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.

@gardeningjunkie

I had mild prolapse for years without any urination issues. Yet it all gave way but I'm fixed up now. 1- The new mesh is to hold up the bladder. This mesh allows the tissue to grow through it to attach. With aging our own tissues aren't strong enough. 2- If that doesn't help with frequent urination or total voiding which is tested for like you did, a sling is placed permanently to lift the urethra, it's a small device.
Both procedures can be done vaginally.
You must see a surgeon who only specializes in this procedure. Do not expect the basic OB/GYN to give you good results. I made that mistake after my hysterectomy by a basic OB/GYN. I went to a highly regarded specialist surgeon and prolapse surgeon and all still holding after 4 years. No more needing to know where the bathrooms are when out on shopping trips!!!! Medicare approved for these procedures so do your homework on the surgeon.
For Stage 1 you may only need the sling. It is not a complicated surgery but you will need a general.

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Thank Garden, I had the test, OMG, embarrasing. Smile. I also have a Hernia, my bladder is small. Because of all the nerve damage from spine next week is another test called Anorectal Manometry. Dr. wants to make surety 2 are not connected. my Dr. is a Urogynecology. I never heard of that kind of Specialist. A Visiting Nurse advised me. My Pain Management will be involved. Thank You

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We women must be tough! It goes against our nature to be poked and prodded in our private area. I hope your exam was done by someone with a gentle touch like my surgeon had. You mentioned your bladder being small, but my surgeon said a problem for many women was that they held their urine too long and stretched out their bladder and for them that had to be repaired. I wonder if your bladder will stretch to a normal size once you can contain and hold your urine longer.
Pain- I had no issues taking hydrocodone and I also took a muscle relaxer (tranquilizer) for a few days just to space me out and I watched mindless TV shows. I love to read but my eyes didn't focus right and also I didn't have a good attention span. Meds helped me not only with pain but the muscle relaxer helped not feeling guilty for being useless and not cooking and cleaning. I had no issues stopping those meds once the pain subsided.
I pre-cooked many meals and had the house stocked with food so my husband never went hungry.

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@parus

@lisalucier I have stage one prolapse and have chosen to go with a pesary which seems to be a good choice for me at this time. I had no idea this type of thing could even happen. Now I know. 🙁

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Hi, @parus - have you experienced symptoms with your stage 1 prolapse? Any tricks you've found with using the pessary that have made it more comfortable for you?

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@kimspr3

Thank Garden, I had the test, OMG, embarrasing. Smile. I also have a Hernia, my bladder is small. Because of all the nerve damage from spine next week is another test called Anorectal Manometry. Dr. wants to make surety 2 are not connected. my Dr. is a Urogynecology. I never heard of that kind of Specialist. A Visiting Nurse advised me. My Pain Management will be involved. Thank You

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@kimspr3 Yep, it is embarrassing. That is the test I had. The people monitoring the test make it as comfortable as possible though. They told me I might have some after-effects but I did not.

I also went to a urogynecologist. It is a relatively new specialty.

@gardeningjunkie I too have never had an issue coming off of hydrocodone, oxycodone or oxycontin. I think as long as you don't overdo them, and don't take them for a very prolonged amount of time, most people are fine. Supposedly some people do get somewhat addicted in a number of days though.
JK

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@contentandwell

@kimspr3 Yep, it is embarrassing. That is the test I had. The people monitoring the test make it as comfortable as possible though. They told me I might have some after-effects but I did not.

I also went to a urogynecologist. It is a relatively new specialty.

@gardeningjunkie I too have never had an issue coming off of hydrocodone, oxycodone or oxycontin. I think as long as you don't overdo them, and don't take them for a very prolonged amount of time, most people are fine. Supposedly some people do get somewhat addicted in a number of days though.
JK

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Hello JK, I had another test done to see how the muscles are in the bowel area. Well very weak, so that is another issue. I don't remember if I mentioned I have a chronic sever spine issues called, Adhesive Arachnoiditis and if I have the surgery I may become worse in some ways. Wonder if I do not have the surgery what might happen??? Either way, don't want to loose what independence I have left and I can not deal with MORE pain?

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kimspr3,
I had been meaning to respond to your post as I also have a spine issue myself. I have scoliosis, stenosis and several other abnormalities. I do not have a lot of pain in my back but do have it severely down my leg in what presents similar to sciatica. I have tried a lot of things and like you have been told that the only fix is what would amount to a very life altering surgery that may or may not help and could possibly make things worse. I also had a stage 4 bladder prolapse before I had the surgery that I have described here many times. I am very glad that I had the prolapse surgery. I had a bunch of tests prior to it and even though I have some nerve issues in my left side/leg and ankle, I did not have any complications from that when I had my surgery. I felt like you that I needed to have my prolapse addressed because it was a surgery that would likely improve my quality of life. Of course there are never any guarantees but indeed the prolapse surgery has allowed me to be much more mobile and active than I would be otherwise. I still have a severe limitation due to my spine but it did not cause any complications when I had my prolapse addressed. Since it seems we have similar issues, I am happy to communicate with you more as you go forward toward your decision. Are you approaching a decision about your surgery soon?
I will be watching for your posts and wishing you the best.

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@contentandwell

@kimspr3 Yep, it is embarrassing. That is the test I had. The people monitoring the test make it as comfortable as possible though. They told me I might have some after-effects but I did not.

I also went to a urogynecologist. It is a relatively new specialty.

@gardeningjunkie I too have never had an issue coming off of hydrocodone, oxycodone or oxycontin. I think as long as you don't overdo them, and don't take them for a very prolonged amount of time, most people are fine. Supposedly some people do get somewhat addicted in a number of days though.
JK

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Yes my son warned me not to take oxy as some are addicted after the first time they take it but that was after I was already on it a week. It helped get my hysterectomy pain down to a lower pain level (still miserable). I was on it for 2 weeks and made myself go off it trying other drugs my insurance company or Medicare wanted me to try, can't remember. Yes they called to counsel me and recommended substitutes. These other drugs were worthless. Went back on oxy for another week and then pain level was manageable with weaker drugs. Never once did I feel the urge to take another oxy. My strong and athletic husband just hurt his back severely, pulled a muscle on a Friday. He couldn't even walk to the bathroom. I got out my stash of leftover pain meds and found the oxy- dated 2013. He used it for 2 days with my left over muscle relaxer the doctor gave me and survived till he saw a doctor on Monday.

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@gardeningjunkie

Yes my son warned me not to take oxy as some are addicted after the first time they take it but that was after I was already on it a week. It helped get my hysterectomy pain down to a lower pain level (still miserable). I was on it for 2 weeks and made myself go off it trying other drugs my insurance company or Medicare wanted me to try, can't remember. Yes they called to counsel me and recommended substitutes. These other drugs were worthless. Went back on oxy for another week and then pain level was manageable with weaker drugs. Never once did I feel the urge to take another oxy. My strong and athletic husband just hurt his back severely, pulled a muscle on a Friday. He couldn't even walk to the bathroom. I got out my stash of leftover pain meds and found the oxy- dated 2013. He used it for 2 days with my left over muscle relaxer the doctor gave me and survived till he saw a doctor on Monday.

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@gardeningjunkie They really are overly cautious about these opioids now I think. I have been on them at least four different times and never had a problem. Last night when I was in the ER for what turned out to be Displaced fracture of greater trochanter of left femur which is very painful, the doctor would not prescribe anything despite that I cannot take any OTC pain relievers other than acetaminophen. I finally got him to give me a small prescription of tramadol.
JK

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Evidence is out there that some are prone to opioid addiction, evidently we are not. After 2 weeks on oxy during hysterectomy surgery it was tramadol that was recommended I replace it with and I can testify it did nothing to ease my pain and went back on oxy.
Your fracture must have been extremely painful and I am surprised they were reluctant to prescribe stronger pain relief. As mentioned, even expired, my 6 year old leftover oxy helped my husband cope with his pain level for a few days. At first he tried a Motrin strength ibuprofen which didn't make a dent in his pain level. I didn't even bother giving him the tramadol, not sure why I still have it in my pain relief stash. He had no problem giving up his evening martini knowing the oxy would not be good to mix with alcohol.

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@baxtersmom

kimspr3,
I had been meaning to respond to your post as I also have a spine issue myself. I have scoliosis, stenosis and several other abnormalities. I do not have a lot of pain in my back but do have it severely down my leg in what presents similar to sciatica. I have tried a lot of things and like you have been told that the only fix is what would amount to a very life altering surgery that may or may not help and could possibly make things worse. I also had a stage 4 bladder prolapse before I had the surgery that I have described here many times. I am very glad that I had the prolapse surgery. I had a bunch of tests prior to it and even though I have some nerve issues in my left side/leg and ankle, I did not have any complications from that when I had my surgery. I felt like you that I needed to have my prolapse addressed because it was a surgery that would likely improve my quality of life. Of course there are never any guarantees but indeed the prolapse surgery has allowed me to be much more mobile and active than I would be otherwise. I still have a severe limitation due to my spine but it did not cause any complications when I had my prolapse addressed. Since it seems we have similar issues, I am happy to communicate with you more as you go forward toward your decision. Are you approaching a decision about your surgery soon?
I will be watching for your posts and wishing you the best.

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Hello Gail, Very happy it worked for you! I'm afraid though but it is a must I have it done because it also involves the muscles bowel area. Dr. told me they are very weak. I am in pain all the time did it make your back pain worse. I ask because every time I have something done than I have I become worse. Was it hard for you to urinate? I wait and wait nothing happens. I had to give the dr. a urine sample, I could not. Or stop and start. Frustrating. Was that your issue? I have Adhesive Arachnoiditis. Rare disease, cause. Doctor's, Neurosurgeons. Many know about it but will not admit it. I wanted it in August, Husband said September. So Sept. 9 so he can go fishing. Was you surgery for Stenosis a success? Stenosis, I had 2008, that started everything. That Dr. caused me to have Flat Back syndrome. Back does not curve anymore so sitting is painful sit to long. Lots of Lamina removed no fusion. I think we may have similar issues. I had a Pain Pump implanted. The cosplay who makes the pump also give something like a remote control called a Bolus. I'm allow to you use it 7 times a day if I need extra doses. Catheter implanted near the tailbone. Dr. wants to keep me overnight for 1 or 2 nights. He spoke with Pain Management Dr.. they decided it's better to be cautious. So thats the plan. May I ask, can you still drive, stand for long, limitations? Happy you replied. Hope I did not impose asking more personal questions. I wish you the best also. I have not been on line sorry it took so long.

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