Want to discuss prolapse bladder or any kind of prolapse

Posted by Tanglefoot @tanglefoot, Aug 2, 2015

I am looking to discuss prolapse bladder or any kind of prolapse that other ladies have experienced as well. I would also like to comment on incontinence as well. There is a lot to talk about when it comes to prolapse bladder etc and it seems to be a silent epidemic among women. If there are others out there like me, lets talk about it and I have some solutions. I am surviving prolapse bladder without surgery and I have been living with it for over ten years. I wear a support garment that is light and easy weight and fits right under my existing underwear. Don't know what you are doing or wearing, but I would like to hear from you. Thanks.
Tanglefoot

***NOTE FROM THE COMMUNITY DIRECTOR***

February, 2017.

Thanks to a Connect member, it was brought to our attention that @tanglefoot may have a vested interest in promoting the support garment "hideaway" mentioned in this discussion. Further investigation revealed that @tanglefoot is the designer and inventor of this product, and that she routinely posts on discussion forums using pseudonyms. Posting solicitations or advertisements of any kind violates Mayo Clinic Connect's Terms of Use. We have decided to leave @tanglefoot's past messages as to not interrupt the flow of conversation, but she will no longer be able to post to the community.

Colleen Young

Community Director, Mayo Clinic Connect

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Women's Health Support Group.

@pizon

Hi ggm43....I wish you the best of luck and health thru this time...I had prolapse repair surgery done 2 yrs. ago I am glad I had it I no longer feel as if my insides are going to fall out with each step I take however please ask your dr. about nerve damage or interruption with this surgery (mine was bladder and uteral lift done with stiches no mesh) and was left with pundeal nerve interruption...the hardest part was finding a dr. who understood this was a nerve issue I did go to a uro gyn for the surgery and 8 visits after the surgery he still didn't know what was wrong with me....he kept saying it was interstichal cycstis (sorry about the spelling) and it was not I went to another uro gyn out of my state and was correctly diogonest I would recommend the surgery just ask the right question good luck and I will be praying for you

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@pizon Sorry you had this nerve issue after your surgery. My doctor actually mentioned this to me and gave me a handout on it. He said that pundenal nerve interruption is a rare but often painful complication from various surgeries in both men and women. He said he has only seen it one time in a surgery while in medical school. He has never had it happen in one of his surgeries but felt like he should tell me all the possibilities however remote. I have nerve pain in my legs and I can only imagine how painful this must have been and I know how frustrating it is not to get the right diagnosis.

I had some initial nerve issues right after my bladder prolapse surgery but they went away within a couple of weeks. This is quite common. Mine was not painful at all. In fact, quite the opposite. For me it was just a bit of lack of feeling or feedback in the sphincter area when using the bathroom. But it went away quickly. You are the first person to mention pundenal nerve interruption issues here. Did you manage to get it taken care of or treated with the out of state doc that you mentioned? And what was the treatment?

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@upartist

Hello,
I am new this discussion, and I wanted to see what people were saying about prolapse. I personally have been through extreme things with this issue. Because of the extent of my individual situation, I did have an extensive reconstruction of my pelvic floor done by a very experienced surgeon. My advanced global prolapse was a result of damage from oversized babies and a forceps delivery when I was younger. As each woman's situation is very very unique to their lives, it is so important to consider the impact the prolapse is causing, the woman's age and general health with the anticipated recovery time, the preparedness of the clinicians providing services and wisdom of the plan specific to that woman, and the importance of attempting all options before the surgical decision is made. I have had a good outcome, but it took great work to get here in combination with guidance and ongoing targeted exercise. This is in fact my new normal, but a good one. My prayers and best wishes to any woman who is considering any kind/degree of pelvic floor surgery. Go in prepared and take the recovery seriously. Try all options of treatment first. There are many knowledgable clinicians out there to guide you.

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HELP! ANYONE WHO HAS HAD PROLAPSE , PLEASE! I JUST HAD A COLPOCLEISIS (THEY SEW UP THE VAGINA) AFTER HAVING A SEVERE PROLAPSE FOR 5 YEARS. I FINALLY GOT THE COURAGE TO DO THIS BY A WELL DOCUMENTED SURGEON. ALL WAS FINE FOR 6 DAYS, SOME MINOR SPOTTING. THEN ON DAY 7 I DEVELOPED MORE RED BLEEDING, IT FILLED THE BOWL WHEN I URNINATED OR DEFECATED. YESTERDAY, I PANICKED SINCE I HAD PREVIOUS EXCESSIVELEEDING WITH MY PERIODS, CHILDBIRTH AND EVENTUALLY A HYSTERECTOMY. MY PANIC IN THIS AREA IS BEYOND . SO I CALLED THE SURGEON'S OFFICE AND THE NURSES AND PA WAS WONDERFUL. I WENT IN , THEY LOOKED AROUND AND SAID IT WAS NORMAL DUE TO THE STICHES BREAKING UP. I WAS SOMEWHAT REASSURED, AT LEAST THE PANICSUBSIDED. THEN I SAW MORE DARK RED BLOOD ON MY PAD AND FILLING THE BOWL. FROMWHAT I HAVE BEEN READING THIS IS NOT A NORMAL OCCURANCE ON DAY 8. CAN SOMEHOW WHO HAS EITHER HAD, OR KNOWS IF THIS IS NORMAL AND HOW LONG IT WOULD LAST? I DONT KNOW WHERE TO TURN. I AM HESITANT TO CALL THE DR. BECASUE THE NURSES GAVE MUCH REASSURE AND I ALSO SPOKE TO THEM ON PHONE. WHAT SHOULD I DO? CALL THE DR? I AM AFRAID HE WILLL GET ANNOYED. PLEASE HELP IF U CAN. GGM

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@ggm43
First of all I hope you will not be overly anxiety ridden by the blood. Blood in the bowl always looks like more blood than it is because it is usually combined with water and/or urine. Did your doctor put you on aspirin or ibuprophen after the surgery? Sometimes doctors do this to prevent blood clots but if you have extensive bleeding it could be that are having the opposite effect. Are you straining at all during urination or bowl movements? If you are this could cause bleeding after this type of surgery. How many days were you in the hospital following your procedure? I have read different lengths of time after this surgery but wondered if this bleeding was occurring while you were there? I did not have this particular surgery so I am not familiar with the post-op time period for it. But did your doctor or PA tell you how long this should last. I might be inclined to call them one more time and ask them this. If you are still having symptoms beyond the time they say you should, I would let them know or call them and tell them you feel you need to go to the ER for evaluation. You don't want to become anemic and this is a possibility with excessive bleeding. You should not be lifting anything heavy or overdoing it at all. You should be walking around your house periodically to avoid clotting. You are your own advocate here and so if you think this is not right then you should take yourself to the ER. Do you have someone who can be with you or look in on you? I would call them if you do and have them maybe come and spend some time with you to take your mind off of your symptoms. And perhaps they can assist you and/or help you go to the ER if you feel it is necessary.

If anyone reads this and has any direct experience with COLPOCLEISIS please respond to @ggm43 and let her know your experience Keep in mind though everyone is different and particularly if you feel light headed or dizzy or shortness of breath at all you need to go to the ER. I would not be alarmed by the bleeding perse but if it persists longer than they say it should, I would get myself to the ER or at least a minor ER facility where you can be seen.

Sorry you are having this experience but the worst is clearly behind you and you will recover from this. And then you will be very valuable as a resource for someone else experiencing this type of procedure. Keep us posted on your progress. I have been thinking about you since I knew your procedure was this month. Don't worry just keep in touch with your doctor and don't let them make you feel bad for calling. They are supposed to take care of you. I will keep you in my thoughts.

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Go to another doctor. Trust your gut instinct. Your health is far more important than hurting your doctor’s feelings.

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@baxtersmom

@ggm43
First of all I hope you will not be overly anxiety ridden by the blood. Blood in the bowl always looks like more blood than it is because it is usually combined with water and/or urine. Did your doctor put you on aspirin or ibuprophen after the surgery? Sometimes doctors do this to prevent blood clots but if you have extensive bleeding it could be that are having the opposite effect. Are you straining at all during urination or bowl movements? If you are this could cause bleeding after this type of surgery. How many days were you in the hospital following your procedure? I have read different lengths of time after this surgery but wondered if this bleeding was occurring while you were there? I did not have this particular surgery so I am not familiar with the post-op time period for it. But did your doctor or PA tell you how long this should last. I might be inclined to call them one more time and ask them this. If you are still having symptoms beyond the time they say you should, I would let them know or call them and tell them you feel you need to go to the ER for evaluation. You don't want to become anemic and this is a possibility with excessive bleeding. You should not be lifting anything heavy or overdoing it at all. You should be walking around your house periodically to avoid clotting. You are your own advocate here and so if you think this is not right then you should take yourself to the ER. Do you have someone who can be with you or look in on you? I would call them if you do and have them maybe come and spend some time with you to take your mind off of your symptoms. And perhaps they can assist you and/or help you go to the ER if you feel it is necessary.

If anyone reads this and has any direct experience with COLPOCLEISIS please respond to @ggm43 and let her know your experience Keep in mind though everyone is different and particularly if you feel light headed or dizzy or shortness of breath at all you need to go to the ER. I would not be alarmed by the bleeding perse but if it persists longer than they say it should, I would get myself to the ER or at least a minor ER facility where you can be seen.

Sorry you are having this experience but the worst is clearly behind you and you will recover from this. And then you will be very valuable as a resource for someone else experiencing this type of procedure. Keep us posted on your progress. I have been thinking about you since I knew your procedure was this month. Don't worry just keep in touch with your doctor and don't let them make you feel bad for calling. They are supposed to take care of you. I will keep you in my thoughts.

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Dear @baxtersmom, Thanks so much for an intelligent and compassionate reply. I did go into the office yesterday but I was in such a state of anxiety, I'm not sure what the nurses (who I saw not the dr) said but that the bleeding could be considered normal for a couple of more weeks, which is not what I read. It's not as supposed to be, getting browner and lighter, but i'm going to try to hang in until tomorrow when I will call and ask if I can just speak to dr. for a few minutes. I would feel better if he would clue me in. the nurses were wonderful but my fear is excessive. I value your advice and will go on from there. must deal with the fears that I think they might have knicked something or something went wrong. in that case only the dr. will be able to give me comfort. I will hang in and thank you again for your concern. ggm

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@ggm43

Dear @baxtersmom, Thanks so much for an intelligent and compassionate reply. I did go into the office yesterday but I was in such a state of anxiety, I'm not sure what the nurses (who I saw not the dr) said but that the bleeding could be considered normal for a couple of more weeks, which is not what I read. It's not as supposed to be, getting browner and lighter, but i'm going to try to hang in until tomorrow when I will call and ask if I can just speak to dr. for a few minutes. I would feel better if he would clue me in. the nurses were wonderful but my fear is excessive. I value your advice and will go on from there. must deal with the fears that I think they might have knicked something or something went wrong. in that case only the dr. will be able to give me comfort. I will hang in and thank you again for your concern. ggm

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@ggm43 I agree with you on wanting to consult directly. At one point my first line of communication was to a nurse who I think was basically lazy. Rather than check to get the correct answer she often answered off the top of her head and I did not trust her answers. Now that she is gone I know I was correct.
JK

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@helenr

Go to another doctor. Trust your gut instinct. Your health is far more important than hurting your doctor’s feelings.

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I AGREE

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@ggm43

Dear @baxtersmom, Thanks so much for an intelligent and compassionate reply. I did go into the office yesterday but I was in such a state of anxiety, I'm not sure what the nurses (who I saw not the dr) said but that the bleeding could be considered normal for a couple of more weeks, which is not what I read. It's not as supposed to be, getting browner and lighter, but i'm going to try to hang in until tomorrow when I will call and ask if I can just speak to dr. for a few minutes. I would feel better if he would clue me in. the nurses were wonderful but my fear is excessive. I value your advice and will go on from there. must deal with the fears that I think they might have knicked something or something went wrong. in that case only the dr. will be able to give me comfort. I will hang in and thank you again for your concern. ggm

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@ggm43, the fear related to the bleeding you are experiencing sounds very hard. You are doing the right thing going back to your doctor and support staff.

I also wanted to bring into this conversation @tobiw, who has previously mentioned colpocleisis surgery and may have some further information on the recovery process from this surgery and the blood you've been seeing in the bowl.

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@baxtersmom

@hotfooted,
I am glad you find the information helpful and I agree that it has been difficult to find information. When I was trying to decide what to do about my bladder prolapse a couple of years ago, I felt very helpless at first because the gynecologist kept sending me to the urologist and vice versa (back and forth). Once I got in to see the urogynecologist I felt a sense of relief when I realized that what I was going through was quite common. With regard to women who are post menopause, there are some things that I was told by the urogynecologist after my surgery. He told me to use Estrace cream at least 3 times per week and to keep my Rx filled. It is a tube and you just use a small bit in the applicator and insert it 3 times a week. My doctor said it will keep the tissue "young" . When I went in for my check up one year post surgery, he said he could tell I was using it and that I should keep using it forever. I told him it was sort of a chore and he said it would keep things from becoming itchy and dry and irritated because as you age, the tissue becomes dry and less elastic so it is prone to irritation. So I use the cream religiously as instructed and I do notice that if I forget about it more than twice, I do feel a little dry and less comfortable.

The last time I was in to see this same doctor he tried to sell me on a laser treatment "down there". He had invested in the same general equipment as the dermatologists who do laser treatments on the face have. He said it costs something like $3500 for the first treatment and then a little less for the second and third and he recommended at least 3 treatments. He said this would keep me from having to use the cream. I laughed and told him that if I were going to spend that kind of money on laser treatments I would do it on my face where more people could see it. But apparently you can now get a photo-facial "down there". I guess there is demand for this but I don't think I will be a customer unless I win the lottery and even then, I am not so sure. But there is definitely starting to be a lot more interest in treatment of vaginal discomfort in post menopausal women. There must be or he would certainly not have invested in that big expensive machine. He now sells packages (like packages of 3 or 5 treatments and you get a volume discount). This particular doctor is in a high end area of town and his office is always packed so "we" are not alone in our issues for sure.

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After reading about your experience with this malady, I will be talking with my doctor about using Estrace, too.. I am only now beginning to figure out how to use Connect and get around on it.. so it's been a while since reading your response the first time. I used an over the counter moisturizer for a week or two.. it did burn me some, but when the burning stopped I felt alright for a few hours.. I was able to stop using that and presently only spray with water when I shower.. so far, so good... Thank you so much for posting your own experience..

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@ggm43

Gail, I have been scheduled for surgery for April for vaginal vault prolapse and the procedure would be vaginal, sewing up the vagina. I am going to cancel because since I have an anxiety disorder as well, I can't bring myself to do it. what kind of surgery did you have and how long was the recovery? Did u have any complications? ggm

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I did it! I had the surgery and pain was not the problem. I am frightened of bleeding. I was ok until the 6th day when I poured bowls full of blood when I had bowel movements. this went on for 2 days and I thought I was dying. I saw the nurse and she tried to reassure me everything was alright. it settled down to a yellowsh brown discharge. It will be 6 weeks this Monday and I have noticed a slight staining. I am again getting panicky. of course the office is closed and I don't want to call the emergency # because it is not really an emergency. but I just don't understand why there would be some light blood. does anyone know if it accompanies the dissolving of stiches at 6 weeks? would appreciate any answers. thanks. ggm

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