Introduction and questions about prolapses..warning a bit long

Hello all-

I've only lurked a few times on this site..I am so emabarrased to talk to anyone about this problem, and this is the only community I have found where I might feel comfortable to talk about it and ask question from ladies who have also expierenced this. So I wanted to go ahead and introduce myself and hope that you could add some thoughts as to what my next steps should be.

I am 32 and have been diagnosed (back in Oct.) with a prolapse uterus, bladder and rectum. The bladder and rectum at the time were only slight, and I am trying to remember the stage for the uterus (It was in the middle of the vaginal canal when I beared down).

At the time my OB had 4 suggestions..

1. bio-feedback PT
2. pessary
3. IUD (because I had tremedous pain during my cycles only...as if my uterus was literally being yanked out of me)..the rest of the time was just the constant pressure.
4. a hysterectomy

My Mom was 31 when she had to have a hysterectomy for a prolapsed uterus. So my diagnoses was herditary as well as childbirth damage. My OB would like to have me hold off on the hysterctomy for as long as I can only because I have very small children that still need to be lifted and such..and any heavy lifting he was concerned would affect the partial prolapse of the bladder and rectum more after surgery.

So I waited 3 months to get an appointment for the bio-feedback PT, so in Jan. I started a 6 week treatment. During that wait list period I went in to get fitted for a pessary, but decided againts it for personal reasons.

The PT helped eliviate the pressure somewhat, and at the end when I was re-evlauated my uterus had moved up some, however my rectum got worse. But the pain during my cycle remained and still remains. Bladder was the same, still slightly proplapsed (but so far luckily I haven't had any issues that one might expirence with that)

Now it is 7 months after the PT, and I have a huge feeling that the rectum is even worse. I have horrible symptoms that it is, like constant need to go, never feeling as if I am finished, during my cycles I actually have to push on it through the vaginal canal to go, constant hemmeroids Also I can't wear a tampon anymore as it is pushed out as well. And I take stool softners daily.

So my question is this...the PT doesn't seem to be effective enough, I do not want to do the pessary, I also don't think an IUD will help since the rectum is a huge issue now, which only leaves a hysterctomy and sugery on the rectum. But am I at a point where they deem "surgery neccesary since it interfers with her personal life". I mean 20 days out of the month I have the pressure (and constant need to go to the bathroom) but it is bearbale. The other 5 days during my cycle I can't stand for long periods of time and have to lie down most of the time. I can't do regular activities due to the pain, no tampons, and add on all the rectum troubles.

Besides the constant pressure, my only time that I really really have huge issues is during my cycle. But I am 32 and I don't want to live like this anymore...and reading on here I understand that there are side affects from the surgeries that are painful and long term. Although not everyone is affected by it, the possibility does scare me.

I just don't want to go into the OB and have him look at me as if I should just put up with this for another couple of years. How severe were all of your symptoms before you seeked surgery? Would you have waited longer for surgery? I know I am blessed with an OB that would like me to really try everything first before I decide on a hysterctomy, but at this point I feel that I am at that point of needing it.

Thanks for reading, and I appreciate any advice.

First let me say welcome to the site and never be ashamed to ask questions. I had my hysterectomy back on 4-24-08 and it was for severe prolapse mine was just hanging there so surgery was my only option at the time. I know you will find all your answers here on this site the sisters are wonderful.

Best wishes and luck
God Bless

Welcome and I hope you find the answers you need. I would suggest making a list of pro's and con's to aide your decision, however you probably do need to see your doctor if you experiencing new or increased symptoms.

I am 32 and was diagnosed with CIS 03/07 and my periods just stopped after years of heavy bleeding. Cramping increased to daily. In addition I had SUI (stress urinary incontinance) and a mild cystocele. For me personally I was dead set against a hystorectomy. We tried a year of hormone therapies, cold cone amongst other things. I finally decided 01/08 that the benefits from surgery for me would far outweigh the symptoms I was experiencing.

Even though I fall in the small number that have complications (and actually from the bladder sling, not the hyster) I think I made the right decision.

I am 34 and had my surgery in January. I had all the issues you have but I did not have to splint to poo. My back hurt all the time. I tried PT but was just a little too embarrassed and we were pretty sure we were done having kids. I was in such discomfort that I could not enjoy my life. I choose not to use the pessary as well., I just don't like all the ..umm. fiddling? I don;t even like using tampons. I feel alot better. I do have issues now with constipation and down there but the docs says I am ok. Am I glad I had it done? Yes 100%

A doctor will not (Or should not) make you feel like you do not need this. You deserve to enjoy your life with your family. I was constantly aware of my privates and was just not comfortable with that. If it is affecting your quality of life then go for it. When your doc sees you, he'll know or should know what you are going through. Do your research and make the decision if this will make your life better. I was hoping my doctor would say I had to have it done so I would not have to make the decision and when I went back to get the pre op consult, mine had gotten much worse where I really needed to have it done so that made it easier for me. But I did wait about 4 months inbetween because I was scared I would make the wrong decision. Be informed and you will know the right thing for you. Good luck!

Thank you all for the warm welcome. It is so nice to find this community and know that I am not alone. It's scary when I talk about this with friends and family that none of them except my Mom has expierenced this, especially with the average number of woman that do have pelvic floor issues.

I do just need to hunker down and call the OB. Make an appointment. He won't be judgemental, he is a wonderful doctor. He just knows the seriousness of being a Mom means there is lifting that can't be avoided, and he is just looking out for my wellfare since I don't have any help outside of the house. He just hoped I could have held off until my youngest is a few more years older and out of the crib and getting into the car herself.

I really appreciate it, and look foward to learning more from this amazing community.

I'm 34 and just had this done one month ago - and I have a 7, 4, and 1 year old to care for. It's been hard not picking up the 1 year old (almost 2 yrs, actually) but she and I have managed. In my case I made a pretty quick decision. I felt my cervix in the canal, and then started seeing doctors. I also had horrible periods so I was a-ok with having a hysterectomy....my only concern was repeat prolapse later in life. I found a dr. who addressed that and we went forward with the surgery. (He knew that after my 6 weeks I would start lifting kids again, so we decided on a sacral colpopexy to hold things up.) At the rate my cervix was descending I knew it wouldn't be long before it was hanging out....and I didn't want that. For my little one we moved her out of the crib early, but I'll be honest now she's in bed with me, ha ha. We use a step stool and she can step into the car. My only problem is I can't take the kids places because the little one is a runner! I had family fly in for the first 2 weeks to care for the kids and on week 3 I was alone all day with the kids and we did fine.

Good luck with your decision!

Blue Moon!
It's easier for those of us outside the situation to see things objectively. From reading your post it sounds as if you've already made your decision. You'll find many of us have felt that we could no longer tolerate the symptoms of prolapse and surgery was our decision.
From my own personal experience my biggest suggestion is to read everything you can about hysterectomy and rectocele/cystocele repair. You absolutely have to be your own advocate, ask many questions. Be sure you understand all that will be required of you to recover well. You mention young children and the need to lift them. I'm sure that's why your Gyn has suggested you wait awhile for surgery. You should not lift more than 5 pounds for at least 6-8 weeks post-op so you don't compromise your prolapse repairs. There is an increased incidence of recurrence of prolapse with these repairs. Believe me, you don't want to do it over again!
So while you're waiting for your appointment with your Gyn be sure to use this site as a starting point for your research. Ask us lots of questions, we've had lots of experience both positively and negatively. Here's hoping for a more comfortable, healthy outcome for you!!!
Michelle

Bluemoon,

I do understand your situation as we are in the same boat right now. I am older (47) and this past year I have noticed my symptoms increasing. Most days after work, I just want to run home and get to the bathroom because the pressure is so uncomfortable. Even if I need to stop at the grocery store, I can't I just have to dash home. I went to my gyn who recommended I wear a pessary all the time. It has helped me but not totally since my uterus is retroverted. Back pain, constipation (I learned what splinting is on this forum and the procedure helped) My gyn said to consider a hysterectomy since he said "you won't want to wear a pessary the rest of your life" After about a month I can understand why. It's not horrible, but it's not a perfect fix either - it helps some, but not enough.

I too exprience increased symptoms during my cycle but even at other times of the month, the pressure is terrible - like I'm holding a golf ball just inside. (sorry golfers!) Of late, I am dwelling on the thought: "What if I only make my situation worse having the surgery?" instead of just putting up with things as they are now. As one Hyster Sister pointed out to me, many times you will read about the negative side to surgery but for the majority of women, they are doing just fine and are out there living their lives and not looking back.

I have an appointment with a uro-gyn for a second opinion on Sept 18th. I wish it was sooner. Her speciality is prolapse/pelvic floor repair, so I will go armed with a million questions and weigh what she says very carefully.

Even though my "baby" is almost 12, I picked him up the other day and he weighs 75 lbs! I am very active and the lifting/activity restrictions post-op are another worry for me. Those will be among the many questions I ask when I go for my evaluation.

If I am recommended for the hysterectomy, my inclination is to have it done sooner than later. Why? I guess because if it is inevitable that I have it done, I may heal better younger than older (and who of us is getting any younger?) I also have a hopefull side that says I will be saying I was glad to have had the surgery because I am free of the symptoms I now have that are getting worse with time.

Knowledge is power, and this is a great place to learn. I say this to you (as well as to myself) but try not to dwell too much on the negative. If this surgery didn't make the majority of women feel better, why would it be done?

Sending hugs and support your way,

Judy

I agree with you Judy. I am 37 and probably going to have a laproscopic hysterectomy in October. (I don't understand all the abreviations used on this site yet). My docs are recommending a lapro hysterectomy, taking the cervix and uterus only and then a sacrocoplexy, paravaginal repairs and outlet repairs. I have a Grade 3? prolapse of the uterus and partial rectocele and mild cystocele. I noticed an increase in constipation over the last 6 months. Sex? Very painful. I feel like, at 37, I am too young to have these issues. I have two kids, 8 & 3. Although I am extremely nervous about having surgery (never had one), I too feel like doing it now, at a younger age, rather than later is preferable. I tried the pessary, but it wouldn't stay in - lovely feeling! I'm a chiropractor, so I have a physical job at work and at home with the kids.

Anyway, not trying to hijack the thread...just wanted to say I agree with what you all are saying. I know there are risks associated with the surgery, but the majority of people seem to do better post than pre.

i just saw the surgeon today to discuss my options. i'm 34, and i have all the same problems that you do. on a list of 15 "procedures" that my doctor provided to me, he highlighted 10 of them as what i'll be having done. they all tie into basically putting the rectum, bladder/urethra back where they belong, and a hysterectomy (keep tubes and ovaries). i'm scared, nervous and dreading the surgery (scheduled in october of 08). mostly i'm scared because of my children and being away from them for 2 days. i'm still nursing my little one (almost 5 months old), and my next is 21 months old, then a 4 year old. i live in a 2-story home...so i have a lot against me.
for me, personally, i just can't live with my back pain, or with the constant "leakage". i never feel clean, and i change underwear many times daily. it's embarrasing. i've learned to get over that embarrassment and talk with my family and a friend who has gone through this exact same thing. this site has been an immense relief for questions that i have had, too! yours has to be a personal decision and one that you'll feel comfortable with. what helped me was the fact that there will never be a "good time" to be incapacitated for weeks at a time. but at the rate i'm going, without surgery, i'll be incapacitated soon enough!!! you'll do what's right for you and your family. i'm slowly starting to accept my decision. my husband had a vascetomy in february 08, so it's not like this is prohibiting me from having children. that's already done. had he not had his vas done, this decision would be that much harder for me to deal with.
you'll make the right decision! you have to live your life, too. and a short-lived recovery time will be better than a long life of discomfort and embarrassment. and, as my regular ob/gyn said "you're not getting any younger. this problem will only get worse, and the older you are, the longer it will take to recover."
hope some of this helps!
jenn