Prolapse (ladies): A couple of weeks ago I was... - PMRGCAuk

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Prolapse (ladies)

Gc2596 profile image
30 Replies

A couple of weeks ago I was diagnosed with a prolapse. Something else on top of my PMR and struggling to get over a lousy cough/cold (had prior to cough). To my relief PMR well controlled at the moment after some yo-yoing. Currently on 10mg for a further month after GP increased from 9mg (went as low as 5mg but obviously too quickly) and then will begin trying to titrate again. On Prednisolone since July '24. I was wondering if there could be any correlation with having PMR/taking Pred or just to put it down to having given birth, albeit 45 years ago, an hysterectomy 30 years ago or the natural ageing process. Appointment with a Women's Health Physiotherapist next week but just feeling deflated about something else to contend with after being what I'd consider very healthy until 10 months ago.

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Gc2596 profile image
Gc2596
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30 Replies
Temeraire profile image
Temeraire

Oh dear. Can understand you being deflated. I doubt its the PMR - more likely the other things you mention and I guess that cough wouldn’t help! Glad you’ve got an appointment so quickly and hopefully targeted physio will help. It is hard to accept these things but at least you can do something about it. I hope it goes well.

Gc2596 profile image
Gc2596 in reply toTemeraire

Thank you for your kind words.

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

Sorry to hear this dismaying news. I hope it can be sorted out. There is muscle weakness with this disease and coughing may well have contributed.

Gc2596 profile image
Gc2596 in reply toSheffieldJane

Thank you for your sympathetic ear.

Gc2596 profile image
Gc2596 in reply toSheffieldJane

Me too, thanks.

SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD

I was similarly afflicted when I got to well under 10mg Pred having started on 60mg. I would have been about 57/58 then. I went to a pelvic specialist physio as recommended by my GP. It was put down to weakening effects of Pred, deconditioning, and previous childbirth x2. I found pelvic floor (PF) exercises to be not very effective. The reason for this was my poor PF was being given every job in the office while my lower back, hip, pelvic and leg muscles had bunked off. When she put me through my paces I realised how weak I was even though I thought I was pretty good. So not only did I have to do my PF exercises far more frequently than I was, but I had a load of moves for the rest. Incidentally, I went to a podiatrist too for Achilles tendonitis and they prescribed the same exercises for my appallingly weak apparatus from the navel down to my feet.

Things did improve but I do have to keep it up especially after regular bouts of Covid etc. I also find that if my gut isn’t happy (gas) or I put on any visceral fat above a certain level I know about it. It’s a long road with no final destination in terms of exercises.

When I was nursing and seeing many ladys’ parts where the sun don’t shine, I found that many people who regard themselves fine after childbirth or being very fit had fairly lax PF’s, a problem waiting to happen later on.

Gc2596 profile image
Gc2596 in reply toSnazzyD

Wise words SnazzyD and with a touch of humour too which always helps! I don't appear to have any 'pull up and squeeze' so hoping the physio can point me in the right direction, so to speak 🤔 I'm not trying at the moment as have read if done incorrectly could make worse. When I had my son in 1980 I don't recall anything about doing pelvic floor exercises, neither when I had my hysterectomy. No doubt times have changed. I'd laugh at not being able to hold my wee or a dribbly sneeze and just put it down to normal ageing process. I'm not laughing now!

Obscureclouds profile image
Obscureclouds

You have my sympathy.. I think it will probably be more age related as it happened to me in my late 60s long before I’d even heard of vasculitis and its many diseases and despite remembering to do my pelvic floor exercises. I was prescribed a pessary ring and sometime later tablets to insert as well so in the main it’s not caused me any issues. But recently it seems to have become more pronounced so at times I can feel very conscious of it. I note SheffieldJane’s comment about muscle weakness so perhaps now having LVV or being on Pred has contributed. (I’m intending to get it checked out ) Never know what’s coming next do we? .I keep telling myself just smile and count your blessings 😃 I do hope it easily gets sorted for you and doesn’t cause further discomfort.

Gc2596 profile image
Gc2596 in reply toObscureclouds

Thank you, I certainly hope it won't come to surgery and will do everything advised if can avoid. Even the thought a permanent pessary worries me.

Obscureclouds profile image
Obscureclouds in reply toGc2596

Don’t worry they’re very common and generally stay in place. Not sure I should say on here but great orgasms 🤪

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Sorry to hear that - all of the above I suspect except PMR, though you never know. My cousin was here recently - not long after an op for the same, disgustingly healthy and fit as a fiddle (here to ski at 76!!) but a similar history to you otherwise except never taken pred in her life.

Gc2596 profile image
Gc2596 in reply toPMRpro

Yes, probably agree. Sometimes helps in your mind to point the finger and make it that something's fault

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toGc2596

It does ...

Bailybiscuit profile image
Bailybiscuit

I think it is probably more to do with giving birth all those years ago. I gave birth in 1980 and was diagnosed over 2 years ago. I had an episiotomy and epidural. I lived an active life gardening, carrying heavy shopping and not thinking about what I might be doing to my body. I had a hysterectomy in 1999.I know from belonging to a Facebook group that women in their 20's, upwards have them. It is usually linked to having babies but some people haven't had them.

Women's health is one of the worst areas for appointments at hospitals. I tried to go private but as I was slightly overweight 2 consultants refused to treat me.They also said I was too high risk as have other health problems also. One would operate buy it had to be cancelled due to low sodium at pre op. If you do think of going private remember they don't have any emergency facilities.

A private Women's physio is a good thing and some can fit pessaries, also some GP'S can. Don't also be surprised if you see one person and you are diagnosed with one type of prolapse and someone else say it is something else. Prolapses are wore for standing and as the day goes on and vary in symptoms. I have symptoms that the people who should know say are not connected but so many people in my group ask the same questions about them so I feel they must be connected.

As you can tell I have read a lot and I hope you don't have towait long to be anyone at the hospital. Good luck.

Gc2596 profile image
Gc2596 in reply toBailybiscuit

Thank you for your input.

Gc2596 profile image
Gc2596 in reply toGc2596

Oops. Pressed too soon 🙄 Birth of your child same as mine and hysterectomy 2 years later than me! I'm hoping not to have to go down the surgery route. I'm fortunately going private. Don't want to wait weeks for advice and fingers crossed, and everything else below too 😲, hoping to prevent it getting worse. The oestrogen pessaries are helping me feel more comfortable.

piglette profile image
piglette in reply toGc2596

Just out of interest, you can amend your posts by clicking on More just under your post, you can then change or delete your post.

Gc2596 profile image
Gc2596 in reply topiglette

Thank you, found that option 👍

Bailybiscuit profile image
Bailybiscuit in reply toGc2596

Hope some might help.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toBailybiscuit

My cousin went privately for her op, she had seen the same one for a hysterectomy and she said she was pleased she'd seen her privately as she had just had to give an appointment to someone for a YEAR's time! Just for assessment!!

Bailybiscuit profile image
Bailybiscuit in reply toPMRpro

Was the year for a private patient? My one I saw privately was a 3 month wait but in the end it didn't happen.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toBailybiscuit

No, for her NHS list for a first appointment, not the op.

Bailybiscuit profile image
Bailybiscuit in reply toPMRpro

That is less time than I had to wait but different areas of the country differ. My GP told me there was nothing I could do, I would have to live with it, so I started Googling.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toBailybiscuit

You are joking?

Obscureclouds profile image
Obscureclouds

I guess it depends how big the prolapse is and what’s affected. In the first place mine was dealt with by aGP at our practice who had a particular interest in women’s issues. Thereafter the pessary ring is changed every 6 months by a dedicated practice nurse who is the first point of contact for any concerns. Hope you don’t need an op 🤞

posthinking01 profile image
posthinking01

I have a prolapse front and back which has got better (stronger) with thyroid hormone - caused by violent coughing whilst sitting down - the Women’s Health people should offer you oestrogen cream which does help as when oestrogen low the tissues become less strong and can cause prolapse

Gc2596 profile image
Gc2596 in reply toposthinking01

I've been prescribed oestrogen pessaries and feeling more comfortable now, thanks.

posthinking01 profile image
posthinking01

There is a correlation with oestrogen AND vitamin C for collagen strength as Pred depletes C !

Gc2596 profile image
Gc2596 in reply toposthinking01

I do take daily Vitamin C supplements. Perhaps I should apply a good face cream down below 🤔 You have to laugh sometimes or else you'd cry!

posthinking01 profile image
posthinking01

Made me laugh and wince at the same time !

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