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Please help, first period three weeks after vaginal repair to uterus and bladder

Posted , 3 users are following.

miri25981
miri25981

I am hoping someone may be able to help. I had my repair vaginally with stitches and a collagen implant just over three weeks ago. I have been so careful but yesterday whilst I was sat in the garden I bent over and pulled out a few small weeds. Didn't hurt at the time but had awful back ache when I went to bed. I had only just stopped the painkillers three days ago in addition to antibiotics for an infection post op, and was just starting to feel better. Then this morning I had some fresh blood. I realised it is exactly four weeks since my last period and I am usually very regular. I phoned the ward and then said if it is a period not to be too concerned only to go in if it is  a "mucky" discharge. It feel alike a period but a very painful one, again they said this would be normal  so close to the op. The blood is still bright red but clotting now. I really don't know what to do or what is normal. I don't usually have back pain with a period but when I mentioned it to the nurse she said again it might be because of the op. I haven't had what you would describe as mucky but I have had a bit of stringy stuff which may well have been a but of a stitch. I am so worried that it's because I bent over yesterday and feel so silly, but I know this is illogical. Is there anyone who could advise about first period following an op. I was lucky that my op was done privately through my husbands work insurance, however it means that the bill for the quick check up following the infection was huge, and I am very nervous to overreact and be charged a huge amount to pop in if it is only a period. However I do not want to leave it if I should be seen! I'm just cramping so much and  it's very painful! and at the same time I am in a panic that I've damaged the repair. 

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • keepsmiling15
    keepsmiling15 miri25981

    Posted

    Hi, Just read your post. I have not long had a uterus repair but done laproscopically. A sacrohysteropexy. Even though we have had different ops i feel for you. The stress after surgery can be worst than the surgery itself! You say you had the op done privately. I too had mine privately but self pay not through insurance. I travelled a fair way to have the op because of the surgeon. I was worried if anything went wrong when i came home but the hospital did say you still have rights to go to your local NHS hospital to be checked out. If you are really stressed it may be worthwhile to visit your local hospital. They will not turn you away because you had the op privately. They are use to that sort of thing all the time. They are there to help and will not turn you away. Even if it turns out to be nothing so what. If you are in really terrible pain you should get it checked out. 
  • keepsmiling15
    keepsmiling15 miri25981

    Posted

    P.S Let me know the outcome. Hope you are okay. Good luck 
    • miri25981
      miri25981 keepsmiling15

      Posted

      Thank you so much for replying. I do get heavy periods so I suppose I shouldn't be shocked, and it is the right time after the last one (although they told me it would be delayed). But it is so painful. However the nurse I spoke to really didn't think it was anything to worry about so I think I am being concerned for nothing. And, this will sound silly, but it's my husbands birthday and he is already upset that his meal out has had to be cancelled so I'm just worried about sitting out childcare and getting him to take me if it's nothing. It's so hard because he keeps thinking I will know if it's okay but I've never had this operation before and I haven't got a clue how my first period should be, I can't find anything online, but I suppose logically only three weeks later it will hurt as everything will be tender... Also I am Concerned about the funny stringy bit of tissue... I was feeling like I had turned a corner it's so upsetting! I'm very grateful that there are others out there who understand although I would not wish this on anyone :-( x
    • keepsmiling15
      keepsmiling15 miri25981

      Posted

      Hi Again,

      I guess if you are regular, your first peroid after the op will be more painful. Your pelvic area has gone through alot and there is still inflamation present. Perhaps you should take some ibrophen/paracetomol and see how you go for a while. You need to rest up. It is very important. The stringy piece of tissue could be from your uterus lining /bladder. Make sure you are drinking plenty water for the bladder. Rest, painkillers and water are first steps. A warm water bottle may help with the pain but not too hot on the skin. Wrap it up if it has not got a cover. If things do not improve or your symtoms get worst seek medical advice. I know things are not easy after gyno surgery. There is alot of mental trauma to cope with but things will improve. Sending you a get well hug X

      Let me know how things go with you, it is good to have someone to talk to while coping with worry.

    • miri25981
      miri25981 keepsmiling15

      Posted

      Thank you, I'm very grateful to you for taking the time to reply. I'm back on the paracetamol and ibrophen that they recommended initially, and it still hurts a lot! And to top it all I am constipated again which I'd just got under control, and that's not helping with that horrible dragging feeling that still hasn't gone post surgery (although some of my other symptoms to do with my bladder are better do I'm just hoping this is because I'm still tender..) I think it's the fact it still hurts after painkillers that's making me nervous, I have quite a high pain threshold usually and I only tend to take one or the other with a period and it's fine... I'm going to see how it is in the morning and if necessary ring again.
    • keepsmiling15
      keepsmiling15 miri25981

      Posted

      Hope you sleep well. Try not to stress and worry. Have positive thoughts and look forward to when you are all better. Do try the water bottle it really helped me. x
  • Noodles2007
    Noodles2007 miri25981

    Posted

    Hello Miri.  Oh gosh I feel your pain.  I wonder why they didn't do a Endometrial ablation which is an treatment for heavy periods removes the endometrium (the lining of the womb).  This does prevent you having children though so not sure if it was an option.  I had a full front and back prolapse repair in March.  All I can say is if the bleeding doesn't stop in your usual week then seek medical help.  When it comes to our bodies we must look after ourselves.  Try not to worry as I expect this is your normal period happening.  Think of it as a good thing as everything is still working ok.  I'm sure picking a weed hasn't harmed you in anyway as long as it wasn't a beanstalk!  

    Have nice baths if your back is hurting.  I can remember at 3/4 weeks for my repair I suffered bad back (lower pain above pelvis) and also my stitches started to disolve.

    Its all going to be ok, just rest up and let nature take its course.  Do nothing today just rest.

    Let us know how you get on. x 

    • miri25981
      miri25981 Noodles2007

      Posted

      Thank you very much for replying!

      I called the ward today as the bleeding was so heavy this morning but it's settled down now. The back pain seems a little better with painkillers today too, yesterday even with painkillers it was awful. The nurse is going to speak to my consultant and phone later (he has a patient on the ward so is in which is lucky), but she is sure that the symptoms are normal. I've had more stringy stuff today but again she thinks it's a good thing it's coming out.

      My main uncomfortableness today is a very sore bulging feeling when I try to sit, even on a cushion. I'm hoping this is connected to the period pain and not the prolapse coming down again. I think my greatest fear is the risk it hasn't worked, before the op it seemed a risk worth taking and I thought if I was careful it should be fine, but now the idea of going through all this and putting my family through so much for nothing is horrible :-(

      I was feeling so much better a few days ago :-(

      I read on another thread that this op should come with counselling and I completely agree. I had my tubes removed after multiple ectopic pregnancies and was very lucky to have ivf, and even more lucky that it worked. Fertility treatment quite rightly comes with counselling and I think this sort of surgery should too.

      Really interesting to hear about a treatment for heavy periods. I have endometriosis and have suffered all my life, have never been offered anything like that, and it wouldn't have hurt because I no longer have Fallopian tubes so children are not a possibility now without further ivf (and I'm very very lucky to have the two I have, both through fertility treatments).

      I am trying very hard to concentrate on when it will all be better. But I'm just so scared it hasn't worked. I am so grateful for your comment about the weeding, I know that's logical just keep thinking I'm doing things wrong.

    • Noodles2007
      Noodles2007 miri25981

      Posted

      Hi again Miri.  Its awful thinking it hasn't worked.  My op in March and now I am experiencing trouble with the toilet (bowel).  I just hope and pray that I am not going to have to have this done again.  

      Ask your consultant about the endometrial ablation; I am so pleased I have had this done.  I still get the symptoms for periods and know that I am still PMT.... but.. no period which is a blessing as the pain and the heavyness of that was awful.

      Do what you can each day and make sure you rest.  Do as your body says and go by your feelings.  If in doubt don't do it.  I wish I hadn't done as much as I did but I live with a family who don't know how to put the dishwasher on ! 

    • miri25981
      miri25981 Noodles2007

      Posted

      I completely, completely sympathise as so am I, and it's so upsetting. I hope your symptoms improve and/or you get some further advice to help.

      My consultant felt that my bowel issues would improve if he lifted up the front, so far they haven't. I'm starting to realise that my dragging down sensation I feel is much more about my bowel, it gets worse as the day goes on. I am eating lots of fruit including prunes and having lactulose still, almost four weeks on, but I am struggling. I know from experience that I have a bulge inside when I need to go but I can't even check it now while my bladder repair is healing! I've spoken to my GP on the phone and described that I'm not constipated in terms of everything being too hard (so sorry for tmi) it just gets "stuck". I'm using a stool and doing everything correctly but it's still difficult. Some days I have lots of pressure, desperately try not to push down but like today just have to end up using a suppository which I know isn't good. My physio said I would probably need another op for the back but my consultant didn't seem to think it was too bad. Seems worse since the front op though, and I also have a strange lump/bulge on my perineum, although can't work out if it's piles? (Sorry again for tmi).. I hate being like this :-( Have had problems with my bladder for years but the bowel part started quite out of the blue only this spring. I feel it's being completely disregarded when I talk to the GP etc. hoping to get some answers in two weeks when I go back to the consultant. I am dreading being back at work as the pain on my bottom is awful.

      Everyone is trying to help at home but I have a five year old and fifteen year old both boys, my husband tries very hard to do a lot but none of them are particularly tidy and I'm struggling looking at the mess and not being able to sort it.

      I am relieved that the bleeding from my period is settling and strangely as that gets better so does my back ache, at least one thing is a bit more bearable.

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