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Original poster

Rectocele misery - warning TMI

36 replies

topogigio · 18/05/2010 14:11

Am seriously considering an op to correct my rectocele. Have had it for about 8 years but in the last few months it has got worse

I have read the rectocle repair thread and it does help to know that I am not alone - this isn't something I can talk to anyone in real life about and really it is getting me down....

Wondered if anyone minded sharing their rectocele symptoms? I am trying to work out what is normal and what not as I am also on anti d's for anxiety at mo.
So here goes
Can start a poo but struggle to finish - have to press on perineum and even then feel something is left behind - and a further trip to the toilet later confirms this...
Horrible bulge in m fanjo - have tried "splinting " but doesn't seem to work

My life at mo revolves around thinking about the next poo - not how I wanted to spend my middle youth...

I am so sad about it .

OP posts:
Original poster
topogigio · 18/05/2010 17:03

Anyone?

OP posts:
ArthurPewty · 18/05/2010 17:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
topogigio · 18/05/2010 17:35

Leonie - are you considering a repair , if you don't mind me asking?

TGx

OP posts:
ArthurPewty · 18/05/2010 17:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 18/05/2010 18:28

I have a rectocele, no chance of going without pushing the bulge back in from vagina.

I had an op end of last year after being told I had a prolapsed vagina (post hysterectomy) not a rectocele. Things have got worse since that op in that the rectocele is still there but I have less sensation of wanting to push so it's harder to have my bowels open IYKWIM.

I have been told I need another op but recovery from the last one was horrid so I'm prepared to live with it for the foreseeable future.

muriel76 · 18/05/2010 21:18

I'm pretty much the same and I am 33. I am seeing consultant next month and think I will push for the op, I am sick of living like this.

My physio said rectocele is moderate and cystocele minor if that is any indication!

Horrid isn't it, I feel so lonely with it sometimes.

trumpton · 18/05/2010 21:33

I had cystocele and rectocele repair and hysterectomy when I was 38. Surgeon was not sure if he was going to do rectocele until he investigated under general. He said I would know if he had done it if I woke up feeling as if I had a poker up my bottom! Still have to support perineum at times but much much better ( not helped by having IBS).
Well worth having the operation.

muriel76 · 18/05/2010 21:40

How bad was the recovery if you don't mind me asking? How long til you could lift and do normal housey things?!

Thanks!

trumpton · 19/05/2010 09:21

I had operation mid June so had it fairly easy for rest of term off work and 2 DC at school ( DC 7,6 &2) so only had one at home. I was very very well behaved and tried not to do too much. In the December we packed up and moved countries so I must have been totally ok by then. I think it was 6 weeks of being kind to myself. ( and letting go of cleaning...a friend came in after the morning school run and did just 10-15 mins of the worst .) DH was working all hours leaving the house at 5.30am and not getting in till 8pm.

muriel76 · 19/05/2010 21:17

Thanks, that's useful to know. I am not at all house proud but I would feel bad about DH coming home to a mess cos I couldn't do anything lifting/tidying wise.

However if the success of the op revolved round that I would be v v careful and sod any guilty feelings!

Glad you're happy with your result tho

Original poster
topogigio · 20/05/2010 16:11

Thanks for all your experiences guys , it really helps to share - although of course I really wish we were all ok
Trumpton, your experience has given me hope !

OP posts:
chirpee · 20/05/2010 20:07

I would definitely recommend surgery. I had an op for a rectocele over a year ago and everything is still in great working order !
It is very important to obey doctors orders for the 6 weeks after though - not easy I know. But what is 6 weeks out of a lifetime, when you can feel so much better for it afterwards? Good luck !

jarmys · 27/05/2010 22:05

I am going in for rectocele surgery on the 18th june and very worried about the recovery.

I know I am doing the right thing but this doesnt stop me worrying.

Greensleeves · 27/05/2010 22:09

oh god I think I have got one of these

never heard of it before finding this thread, but I recognise everything, and when I googled it made me even more sure

I have been doing the "pushing on the perineum" to evacuate bowel contents for ages, and it is getting worse - dragging sensation and hard lumpy feeling in vagina, and when I had a feel inside I can feel it, and also what seems to be another big bulge the shouldn't be there, coming from higher up inside

also recurrent UTIs and breakthrough bleeding

what should I do? [panic]

sorry to hijack!

Greensleeves · 28/05/2010 17:32

.

muriel76 · 28/05/2010 19:05

It does sound like a rectocele....only a gynae/physio will be able to tell you the extent of it and any other issues (for example I didn't know I also had a cystocele until I saw consultant....lucky me for that added bonus eh?!)

So if I were you I would make an appointment to see your GP and then come back and tell us how you get on!

Good luck. It's horrid but we're all here to understand

X

Greensleeves · 29/05/2010 21:33

thanks muriel

how likely is it to end in an operation> I can't stand the thought of hospital [ad]

sorry for hijacking, but thanks for replying to me x

muriel76 · 30/05/2010 13:57

It's hard to say about the op as it depends on the severity of it. You don't have to have the op even if they recommend it - it's your decision.

I am at the point of wanting to have it, I am so fed up with it, but my physio (I have done pelvic floor physio for 6 months although it has not helped the prolapses it was worth a try)said that the consultant might be reluctant as I am 33 and apparently the repair will not last a life time.

The mild ones can be helped with physio so you could ask for that first....my physio has been wonderful and like I said, it was worth a try at least! X

muriel76 · 30/05/2010 13:58

Just to clarify, my physioTHERAPIST has been wonderful.....the physio itself I could live without lol!!

Gracelady · 15/06/2010 01:18

I am 56 yrs. old and needed a rectocele when I was in my 30's Nobody could find what was wrong, caused many symptons that have been the pits causing anxiety pain etc. Few wks ago the Dr. found HUGE hernia that is to be repaired next Tue 6/22/10. I have the worst UTI I've ever had while waiting for surgery. The hernia never showed on any test. I had to breath and bare down as if i where going to have a baby and finally it was found. I will share any information about symptoms that I've had w/ anybody and may contact ALL the numerous Dr.'s that I tried to get them to listen to me and not give up on me. No woman needs to suffer like I have. I have suffered in many ways and it has been a real trauma for me as it when from bad to worse.

Gracelady · 15/06/2010 01:54

top, Please read my postin on page three. I have many other tings that I can tell u. I would get my rectocele done this minute if I could!

changed2 · 16/06/2010 18:04

Hi Gracelady, where is your posting on page 3? i have very similar problems except I also have nerve damage with pain and loss of sensation(Forceps damage).
Top. my problems are the same, a constant heavy feeling in my rectum, unable to empty without helping. unable to completely empty. a feeling of everything hanging lower. I'm constantly told that my rectocle isn't that bad (mild to moderate)but I don't believe anyone would be able to live a normal life with the problems i have. Physio hasn't improved anything at all.

Gracelady · 17/06/2010 01:48

Hi changed2, Yes my post is on pg. #3. U will have to call your gynecologist and ask to speak to his nurse. Tell her that u need to be seen today that u feel like your insides our coming out. That was what it took for me. I went in and the Dr. seen it when I held my breath and bared down. I went back today for a last exam b/f surgery (which will be June 22, this Tue.) and my Dr. ask me if I had gotten a mirror to try to see the hernia. I told him "no". Maybe I will breathe, bare down and see if I can see it in a mirror. U have the same symptoms that I did sounds like. After I was dx. I read on-line that sometimes the hernia couldn't be found during test b/c it could move under the pelvic bone. I have to have a rectocle w/ a mesh. Hope that helps. I will be praying for u. I prayed b/f I went to this last Dr., "Lord please let the Dr. get to the root of all these problem.

changed2 · 22/06/2010 17:45

Hello again Gracelady, I'm sorry but I can't find your post with details of your problems. Warning now, TMI coming up here...I have looked in a mirror and it is as if my insides are coming out, as if I am turning inside out. It mostly goes back in again after a while. What can be done about it surgically? All the medical people cannot understand why I feel like I do and find it hard to believe that it is effecting me so much.

changed2 · 28/06/2010 20:02

Hi Gracelady, I hope your surgery went well for you and that you have a fast recovery.

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