Posted , 7 users are following.
I am new to this forum, I joined after having a posterior vaginal repair for a rectocele on Friday just gone. I just wanted to share my experience as I feel it may help someone who may be wondering if it is worth going through the surgery.
I am 54 years old, I have had two natural childbirths ( over 35 years ago) with no major issues. I had a vaginal hysterectomy in 2004 because of endometriosis. I have chronic asthma which causes me to cough very hard and deep putting a great strain on my 'nether regions'
I started to notice something odd in the undercarriage a few months ago, my bladder, which had been super strong since my hysterectomy, was no longer as good as it used to be, I would also feel something 'pop' in my vagina whenever I coughed, so I started holding myself whenever a coughing fir occured. Things got worse in the bowel department too and I started to get badly constipated too, it just didn't feel right, when I strained, it felt like it was coming forward into my vagina rather than going down into the loo, if I put my fingers in, I could feel it bulging and I had to push it back to be able to actually go. I visited Dr Google.. (and cleared my search history !) and up popped rectocele! It fit my symptoms perfectly, a brief trip to my GP and an internal confirmed it. She referred my to the same Gynae who did my hysterectomy and I had my repair done on Friday, one overnight stay and home on Saturday with pain killers and strict instructions to rest as much as possible for 4 weeks, then 2 weeks of light household duties - IE: dusting, NO hoovering, standing for long periods of time etc.
So today is Wednesday, I am sore down below, but nothing major, no worse than when I had my children and had an episiotomy, I have mild cramping in my stomach and do feel tired. I am taking paracetamol and ibuprofen which are helping with the discomfort, and lactulose. I still hold myself when coughing, that is normal, it hurts my stitches! but there is no popping sensation! And Joy of Joy... I can go to the toilet!!!! no strain! no pain, no feeling that I haven't voided completely.. I had forgotten how great it felt to have a good proper poo! I almost cried with relief.
I read so many websites about this repair and wondered if it was worth the aggravation of surgery, should I just poke up with the problem and accept it as part of my life, I know I am only on day 5 of my recovery but By God the difference is incredible already. If you are in doubt about having it done, get yourself a damn good gynae - ask for stitches, not mesh - and go for it, and be prepared to rest to recover.
Sorry to waffle on, but I am so happy to be seeing an improvement already, just wanted to share it... back to resting now, hubby has put the kettle on again
1 like, 28 replies
Jan999 pearl174
Posted
Beetlebugmik pearl174
Posted
I am glad you are making good progress and remember it's early days. Rest and more rest for the next few weeks.
I didn't start to drive until almost 8 weeks as I was really sore, what I hadn't realised which was causing the soreness, was that I had complications with an abscess which thankfully emergency a&e found and treated
Back on road to recovery now swimming, walking and light housework and feeling good. (Still another 2 weeks until i can Hoover)
Was signed off for 12 weeks but doctor has now extended it to 14 weeks off work to catch up my recovery from the complications, so this time next month I should be back to the grindstone and working can't wait!
So keep up your recovery and try to take it easy listen to your body,
Take care and keep us informed with your progress
Mik x
Jan999 Beetlebugmik
Posted
pearl174 Beetlebugmik
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Beetlebugmik Jan999
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Jan999 Beetlebugmik
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Imnotadoctor pearl174
Posted
So pleased that everything has gone well for you, thank you for such a positive post.
I'm a similar age to you, I had an anterior repair & hysterectomy in 2013 & have been struggling with a rectocele since then. The thing that really worries me is bowel control post op. I know you must not get constipated but I've got a real fear of losing control of my bowel. I know it's silly but I can't get this out of my head!
My AR may need re-doing as there is a small bulge there again. I seem to have been backward and forward to the doctors so much in the last 5 years they are starting to get fed up with me!
I really hope you continue to improve, take it easy & let us know how you get on. 🙂
Hijadeonagro Imnotadoctor
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Jan999 Imnotadoctor
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Imnotadoctor Hijadeonagro
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Yes it's after the surgery that I worry about. I've been told my pelvic floor is weak so I have been doing my exercises but I can't get it out of my head that I might be left incontinent! Silly I know 😕 Thanks for the hugs, much appreciated. X
Imnotadoctor Jan999
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Hijadeonagro Imnotadoctor
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Jan999 Hijadeonagro
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Imnotadoctor Hijadeonagro
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phyl_40063 Imnotadoctor
Posted
I too suffered damage when I had my first child , they cut me just as I tore, it was a mess of lumpy stitching.
However it did heal and never gave me any problems, that said it was many years ago.
The first I had any real problems at posterior end wa's while I was waiting for my hysterectomy and anterior repair. I was using a pessary to hold repair up and was having difficulty going to toilet with ring in and I remember at the time mentioning to physio that I felt then that the pessary was causing a kink in the wall.
Anyway it all seemed to sort itself or so I thought until recently when back wall of vag... did prolapse.
I often wonder if pessary did cause that weakness in the wall!
Phyl x☺
Imnotadoctor phyl_40063
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We all take our bodies for granted until something goes wrong then it takes over your life.
phyl_40063 Imnotadoctor
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Even once back at work you spend your time working or trying to recover from and never ever quite get back to normal activity you are always having to watch you don't o erdo things and are constantly restricted.
I had been looking forward for years to helping with grandchildren, only managed to help with the first one as she was born before all this started. The 4 younger ones I can't lift to cuddle and can barely help. You can't have the same fun with them either, can't run or play tennis anything where you are running around or jumping about.
Can swim and cycle with older granddaughter but the rest are too young for cycling as yet.
Don't even know if I will manage back cycling this time.
It's so hard to get some quality of life if you work a couple of days and then have to spend the next five trying to recover!
Sorry, a bit down today. Feeling how unfair life can be.
I look at least 10 years younger than I actually am, and although bloated cab often hide it well, I always have a great complexion as I rarely wear make-up and get lots of fresh air so I always look health. As you know prolapse and pain are not always a visable problem and therfore sometimes people expect so much more than we can cope with.
That's me done today with my bout of feeling sorry for myself!
Phyl x😢😢😢
Imnotadoctor phyl_40063
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I always feel I look 10 years older although I try & dress well, keep my hair nice etc but even so I get the "down" days too.
Keep in touch.
X
Hijadeonagro phyl_40063
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phyl_40063 Imnotadoctor
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Xx💖
phyl_40063 Hijadeonagro
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Hope all is going well for you,
Healing hugs x💖
Hijadeonagro phyl_40063
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phyl_40063 Hijadeonagro
Posted
Phyllis x💖
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