that and its not nice

It did feel strange for a while.Can't describe it as "pressure" exactly though.

Didn't ever have that impulse to push during Labour With DS I had Forceps and DD1 had Ventouse,maybe thats why

I would put it out of your mind,and at your 6 week check,make sure they have a good look.I dreaded anyone coming near me initially,so put off being examined,but the GP I saw last week was lovely,and I can honestly say it was fine.

They do need to examine you internally though,they need to see the repair,if not then infection might get missed.At least then you'll be 100% sure that things are healing as they should.

its not that impulse to push that im talking about its the sensation of just being in labour and feeling the baby pushing down and the pressure that feels like that.

Oh im waffling perhaps your right consultant may explain all of this whether norml or not.

Internal eeekkk am expecting it but no looking forward to it

No I did know what you meant,but didn't have any feelings of pressure in Labour.

I'm just a little worried "Pressure" = Swelling = ? infection.

But theres little that you can do except see someone earlier,but I think seeing the Surgeon would be better in the long run.

The GP didn't hurt me,she used the light and tried to see what she could,then very gently used the Speculum which was ok.

Hope it goes well.Be thinking of you.

Having never had an internal, can anyone tell me how long it lasts? The nurse at my GP's said about the same length of time as a smear - is that right??

Probably.The nurse/doctor will put on gloves,tell you how to position yourself,and direct the light.

They will usually use just 1 or 2 fingers and push them gently into your Vagina.What they need to do then rather depends on the reason for the internal.

Obviously in pregnancy they feel the Cervix,and can tell with experience whether you are nearly ready to deliver.

If you have an infection/abcess etc. they will feel the area,and take a swab.

If you have an injury or problem they could feel the muscle wall.

If they need to see something they'll use a Speculum like the ones used for Smears.HTH.

Thanks - just reading that made me feel panicky. Just don't want one . I know this may sound mad, but I've decided to try and treat my problem holistically. I have bought some extra strength active manuka honey which has proven antibacterial and healing properties and I am going to try that. I have even started having bad dreams about being examined internally - it is really disturbing.

Thanks - just reading that made me feel panicky. Just don't want one . I know this may sound mad, but I've decided to try and treat my problem holistically. I have bought some extra strength active manuka honey which has proven antibacterial and healing properties and I am going to try that. I have even started having bad dreams about being examined internally - it is really disturbing.

OOPs, sorry guys clicked that twice....

I would at least go along and explain how nervous you are of being examined.It is never as bad as you will imagine it to be.

At some stage you will eventually decide you need some help,and surely sooner is better than later,as it won't be any less scary.

Ask if they would take it really slowly and if at any point you want them to stop they must (and will) respect that.

That way even if you can't tolerate a full examination,at least they'll get some idea of whats wrong.

I think the fear is there because we are scared they will hurt us and we won't be in control,or be able to stop them.

But I think if you "deal" with this by explaining that,and making sure that when you say stop,they will,you might be able to trust them more.

Logically, I know you are right Sawyer, it is just a question of getting up the courage to go...

Well I hope you can find it.

I know its hard,but the place you will get to, where we are at the moment is such a relief,it honestly is worth a 10 minute scary examination, to start your journey to being completely healed,and get on with your life.

I hope to be in that place someday.

Can I just say buggerfuck my amazing drain seems to have slipped and is causing much grief. And all because I was being more active, on this healthy living drive . And I've been so phobic about the bloody thing I don't know what it should look like. Hope my GP is in tomorrow as I really can't face being examined by somebody else I don't know. I used to not care but I'm just fed up of being poked and prodded.