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))

Oh, he is... he walked around with "nooky brain" all day yesterday .
I was a bit sore yesterday, but really, my bit shaven't been used, so to speak, since January, so that's to be expected!

Well I know you like breastfeeding for a long time and sleep with you toddler.

Oh - Attachment Parenting! Got it. Sorry, I'm an idiot with acronyms. Yes, definitely, that's me! But hey, the judicious use of Benadryl is good for everyone occasionally! Even me when I can't sleep.

How's everyone else???

Great News Jacksmama,glad the "earth finally moved" for you both!!!

Hope things are ok for you too kentmumtj.But even it isn't,if you are anything like me,things do get better with time.I had too bad attempts, and then things wee ok.

Two not Too

PERVWATCH UPDATE

things didnt go well

still couldnt

feel bit fed up with it now

its actually impossible [sad

Oh FGS kentmum!! That stinks!!!
Have you been back to your doctor to have things checked out? (Sorry if you have, don't have time to read back.)
for you.
((((HUG))))?

I must get ready - my appointment with the surgeon is this morning. Must remember to mention the weird belly pain I've been getting. I wonder though if she'll have anything useful to say.

Also, I got a CAT message from an MNer called RuinedAndUpset over the weekend - she has similar problems to us from a forceps VBAC 1 1/2 years ago, so I told her to post here. Hopefully she will. You all have saved my sanity over the past six months, hopefully we can help her.

Oh Kentmumtj

I know how frustrating this is and sad. It isn't impossible though,just at the moment maybe.

You need to see your Surgeon,if you have an appt. already thats good,if not ring hospital and ask to speak to his/her Secretary,they will sort out something for you,stress its urgent.

Failing that,get GP to refer you to Physio,I'm sure they can help,which will probably be what the surgeon may recommend too.

Don't lose hope,better to be "repaired",just needs a "minor adjustment",but not with a Carrot maybe

Hugs from me too, kentmumtj

Aww, Kentmum you must be so frustrated! Off for my pre op in a minute ready for the op next Tuesday - yikes!!

So, saw the surgeon yesterday - she was delighted with the state of my insides and I have been officially discharged. I did ask her about the weird belly pain I'd been having and she pulled a very concerned face, left the room (leaving me thinking WTF??) and came back trailing the ultrasound machine. [impressed emoticon] because I was dreading being told "go back to your GP and have her refer you for an ultrasound scan". I guess those are the perks of being referred to a department head in the Reproductive Health section... anyhoo, I'm sure you all know where the ultrasound wand went , which was Not Fun, but eventually, after much poking and prodding and wiggling about of my insides [double] she said she thought it was because my hormones may be starting to kick back in and get ready to get the factory going again, so to speak, and because I am one of those Attachment-Parenting, Breastfeed-Until-They're-in-University type hippies, my ovaries and uterus have been mothballed, in a manner of speaking, and it can be a bit achy and tender at times when the cobwebs crack away. She saw no evidence of adhesions or endometriosis, just a very estrogen-rich uterine lining and very busy ovaries, so that's good. It also means that DH and I will be revisiting the "Have The Snip" conversation in earnest, very soon.

Glad to hear the good news Jacksmama.

Hope the Pre-op went ok Bubblerock.
Good Luck for next Tuesday,wont be around to wish you luck nearer the time as we will be in an Airplane next week off off and away on our hols!

Don't forget to ask for all the painkillers you can have,and get plenty of rest.Look forward to hearing your news when I'm back.

Great news Jacksmama!!

Spent 2.5 hours at the hospital this morning, lots of waiting around and had to have an ECG as the nurse though she heard a murmer, hopefully all will be okay and it will be good to go on Tuesday. They said I'll be in for 5 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YIKES and more importantly there is no wifi so I can't even get on the internet. What the hell am I going to do stuck in a bloody hospital for 5 days. I'm dreading it.

Books?
Crossword puzzles?

Catch up on sleep?

bubblerock 5 days cor thats long why have they said so long do you know?

jacksmama must say dh had the snip after our 4th it was the best thing we ever did although i have been feeling broody the past 2 years but with 4 already ive done more than my fair share to the next generation.
although with the lack of use dh is getting at the moment it makes no difference

anyways i have been thinking that i may need to go back to docs.........i was discharged from hospital weeks ago at my 6-8 week check up after they did they 2 finger check.

dh has had a close look get ready TMI.......he said at the entrance at the back it looks like it could or may have had an extra stitch as naturally it looks tightly stretched. Penatration is impossible i had had lots of alcohol to relax me plenty of pre fun and it would not fit entry was near dam impossible, think we managed dh to enter half and that took about 10 minutes just to have it immediatly taken out because of the pain i felt. Boy oh boy

think i have to try a couple more times before going back to docs.

i just want to be normal again.

i have a question how old is everyone on here????
just wondering as most people i seem to come in contact with that ha had the same operation as me seems to be 60+

Kentmum - sounds like a trip to the docs is in order, bloody frustrating for both of you!

The nurse said 5 days was normal, I was desperate to say, well that's not what my fellow MNers say!

I'm 33 btw

5 days is normal wow i was sent home the same day how weird is that

oh so your a young one like me that makes me feel better i was getting fed up with feeling i had problems normally associated with much older people lol........i felt my body was much older than me making me think im going to get all sorts of other things wrong with me .......silly me probably me just being stupid guess we can have these problems at any age

I am 42. Had DS1 at 36 (and 50/52ths) and DS2 at 39.

My body thinks it's 60+ I had a varicose vein op when I was 24 and my knees seize up all the time!

I just turned 40 in April. And I had DS when I was 38 (well, two months shy of my 39th).

How old are you kentmum?

im 38 but had my children young as mine range from nearly 18 down to 9

Shall we start a broody but infertile club?

Holy mother of GAWD!!!!!!

I head off for a few days R&R and Jacksmama gets down and dirrrrty! Absolutely DELIGHTED for you!!!! Yey!

KentmumJ I'm sorry it's not working for you yet. Fingers crossed things will settle. How bloody frustrating for you though.

Bubblerock, I also had ECG thingy at my pre op and they also wanted to do one before my op but decided not to. How strange! I was in 2 days but should have been a bit longer as they said they wanted me to have a poo but they relented and let me home because I lived so close to the hospital.

... and I'm 33 btw. And... this is the first month I have been trying to bake a new baby.... ARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!! Next Wednesday is d-day

.... aaand... I just came off the treadmill after 30 mins . Calories soon to be replaced by a take away. Oh and maybe some wine to celebrate your news Jacksmama... and don't be daft about leaving the thread. It would not be the same without you.

Take care all.

Cyee!!!!!!!!!!! I was wondering where you were! Thought you might have buggered off gotten bored with us... was all WTF? because no comment from you on the successful shag resumption of marital relations .

Here, have some champagne. By the magic of the Ragged Bits thread (sort of like the One-Child Tea Room), it's still sparkly and cold. Would you like some cheese and crackers to slow down the absorption of alcohol or a straw so you can get hammered faster to speed it up?

So what's D-Day? Do The Deed Day? Or Pee On The Stick Day? Regardless, will be keeping my fingers crossed for you. But I hope you'll forgive me if, now that my bits are working again, I won't cross my legs!