New Issues And Need Advise...asap!

I posted on another thread last week..before we crashed. I wanted to post again and get some other opinions. I have been reminded recently of a symptom I had experienced 2-3 yrs. ago. I do not usually cycle, but as a fluke~my body went into overdrive and Aunt FLo made a visit..(and won't leave!!!) I noticed that I have difficulty inserting a tampon. It hurts and feels as though it is pushing out. If I manage to get one in and sit down, it REALLY hurts! I have not had any difficulty, from this, with intercourse. I have also noticed (and mentioned) that I have some leakage of urine/urgency. I mentioned this to my doctor a few yrs. ago and he said "loose weight!" (that use to be his standard answer to everything...PCOS, Abnormal Uterine Function.....and Urgency.) WELL...I guess something changed because he now acknowledges that wt. loss is hard/ near impossible with PCOS. I am pretty sure that I must have a Prolapse of some kind. I have not called my doctor yet. I plan to, just wanted to ask around here first. I am scheduled for TAH/BSO in less than 2 weeks. He did say he might have to do some bladder tucking. BUT....no exam was done at my pre-op. He did do a thorough exam in Feb. I am just curious if he will be able to tell what needs reinforced with surgery. I have posted this question on UPRISE a forum on a Prolapse web-site and was bombarded with people telling me GET TO A UROGYN, cancell surgery and they basically left me feeling like I needed to ? my doctor. I really do not want to rearrange it all. I was comfortable with my decision to have surgery. I guess I need to just see what reinforcements he plans to use and what repairs will be done. The ladies on that site told me that GYNS are not usually capable of doing the proper reinforcements. Does anyone here have any experience with this? My doctor does not know of my "newly reminded" symptom. I know it is pertainant to tell him. Is there anyone out there that has had this symptom????
I really do not want to have to postpone my surgery and I really don't want to need more done later.

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Ronda

Hi! you definately need to discuss this with your DR, but my sister has the same problem with tampons, she has a uterine prolapse, her uterus is down and sags into the vaginal opening, (this can also happen with your bladder). She has no problems with intercourse either becuase the DR said when sexually stimulated the ligaments holding the uterus pull up and the vagina lengthens. She is having a hyst. to correct it soon though. As far as urinary stress incontinence, I have that also. Every DR is different, but mine does do the TVT procedure to fix it, however, he will not do it during my hysterectomy, (which I'm not happy about, but like you, who wants to go thru finding a new DR. etc.) instead my DR wants to wait and see if it gets better after the surgery, since he says my enlarged uterus is tilted forward and putting alot of pressure on my bladder right now. He said if in 6-8 weeks after my hysterectomy, I still have the leaking problems, he will do the TVT as an out-patient surgery then. You have time to go over all this with your DR before the operation, make sure you feel comfortable with everything he is/is not going to do. Ask lots of questions, the nurses should be helpful also, I call the office all the time! here are some links to sites with info: http://www.pelvicfloor.com/library/library.html < this had graphic pics of various procedures http://www.obgyn.net/avtranscripts/levy_mckinney.htm Good luck! 's

Kayla,
Thanks for your information! I did call my GYN and felt relieved after talking to him. He plans to check into all this DURING surgery and do ANY and ALL necessary repairs at that time! I hope that when I come out from anesthesia I have some answers as to what is causing all this. Sounds like we are right on target with thinking it may be the uterus/bladder prolapse. It does help to be able to "talk" to other women that are going through the same symptoms!!! To know what is going on is so much better than worrying about what may be going on!!!

I am satisfied with the answers my GYN gave me about my surgery, and I feel comfortable going ahead with it. I definatly wouldn't feel comfortable getting ANOTHER opinion and starting all over!!! I already got other opinions prior to consenting to hyst. I went back to my orig. doctor after 3 others told me they agreed with the decision to do TAH/BSO!!!

Thanks again for your input!!!!
It is SO nice to know someone out here knows what I am going through and has a story too!!! I just this site and I am so HAPPY it is back up and running before my date at the castle!!!! I would have hated to have to go through the next 11 days without my hystersisters!!!!!!


Ronda

Hi, I have a rectocele (rectum bulging into vagina) and this has caused me to not be able to use tampons for a couple of years, even before it was bad enough that I knew I had a problem. I know I'm definitely having my rectum fixed during TVH and the Doc said she will check my bladder during. I'm okay with that. Glad you got the answers you needed from your Doc. Sometimes it's tough to know what questions to ask!! Sandy

Hi Bridges

I think in all of this it does certainly help to be dealing with a specialist that you feel comfortable & happy with.
I have prolapsed uterus, bowel & bladder.
I had problems (tampons falling out etc)way before my second childs birth last Sept but put it down to the birth of my first born and the changes in my body. Little did I know!!
I am a member of UPRISE also and am sorry any replys to your post have upset you. I think it's a case of a lot of ladies there have been burnt by consulting a Gyn only.
Personally when I was told by a Gyn that I would need a hyst, (never mentioned reinforcements) it's only through UPRISE that a sought a second opinion with a Urogyn. Although the outcome hasn't changed I am way happier having made that decision.
Have a pre op appt next week for TAH, sacrocolpopexy, and repairs to bladder & bowel prolapses.

First of all, has your gyn examined you standing up - or at least "bearing down" in any position? Your doctor should have some idea of everything that is prolapsed (uterus, bladder, rectum, vagina, etc. BEFORE the surgery. A GOOD and THOROUGH gyn should examine you for each possible prolapse so they have an idea of what to operate on!

Second of all, I agree with all the UPRISE ladies about seeking the expertise of a Uro-Gyn. My first surgery by my gyn (TVH, A/P repair, Burch) was "incomplete" ... which necessitated a second surgery. Knowing what the previous surgery entailed + the length of recovery, I did a LOT of research for a Uro-Gyn for the Sacro Colpopexy. I regret not seeking the expertise of this second doctor who is skilled in Pelvic Floor Reconstruction for my initial surgery.

In summary, have it all done correctly the first time because you do NOT want to do it twice !!!

Wishing you good health,
Kajsa

Me again ... just read the thread from Cherylcab under Post Op. You should read it.

Kajsa

If it is a uterine prolapse or rectocele/cystocele, gyns are trained in repairing these. If it is a bladder prolapse they generally have a urologist assist and do that part of the surgery. If you are confident in your doctor but really want all bases covered, you need to either ask him to do an exam preop to ascertain for certain what type of prolapse it is, then if bladder see a urologist preop also. If he feels pretty certain it isn't bladder symptoms that you are describing and won't do an exam preop, I would still ask him to ask a urologist to be on hand to step into the case if indeed when he does get in there and it turns out to be bladder, to assist with that portion.