Rectocele and laparoscopy

[Slothmum11]

Hi everyone, this is my first post to any kind of forum at all so bear with me! I began having very painful periods after my c section with my second child, not really any heavier bleeding, in fact sometimes I barely bled properly but the pain was very intense. I've ended up in urgent care with suspected appendicitis on occasions because I'm doubled over. I've waited 2 years to be seen by an endo gynae and was examined and full history taken etc. I also have problems going to the bathroom sometimes due to a bad tear from my first birth and this has left me needing to splint in order to poo most of the time.

I've been offered surgical repair of the rectocele as well as a laparoscopy because of the level of pelvic pain I have been having but the risk of it causing further pain has been communicated as 50%! I'm very concerned about being left with pain from the repair.

I've had a deep tissue ultrasound and the sonographer said she'd just completed training on identifying endometrioma and could see an area in the exact place I get most of of my pain. However I then had an MRI followed by another MRI at a different hospital by a consultant and the letter has come back saying it's inconclusive.

I'm at a complete loss as to what to do. This is all via the NHS so my GP feels that surgery wouldn't be offered if it wasn't required due to resources so it would be a good idea to go ahead with it. Whilst I agree I'm so worried that the repair will cause further problems for me.

I already have a mirena coil and this has stopped me having a normal period but I still get a decent amount of pain and spotting every month. For the last 6 months I've been having post coital bleeding and I also get thrush every 3 weeks at least. I'm fed up!

I think what I'd like to gain from this is anyone in a similar situation with the rectocele, experiences with laparoscopy when an MRI is deemed to be normal scar tissue and whether I'm just chasing a 'normal' that's not ever going to exist after my two births.

Thank you and sorry it's all out of order and sounds a bit frantic! Not sure it's relevant but I'm 37.

[ColonLess]

It sounds like you have really suffered the last few years. Did the pelvic pain start after your c-section?

I have dealt with horrible pelvic pain tor six years. In my case, the cause is abdominal adhesions, or bands of scar tissue. These grow after any surgery. Most people don't feel adhesions, but unfortunately I am in the small percentage that feel a great deal of pain from them. They pull on my intestines and organs, sometimes causing small bowel obstructions, sometimes requiring hospitalization and occasionally surgery to free up the kinked bowel loops.

Adhesions cannot be detected with imaging, including MRI. If your proposed laparoscopic surgery is intended to cut those adhesions (adhesiolysis), that can provide great relief. Adhesions tend to grow back after a surgery, sometimes starting within an hour. Possibly that regrowth is the 50% your surgeon refers to. Surgeons have the option to hinder adhesion regrowth with barrier shields. These are chemically treated sheets placed over the lysed adhesion areas. They can be very effective, though not all surgeons are willing to use them. Since adhesions can grow for up to a week after surgery, the barrier shield, after a week, breaks down and leaves the body through the bladder. They are very safe.

I have found adhesiolysis surgery to be very helpful in controlling my pelvic pain, and I highly recommend it. This is assuming adhesions are the source of your pelvic pain.

Please keep us updated on your condition and procedures. I wish you the best.

[CockeyMoor]

I totally agree with Colonless that you may have adhesions. I have learnt recently that my Rectocele is not the cause of my pain . I splint and have used glycerin suppositories for 30 years. I had episiotomy for my first child and so that is the reason I have always struggled on the loo but it has been manageable. I only recently started with the severe pelvic pain. The laparoscopy to deduce if you have the endometrioma sounds a good idea and maybe hold back on the decision for surgery on the Rectocele until you know for sure. I was amazed this week to learn that Rectoceles are not usually painful and are just a nuisance. Not sure if this is 100% accurate but it did help me to get to the cause of my constant pain which is a kidney stone.