Rectal Prolapse recurring 3 times after prolapse surgeries
Posted , 10 users are following.
Hi, I've had troubles with a rectal prolapse for about 10 years which has recurred three times. I am now 60 years old and worried that it will never be able to be repaired properly. Also my surgeon is worried about me developing a problem with incontinence because of the prolapse (I already have a problem controlling wind). Has anyone had similar problems?
The history: I originally thought I had hemorrhoids but when I finally asked to see a consultant it turned out I had a rectal prolapse and very lax anal muscles (which is caused in part by the prolapse).
Four years ago I had my first rectal surgery through the rectum, called a Delormes procedure, which was a total disaster. I immediately had pain and blood after the procedure after going to the loo and within a month the prolapse was pretty evident and after several months very prolapsed.
I was referred to a bowel specialty hospital and the surgeon gave me lots of tests to see what was going on. It turns out the bowel had a redundant loopy aspect and I had laparscopic surgery through the abdomen to remove the redundant bowel and reattach the rectum: a resection rectopexy. This was more successful than the first surgery with no blood or pain afterwards but the bowel did start to descend and prolapsed again.
Two years later I had another resection rectopexy and now six months on the prolapse has returned. I see the surgeon again in a couple of weeks but wonder what more he can do? and also worried about the aspect of having incontinence problems. Anyone have a similar situation?
Thanks much -- any advice greatly appreciated.
1 like, 12 replies
Taff1234 karen01345
Posted
karen01345 Taff1234
Posted
Thank you for the note. I had another surgery (the fourth) in May where they inserted a disolvable mesh -- so far so good -- I see the surgeon next month. I also see a bowel physiotherapist to help get the muscles to work as best they can ... there has been some damage to the inner sphincter muscle which can't be repaired but I am happy with the results -- crossing fingers it keeps for a while. karen
deborah32274 karen01345
Posted
By May I began to consistently lose weight and am presently at 91lbs. I lost 30 pounds total as of today. I went from severe diarrhea to severe bloating, painful abdomen and recurring constipation even though I take miralax every night. My stool is NEVER hard, they stay loose and softly formed.
The past two weeks I have begun to have regular nausea and vomiting. Three months ago I began going to Cleveland Clinic. After a series of tests it was found I had no disease, just a sluggish intestinal tract with overactive nerves.
I would say that was good news except the symptoms worsen and I am in bed at least 80% of the time.
I started seeing a dietitian last Jan. have been very consistently following her advice- a specific carbohydrates diet, gluten, lactose and sugar free diet. I also implemented the low fodmat diet. With this I also began to drink ‘elemental liquid diet’. I even went to a completely liquid diet for 6 weeks....ALL to control the pain and make digestion easier. I am also going to a homeopathic clinic and began acupuncture last week.
It still hurts terribly when I eat, The bloating can become severe and I have what looks like hives across my abdomen. This we believe comes from a systemic yeast infection we have been treating since last January.
The internal rectal prolapse is definitely back. I either go multiply times because I can;t completely empty, or I can’t go at all and must use suppositories and enemas. These cause severe pain, BUT I at least get my colon to empty. I can tell the ‘accordian’ folding is happening again in my colon and rectum.
I feel like I am going downhill fast. I am not healthy enough for another repair and eating simply becomes more difficult.
I return for more acupuncture this week. I can no longer go to Cleveland Clinic because my insurance decided to not pay for anyplace outside of state. Simply terrible!!
It has been amazing that I have kept my mood positive with few down moments or days.
I can no longer say that. I feel hopeless. I can say that I ‘feel’ like I am wasting away. I really dont know if I can improve without another surgical repair (which I swore I would never do, but it is sounding like a good option at this point.). I am not healthy enough to have another repair and no hope another one would work anyway.
It seems like I have tried everything...but maybe someone out there can give me advice from their experiences.
So few people talk about this issue because of the embarrassing symptoms.
I hope someone is still reading and has some advice and encouragement. I went to a pelvic PT after my second surgery and again just before being diagnosed with c-diff. I also have a pelvic pain management doctor who has been invaluable.
I am 63 years old and have suffered with this for 5 years. Again, it ‘feels’ like my body is too tired to heal.
Open to all suggestions.
Deborah
Taff1234 deborah32274
Posted
deborah32274 Taff1234
Posted
1. Unable to empty completely when I go to the bathroom.
2. Pain when I pass stool.
3. Unbelievable bloating...which made eating difficult.
4. Sometimes I had to push my rectum back in. That also hurt.
5. Going to the bathroom 9-11 times a day.
6. Fear of leaving my house and going out in public because of my sometimes urgency to find a bathroom
I wonder if yours are the same....
Deborah
carol93755 deborah32274
Posted
you need to look at a group called sling the mesh.
I believe you have mesh related problems.
rene222 karen01345
Posted
karen: I'm right there with you. I've had two full rectal lapses with repairs. My second repair has now failed and the prolapse is worse than ever. I have extreme bowel problems --- without massive amounts of Miralax & MOM I can't go at all. I'm talking NOTHING for weeks. So I have a huge problem with abdominal bloat too. I feel very discouraged. I just hope I can find another surgeon that can help or I'm doomed to years and years of this continual bowel dysfunction with manually pushing in my prolapsed rectum. This makes everyday life difficult, but makes travel nearly impossible. Unpleasant!
karen01345 rene222
Posted
Hi Rene. Thanks for the note. I had my 4th repair last year and the surgeon at st Marks hospital in Harrow put in a biological dissolvable mesh... And that seems to have been OK.. I'm not expecting it to last forever but I am pleased.
I now also go to a nurse who is a bowel retraining specialist who is helping me get as back to normal as I can. I hope things get better for you. Are you in the UK?
Kind regards karen
rene222 karen01345
Posted
Karen; No I'm in US. I'm looking at trying another appointment with a colorectal surgeon... I'm down to a colostomy now I guess, but that would have to be an improvement to now.
So glad you've found some relief and improvement.
k/r
deborah32274 karen01345
Posted
Last me was the 4th. They removed a large portion of my colon which kept accordianing.
I now have a colostomy....these past 3 months and am getting adjusted to that change in lifestyle.
For me, it was the final answer. Emptying a bag 2-3 times a day is much better than 9-11 times a day, I don’t hurt like I did before, and I do have a better confidence in public playces.
To I want this drastic measure. No.
Would I recommend this to others. Definitely
I dont like it but I deal with it and gain more living time than before.
Good luck with your ‘final solution’.
keep me posted on how you are.
Deborah
karen01345 deborah32274
Posted
Oh dear. you've been through a lot. I'm glad you are getting some relief.
I'm hoping my last repair lasts a while and my consultant did say he could do same again. However, they did discuss the possibility of a stoma. It is nice to chat to people who have had the similar experiences -- I'm glad they have this forum and thanks for your input.
Kind regards,
karen
Cook46 karen01345
Posted
hi Karen I came across your post from 3 years ago regarding your rectal prolapse how are things now? I am interested as I have had surgery for rectal prolapse and my sigmoid had three loops which he removed and re sectioned my bowel to my rectum now my prolapse is back and i am worse also have grade 3 haemorrhoids internal which are so painful, I have to digitate everytime I need to go to the loo and which is very often. Jo