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))

happy endings are the best endings and im sure we will all get there in the end

That champagne is for bubblerock!!!

opens the Harry Potter-style Refrigerator of Requirement, which now appears to be full of champagne>

Here you go, your very own Magnum. Would you like a glass or a straw?

GOOD LUCK BUBBLEROCK!!!!

The Refrigerator of Requirement was full of my friend's pimms and I emptied it. Hic. What were we saying?

That you should have shared

I might be better off today had I done so.

That'll teach you!!

Here... hair of the dog for you or a soothing cup of herbal tea?

Hello all! My little brother is coming with me to my scan to look after dd! I am very relieved. It's on Monday so I'll let you know how it goes.

I'd love some booze but am co-sleeping (do you actually have to be getting sleep to call it co-sleeping?).

Maybe I should drink at breakfast. It should be long out of my system by bedtime!

Crap. I'm an idiot.
Ok, well, I guess I'll out myself... ssdd is my alter ego for more controversial posts because Jacksmama is generally quite nice and doesn't like to get flamed for more irascible opinions... don't tell anyone, ok, gang? I figure it's fairly safe to admit to namechanging on this thread as very few people pop in for fun {grin] but just thought I'd clarify in case ThingOne was a bit at some strange woman offering herbal tea and a cool cloth .

As you were.

lulu, I'm so glad you found someone to look after DD during your scan. What a nice little brother you have. Or did you have to bribe him? In the manner of little brothers all over the world .

We co-sleep. It was the only way I could get some sleep when DS was first born because my bits were in such agony I couldn't get out of bed without help. DH had to help me up. Get up, feed baby, put baby down, crawl back into bed... repeat.... nuts to that, he started sleeping with us pretty quickly and all of us got sleep!

Good idea on drinking at breakfast. Would anyone like some caramel Bailey's in their coffee? It'll be metabolized wayyyyyy before I have to be at work, won't it? [hopeful emoticon]

You've made me laugh Jacksmama. I did wonder who on earth ssdd was. I shall look forward to kerfuffling with you on argybargy threads .

Ha. I try to avoid those. SSDD just comes in, says something bitchy to the point, and leaves.

ha ha, well thats cheered me up! Jacksmama, your secret is safe with me!

Well, the radiographer just called (frightened the life out of me actually until I calmed down and realised that she hasn't had a peek at anything yet so can't be calling with awful news). The consultant is going to be in Harrogate on Monday. A nice bit of detail, no idea what he's doing there but its more important that my appointment. So they want to reschedule for next Wednesday, the day of DD's jabs. I am back to having no one to look after dd.

My little brother has an absolute heart of gold. He lives 70 miles away and arranged his day off to drive over here and come to his sisters bum-scan appointment (no bribes, I just had to agree not to give him any detail or ask him to hold my hand!).

FWIW, I lurk around steer clear of the argument threads. I am too new and fragile for a flaming!

Awww, lulu, that is sht. I wish I could help but since I live on the other side of the world all I can do is offer a supportive (((((HUG*))))).

Well, my day has just gone down the toilet. My periods have just come back. Was on the mobile phone with DH, went to the loo for a wee (I know, not done, but hey-ho, he doesn't care), looked down and...
I was really and sincerely hoping and praying they'd stay away longer. I've so enjoyed not having them. I have very regular cycles but until I got pregnant with Jackbaby the PMT was absolutely diabolical, so I was delighted they've stayed away so long. My last period was May 12, 2007. So 2 years, 3 weeks and 2 days isn't bad, I guess... sigh...
On the up side... I'm at work today and all I had here are tampons so I gritted me teeth and went for it (the alternative being using one of Jackbaby's disposable nappies as I don't have time to nip to the shops), and it was fine.

Good thing we have that no-TMI policy on this thread, hey?

erm...... I got a BFP..... and you lot are the first to know...

Jacksmama you are HILARIOUS!

Lulu - crap news about the changed appointment. Grrr. What a lovely brother you have.

Hi all

OMG!!! OMG!!!!!! Cyee!!!
Damn, I'm so happy for you I could cry!!

Seriously, that's lovely.
((((((((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))))))))

Now... did you really tell us before DH? If yes, wow, we're honoured!!!

By the way, I don't get it. Why am I hilarious?

Awwww thank you!!

No - I could lie but DH knows... but no one else!

You're hilarious because of outing yourself! I was like 'WTF is that?'... not that new people aren't welcome of course!!

Thanks for the good wishes. I can't quite get my head around it - though of course v early days

Enjoy the champers

Congrat Cyee. Have a glass of fizzy apple juice from me .

Cyee thats wonderful news, congratulations!

Thanks!

I have just discovered that Kopperberg cider comes in a dealcoholised variety... result!

Excellent, now we know what to put on ice for you!

wow wow wow im away for a few days and

jacksmama comes to light as a bit of a dark horse boy did that make me laugh

cyee ..... well congrats girly

thingone's nicking all the alcohol

wonder how bubblerock is?????

as for tampon..............oh no, no way still havent cough cough done the deed

I am not happy.
I'd forgotten how much period pain hurts!
And the tampon thing isn't good, either - too tender still.

oh dear poor you.......

Hi girls!! Wow big congrats Cyee, how exciting!

Okay - big long self indulgent post now:

They released me yesterday. I went down for the op at around 3pm on Tuesday and consultant said all went well, they did a D&C, Hysteroscopy, Inserted Mirena coil and the Posterior repair. Wasn't in pain apart from my coccyx, which I'd also had problems with after childbirth! Anaesthetic didn't make me sick either which was good.

They removed the packing at 5.30am on Wednesday and it didn't hurt at all. Catheter came out on Wednesday night - that was such a relief!! God, they tell you not to carry anything heavy but let you carry a bag full of pee around all day!

I did get into big trouble on Wed though as I felt so well I decided to go out for a ciggie with DH at visiting time (I told them I was going) all was well until I stood up to come back in and collapsed DH caught me and a member of staff had called the crash team, ambulance etc.. The cardiac resuss guy who rushed over with his bleeper was lovely but I felt a complete twat!!! I swear the nurse who came to drag me back to the ward went over every bump she could find with the wheelchair .

Anyway - all went well after that (apart from the general piss taking on the ward) I was in a bay with 2 lovely ladies and we all got on really well, it was actually quite fun!

Had the physio talk on Friday morning and came home after that, I'm actually feeling really good, a bit tired and my bowels/coccyx are painful but just taking paracetamol. Glad it's all over! Need to go for physio in a couple of months as the consultant said I really need to strengthen it all up and It was quite severe for my age and would happen again if I don't get some better support down there.

Anyway, all's fine and I missed you all, hope everythings okay!