Prolapse

[Meganwilshaw]

Hello,

So I have had trouble with constipation since I was very young, my stomach area has always caused me a great deal of pain, numerous trips to and from doctors and hospitals for barium meals etc to see what was causing it but they could never find anything.

When I was 16 I noticed something that I later found out to be a rectal prolapse. In January of 2017 I had a rectopexy procedure where mesh was put inside to keep my intestine in place. I would also like to note that whilst conducting a Colonoscopy they found one polyp which was removed and found to be benign.

Of February this year my prolapse is back, NHS sent the consultation appointment for a date in June, and then cancelled it and moved it to September and again to October so I have had enough of waiting so am going to have the consultation privately which I had had to do for the initial appointment too.

My GP constantly tries to dismiss me with IBS which I am most definite I do not have.

Has anyone had any difficulties with the operation to rectify the prolapse and was there an underlying cause that caused the prolapse to happen?

I haven't given birth so the prolapse couldn't of been due to child birth, it started to be visible at my back passage when I was about 15 but I didn't go to my doctors until I was 18 when it was at 'full thickness'.

[Eliana5]

Yes, prolapse can be caused by several conditions, the most popular is chronic constipation. I am making an appointment (or trying to) have someone look at me, as I was given a diagnosis of Rectocele (not really a Prolapse) but I feel I still have it. I too have had chronic, severe constipation since I was about eight years old. I remember straining alot, and unfortunately, still do..I guess out of habit. I have tried fiber, everything, medication, but the only thing that works for me is Senna-Lax, which most likely makes things worse. It Also could be a cause of weakened sphincter muscles due to either aging and constant straining and it can be also cause by constant loose stools as well as constipation. Anything that stretches the thin membranes. Sometimes the mesh they use your body can reject from a foreign substance, or if they use a cheaper form of mesh or they do a bad job, or mesh is recalled. This is why many people choose not to use mesh, although it would involve a longer recovery time. Or unfortunately, the prolapse just comes back..like if someone had hemmorrhoid surgery, the hemmorrhoids might come back..

[janetmtt]

My friend has had this and refused the op because she heard there were problems that can be caused by the mesh - she has been seeing a physio who has given her "exercises" for the area but is now waiting for a nurse to visit her as they have suggested she "self irrigates" in other words does bowel enemas with water