prolapse surgery and pessaries

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Not been on here for a while just an update after seeing surgeon 12 weeks post op hes says all looks improved apart from top area were the walls are still thin but he's hoping that will improve with continued use of the vagifem pessaries every other night. Can walk around a little better too the rawness feeling has gone but stiil not completely comfortable but fingers crossed it
will improve with time thanks girls for all advice given.

Good luck Butterfly with whatever you decide we all know what its like with probs down below sending you a big hug xxx

Thanks for your kind messages, Suevie and Daffydil. They were very helpful. I do have a lovely, supportive family. I'll just have to get my head around having surgery and face up to what needs to be done. I really miss having my husband with me now as he always put everything into perspective and stopped me from worrying too much. Just hope I don't have to wait too long for the op as it's difficult to plan anything.

Butterfly123

I am also new to Gransnet and delighted to have found it.

I agree with Suevie34 that if your doctor isn't worried,you need not be. I have had a prolapse for some years and had bleeding for the last few years. At first the prolapse was controlled effectively with ring pessaries
but deteriorated and I went back to the gynaecologist but he felt that surgery was not suitable and that I would be back sitting opposite him after a couple of years with the same problems. I presume he was tallking about a repair - I know these aren't always successful in the long term. He did not think the bleeding was a cause for concern.

I can't offer advice about hysterectomy but know several friends who have had it and never regretted it. I wish you luck and keep us posted.

Butterfly123,
I'm so sorry you lost your husband so recently and now have the double whammy of needing a hysterectomy. If your GP isn't worried about the vaginal bleeding it might be because he/she feels that the hysterectomy will sort it out.
Have you got family or close friends who will help you through the surgery? It is really important you are supported. It's not what one would choose, so soon after a bereavement, but sounds as if it does need seeing to.
I had the op some years ago, it was worth it. I know it's a hard decision when you are feeling vulnerable.
Be kind to yourself, plan some little treats, and keep talking to the grannies.

I'm new to this site. I think it's great and shows real female solidarity.Can't imagine a similar male set-up as they really don't like sharing details about bodily functions or emotions!
I lost my lovely husband 4 months ago and am coping with that, but being told I need a hysterectomy for prolapse of the womb is a bridge too far.
What's really worrying me is that since the prolapse became worse, I'm having vaginal bleeding. My GP doesn't seem worried about it, but I am.
Could any of you lovely grannies tell me if you experienced similar symptoms and put my mind at rest?

NANABELLE & GLAMMANANA
Thanks so much for your kind words Nurse said tum butt not infected just taking along time to heal.?
I have taken hubby with me in the past to Docs and have cried my heart out only to be told upon examination that this ( small lump ) Shouldnt be causing me all these probs. So thats when I decided to find a specialist myself . He was so confident he could improve things and said although complex it had been a complete success. so why do I still feel it seems worse now he just said that sometimes the lump can still persist which doesnt help me at all.He insists on waiting at least till my app in dec as thinks it takes this long for all to settle.So just trying to survive the next couple of months just about ok if Idont move THANKS AGAIN GIRLS XXXXX

hi again Nikrap. So sorry to see you are still uncomfortable and unhappy with your situation. Don't blame you. I have just googled sponges and prolapse and lots of sites came up. I would check it out with your doctor though as you wouldn't want to get an infection from using one of these. Our vagina walls are much thinner than those of younger women who use these sponges for menstruation. Do you rest flat on your bed for some time each day? That might help as it might stop gravity working!! For the weeping tummy button, do you need antibiotics or something? I had this once and had to have medication to clear it up. Cant remember what though.
and for you with a nice cup of tea.

nikrap I am so so sorry to read about what you are going through it sounds so uncomfortable for you,this can obviously not continue and I would beg you to try and find a well-womans clinic near to you,if not via your GP Surgery then from your Local Health Authority,there must be some sort of Womens Centre near to you.
I would suggest taking a good friend or hubby with you to see your GP again and sit firm (no pun intended) until he/she understands your problem and agree's to do something as an emergency he has a duty of care to do this so please insist.
I do wish I lived nearer to give you some personal support and a hug so will send instead.

Thanks for your reply Hilda W
Youre message is so much appreciated really trying to be positive and patient I always thought of myself as a strong person but this problem just beats me some days.xxx

Off load away Nikrap, I'm so sorry its being such a long recovery. This time last year I was going down hill with my little bit of a prolapse and although I've not got a fraction of your problems I do know just how depressing any 'down below' stuff is. It sort of dehumanises and certainly de-feminises you.
Hang on in, there are so many of us 'ladies who droop' out here all rooting for you XX.

GOOD Morning its me again .Feeling down as uncomfy again not even wanting to walk from room to room indoors feels so gruesome down below I know Im not in any real pain as such but its so horrible that Idont want to do anything but sit if Ican get comfy on sofa, and to top it all my tum button has started weeping again Will this ever end just want the days to pass so its dec when I see consultant again to see if any improvement.Why oh why can I feel a lump and no one can see it .I did see some things on internet a bit like a spongy tampax that you could use daily Ithink they were called fem something but cant find them again now . Has anyone else seen them .Feel like trying to fix this thing myself as no believes how dreadful it all is Sorry for off loading xxx

Am I expecting too much ? First real outing today 3weeks post op only went to garden centre for coffee and little look round but uncomfy all the time and ended up with pain in left side and under bum as well as feeling lump came home and took pain relief which helped but feeling a bit fed up .Every thing down there feels strange. How long was it if you had similar op before things felt a bit better.

Yes thanks Glammanana I do have a doughnut cushion Idont mind being patient if the end result is good this time fingers crossed. Best Wishes xxxxx

I really feel your pain nikrap and could cry for you I know how uncomfortable you must be feeling but it does get more bearable with time,its just that we want it to happen asap don't we,and men do not have the slightest understanding of the pain endured,I will join you as coming back to this earth as a man or as my little dog !!
Have you got one of those round cushions you can use if not ring your GP surgery and ask them to order one from the OT team attached to their surgery it would make life more comfortable for you.

Well dont know if I really got anywhere with surgeon yest as far as he's concerned op was complete success said thrush would be due to low imunnity not op itself .HEsuggest straight back on vagifem which Itried Last night but have to deposit them an inch inside as something is then in the way.Keep trying to tell them but not getting anywere.Trying to get about with what feels like atampax in the wrong place which digs in you when walking/sitting is virtually impossible and you dont want to move.He stated that it takes three months to heal fully Ido know but always seem to end up with same result still trying to remain positive but so frustrated. Sorry for the long rant but helps a little Best wishes to all for weekend xxxxx

Good luck for tomorrow Nikrap - hope the journey not to uncomfortable.

Still experiencing probs down below still using hydrocortizone/ canestan
cream but still itchy no discharged whatsover so maybe its not thrush.
Hurts to even try to walk but dont know if its op discomfort or thrush symptons but something doesnt feel right. travelling the 2hour journey to see surgeon again tomorrow evening app 7-30. thats gonna be rough too but he's on hols after that.Bang goes another £200 Oh I just want this all to go away Terrified of having to have internal too as hurts so much and they never seem to be very gentle, coming back as a man next time . hope everyone else ok .Best Wishes xxxxxxxxxxx

Glammanana MAny thanks for good wishes Your busy life sounds wonderful lwish Icould get around as much and do all the things Itook for granted 3yrs ago .But hey all is crossed for the future Best Wishes xxxx

HI nikrap so sorry I have not kept up to date but with school holidays and my business I don't have enough hours in the day,I'm sure I didn't do as many hours before I retired ?
I hope things improve quickly and that you feel better soon and think you have made the right decision in seeing your surgeon again,I really sympathise with you as no one knows of the discomfort until they have experienced it themselves.Take care of yourself sending ((hugs)) xxx

Thanks Newist
Nurse was pleased tum button a bit better had to see the doc who presccribed a diff cream and said it looks like thrush which Ihavent had for years got to return if no improvement in a week.But think Im going to make app to see surgeon on thurs before he goes away I know its money spent again but want to know that there is nothing wrong although cant bare the thought of internal my own doc just looked at the outside area.Wish Icould be knocked out for any more inspection dont think surgeons realise how much it hurts. trying to be positive but burning down below hope thats a sign cream is working. Best wishes to all and thanks for good wishes xxxxxxxx

nikrap I am so sorry you are having problems, you sound so down.
I have a pessary, so I know how awful it is having problems in that area. Tell the nurse about your fears, hopefully she can put your mind at ease and give you something for your itch so at least you can get a better sleep tonight. please take care of yourself

Morning all, not having to good atime had an awful night got thrush type of infection now and up alnight with itchy symptons have self medicated with oral fluconazole and canestan cream no relief as of yet. Just worrying as website says it can be a sign your body is rejecting the mesh.Im totaly uncomfy down below and dont want to even walk so very very down and weepy cant stand anymore probs.Got to go to nurse with weepy tum button this afters so will ask her advice and will prob get hubby to send email to surgeon down in Luton see what he says im so worried in case this laporoscopic sacrolcolpopexy has been a costly mistake .Hope everyone else is ok xxxx

Nanabelle Thanks for your comforting message as you say it is early days and yes years ago we would still be in hospital,but now you are out in acouple of days and left to sort all your probs out for yourself.Alot of ladies in other areas get a phone call follow up from their hospital to check all ok.Ihavent had anything like that Ijust have appointment for three months and Ive paid too.Never mind as long as alls well in the end but sure feels like lump still there at moment, could be swelling lets hope so.
Sitting with ice pack on itchy rash this morn could do with getting rid of at least one prob
Best Wishes to all xxxx

Ah Nikrap, so sorry to hear of your troubles. When you mentioned a rash around bust my thought was shingles. Do hope not and glad you have seen the doctor. I once had shingles under the bust just one side, and it started as itchy rash. Was ok though and didn't cause me any problems thank goodness.
By the way, I didn't get dressed for at least a week! I stayed upstairs in spare bedroom. I might have put on tracky bottoms instead of my nightie, but not what I call proper dressing! In my mum's day, ladies stayed in hospital at least two weeks and then went to convalescent homes. We just get thrown out straight away, which doesn't encourage us to take it easy. I am sure things will get better but it does take time. There has been a lot of surgical activity inside you and the body cannot heal overnight so there will be pain/discomfort for a while but hopefully the days to come will bring you more ease. Each day that passes is a day nearer better health.
One thing I was told by hospital was to continue to take pain meds, as they work better than leaving it until pain is so bad, that you start to take meds, so I think I took them for a week too.
I agree with Hilda W - the men have it fairly easy, except when they come of the age of prostate problems!
Take care x