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Rectocele at 20

Posted , 6 users are following.

bridget99388
bridget99388

I've diagnosed myself with rectocele I've had no children but bad constipation and I'm only 20! My gyno said everything looks 'normal' and couldn't find it! I was emotional so he reffered me to physio (I'm waiting on appointment) I'm wondering is any other young woman have had this problem? I'm a lot looser than I used to be and I feel horrible and it's knocked my confidence. I really want and need the op to get my life back on track (but I do want children in the future) how do I get my gyno to refer me to a surgeon? I've heard they don't normally like doing the operation on the young? Surely it would mean I would heal more quickly thou? Anyone else had rectocele repair ? How did it go? And how long did you have to wait for the op on nhs? I'm very deppressed

0 likes, 21 replies

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  • tilley49386
    tilley49386 bridget99388

    Posted

    Go get another specialist opinion preferably a Urogyno. Good luck. Surgery is usually a last resort and I would try physio first in someone as young as you. Maybe the starining as brought on haemerroids whcih can look like prolapse. You could try asking your your local GP to refer you to a bowel specailist. Either way go get other opinions and try not to let it get to you. My partner said to me recntly that a was a beautiful marvellous human being and we would get through my op together. Hope you have some great support. If not reach out to the ladies on this forum I have found them invaluable. Good Luck

     

    • bridget99388
      bridget99388 tilley49386

      Posted

      No hemaroids noting is coming out, the Bolge is inside my vagina and I have to press on it to empty my bowels sad tmi sorry! I would love physio to reverse it but don't see how exercising can reverse already streched tissue I know there's risks but really need a quick fix it has upset me for far too long sad
    • tilley49386
      tilley49386 bridget99388

      Posted

      Hi Bridget, no quick fixs i am affraid, but know what you mean. I felt so ugly and sore before my Op. mind you probaably not too pretty now either. I have you look into alternatives to surgery? Please do get more opinions. Life is too short to suffer and don't do as I did aand put up with it for years becasue I was told it was early stage. My Urogyno apologised when he saw me after surgery saying he didn't realsie how much product I had there. So go get help. Hope I have helped and keep smiling
  • DorryC
    DorryC bridget99388

    Posted

    I figured out on my own that I had a rectocele.  When I went in, my doctor had a very easy time verifying it.  She is a family doctor, but does a lot of pelvic exams.  She referred me to a specialist.   It's possible that your doctor doesn't know how to check for it.  If you have a lot of the symptoms of a rectocele, maybe you should see a specialist.   What symptoms do you have?  

    Also, fwiw I think one reason that they don't like to fix it in young women is that if you do have children, you are likely to blow out the surgery. Also, if they have to fix it a second time, the repair is less likely to be successful.

     

    I have had this, at least, since I was 31 which is fairly young but the symptoms showed up post birth so it isn't as young as you are.

    • bridget99388
      bridget99388 DorryC

      Posted

      Have you had a op? And I know I've read they hate operating on the young but you would think they would if it's effecting someone's daily life and well being ?
    • DorryC
      DorryC bridget99388

      Posted

      I expect they would do the surgery if you really wanted it, I think they would just want to make sure you really understood about the risks of pregnancy etc.  I don't know, though, as I'm not a doctor or a nurse.  That is just a guess.

      I haven't had an op yet.  I was diagnosed last September at age 40 -- took me ages to realize what was wrong -- but no op yet.  I've had loads of tests and gone through a course of PT.  The main thing seems to be that my doc wants me to get help with my back pain first as that is even more of a problem for me.  I think I will get the op in April, but I'm not sure.  I may need to wait till Fall, but I hope not.

       

    • bridget99388
      bridget99388 DorryC

      Posted

      What grade is yours ? Nothing protrudes on mine but the symptoms are bad. I hope I eventually can get the op. I can't live with this much longer !! It's horrible how I didn't even know this could happen until it happened to me
    • DorryC
      DorryC bridget99388

      Posted

      No one has told me a grade.  I have been told that it is "large" (>3cm) based on the defecography.  I was not told the exact size.

      The bulge doesn't normally protrude, but it has and can.  It has happened during a bowel movement when I didn't know what it was - I was straining and it popped out of my vagina.  It kind of freaked me out as I didn't know what was going on.  That was when I was 31 and that is how I know I have had it this long.  I've also had it bulge out the vagina from gas, but that was after a weird exam by the colorectal surgeon where he poked lots of intestine through the rectocele rolleyes  It kind of went back in place after about a week of pushing it back through and splinting when I go to the bathroom.

      As long as I splint when I go to the bathroom it mostly stays in place.  It's often mid vagina and I have to push it back to go to the bathroom.

      The symptoms are milder if I can keep the constipation under control.  I still have to splint, but it's better.  

      If you have to splint it seems like there is something going on and they should be able to find it.  I hope you can get to the right doctor and they can help you.  

    • bridget99388
      bridget99388 DorryC

      Posted

      I can feel a bulge when I strain and my cervix also goes very low (worrying!) but it's never came out. If rather have a op or even help sooner rather than later as I think if have a breakdown if it gets any worse ! How do you control yours ?
    • DorryC
      DorryC bridget99388

      Posted

      I was worrying about my cervix too as it seemed very close to the entrance of my vagina when I am splinting.  My doctor said it was fine, though, and it just changes on its own throughout the month.   It seems weird to me too smile

      For managing symptoms, I work hard not to be constipated using both diet and medications.  It really does help.  I also bought a box of rubber gloves as it makes splinting easier for me.  

      I have read read that for some people, especially if the prolapse is mild, pelvic floor exercises can help.  I was told that my pelvic floor is in spasm and that I shouldn't do kegels.  I went to physical therapy for it and I thought that we would work back to them, but instead I was told I was banned from kegels for life.  

    • bridget99388
      bridget99388 DorryC

      Posted

      I'm guessing you don't want a op as you haven't mentioned it ?? And yes rubber gloves are a good idea? I feel like life just ain't fair aye I wish I knew about all this before it happened x
    • Jan999
      Jan999 bridget99388

      Posted

      Don't use rubber gloves bridget. There are some very thin latex and non latex gloves you can buy. A gynaecologist would never use rubber gloves.
    • DorryC
      DorryC Jan999

      Posted

      Sorry, I wasn't describing them correctly.  I bought a box of disposable non latex gloves, similar to what they use at a doctor or dentist.  I think they are nitrile.
    • DorryC
      DorryC bridget99388

      Posted

      I do want the op and I expect to have it this year.  Possibly in April, or maybe this fall if spring doesn't work.  My urogyn wants me to work on getting my back a bit better first and I am seeing a different doctor for that.  

       

    • bridget99388
      bridget99388 DorryC

      Posted

      Oh I see ! I wish you the best of luck it really effects my physically and emotionally x
    • DorryC
      DorryC bridget99388

      Posted

      I'm sorry it's so difficult for you. I hope it gets a bit easier once you get a diagnosis and a good docor.
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