Newbie with pelvic organ prolapse. - Pelvic Pain Suppo...

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Newbie with pelvic organ prolapse.

bassets profile image
15 Replies

Hi, I've just found out I have prolapses of my bladder and back passage.

I'm very unsure as to what can be done about this in the long term. The doctor I saw yesterday told me to see a physiotherapist and use a hormone gel, so that's what I'm doing now. But what happens when, inevitably, this gets worse? I would be grateful for any advice at all - thank you.

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bassets profile image
bassets
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15 Replies
bantam12 profile image
bantam12

Surgery is what happens if it can’t be controlled with other treatments but that’s best put off as long as possible. There are pessaries, physio and a long list of different topical hormone treatments to try, if one doesn’t suit try another and another !

I found doing Pilates with an instructor trained in prolapse very helpful.

bassets profile image
bassets in reply tobantam12

It sounds as though the doctor has suggested the obvious then. That's helpful and very kind - thank you very much!

NiamhP profile image
NiamhP

I had an operation on the 2nd of June, hysterectomy, bladder repair and rectocele repair. The hysterectomy and bladder prolapse repair went very well, no more dashing to the loo, no more being unable to walk because of discomfort. There were some tears to the bowel, internal as well as external stitches, self dissolving. Unfortunately, I am still getting small leaks of poo, so having to use glycerine suppositories before going out to empty the bowel. I am on laxido to avoid constipation and damaging the stitches. Not sure yet how that bit will pan out. I am seventy, very pleased I had the surgery and optimistic that through physio the bowel will come right.

Good luck with whatever you do, hope it resolves your issues. I had a ring pessary for several years to keep the prolapse from descending, it was successful but challenging to find people experienced in fitting them correctly. Hope this helps.

Middleton profile image
Middleton in reply toNiamhP

Hi Niamh been reading your post and I post op 12 days after anterior and posterior repair surgery all ok up to now can you tell me how long your recovery was and how long before I can start walking exercises

Thank you

bassets profile image
bassets

It's very kind of you to reply as this is something I didn't expect so was a bit taken aback by this diagnosis but I'm very relieved that something can be done to alleviate the problems it causes. I suppose I'm lucky in that I am seventy this year and have only just had the problem. I think iyt may have been because I had two difficult births with my children. Not something that occurs to you at the time!

I hope you are looking after yourself and resting top allow yourself to heal.

Thank you again, and good luck :)

HighlandMo profile image
HighlandMo

I have found this Facebook group really helpful (if a bit depressing at times). FPOPS UK. Lots of people with similar experiences offering advice or just somewhere to let off steam.

bassets profile image
bassets

That's quite a good thing isn't it? At least you don't feel so alone with other people in the same boat. Thank you very much for this information :)

MissStar profile image
MissStar

There are non-surgical approaches out there - I have been using Christine Kents' Whole Woman approach, which is fantastic and has many benefits beyond prolapse issues. check out her site: wholewoman.com. hope you find help, support and healing

bassets profile image
bassets in reply toMissStar

I certainly will. Thanks you very much for this as I've never heard of it before. :)

MissStar profile image
MissStar in reply tobassets

Christine in based in the US, but there is trained practitioner in Ireland, and you can also have 1-1 sessions with Christine. I have done an online course with her, she is groundbreaking for sure. There is also Moonrise - Hypopressive breathing - have not tried this, but am aware not one approach fits all. There are always alternatives, there is never only 1 way to deal with anything. Wishing you healing and wholeness

bassets profile image
bassets in reply toMissStar

I will make time to have a good look at both things you suggest. Thanks again, and wishing you the same x

Poppycat999 profile image
Poppycat999

Hi there welcome to the club. Its apparently quite common. I have had to adjust my life to accommodate and avoid the dragging lump sensation and the bowel problems. This is what l do:I dont stay on my feet too long. I have a kegel8 ultra 20 stim which l use once a day on a programme to try and make my weak pelvic muscles a little stronger. I have a ring pessary inside. I also take one sachet of macrogol compound everyday in water with my main meal. Brand l prefer is cosmocol. This makes bowel movements softer and easier to pass so no constipation issues. That is everything. I dont want surgery unless l get worse. I dont want TVT mesh inside me. Polypropylene is the material in my opinion to be avoided as after several years inside can cause problems. There are alot of ladies with different opinions read up as much as you can and do what is best for you. Good luck with everything. Message me anytime

bassets profile image
bassets in reply toPoppycat999

I am very touched that so many of the member on here have taken the time and trouble to give me such a range of advice. The doctor also gave me an oestrogen cream which has helped to make things less uncomfortable. I have read somewhere that mesh has stopped being used here in the UK? I too don't want to have surgery unless it's absolutely necessary and will try anything else first.

I'm interested to know you are finding the Kegel8. I haven't really thought about this but will give it a go if it could work. Do you find it effective?

Anyway thank you very much for your reply and for the option of messaging you. x

Poppycat999 profile image
Poppycat999 in reply tobassets

Hi yes l think trying to do kegel exercises does help me. I have an estradiol tablet l insert twice weekly helps to keep you young up there! I have read polypropylene is still used and watched documentarys on TVT surgery. I'm not entirely sure but read the larger slings of polypropylene aren't used but a thinner tape called TVT is used made of exactly the same material as the mesh which after several years such as 5 or so can erode and degrade and cause problems. When your own tissues are used and just stitches there doesn't seem to be a problem. Apparently when used for things like hernias the mesh isnt a problem but used in gynecology surgery can be a problem. I'm trying to manage with the pessary. I limit my standing/walking/lifting and pulling like garden jobs. I am told it's not bad enough for surgery but l have only been examined lying down. I have had gynecologists refuse to examine me standing with feeble excuses such as they have a bad knee or it's not necessary but its lower on standing!

bassets profile image
bassets in reply toPoppycat999

Thanks for this Poppycat. I'll have a look at kegel8 on Amazon and see what's what.

I didn't know anything about the tape but it doesn't seem like a good idea if it degrades after a time. I wonder why it's ok for hernias but not for us? I doubt I'll have a pessary as it's not my womb that's the problem. I will have to limit my movements like you but the doctor told me I could still do yoga and walk and I've done both with not too many problems in the last few days. Hopefully that will continue, but I'm making sure to put my feet up every so often.

You made me smile when you said you wanted to be examined standing up - this seems logical but I suppose the gynaecologists are like some vets who insist you hoist a 27kilo dog onto a high table!

I'll find out as much as I can now because I find it easier to deal with a health problem if I know all the ins and outs. Thanks again.

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