New here and in search of info

Hello everyone,
I just found this site this evening and am glad I did. I just came from gyno/pap appt today and was told that I have a prolapsed uterus and that they will be referring me to a gyno for a hysterectomy. Well this was all new to me since I only went in for a pap. So I came home to find out what this prolapse stuff was all about....stupid me...after all these years that I have complained about my different female problems it turns out they have a name! I suspect my unanswered questions of the past were due to having male MDs, and this time I had a female who actually spent a little bit of time talking to me and reading my file, but that is only my opinion and I digress. Anyhow, in my search of this condition I found that I also have symptoms associated with recto something or other, I thought my past couple of years of constipation was just something I had to live with, it looks like this is NOT normal and can be associated with this prolapse stuff. Here is what I would like to find out from anyone out there...during the first 2 days of my cycle I am flat out in bed, my lower back aches terribly, when I stand I feel like my insides are coming out, if I do go from a sitting to a standing position I have a huge gush and can not make it to the bathroom without flooding, not to mention the huge clots, I also have the constant constipation problems in which I have to push the back of my vaginal area to have a bowel movement...will a hysterectomy REALLY fix these problems? Has anyone else out there suffered from this? Is a gynocologist who I really want to be talking with? Since I am scared to death of this whole thing and not thinking clearly what sort of questions should I be asking the doctors from now on? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

YOu are headed in the right direction by gathering information and asking questions. This site will help a lot also. Sorry but I don't have all the symptoms you have. I have been anemic from heavy, gushing periods...large clots, submucosal fibroid, painful cramps, etc. It is crazy how some docs just let us linger with all this going on. YOu will find the answers you are looking for. Be patient and keep educating yourself. For me a hysterectomy seems the logical thing to do and I am looking forward to having it all behind me. Only a 6 more days!
Keep the faith!
Karen

[b]Karen,

Looks like I have my surgery just a day before you, I pray all goes well with you and would like to compare notes with you post op! Take care and God Bless! Good luck to you as well dragin-wagon

Kandi
endo, fibroids, anemia, pain

Dragin-wagon,
I had prolapsed uterus a few years prior to my TAH/BSO, they kept packing me and it would happen again . The bleeding, pain & clots are all due to the prolapse. You'll need to figure out whats best for you, I can tell you the packing is very uncomfortable & is only a temporary fix. I too have had a problem with constipation most my adult life, the straining may have been what caused the prolapse. I'm only 6 weeks post-op & have the constipation from the pain meds & won't strain ...so if you have this surgery make sure you have stool softners for at home & drink lots..lots of juice & water. This does help alot, but I still on occassion have to use my fingers to put pressure on vagina & rectum to have a BM . Make sure your GYN is aware of this problem..they can prescribe stronger stool softners for you. Best wishes for an uneventful surgery & recovery.
God Bless
Lori

Dragin-wagon,

Glad you dropped by and I hope you are able to find information and support here!

If you click on the Recource tab on the left of your screen, you can search the resource database for "prolapse" and also for "rectocele." Hopefully this information will help you with your decision. I do recommend at least a second opinion before having a hyst.

Best wishes to you!

Dear dragin:

Kudos to you for doing some research I was able to get a consult with a uro-gynecologist who specializd in pelvic reconstruction. It turned out I didn't need all that extra repair, but I was comforted by knowing that I had an expert working on me

Get smart about your symptoms and your options, and make the best choice four YOU. I am sending huge cyberhugs

Thank Kandi! Yes, let's keep in touch....this time next week it will be behind us! I will email as soon as possible about how it all went. I am hoping to come home the next day follow a LAVH. I am at peace with everything and taking this as a good sign. There are a million things to get done between now and then and my kids (all 5 of them) got out of school early for a snow day! I just love them to pieces but they do generate a lot of work! lol. Take care and God's blessings!
Karen

Hi Dragin-wagon

	Quote:
will a hysterectomy REALLY fix these problems?

A hysterectomy won't fix the rectocele, so be sure mention that at your visit(s). Some cystoceles and rectoceles aren't obvious –( especially with a vaginal speculum in place) Most Dr.s will have a woman bear down to assess the degree of prolapse.

I had a pretty small rectocele before my hyst that hadn't caused me any trouble, so I opted to leave it alone. Unfortunately, it's now a 3rd degree prolapse and causing significant problems. I'll have to go through all the recovery restrictions again when I have the posterior repair.

Here are several articles for you to check out:
Hysterectomy recommended to you?

Uterine prolapse & related issues

Hyst for Prolapse?

Pre-op articles page

Articles - Main Page

Hopefully these, and the links from the resource seection that (((Weiser))) mentioned, will give you a better understanding of your conditions, and help you form a list of questions for your Gyn(s).

Please keep us posted.
Thinking of you & sending s,
Beth

Dragin-wagon: my re-suspension surgery was on Oct. 05 for the same problems as you have. I went to a uro-gyn for a second opinion & she repaired the fallen bladder and uterus by suspending it with mesh. She repaired the rectocele and a sagging perineum within the same surgery. It took 3 hrs. and I was a awake, since I had an epidural. The only real postop pain I had was the perineal repair and the rest I barely felt at all. I was a nervous wreck pre-op, but now if I had to do it again, I would, in a minute! At 3 mo. postop I feel great; wish I had done it sooner. Get a second opinion, and try to see a urogynecologist; this type of problem is their specialty. Hugs to you, Jeanne

Thanks everyone for your insight and advice. I have been spending many hours researching this so I don't like a deer in the headlights when I get to the gyno office. I also went to the insurance company website only to find that they do not have a uro-gyno under their specialists, and the gyno they are sending me to is an OB-gyn who has D.O. after his name...is this a concern I should have? And yes I have a HMO so from start to finish it should be a nightmare getting anything done.