1. < Women's Health

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.

mjforch | @mjforch | Nov 9, 2018
In reply to @pizon "I am 57 and 2 yrs ago I prolapsed all at once to stage 2-3 after..." + (show)
@pizon

I am 57 and 2 yrs ago I prolapsed all at once to stage 2-3 after the surgery was done to correct it over a yr and half ago it left me with nerve damage....if you can live with it please do

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Thanks for your response. I appreciate your help.

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Nov 9, 2018
In reply to @coralbells1 "Hi Lisa Luceir, I hope I’m answering the right email! If you have a problem with..." + (show)
@coralbells1

Hi Lisa Luceir,
I hope I’m answering the right email! If you have a problem with soft stools which I do and a bowel prolapse, my urologist suggested Metamucil to add bulk to help my loose stools. A lot of people think that Metamucil is only for constipation. Also I have found that chocolate and cheese will firm up bowels. Some people don’t have same results with chocolate, it makes their bowels loose. I don’t think you have to give up up your nutricious salads and oatmeal with berries. Just add cheese to your salads and I think your problem will be solved. As for the oatmeal, add some form of chocolate to it like like the almond butter with chocolate in it. I’m not a doctor, but these methods have worked for me! By the way I also have a prolapsed bladder and surgery will only make it worse at this point. I’m starting PT for it too as soon as I get an appt. Let me know if these changes help.

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@coralbells1 Actually your response should have been to me. I was told to try Metamucil but it didn’t help. I also tried Imodium. That helped a little but not enough. I am eating more cheese but I’m trying to drop a few pounds and cheese is pretty caloric. I did put goat cheese in my salads, it has about half the sodium of other cheeses and I need to watch sodium.

I eat a little dark chocolate every day, I can’t deny myself everything.
I am thinking that for me the worst culprit is the berries. I had a salad tonight for the first time in about a week and a half, so I will see how that goes.

Thanks for the input. I had no idea chocolate might help! Maybe I’ll have to allow myself more. This only became a problem with the immunosuppressants, but the problem is made worse by my healthy eating habits! I don’t think everyone has that problem from them, I guess I’m just lucky. :-/
JK

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1 reply
pizon | @pizon | Nov 10, 2018
In reply to @lisalucier "I did some PT for my prolapsed bladder, but I unfortunately was one of the percentage..." + (show)
@lisalucier

I did some PT for my prolapsed bladder, but I unfortunately was one of the percentage of people who "fail" that treatment. I evidently have very poor coordination of my pelvic floor muscles, and when asked to clench one would clench another, and so forth. I think at times the physical therapist may have thought I was kidding in those instances, but I actually was trying really hard to do as I was asked. Required a lot of concentration on my part. So, eventually I learned from my therapist that I was deemed to have failed this therapy (I always think of it in terms of a treatment failing the patient, though). My understanding is that pelvic floor PT is helpful for many women with prolapse, however.

@contentandwell - the pessary is used to push the bladder back up so that it is not protruding out of the body or not putting pressure on the opening and feeling uncomfortable. This Mayo Clinic information on pessaries shows some of the types https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/multimedia/pessary-use/img-20006056. I've tried the ring type.

After I finally had the surgery to correct the prolapsed bladder and rectum, my urogynecologist actually suggested just what you are saying, @coralbells1: he said he tells all his patients to take a fiber supplement powder daily (I take the clear, tasteless kind in my morning coffee).

@astabenno1990 - sounds like your prolapse surgery and recovery went really well. Do you think about it much anymore?

@pizon - where are things at with the nerve damage now after your correction surgery?

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Hello and thank you for asking I am 7 weeks out of the removal of the 2 eroded stiches I am better but I still feel as if I am sitting on a ball some days are worse then others I have just started back to stretching and kegals.....I wish I never had the surgery it has left me with nerve issues and pain all on the left side of my hip/pelvic area....I did 2 yrs of p/t which helped before the surgery I no longer have pelvic floor muscle spasms...the dr.'s say within 3 to 6 months I should be 80% pain free...I go to Dr. Marvel the nerve specialists in Dec so I guess time will tell .... I am just trying to live with it...all the nerve pain meds they give me make me very groggy the next day that I can't function and the inns. co will not approve lyrica so I am using herbs that take the edge off and cbd oil dose help me to sleep ... so yes I am better but still not right I guess time will tell...if you can live with your prolapse I suggest not to have the surgery

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1 reply
pizon | @pizon | Nov 10, 2018
In reply to @contentandwell "@coralbells1 Actually your response should have been to me. I was told to try Metamucil but..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@coralbells1 Actually your response should have been to me. I was told to try Metamucil but it didn’t help. I also tried Imodium. That helped a little but not enough. I am eating more cheese but I’m trying to drop a few pounds and cheese is pretty caloric. I did put goat cheese in my salads, it has about half the sodium of other cheeses and I need to watch sodium.

I eat a little dark chocolate every day, I can’t deny myself everything.
I am thinking that for me the worst culprit is the berries. I had a salad tonight for the first time in about a week and a half, so I will see how that goes.

Thanks for the input. I had no idea chocolate might help! Maybe I’ll have to allow myself more. This only became a problem with the immunosuppressants, but the problem is made worse by my healthy eating habits! I don’t think everyone has that problem from them, I guess I’m just lucky. :-/
JK

Jump to this post

try ground flax seed I take 1 to 2 TBLS a day (mixed with yogurt or in my veggie shake)..and have no problem also prune juice helps to keep things moving

REPLY
2 replies
JK | @contentandwell | Nov 10, 2018
In reply to @lisalucier "I did some PT for my prolapsed bladder, but I unfortunately was one of the percentage..." + (show)
@lisalucier

I did some PT for my prolapsed bladder, but I unfortunately was one of the percentage of people who "fail" that treatment. I evidently have very poor coordination of my pelvic floor muscles, and when asked to clench one would clench another, and so forth. I think at times the physical therapist may have thought I was kidding in those instances, but I actually was trying really hard to do as I was asked. Required a lot of concentration on my part. So, eventually I learned from my therapist that I was deemed to have failed this therapy (I always think of it in terms of a treatment failing the patient, though). My understanding is that pelvic floor PT is helpful for many women with prolapse, however.

@contentandwell - the pessary is used to push the bladder back up so that it is not protruding out of the body or not putting pressure on the opening and feeling uncomfortable. This Mayo Clinic information on pessaries shows some of the types https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/multimedia/pessary-use/img-20006056. I've tried the ring type.

After I finally had the surgery to correct the prolapsed bladder and rectum, my urogynecologist actually suggested just what you are saying, @coralbells1: he said he tells all his patients to take a fiber supplement powder daily (I take the clear, tasteless kind in my morning coffee).

@astabenno1990 - sounds like your prolapse surgery and recovery went really well. Do you think about it much anymore?

@pizon - where are things at with the nerve damage now after your correction surgery?

Jump to this post

@lisalucier at this point I am wondering if, as you commented, the treatment is failing me. I am trying but I am not noticing much difference at all
This thread is a wealth of information. It led me to drop a note on the portal to my urogynecologist yesterday to ask some questions.
Lisa, you said it was months before you felt recovered from the surgery. Is that typical?
JK

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2 replies
astabenno1990 | @astabenno1990 | Nov 10, 2018

I had bladder prolapse surgery in March, hardly any discomfort, I feel fine and I am 78 years old

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Gail, Alumni Mentor | @baxtersmom | Nov 10, 2018

I too had prolapse surgery. Mine was a level 4 prolapse (the worst ranking) and I am so happy I had it. I was tired after the surgery and had to have a catheter for a week, but compared to discomfort I had beforehand, it was nothing and well worth it. I am sorry you are having such difficulty. I have spinal stenosis and have to take pain medication for it. So I am always aware of not letting myself become constipated because I do not want to strain too much (my issue, nothing the doctor warned me about). I just take miralax about 3 times a week and eat a few prunes which I like anyway. I had my surgery in Oct. of 2017 and he did it with the mesh (the surgery is called sacrocolpopexy) because he knew just repairing the ligaments would not last and did not want me to have to repeat the surgery. I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights. I would say for about a month there was a little lack of innervation in the area but once I got my feeling back I felt great. Mine was done by a urogynecologist and I am glad I shopped around before choosing the doctor. I definitely suggest you make sure you have consulted a urogynecologist because they are the experts on this surgery. I wish you the best and hope you do find the answers you seek.

REPLY
1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Nov 10, 2018
In reply to @pizon "try ground flax seed I take 1 to 2 TBLS a day (mixed with yogurt or..." + (show)
@pizon

try ground flax seed I take 1 to 2 TBLS a day (mixed with yogurt or in my veggie shake)..and have no problem also prune juice helps to keep things moving

Jump to this post

@pizon. My problem is that they are moving too well/too much!

REPLY
1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Nov 10, 2018
In reply to @baxtersmom "I too had prolapse surgery. Mine was a level 4 prolapse (the worst ranking) and I..." + (show)
@baxtersmom

I too had prolapse surgery. Mine was a level 4 prolapse (the worst ranking) and I am so happy I had it. I was tired after the surgery and had to have a catheter for a week, but compared to discomfort I had beforehand, it was nothing and well worth it. I am sorry you are having such difficulty. I have spinal stenosis and have to take pain medication for it. So I am always aware of not letting myself become constipated because I do not want to strain too much (my issue, nothing the doctor warned me about). I just take miralax about 3 times a week and eat a few prunes which I like anyway. I had my surgery in Oct. of 2017 and he did it with the mesh (the surgery is called sacrocolpopexy) because he knew just repairing the ligaments would not last and did not want me to have to repeat the surgery. I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights. I would say for about a month there was a little lack of innervation in the area but once I got my feeling back I felt great. Mine was done by a urogynecologist and I am glad I shopped around before choosing the doctor. I definitely suggest you make sure you have consulted a urogynecologist because they are the experts on this surgery. I wish you the best and hope you do find the answers you seek.

Jump to this post

@gailg the doctor I am using is a urogynecologist. She was recommended to me by my daughter’s sister-in-law who mentored her. I could not bring myself to go to someone I know though, she is family! Also, she is affiliated with a different hospital. I am trying to keep all but my PCP at MGH, just easier that way and I always have great results there. I keep my PCP here because it’s about an hour and a half to get to Boston during the day.
JK

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1 reply
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Nov 12, 2018
In reply to @contentandwell "@lisalucier at this point I am wondering if, as you commented, the treatment is failing me...." + (show)
@contentandwell

@lisalucier at this point I am wondering if, as you commented, the treatment is failing me. I am trying but I am not noticing much difference at all
This thread is a wealth of information. It led me to drop a note on the portal to my urogynecologist yesterday to ask some questions.
Lisa, you said it was months before you felt recovered from the surgery. Is that typical?
JK

Jump to this post

Hi, @contentandwell - prior to when I had the surgery on my bladder and rectal prolapse, the surgeon and his staff, especially, did tell me a number of times this was a "major surgery." I made arrangements for care and transport to preschool and other activities for my kids, who were tiny at the time, for 6 weeks. I had to extend the daycare for my children (I was a stay-at-home mom at the time) two additional weeks part-time cause I just didn't have near the stamina needed to safely and appropriately take care of them yet. Then I had my children back fully after that, but was still in the mode where a great deal of fatigue hit me daily and required a nap, which worked as my kids were also at a napping age.

Though I made preparations for my recovery as instructed by the medical team, I think I was naive and didn't really know what a "major surgery" meant at that time. I also had a UTI after the surgery, which I believe is somewhat common, but then had a bad reaction to the medication I was given for it. I also recall going back on the medication for bladder spasms that I'd been on presurgery, so I must have been having issues in that way, too. So, at least a couple complications arose in my case.

I think that just as we are doing here, it's helpful to get input from as many women as you can as you seek to determine the right decision for you personally on prolapse surgery.

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