Rectal prolapse anyone?

[Bottomsout]

Feeling the need for a support thread. 20 weeks into a 70 week waiting list to see the colorectal team, minimal info or support and feeling very sorry for myself.

Already been through hysterectomy and anterior repair, several years ago now. What a different experience that was. Back in the day when you saw your gp promptly and weeks later were on a decent pathway, fully informed and supported. Maybe I was just lucky then, my gp was superb. Has left practice now and I feel totally at sea. Feels like the world is falling out of my bottom 😪

Anyone else been/going through this?

@HootyMcBoobys can I ask, when you've been bounced from colorectal to gynae, have you had to join the forever waiting lists from the start again? Or have they expedited each time? Are you in England?

No, I'm Scotland and I've paid privately to see everyone I've seen. It's cost a small fortune as I also had to pay for all my investigations/scans, exam under GA, then my op which didn't work anyway. I was told the waiting list was over two years and I'm not prepared to wait that long. Fortunately we can afford it but it absolutely sucks that we pay taxes, an eye-watering amount, and then still have to pay out more for private health treatment because the NHS waiting lists are so awful.
Actually, with lots of people moving to private healthcare, I am even waiting over a month to get some appointments, which is unheard of in the private sector previously, it used to be that you could be seen within a few days.

Yes, it's shocking. I chose to have children because there was an nhs! Makes you want your (tax) money back!

Can I get in on this post please!
I hope you ladies are all doing well.

Im struggling to find out what is wrong with me. Gp did a rectal and couldn’t feel a true prolapse but she wouldn’t even look at a rectocele when I tried to push the idea.

To give context
I was out into chemical menopause at 22 with no hrt. I have had 14 pelvic surgeries including a hysterectomy and I have IC.

My symptoms are pain that’s not pain, more like being winded and stood on. Constant feeling of fullness and need to poop. Poop falls out when I pee and when I need to empty I have to do so “manually”. I’m currently only eating 2 slices of toast a day to keep myself empty. A whole meal puts me in painful sweats and cramps the next day.

GP wouldn’t refer me to anyone who would look.. she wants me to have an ovary scan and a colonoscopy!

Im paying to see a private gp next week for a second opinion.

Does anyone have any advise about who I need like a colorectal or gynae?

Thank you!

@Peepeeouch i would highly recommend seeing a pelvic physio. You may be able to self refer? I try to deal with my GP as little as possible to be honest.

To be honest @Peepeeouch I'd take the scan and colonoscopy as that's likely what any surgeon will want to see. Colorectal have examined and are sending me for colonoscopy and defecograph to be sure there's nothing going on requiring them, and then will send me to gynae where I'm hoping I'll get a scan! I just want to know which muscles and ligaments are damaged in the whole area 😩

But YY to self referral to pelvic physio if able to in your area. I'm sorry you've been through so much already

I wish I hadn’t bothered with the gp to be honest but the private one I’m seeing next week is paid for so will push them for advice on who I see next as it seems to be a bit of a crossover area between Gyn qnd rectal.

I’ve found a physio but need to do some mor research to then make an appt but she has nothing this year.

I’m sorry you’re going through the roundabout of different specialists. I am not even sure if I have a rectocele or a bladder prolapse but feel that needs ruling out and my symptoms fit it/

Im the same wanting to get it fixed. I have so many health issues with IC, endometriosis, had adeno, have a neurological condition that makes my teeth feel broken in half along with nerve condition making every pain tenfold.

I won’t start on the spinal issues 🤦🏻‍♀️

Im keeping the scans running with the nhs whilst going private for a second opinion about prolapses.
i need to see a physio too because I swear my whole floor there is a mess.

How do you dealing with all the pain from the prolapse?

Tbh I'm lucky that mine isn't that painful all the time - yours sounds awful. I do vividly remember the sweats and cramps on passing after my first surgery though, I thought I was going to pass out from the pain. I can't imagine living with that on a daily basis. Fwiw (and I'm no expert) I think your gp going for scans straightaway sounds like the right approach, as it may take even longer to see someone for more internal exams first. I would think the scans will help them direct you to the right team more quickly with any luck - you're getting both areas looked at and that will reveal what's going on better than a physical exam I would imagine, but a good physio I'm sure will be helpful. It definitely sounds like you need a multi- disciplinary approach and hopefully the scans will back that up.

Today I feel fine and feel like a right fraud. In a panic yesterday I booked a private gp appt for a second opinion but now I’m second guessing whether I should bother.

I was in so much pain at the start of the week.

I'm completely with you @Peepeeouch - I've just had a back injury flare up, I honestly believe its all related and stemming from difficult births. Been in so much pain in the mornings its unreal! But once the spasms have calmed down I seem fine, so I feel a right fraud too!! If you can afford your private gp appt, then do that. Sometimes you just need to find the person that's going to listen properly to it all. At least they should have the time you need, even if it's just reassurance that you're on the right pathway, it'll be worth it. Best of luck.