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Bladder prolapse... gynaecologist said surgery wouldn't last

Posted , 7 users are following.

tricia30733
tricia30733

I live in Spain.  The gynaecologist said she thought I shouldn't have an operation for a recent bladder prolapse.  As there is no womb she said the bladder would fall down again and it would mean I would need an op. every 2 to 3 years, not good for my body. She has prescribed an oestrogen cream to be used for 2 months (to tighten the vagina so the bladder is not bulging out so much) then another vaginal cream (without oestrogen) to be used for the next 2 months.  This will cost me 40€ every 4 weeks.  I would have to apply the creams for life. What success have others had with surgery (did they have to have it done again?) and what success using the creams?  What about intercourse ?  I can't imagine that being possible with a bladder prolapse?  Thanks for your replies.  

 

0 likes, 28 replies

28 Replies

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  • steph16921
    steph16921 tricia30733

    Posted

    Maybe get a 2nd opinion. Never heard that before. Lots of women get repairs with no womb
    • tricia30733
      tricia30733 steph16921

      Posted

      Tahnks Steph but did they keep having more proplapses after 2-3 years?  I will certainly ask for a 2nd opinion though.  T x
    • tricia30733
      tricia30733

      Posted

      oops sorry about typos - done in a hurry! 
  • phyl_40063
    phyl_40063 tricia30733

    Posted

    Hi tricia,

    I'm in the UK, I have had Anterior prolapse repair with hysterectomy done. Not sure why it failed first time but think it was for a few reasons:

    Stitching was loosened when catheter and pack was taken out within first 24th hours.

    I had little info on after care at home and unfortunately probably overdone things too quickly.

    However did return to employment after 7/8 months and managed very well at work for 2 years, had been building up my hours over the 2 years and went from sitting at checkouts to standing at selfscan areas when my prolapse gradually returned.

    So have now had 2nd anterior repair along with posterior repair. All went very well this time and I was far more aware this time of the long term recovery and the need to avoid weight bearing and lengthy time on my feet. Returned to work at 3 months post op.

    For the most part everything has gone well my employer has done their best to support and accommodate my needs ( here in the UK we have a due care policy which should work for both parties with help of occupational health ), unfortunately I got no help from occupational health and had to do my own negotiating with my employer with help from my GP. So there has been occasions where they have left me on my feet for full shift; unfortunately we all recover at different rates and I have found these occasions to be too much and have had problems with overstretching scar tissue while rushing about between self'scan and hybrid areas.

    So not so easy to protect repair at work. At home I have been very careful to take care with recovery process. Using 'Estriol' topical cream to thicken up the internal walls and help take the nip out the scar tissue.

    I chose to have it redone as I find that when the prolapse sags it gets very painful and only gets worse with time, I tried the pessay/ring which only worked for a little while but eventually prolapse so bad ring kept coming out.

    I recently had my repairs checked by consultant and all is well healed and as it should be so looking forward now, have been told that my repairs will last as long as I avoid any down pressure on pelvic floor. So being very careful and avoiding any heavy weight bearing nothing over a 2 litres and still only pottering about for no more than a couple of hours, can go for short half hour walks and swim 12 lengths. Husband does heavy things at home icluding heavier shopping, gardening.

    Trying very hard to find alternative lighter employment but not easy. So still trying to negotiate less time on my feet at work and more on a seat at checkouts.

    In the UK these repairs are meant to be done by a 'urogynocologist' specially trained in repair surgery. Hope all this helps, it is not an easy decision to make and I wasted a lot of time avoiding surgery as I did not want my womb out but found that the pain was unbearable after a while.

    Take care, you will eventually know what is best for you yourself,

    Phyl x💖

    • tricia30733
      tricia30733 phyl_40063

      Posted

      Hi Phyl. Thanks so much for your detailed reply.  You have a had a lot to go through and it must be hard to be patient and remember not to lift etc which is very hard when you are working.  It sounds like your recent repair has worked very well and you just have to be careful.  In my case, talking to friends here, we wondered if there was such a thing as a "false" uterus that could be inserted above the bladder to stop a bladder prolapsing again!!  In today's world of technology it seems logical as they had lots of "false" parts to put into other parts of the body.  Good luck and thanks again.  Tricia :-) 

    • phyl_40063
      phyl_40063 tricia30733

      Posted

      Tricia, that sounds like a great solution but alas nothing like that yet as far as I know. This forum is excellent for up to date info, they are also doing lots of research.

      There are lots of alternative types of surgery available here in the UK, and the professionals tell us that new techniques are available and showing great success, and who knows what will be available in the near future.

      I would love to grow a new womb or scaffolding with new ligaments, but that may not be for my generation. I suppose the finance for such surgery would be best spent on younger women who have had no family yet.

      Wish I had know about Estriol beforey first repair; I did find out about it till after the 2nd repair, seemingly it helps the repair by thickening the walls. So sounds like there is some truth in what your gynecologist is saying; thing is you could try the cream and see how it goes and at least you will benefit from stronger tissue's , while you consider your options and maybe get 2nd opinion.

      Phyl x?

    • phyl_40063
      phyl_40063

      Posted

      By the way if your prolapse is mild you may be able to prevent it from getting any worse through Pelvic Floor Exercises, have you seen a Physiotherapists specially trained in this area yet they are very good and can offer support and help you to understand how prolapse happens and how different options can help.

      X

    • phyl_40063
      phyl_40063 steph16921

      Posted

      Steph, nothing wrong with few words, few words often gets the point across without rambling like I do most of the time. I probably drive some people nuts who don't want to have to read the whole essay!😅😅😅

    • steph16921
      steph16921 phyl_40063

      Posted

      Well thank you. Sometimes I worry that I come across rude or uncaring. A lot of it is just that I use my phone to post. Takes too long lol
    • tricia30733
      tricia30733 phyl_40063

      Posted

      None of this was mentioned at the consultation.  However it is a bit different in Spain as I use a translator for medical appointments and the consultants are in a hurry.  Also if you don't ask a specific question they won't always volunteer information. I have a good pilates teacher and have always worked a lot on pelvic floor exercises in the past....

    • Ellie1943
      Ellie1943 tricia30733

      Posted

      Hi, I would insist on more information, you need to know what's happening and what they intend to do about it long term. It sounds like it's affecting your quality of life and needs a repair. The cream can help but not permanently, it does help strengthen the pelvic walls and tissues I think. I was prescribed it to use before surgery but have now had to stop as it caused a nasty reaction down there!

    • tricia30733
      tricia30733 Ellie1943

      Posted

      Thanks Pollyanna (lovely name), I will use the cream for a while and hope it works as you describe.  I am tempted to get a 2nd opinion.  Nobody has mentioned how a prolapse  impacts on intimate relationships?  Not an easy subject to discuss though.  

       

    • phyl_40063
      phyl_40063 tricia30733

      Posted

      Consultants always in a hurry here too, and you are right the only tell you what they think you need to know.

      I'm sure plates is good for pelvic floor as long as aware of prolapse and not put any down pressure on pelvic floor. My sister says it's all in the breathing and getting that right; I am pretty sure I always get the breathing all wrong.

      X

    • Ellie1943
      Ellie1943 tricia30733

      Posted

      Hi Tricia. It can impact on your physical relationships if it causes pain or other symptoms. Only you can decide this. I would definitely get a second opinion fro a uro gyny as has been suggested. I take it you have health insurance as you live in Spain? I've had two different repairs, first one was hysterectomy and prolapsed bladder, cystocele or anterior repair, second was rectocele, back wall or posterior repair. I was 40 for first one, almost 60 for second so mine lasted well. I do have a vaginal vault prolapse now but I am 73 so it's just wear and tear, age related I think. Also because I don't have a womb for 33 years to help keep everything up. I don't believe what your consultant said about it not lasting long. What age are you now?

    • tricia30733
      tricia30733 Ellie1943

      Posted

      Hi  - sounds like you have dealt with the repairs very well.  Did you have the bladder sling that was mentioned to stop the bladder dropping again?  I have the equivalent of nhs healthcare in Spain.  The gyny wrote down cystolcele which is the first time I had heard that word.  Regarding the physical side I can't image actually being able to do it because of the bladder being in the way!   cry

       

    • Fi-45
      Fi-45 tricia30733

      Posted

      I didn't enjoy sex at all but that was also due to my uterus prolapse and endometriosis which caused it to be painful. But now since repair and finally braving sex it no longer hurts and everything is in its place for once in a very long time!!

    • Fi-45
      Fi-45 tricia30733

      Posted

      Tricia on the main prolapse page there is info about different prolapsed and explains what and where they are. It definitely worth a look. Especially the links from south Teesside hospital (I think that's it)

    • Ellie1943
      Ellie1943 tricia30733

      Posted

      I don't think the artificial bladder sling was around when I had mine done in 1984! lol wink He just removed the womb which has also prolapsed and tightened the vaginal wall by cutting and stitching. It worked well enough but we all have to take are as get older especially after this type of surgery. Mine was caused by childbirth, 4 fairly large babies. The 'rectocele' or posterior wall prolapse was also done with cutting and stitching in 2002. Sex is possible with prolapse but I think your partner would need to be very gentle and careful with you, no rough stuff! rolleyes Keep posting, lots of help and advice grom the ladies on this forum. Hope Matron sees your thread and comes on with some professional advice. xsmile

    • steph16921
      steph16921 tricia30733

      Posted

      Agreed that was one of the main reasons I started looking into what was "wrong " with me 😓

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