Prolapse & pessary complications
Posted , 5 users are following.
2 years ago after a super fast delivery (third baby) I suffered a grade 2 cystocele and grade 2 rectocele. I was fitted with a ring pessary and did 10 months of pt. I managed to reduce my cystocele to a grade 1.
Over the past 2 years Iv managed fine, I had no symptoms, I changed and cleaned the pessary and didn’t even feel it at all.
Suddenly last week everything changed, I began to experience quite painful lower back pain and tummy cramps. The pessary is so painful to wear. I can feel it with every step. I went to see my gp and she said my prolapse is probably back at around a grade 2 as I originally started. She suggested I leave the pessary out for a few days as the area looked a bit inflamed.
Iv had it out for a few days now which has been pretty awful, the original dragging sensation is back and frequent urination.
Iv put the pessary back in today and the pain has returned. Period type cramps, back pain and pain inside the vagina in general.
Any ideas what is happening? It’s all been quite sudden after 2 years. I’m discharged from gyno as I didn’t want a repair if the pessary took care of my problems. Surgery is serious and it worries me a bit. I imagine my gp will send me back to gyno 
. I’m only 36! I don’t feel sorry for myself but I just kind of want to get on with things without pain and hopefully without an operation.
Thanks
2 likes, 11 replies
jean18443 snailz
Posted
Hi there, I suffered the same problems after my 3rd baby when I was also 36 and had a pessary for about a year. I know you've had the pessary for a while now but could it be that it's a big too big. I had to try several sizes fitted by my gp before I found the right one which didn't give me a period pain feeling all the time. A smaller one might do the job just as well but be less likely to cause inflamation to the vaginal walls and back ache. Just a thought...
robyn94818 snailz
Posted
Sorry to read of your troubles. You can always get referred to the Prolapse Specialists for best advice. Which is a Urogynaecologist by the way. They've had 3 more years training in prolapses than an ordinary Gynaecologist has. Urogynae may be able to extend your time further before the inevitable surgery has to happen. There's a lot of successful outcomes from surgery. They aren't all horror stories.
snailz
Posted
Regarding the uro-gyno I don’t think my hospital has one
either that or they simply refuse to refer me. I’m the uk on the nhs so I don’t get a choice. I’m currently seeing a urologist separately but when I go back I think it will be just gyno.
robyn94818 snailz
Posted
Google for a list of Urogynaecologists in your region. You must must must see one. You need an expert in the field of pelvic floor prolapses. What area of U.K. are you? Maybe someone else reading here may let us know if they've seen one in your vicinity? Gynaecologists haven't had the extra training and don't do them regularly enough to really get best advice & particularly best outcome once surgery becomes necessary. I'm in little ol' New Zealand & we've got lots of them.
Ellie1943 snailz
Posted
Hi Snailz. Where do you live in the UK? Most hospitals in England and Scotland and probably Wales and Ireland too have a gynae unit with urogynaecologists. I'm in the East Midlands and know that Nottingham, Leicester and Derby have these specialists. Look at the website of your local area health authority and check which hospitals in your area have a gynae unit, I believe most bigger hospitals do. Also look at your local hospital website and google urogynaecologists in their browser. You should get a list of them, not all uro gynae's but they can refer you to one who is! I think your GP's are giving you the runaround, probably short of cash as it's getting near the end of the NHS financial year! You can also ask to be referred to one for a private consultation, cost varies but around £1-300 usually for a private consultation. If necessary, he or she can then put you on their NHS list. Ask around for the best in your town/city. Be persistent with your doctor, it will pay off in the long term.
Poll X
snailz
Posted
Hi thank you both, I do feel like I’m being given the run around, I feel like my gp is reluctant to help. She will only refer me back to gyno at my local hospital. I’m in Stockport Cheshire. I could travel to Manchester if anyone has suggestions? I feel really stuck. I would pay the £200 to see a uro gyno if they could do follow up treatment on the nhs but I don’t know how this system works. X thank you x
Ellie1943 snailz
Posted
Hi again. Ask your GP to refer you to a gynae of your choice in Manchester if it suits you or elsewhere if not. these days we can go to any town or city I believe but we have to ask and be persistent for previous reasons given. As I said, google on the hospital website of your choice and look up urogynaecology consultants, also in any other hospital you choose to look at. Or just go on Google and type urogynaecologists in the North West of England and look up their credentials at the hospital where they are consultants. If you ask you GP for a private consultation with the one of your choice, he/she will know you're in need at least! You can also see a different GP in same or practice or change practice! This can be done online now in most areas I believe. Good luck and be persistent!
snailz Ellie1943
Posted
Thank you, im actually having problems finding a uro-gyno in my area or with travel. Are they somewhat rare 😂?? Iv typed it in to google and literally nothing is coming up even for private. There are plenty of general gynos and plenty of general urologists.
Thanks Caroline I did 10 months of pt and it did help but unfortunately 2 years down the line my prolapse has worsened again. I’m struggling to do my exercises now, I get a lot of pain when doing them and even bleeding from the cervix which makes me think all is not right down there. Xx
Ellie1943 snailz
Posted
Try googling just 'gynaecologists' in your area, ie; Manchester. I'm sure there will be plenty there, they don't always put all their qualifications until you get on the hospital website. When on it, look for all the gynaes and check each one's qualifactions or specialities. Also look up your local private hospitals, they usually give a list of consultants and describe their specialities. When you find some names of consultant gynaes, make a note of them and then go to your GP's surgery and ask them to check the consultants and if they do urogynae work. You can also phone your local area health authority and ask them for gynae consultants names or go on their website to look for info googling the words you want to check! ie; gynaecological consultants in Manchester and the North West of England. I can't think why your GP's won't refer you but you may have to persist as this is classed as non urgent or elective surgery and the current economic crisis in the NHS means they have long lists and loads of people waiting. Be firm and insist you need an appointment asap! Tell them about the bleeding too. Have you had a cervical smear test lately by the way? X
caroline_48788 snailz
Posted
snailz caroline_48788
Posted