prolapse surgery and pessaries

Thanks Glamma, I had not realised you had the mesh 18 months ago. i read on the t'internet' that the mesh operations are highly successful - right up into the 90+%, whereas the simple vaginal tuck (hmm did I really mean to use that word) is more like only 80% successful.

We will all keep each other posted, this thread is not going away, and any new Gransnet women might just look in at any time.

It is good to hear you are still progressing, good old NHS

Additional comment about prolapse and vaginal discomfort. Although my prolapse - repaired in August 2011 but drooping again by December - is up for re-doing, I want to report that I have recently been using HRT vaginal cream. I won't say the effect has been spectacular, but it has certainly been giving a noticeable improvement. Whereas when the cystocele (bulge) used to wreck and twinge and make me wince, the use of the new cream (ortho gynest) has made a real difference.

I am much more comfortable in the nether regions, and my epesiotomy scar (only from 30 years ago) does not hurt any more. I can recommend the use of the cream, you use it every day for 2 weeks to take a run at the 'vaginal atrophy' and then you use it every 3rd day for maintenance. Not bad at all, I wish I had used it years ago.

Still going to have another repair in the summer though, but currently the 'bulge' is tolerable.

Has anyone had a Laprascopic Burch colposuspension plus a Posteria vaginal repair?
If so how long ago? I saw a specialist today and are too frightned to go ahead with it seen I don't know anyone who has any kind of prolapse repair done. I am in my early 60's but healthy.
He did say he uses the TVT tape more (I have heard to many horror stories with that).

10 months after my 'failed' initial prolapse repair, I have been to see the specialist again and he is going to do a mesh repair. Glamma are you still reading the Health posts? how is your mesh repair going on? and how is your botox fix for your bladder progressing? Anyone else had mesh repairs?

I am not complaining about my failed initial repair, there was a 1 in 5 chance of failure anyway, the vaginal wall is just too feeble. Or to put it in medical terms 'vaginal atrophy' has occured. Bleauurrgghgh.

Anyway, just waiting for the letter now for a date for the op.

OK, I am going in for my 'mesh' repair tomorrow morning, after simple prolapse repair a year ago failed, plus a Fenton's procedure (fixing a botched epesiotomy from DD birth 29 years ago).

Wish me luck and I will report for the record as soon as DH puts my laptop back in front of me! :-)

NannaJeannie, good luck. I do hope all goes well for you.
Its amazing how many of us there are....I am a 'newbie' in this department as have only just become aware of something amiss' down below'. Its not getting much worse at the moment and I'm certainly not keen on any intervention. I just get annoyed with it everytime I get the hoover out.........why does hoovering make it feel worse?

nannajeanie good luck for tomorrow

OK, back home after 2nd prolapse repair - this one with mesh! Less than 36 hours in hospital. Feeling quite comfortable, just a bit feeble. I had an epidural instead of a general anaesthetic. I was a bit nervous about that, but it turned out an excellent experience - I was sedated as well. Will have short walk out with DH tomorrow to get some exercise. Onwards and upwards, thanks HildaW and glassortwo for the good wishes. I will continue to report.

NannaJeannie, glad you feel it went well. Take it easy and I do hope you are soon on the mend. I'd be interested to learn about all this as am a novice, things just started to feel a little 'odd' 3 or 4 months ago. Evidently I'm a mild case at the moment. Any road up.....look after yourself NannaJeannie, and no hoovering!

Oh - glad it all went well. It all sounds a bit grim! You are very brave.

Ref the use of hormone cream - I was once prescribed this and it caused an extraordinary reaction. All the cells down below which respond to hormones - there are lots! - went into overdrive and swelled up (a lot!!!) and I felt as though I was sitting on a cauliflower!!!

I wish you a speedy recovery

Oh lor Mishap, honestly the things us ladies have to cope with...........can you imagine the fuss men would make?
Can always remember a delightful Midwife who visited me after baby no2, she was explaining best way to check out my stitches etc and introduced her tips with 'As if we needed proof God was a man'.........am not quite convinced as to that, but it does seem we have to endure quite a few indignities in order that the human race is carried on.
P.S. mind you most of us would put up with anything to have had our lovely babies!

Kitty11 - I had a colposuspension several years ago at the same time as a hysterectomy. I had a wonderful surgeon who asked if while she did the hysterectomy was there anything else that needed fixing while she was in there! I didn't actually have a prolapsed bladder but things were far from good. The tests before hand were embarrassing to say the least but all in all it was well worth having it done.
Just remember to do the exercises they tell you and DON'T even try to lift anything more than a cup of tea!

Oh, and NannaJeannie, I think mine is a mesh repair. I've just worked out it's getting on for ten years ago now and still working fine. I can run for a bus and skip - or would be able to if the knees would let me! I hope you continue your good recovery and it works as well for you.

thank you NfkDumpling that is encouraging. Am on day 4 now, just had a shower and going to the paper shop with DH.

nanna so glad all things went well I am nearly 12 months on from the1st botox treatment and things are still going well no problems with night time running to the loo etc.I think the botox in conjunction with the mesh did the job,I have even been able to say goodbye to tena lady (how my bank balance has risen) I go back in mid Sept for another urology test and see how I am "holding on" and go from there.
Make sure you do not lift anything as we do sometimes tend to forget once we are feeling well and also expect sudden bouts of tiredness and when it happens rest for as long as you can.

interesting reading this as I had a hysterectomy (left ovaries etc) and a bladder repair last year and it is now much better after 12 months - except that the bladder doesn't always want to get going and keep going and stop - have to keep thinking of water! - but no leakages unless I leave it too long.
found the web site hystersisters (American but these problems are universal) very helpful as you can bet someone has had the same symptoms, problems and fears you have but which you forgot to ask the medics.
suspect the mesh/botox is next for my particular problem - the joys of womanhood..

mollie65 I also had a hysterectomy but it was for ovarian cancer my surgeon (my most favourite man in the world)took away 2 tumours from my ovaries 1 x 7lb and 1 x 12lbs the tumours had grown very close to the bladder and so a repair was needed 18mths later which lasted a long time until I needed a mesh repair twice in a 2 yr period,then came the new treatment of botox which has been vey successful and even though it only lasts about 12mths I will go back for it to be topped up on a yearly basis.I am a firm beleiver in keeping a watchful eye on the changes in our bodies and insist anyone that I know who have any unexplained pain in the ovary area to insist on a scan to dismiss any chance of cysts even if you think there is nothing wrong you can never be too careful.

Hi glamma good to hear that your botox is still working well, I was wondering how you were getting on. Yes Mollie65, the joys of womanhood!.

Just off for a nap, then a little walk this afternoon.

nanna I was wondering if I could have a little word with my surgeon and ask him to spread the next lot of botox up as far as my neck as it is not only the internal bits that tend to go south with age LOL.

Has anyone had kidney stones.Got to have X-ray on Tuesday. Last time was 40 yrs ago. Pretty petrified-had massive op. back then in the dark ages.

3 months after my second prolapse repair (with mesh this time) - I have been discharged by the consultant. It is not brilliant, there is still quite a bulge, but the mesh is holding and at least it is not protruding. I think I did hope for greater things, I did hope that I would not feel a bulge, but if it continues to remain bulging inside and is comfortable (I use HRT cream once a week) I will live with it.

If it gives me any more gip, the consultant says I can go right back - yippee (not)

Not long after a complete hysterectomy, I had an anterior/posterior ventral mesh suspension. For a short time thereafter, I suffered some discomfort. Now, ten years hence, I'm waiting to learn whether or not the failed procedure can be repaired. With both a cystocele and rectocele giving me something unpleasant to think about, I'm hopeful of a satisfactory outcome.

oh poor us soop post up when you hear whether you are going to have more surgery. My hysterectomy was over 15 years ago, but this year and last year I have had a prolapse repair - 2 lost summers! no wonder I have felt that time has gone fast, I have had a lost month of August for 2 years running.

Yes, let us know your outcome !

NannaJeannie I've just spent some time catching up on this thread and it is now 14mths since the first botox and all has been well but I am now due to see my mam again next week as the neck of the bladder needs reinjecting,the same old symtoms again up in the night and having to find a loo in the first instant I can still though feel some of the neck of the bladder doing its work but not as strongly as when first injected,hoping everyone else with problems is getting some help and relief.*soop*xxx just for you sweetie xx