Donut Pessary

[Maudie19]

I have had a bladder prolapse since June last year. In that time I have had 10 different pessaries inserted trying to find the right one. Now have a Gelhorn 3 and a quarter with long shaft. This keeps my prolapse up but has made me totally incontinent. The Gelhorn 3 and a half stopped me from emptying my bladderThe Pessary Clinic at my local teaching hospital now want me to try a Donut Pessary. I am worried that I will have to endure months of trying different sizes, again.

I am 82, had a hysterectomy about 4 years ago. Delivered vaginally 3 very large babies in my 20 and 30s. I am a carer for my husband who is confined to bed after a a massive stroke a year ago, and who also has Altzheimers and non Hodgins Lymphoma.

I would be interested to hear about anyone's experience with a Donut Pessary.

[Suzie42]

You poor lady, so sorry to hear about your problems. I've tried all pessaries and they all failed. Surgery was my only option. I had hysterectomy plus bladder and bowel prolapse repair, which worked for me.I really hope the medics can sort you out. Take care.

[Maudie19 in reply to Suzie42]

Thank you. Surgery isn't an option due to my caring role.

[Suzie42 in reply to Maudie19]

I thought you might say that. Can you not get some respite care for you husband? You are in an awful position. I wish you better

[Maudie19 in reply to Suzie42]

I wouldn't do that to him. I am just about the only thing he recognises and calls for, and the dog of course.

[Suzie42 in reply to Maudie19]

Oh sorry, obviously I don't know about his health issues. You seem to be in a no win situation. My very best to you both

[Maudie19 in reply to Suzie42]

He is terminally with non hodgkins Lymphoma but then had a stroke which paralysed his left side. His Altzheimers doesn't help. He has gone thru so much there is no way I would put him into a care home.

[Maudie19 in reply to Suzie42]

He is terminally with non hodgkins Lymphoma but then had a stroke which paralysed his left side. His Altzheimers doesn't help. He has gone thru so much there is no way I would put him into a care home.

[Suzie42 in reply to Maudie19]

I can totally understand. It is so hard for you to get the help you need. Take care. Your husband is so very lucky to have you.

[Tarotmumma]

hi Maudie oh my goodness I was happy to read your post! Not because it is good but because I have the same problem! I have had 5 or 6 different things shoved in me donuts and last one gellhorn. Not one of them stayed in and the gellhorn made me totally incontinent and I couldn’t do a poo! The donuts fell out almost instantly when they told me to go and do a wee they ended up down the toilet! And I was dribbling with it 😩 I refuse to have any more I have a stage 4 bladder prolapse and a bladder cyst I would rather put up with if then have any more things shoved up there! I hope you get on with your next one I am so sorry about your husband I hope you have help looking after him x

[Maudie19 in reply to Tarotmumma]

Thank you. I am really not sure what to do. We are all different so we have to find the solution just for us, if there is one.

[Tarotmumma in reply to Maudie19]

We certainly are all different what works for one doesn’t for another. If you can’t have an op then go back to your doctor and ask for referral to see a gynaecologist specialist the wait is very long for nhs I went private after a year but the wait for operation is very long unfortunately it’s a no win situation

[Cavapoochonowner]

Hello there,Sorry to hear about your experience. I have a bladder prolapse(age 59) and am experiencing incontinence. I have tried 2 ring pessaries(think it may also be called a donut due to the shape)and both made my prolapse feel better but made my incontinence worse.They were different sizes.I asked at the hospital about other pessaries but they said if a ring didn't work,other shapes would be worse for my incontinence. I use an estrogen cream twice a week which has sort of plumped my skin up down there,and the hospital have prescribed me 2 tablets to take twice a day for urge incontinence.It has definitely helped me hold more urine,but I still leak when lifting or walking.I am on the waiting list for a hysterectomy and bladder repair,but that is a 1 year waiting list.I can't see my situation improving without the operation. I have a little granddaughter I lift and my dog pulls sometimes on her walk and needs to be carried upstairs.I know those things are bad for me ,but it's hard not to do it.It will also be a necessary thing for you to care and move your husband and that will be putting a strain on you,but is unavoidable for you.Sending you best wishes for a solution to you problem.

[CherylVacc]

Maudie,

I don't have any of the issues you mention, but do know I'm thinking of you and your husband. Hope you get some positive results soon.

[Maudie19 in reply to CherylVacc]

Thank you.

[gummybea]

Hi Maudie, From my understanding of these pessaries and what my gynae has told me there are only very few that you can self manage and the gellhorn and donut aren't in that category.

And that means you have to go and get them removed cleaned and reinserted by a doctor or a nurse practitioner.

I have a stage 3 bladder prolapse and have 2 ring pessaries a size 2 and a size 3 that are easily self managed and i use them according to how i feel throughout the day and what size i want to wear as well on any given day, and take it out at night for sleeping My gynae said she prefers women self manage their pessary and that way you can choose if and when you want to wear it too and leaving it out for as long as you comfortably can to give things a break down there which i also do.

And also like you i don't want the surgery because i don't like the sound of the risk of it not working and my age as well as i am now 72.

And pessaries are definitely a hit or miss item and you have already tried quite a few and wondering if you have ever tried a Milex or Pro Fem Inflatoball pessary? Although i think with that one you have to take it out daily?

I am also going to try the vulva Support Belly Belt that is recommended for a few different female issues including Prolapse.

I wish you all the very best with everything going on in your life right now and hope you can

find something suitable that will make you more comfortable as a prolapse is no fun that's for sure.

[Maudie19 in reply to gummybea]

Yes certainly no fun, I don't have time to self manage and quite happy for the Pessary Clinic to do it every 6 months. The Gelhorn with long shaft is doing its job with my prolapse, it is the terrible incontinence it's causing that is the problem.

At the clinic yesterday and I decide not to go for te Donut as I was told it wouldn't change the incontinence. On waiting list to see the Prof and my med is being changed. To what I don't know yet. At present on Mirabegron.

[Weemel94]

That’s awful. I am in my 60’s and have a donut pessary inserted and have been since the last 2 Years, it gets changed every 6 months, while the procedure can be very uncomfortable depending on what Nurse you get, I am waiting on a hysterectomy, I have a bladder prolapse and a womb prolapse. I’m hoping a hysterectomy is a cure for me. Take care

[Maudie19 in reply to Weemel94]

Good luck.

[Weemel94 in reply to Maudie19]

Thank you. I hope things improve for yourself.

[kitzka]

I had a bladder prolapse about 2 years ago. I went the pessary route for a couple visits and refused to keep trying, it was so discouraging. I am 75 years old and decided I wasn't going to mess around, "times a wastin'. I had a hysterectomy and did not experience any bladder issues once I had the surgery. Some women are able to go home the day of the surgery and most are able to go home the following day, barring any complications. If you could find someone to care for your husband overnight,. You would be able to see him day 1 before your surgery and day 2 you would be home. You will not be able to put any stress on your body for at least six weeks. You would be able to administer his medication and just be there where he can see you and have a carer in to do all the hard stuff. Not only that, but you would also be there to make sure he is getting the care he needs. I have no idea how your health system works and the difficulty level of getting a carer to help you out. When I think about all the stress and discomfort you are experiencing, it might be worth looking into surgery. Not to mention all the time you spend going to and from the pessary clinic without any satisfaction. You won't be gone for long while having the surgery but you will definitely need help for around 6 weeks after surgery.

It will also take putting together a strict schedule that everyone can adhere to as well as being able to communicate clearly and often. Keep in mind that stress can do nasty things to your body and mind. It is imperative for you to take care of yourself. Try discussing various ideas with health advisors and your family. You might come up with something that could work for you. Sending my best wishes to you and your husband and hoping that things will work out for you in a positive direction. Take care.

[Maudie19 in reply to kitzka]

Thank you. I had an emergency hysterectomy a few years ago as I had a very large ovarian cyst. What I have now is a bladder prolapse.

[kitzka]

I'm sorry, I missed the information regarding the hysterectomy. my.clevelandclinic.org/heal.... This is a link from the Cleveland Clinic with everything you want to know about a bladder prolapse. The article also includes non-surgical options as well as surgical. If you have any questions regarding this information, be sure to address them with your doctor. Best wishes.