Rectocele, intersusception? Doctor says everything normal, what is going on?!

Hi Ruby.

I know you must be scared and worried however as you have seen both the nurse and GP and they have both said everything feels normal, relax and see how it goes.  You are right to avoid constipation at any costs and although you are a young lady you should still think about not lifting really heavy weights etc, also do your pelvic floor exercises even though you haven't had children, just basically look after yourself, it's never too early.  Should your fears not subside ask your GP to refer you to a gynaelogocist.  I am 62 and had suffered with first a rectocele and then a cystocele for many years and in October 2014 took the plunge and had an op.  I've 6 children who were all big babies plus quite a few complications when having my first child.  Also i would think nothing of lifting really heavy weight (i'm quite a small person) and also had probs over the years with constipation from time to time.  Believe me you and the nurse and GP would know if you have any prolapse problems not just by feel but if you looked you would undoubtedly see a bulge.  Here's wishing you the very best. 

Hi Ruby  I had similar experience, mine is worse on standing up and better when lying down, I get alot of backache. My GP thought mine was quite a bad prolapse and I was referred urgently to colorectal surgeon as my sister died with cancer of the bowel. He seemed to think there was nothing major, and that he could feel a small prolapse but it feels enormous to me. Especially if I have eaten alot and there is alot in the bowel. I have some laxative powder sachets off the doctor to stop constipation, and I am trying to eat less and have smaller meals. I did have a colonoscopy and it seemed to help (or may have been the prep you have to take beforehand) as it completley clears you out for the procedure. I had lots of cramp like tummy pains and almost felt I could feel the food progressing through my intestines, but since colonoscopy better, so I have thought I may have had a blockage which was cleared by the prep and the procedure which was normal. I have had two children now adults both of which were difficult natural births which they have said is the cause of mine. 

Hi Ruby

I would think that if your bowel hadn't been emptied for a few days it's possible you could feel uncomfortable in your vagina, it's all so close to each other.  I always felt better (and i think most people do) after a bowel motion.  As i said before try hard not to get constipated with the need to strain.  Think that was a problem i had for a lot of years, starting in childhood.  Another sure way to know if alls not well especially when you need to empty your bowels is get a mirror and have a look, if you see an obvious bulge in your vagina don't hesitate and go to see your GP for a referral.  There are many things to protect yourself so that you hopefully never need to face anything like an operation in the future.  I guess it's like all things in life it's only with hindsight or if things go wrong we might have done things differently.  Try not to worry.  Thinking of you.

Hi Ruby,

I think you maybe need to try lactulose, it's a stool softener and is really good but gentle on your stomach. I wouldn't leave things too long though if it's still the same. I had a posterior rectocele (bowel prolapsed into vagina) and a prolapsed rectum which protruded out of my anus when going for a poo. I'm 9 weeks post op now for surgery for them both, this was the only thing that would rectify it. I was initially told by one gynae that I just needed physio, then the physio said no way I needed surgery. The next doctor said I needed prolapse surgery and then I was referred to a Professor in Urogynaecology who confirmed it was large prolapses that only surgery would fix. I don't want to frighten you but that's what mine was like when I had a bowel movement. You really do need more advice from specialist people.

x

Hi I've just had repair for grade 3 rectocelle I'm now 10 weeks post op and everything seems to be going well.

I had a difficult time being heard about my problem with gp so I self referred to NHS continence service, after giving me pelvic floor exorcise to do for 2 months (after years of doing them ) I was finally heard and referred to consultant . just another avenue to try for another opinion ...hope this helps ....sally

Thankyou everyone for your wonderful advice.

Maureen, I had a look and there is nothing coming out but I can see a slight bulge if I look inside, not sure if its just because because I'm sat up and it's supposed to be like that. I'm trying not to panic about it and just see how the next few weeks go. I will go back to my gp if things don't get better.

Rhona, thanks for your advice, I have just started taking dulcoease, as I have been using sennakot -and although it's working I'm not comfortable with the idea of taking laxatives. I will try lactulose if I have no luck with this.

I think the best think to do it just to monitor it and see if I can get to the point where I can go without any problems or having to assist myself. I'm a naturally worrier and do get anxious over these things so I'm sure I'm making it worse for myself at the moment, probably making myself constipated for fear of having to go. I have still gone daily but feel bloated and sluggish like I haven't finished.

I will keep you all updated and let you know how things are going.

I have bought a sensatone pelvic floor exerciser to use daily as I'm hoping it will help, it can't do any harm either way.

Thankyou all again for being so lovely

Hi Ruby. I am 52 & have recently had surgery for rectocele & waiting for surgery for intersupsection. At your age I had IBS which wasn't truly diagnosed until when I was in late 30's & am sure this has been a big contributor to my surgery now. Due to constipation etc.Food plays a big part in my IBS. So I avoid wheat as much as can & other foods (different foods effect different people) It would be worth your while checking you don't have IBS cos' if I had known the same age as you I would have been much more careful about the food that I ate. Just a thought, also stress plays a big part in some peoople with IBS. 

I will definitely try lactulose if this continues as I know it can be prescribed long term.

I due suffer from IBS symptoms I'm often quite bloated and uncomfortable after certain foods and am often stressed due to my anxiety. Maybe I need to do some work on this too as I easily fall into negative thinking patterns and obviously I have been thinking the worst with this too.

Hi there

Just an update. I went back to the doctor as my symptoms have continued and I wasn't content with the lack of answers I got last time I went.

The doctor prescribed my movicol for two weeks and has recommended I tried the FODMAP diet. He also did some bloods to test for celiac and Crohn's disease, which came back negative.

The movicol and diet changes have helped, although I find I am getting diarrhoea if I take the movicol as prescribed, twice a day, so I have been taking it less. I am able to go to the toilet with no effort which is good. But the other day I hadn't taken the movicol for a day or so as my stools were really loose and found I the problem reoccurred.

I am feeling a lot calmer about the situation as I've had a break from being so uncomfortable so was able to have a feel about without panicking. It seems that it is more my perineum in between my vagina that bulges and the stool seems to travel down there rather than out when it isn't really soft. Has anyone else experienced this? Also I don't know it its just me but my actually anus seems to sit lower that I remember all the time, as in it is not level with my vagina it is about an inch lower and the perineum is slanted when seated because of this, is this normal? It's not like I really proved around this area before.

I am due back to the doctors on Tuesday for a follow up on my appt so I will let you know how it goes