Hi
I had to see a Urogynae specialst for a bladder test last week, and i need two surgeries:
-Autologus rectus fascial Sling repair and anterior repair
-Posterior repair.
I had 5 babies all naturally and got a bladder prolapse after no 2.
Rectocele happened sometime later, who knows.
Uterus is in its right place.
I started leaking when i would trip over etc last year, and started HRT which has helped somewhat, (in peri atm) but still have issues with any impact such as a trip, fall, trolley rolling into me etc.
Did the Urology test which was a bit of a shambles.
I had 900 ml of fluid on the way over to the hospital as you were instructed to come with a full bladder.
I then had to void it at the start of the test and only 250 ml cam out as it obviously hadn't worked its way through yet.
Then they started the test filling up my bladder with the Drip, but realised part way through the computer was saying 330ml had gone in yet the bag wasn't moving.
They adjusted that and it started filling.
I was fine up until my bladder was full- i felt like it was going to explode but the doctor said she'd only put 300 ml in and wanted to empty the bag and I could take more!
But i really couldn't as i drank 900ml before i came and only passed 250 ml before the test, as it all hadn't come through so there was alot more in there than she thought.
I panicked about having an accident and told her that was enough, but she said we'll add some more at which stage i said, "No I am really done and i don't want anymore!" so she stopped and then i burst into tears 😕
It was the anxiety of it, as i spend my whole life trying to control things and not have accidents to then be in the position where they were asking me to cough and everything else and i was so uncomfortable i felt i would explode!
So anyway, my fears of the test not showing the issues were allayed when i coughed 3 times and major amounts went everywhere!
Then i had to get off the table, but as my bladder was fuller than it had ever been just the impact of getting off the table started the flow again and it was literally running down my legs!
She said I need incontinence repair, anterior repair and posterior repair, and I shall need to have 2 separate operations to do that, as evidence shows that best results are when the repairs are done separately than all at once.
Oh, by the way, my bladder empties well apparently and when i emptied the busting bladder there was over 700 mls after the leaks test coughing, so no wonder i was jolly panicking when she told me she'd only added 330 mls and I should have more!
She also said i need to take some meds first for overactive bladder. My bladder can hold a large amount, but she said the test shows as the bladder gets full it becomes overactive.
I have no idea why or how that happens or what issues that cause, because she didnt allow me to ask any questions.
She said she had no time to explain anything! 🙄
So I recieved a leaflet for Anterior repair, Posterior repair and incontinence surgery, and was told to go away, take the overactive bladder meds for a few months to sort that before they will deal with surgery.
I'm not to have caffeine or fizzy drinks . (which i don't really anyway).
I was told they won't tell me or suggest what procedures i should choose, but provide the info and let the patient decide whats best for them!
Fabulous! 🙄
I would kind of like to talk it over with a professional but they don't have time to even explain the simplest of things.
And the surgery options mentioned in the NHS are :
-Bulking agent
-colposuspension
-An autologous rectus fascial sling (made from your abdominal muscle
-a retropubic mid urethral mesh sling (sometimes called tape
This doctor said she doesn't do the mesh sling above, so i don't know why that is offered as an option.
So now I have to go away and take the meds and decide what I should do for myself without a chance for proper discussion.
I don't even know the Doctors name as it was written on the letter you have to hand in at reception so I don't have it, so i can't even google her to see if i trust her to do it! (Ysbyty Gwynedd , Bangor North Wales)
So i don't know what to do or really understand some of the things like overactive bladder.
Looking at the side effects from the meds online, i don't want to take them, but i have to take them for a month, and then see the continence nurse for 3 mths and then the surgeon in 4 mths for the surgery assessment plan.
I have to take these meds before they will do surgery, but i don't really understand why i have an overactive bladder, since i only pee once at night and about 4 times during the day and i can hold a full bladder of 500 mls without leaking- its only when theres an impact that it causes issues.
Theres not even anyone to ask if i could take a different med instead, am i expected to take these forever, as they have some nasty side effects including increased risk of dementia.
I just don't really understand.