Prolapsed Bowel = Yuck!!

[Maggiemay]

Hi all :)
Mentally I'm doing really well at the minute :) I'm enjoying being back at work and loving spending time with my class :) I'm on top if everything, including my new job role and feeling relaxed - even colleagues are commenting how much more chilled I am :) Having a lovely team, who all work together is helping a lot :) Fallen in love with my new lil boy - so rewarding working with him :)

But... Physically I'm in a state :( After 8 weeks of continual bleeding and lots of pain and discomfort and harassment from therapist and bfriend, I finally went to the Dr last week. It took a lot for me to let him look down there (only did in the end as he said he wouldn't touch, but then tricked me!) I have lots of issues relating to sexual abuse so surprised I let him look!! Anyways, it turns out I have a prolapsed bowel :( Yuck!!! Would explain a lot! He's given me horrid fybogel again which I hate - supposedly to stop straining but it's making things worse! :( One good thing is that the bleeding has stopped, but the pain in my abdomen,back and down there is excruciating :'( It hurts so much!! I'm not meant to see him for another couple of weeks but don't know if I'll last that long without pain relief :( He was very dismissive when I asked how to get rid of it, but looking it up online, they can either put something up there that you/Dr needs to take out and clean regularly (yuck!!!! & it doesn't solve the problem!) or surgery (which means 3 day's in hospital and 6 weeks off work!). I think surgery is probably the best option, but hard when = more time off after I already had 4 months off 2 years ago due to PTSD :( Urgh!!! I can't put up with this pain tho, that's for sure! But knowing what the NHS is like = lots of waiting and deffo = actually letting lots of people look & touch which makes me feel physically sick! :( I just want it all to be over!!

 

[Ghostybear73]

It does seem yucky, but it is a medical problem that you do have to take seriously. It is also incredibly painful both physically and emotionally so I am glad you were able to share.

I hope you know you are not alone and if you need to talk, you can pm me. I have been there and it is difficult, I just wish I had the strength to talk about it and get support before I went through it like you are now.

:)

 

[Maggiemay]

Thanks ghoustybear :) I appreciate it :) xxx

 

[ISupportHer]

I am not a Doctor but I am pretty sure that surgical intervention is the definitive treatment. I hear your fears with the PTSD associated with these types of exams. Yes, you would have to face the exams but perhaps you can look at it as LESS exams as opposed to needing to have it checked many times in the future if you don't get it taken care of. Not that it makes the NEXT exam better, if this makes sense.

 

[Maggiemay]

Yeah, that makes sense :) I'm only 30 so have a lot of years ahead of me!! & as T pointed out, what's worse - having surgery or being in pain everyday? ;( I just went out & got paracetamol and codeine as ibuprofen wasn't helping but still no change :( I'm going to make appt to see Dr next week and ask for codeine... I don't know how I'm going to get through all the prodding and poking, it's already causing a lot of flashbacks, but I guess I'm going to have to find a way...

 

[GWhizz]

@Maggiemay I'm sorry your doc was so dismissive. I'm actually a colorectal nurse so I would say surgery is definitely your best longterm option but the pain and healing time is quite tough going.

I actually had a rectal surgery myself for a different problem caused by abuse. The pain and healing time was excruciating. It also caused more old memories to resurface and made me really angry I had to go through this - I'm 28, had it done in April and only finally feeling better. Don't want to put you off either but just look into all your options before you do anything major.

If your gp is not proving helpful, I would ask the pharmacist for over the counter painkillers that won't constipate you, gels, creams etc. If it's really bad and you wish to speed up waiting times - a trip to the local accident/emergency dept is prob your best bet. I know it's hard letting anyone look, let alone touch down there. But trust me, the docs and nurses have seen it all a million times and worse. I deal specifically with stoma care and education and that's more embarrassing for a patient in my opinion from what I've seen anyway.

Best of luck with it and take a sitz (bread soda and table salt) bath to help and pain relief. Also drink plenty of fluids and avoid constipating foods etc.

 

[Maggiemay]

Thanks gWhizz :)

I sadly agree it looks like surgery will be best. I hope it doesn't take forever to heal tho - I can't afford to take the time off work!! The ideal would be to have it done in summer then I have school holidays to recover, but that's a long way away and knowing the NHS prob won't happen for ages anyway! I've got paracetamol and codeine, but still not touching it :( I'm def in less pain in the bath. I went out earlier and pain was awful. I couldn't stand still as too much pain and discomfort stood up :( I have back problems anyway, often getting sciatica, and suffer with fibromyalgia, but this is very different :(

 

[Ghostybear73]

Hey @Maggiemay, I know this is difficult, but please don't put it off too long. I waited for fear of letting anyone in that area and because of the constipation, I ended up with a cystocele and rectocele. I had damage and weakness to both my vaginal and rectal walls and since I waited and continued pushing with constipation, my bladder prolapsed as well.

You can also get sepsis (systemic infection) from the buildup of fecal matter in the prolapsed pouch. Not trying to scare you, just wanting you to know that the sooner you conquer the fear, the better your chances at a quick recovery.

I also thought I would share that the pessary idea usually only helps with bladder and uterus prloapses, although it is still an viable idea.

I am truly sorry you have to go through this, I know it is horrible and feels degrading and humiliating.

It looks like there are a lot of people on this forum who have been there to support you with whatever you need.

Please be gentle with yourself

 

[Maggiemay]

Thanks Ghoustybear :)

I know you're right, just don't know how I'd cope with a hole term off work :( 6 weeks is a looong time!! I've already had a lot of bleeding which scared me a lot and why I went to the dr, but this seems to have stopped for now. Dr did a urine sample to check for infection etc but I guess nothing showed up as I haven't heard anything...

I hate the idea of a pessary. I think it would induce far too many flashbacks (I've already had a lot because of this) and ultimately doesn't solve the problem either.

Thanks, it's nice to feel supported, in real life only a few people know.

If I could stop the pain I'd be happy!