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Learning about Pessary

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linda53313
linda53313

I have recently had inserted a pessary for cystocele. I have learned more from reading these posts about pessaries and what is going on with me than from my doctor. He is totally opposed apparently to patient eduation - does not answer questions or give information, not so much as a pamphlet. So here I am on google trying to find out what this thing is in me! I have learned it must be a shelf pessary as I cannot have sex with it in (no problem there) and the MD must take it out and clean it every 3 months. I would like to be able to do it myself and am willing, and am an RN, but was told "No way I would be able to do it".  He would not answer questions about what a normal discharge is, or why I was having pain in my right seat bone during bm's. I have seem to have adjusted but envy people who are going to a clinic with knowledgeable people who do teaching. I have had pelvic radiation about 17 years ago so my tissues are atrophic, perhaps that is why he says I cannot remove it myself? It is probably latex as he asked me if I have an allergy to it. Perhaps with my years as a nurse I do have some sensetivity. I have a lot of watery discharge. He told me we would be using hormone therapy, then said no. I am using a product called Replens for lubricant that I used post radiation therapy. I would be happy just  to have people to share experiences with and perhaps any recommended sites that are good resources for learning about pessaries would be appreciated! Thanks for listening! It is not everyone I can share this info with! 

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • DorryC
    DorryC linda53313

    Posted

    There are several different pessaries that won't allow you to have sex.  Some do just have to be removed by another person and cannot be removed by the patient -- it isn't just you.

    I think with your background as a nurse you might find an article like this helpful: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2876320/

    fwiw - I had a cube pessary for a short time.  I stopped using it on doctors orders because it was causing problems going to the bathroom.  They didn't fit me for a second one.  I have a large rectocele so a lot of the pessaries aren't an option for me, that may be why she didn't try another one.  I'm not sure.  It caused a lot of discharge even though I took it out every night and washed it.  It was pretty difficult to remove, but it is one that patients can remove.

  • chris00938
    chris00938 linda53313

    Posted

    Linda, I have a shelf pessary.  But there are other pessaries that you can't have penetrative sex with, such as the Gellhorn and lots of others.  Did you SEE the pessary they used?  What colour was it?  My shelf pessary is black.  They really should have told you which one they've given you though.  The shelf is one of the most difficult to get in and out - it isn't flexible like the Gellhorn, so you couldn't do it yourself and I really wouldn't suggest trying, but personally if I'd had a Gellhorn I wouldn't try and do that myself either - my gynie did try those first but they stopped me weeing, so the shelf was the one that worked.   There are pessaries that you can do yourself, but they have their own problems.  I have read that different pessaries are made of different materials and some give more discharge than others.  A lot are made of silicone.  I'm not getting any discharge with my shelf, but used to with my ring that I had before surgery.  I had a hysterectomy and cystocele repair last November (21014) which failed 8 months later, so was very pleased to have a pessary fitted again.  I use organic coconut morning and night and that's working very well for me.  I wanted something as natural as possible because the hysterectomy was because of endometrial cancer (after overdose of vagifem) so any sort of hormone couldn't be used anyway.  But you really need to know what type, and if it were me, I'd want to know what make, of pessary you have.  I only found out after my hysterectomy that they'd been inserting a pessary for years that had an abrasive powder on that should have been rinsed off before use (Milex ring) and this was never done.  I do think pessaries are brilliant though - it gets inserted and you get on with life!  Excellent-))))
    • linda53313
      linda53313 chris00938

      Posted

      How unfortunate, and unnecessary, about the powder. That is good about the coconut oil - the Replens I am using has some nasty sounding chemicals in it. I will try the oil.

      I will hog tie the doctor if I have to  in the next appt to get some answers!  I am also getting some generic info from a pessary clinic in another larger  city to increase my knowledge. Of course I should know more about this thing in my body - this md just does not communicate with patients. To get a different one would have been a long wait and I was so anxious to get my prolapse looked at and treated...it had consequences at work and in my personal life  so that I wanted it resolved asap.

      In the meantime I have discovered if it gets uncomfortable I can manipulate it a bit for improvement. It has a "handle" thing in the middle and I thought I saw a tray of flesh coloured circles thicker around the outside. He will also I assume communicate with my family physician who might have gotten some info.

      I agree - if the pessary works and can avoid surgery, it is a great!

       

    • DorryC
      DorryC linda53313

      Posted

      Can you call the office and have the nurse call you back with the type and brand of pessary?  I am in the US.  Here that would work, not sure if it is different in the UK.
    • chris00938
      chris00938 linda53313

      Posted

      Ah, that sounds as though it could be a Gellhorn then LInda, but it could still be a shelf too if they come in other colours and I'm not sure about that bit.  I was told I'd have to wait four months for my appointment, and I know just what you mean - it's uncomfortable - feels like a lemon wedged there with the prolapse hanging down, so I went privately to have mine fitted (they had to try three to get the right one) and I saw the same lady who does the NHS appointments so when my NHS appointment comes through she'll take it over there and I can keep seeing her to take it out, clean it and put it back.  I had a bad experience with my local GP overdosing me by 3 times the recommended dose on vagifem, which is when I got the endometrial cancer, so didn't want to go back there for it to be done anyway, so was able to go to the hospital where I feel much more confident they know what they're doing.  I was worried after the first two Gellhorns didn't work that I might be one of those who couldn't have a pessary fitted after surgery, so was VERY happy when they did the shelf and I knew straight away that it was good!  It was the best Christmas present ever:-))))  I just get a chunk of the coconut oil and put it around the base of the knob bit, morning and night and that's worked so well for me.  Everything is really comfortable and although the coconut oil can be greasy (I do use a lot though, so maybe a bit less would be better!) I'm not getting any discharge from the pessary.  If you find you're getting a lot of unpleasant discharge, if it is a Gellhorn you have, it might be worth asking if they can try a shelf pessary, because it's made of a different thing.  It looks rather like a coat hanger on a piece of plastic with holes in for screws - when they want to give me a new one I'm going to ask for the old one and am tempted to use it somewhere as a coat hanger, just for a joke:-)  The Gellhorn has a straight knob on it but the shelf has a curved knob that curves towards the front of the body (ideal for a coat hanger!).:-))))
    • linda53313
      linda53313 DorryC

      Posted

      Good idea - I am going to call the nurse and try. I am in Canada.
    • linda53313
      linda53313 chris00938

      Posted

      Thank you! Good info. I am glad it worked out for you! Funny about the coat hanger!

       

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