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[kathie22]

Hello Ladies
It’s been a while since I’ve posted.
Previously, my main issue was uncontrollable atrophy and a rectocele prolapse. It totally destroyed my mental health to the point that I didn’t think I could carry on .. But, after a lot of pressure from me on my GP, A visit to a vulvo dermatologist and an expedited gynaecology referral I had surgery 5 weeks ago. It’s still early days and, as there is little information out there, I can only hope that it’s been successful and the issues I have are all normal  and will resolve over the long recovery period.
I’m posting to say that if you have a prolapse and are offered surgery, then really consider it as an option. Strangely, since the internal bulge has gone, my atrophy has all but disappeared. Of course it will come back I’m sure, but such a relief to have a break from it.  5 weeks on it’s still a massive upheaval and difficult to navigate and I’m not 100% sure it been a complete success, but if this is as good as it gets it’s 200% better than it was. Unfortunately, I will only have a telephone follow up which I find mysterious, but apparently that’s how it’s done.
As soon as poss I will resume topical oestrogen in some form and have already restarted keagals.
I hope this post is of interest to some of you.

[CLKD]

    who were U previously?

It's early days after such invasive surgery, there's a lot of soft tissue to heal.  Follow up appts should be done face2face!

Did U get advice from a physio about the Kegal exercises?  As for VA treatment, were U told not to use any?

Let us know how you get on.   

[kathie22]

Can’t remember who I was Kathryn something ?? Terrible memory loss due to anxiety so had to rejoin
Found the Squeezy app online but did see a private physio to check out PF condition
Yea surgeon said stop va meds as not to insert anything because of swelling and stitches and could introduce infection I use Intrarosa pessaries .. makes sense… I did try to get my GP to give me an alternative to use patches gel tablets ?? But not reviewing my request till next month (6weeks after request) apparently it’s been triaged and considered non urgent.Yes as I’m sure your thinking Not very helpful as I had just started to get VA under control and it’s important to have the oestrogen for the vaginal strength

[Minusminnie]

I think you mentioned before that you had private health insurance of some sort. Do you think this is why you seem to have had poor aftercare advice ? Will your GP check you out ? a telephone follow up seems really inadequate.

[kathie22]

Hi
No I had my surgery on the NHS I wasn’t happy with the private consultation and can’t fault the service so far Although there isn’t any aftercare or advice your just discharged after 24 hrs and have to rely on Google
I used the dermatologist via private care she was brilliant
The GP has been an issue through all of this

[Minusminnie]

I think too much initial hospital aftercare is being pushed back on the GP too early. They must be swamped. At my daughter’s surgery there are now 22 triage receptionists/ people.

I hope that you continue to heal well does your private health insurance allow for you to have any follow up ?

[kathie22]

I am going to ring the surgeons secretary and ask I can’t see that he has a private private practice but most medics do nowadays It’s just the reassurance that someone has checked it out and signed you off because you don’t know yourself if what you feel is normal or if you should feel anything at all I also wanted to suggest that patients are discharged with more information as to recovery targets etc I have had to rely on the internet which is really not ideal is it very mixed messages One guide I followed approved light shopping I then spent 48 hrs in bed because I had over done it 🤦‍♀️  I agree about the GP workload but I worry that triage is being done by under experienced staff Having to wait 6 weeks to discuss my meds is a very long time and has undone all my previous efforts

[CLKD]

I think it is medical negligence for a patent to be discharged too early without at least 1 follow up with the surgeon.  General Practitioners are that: GPs.  Which is why they refer to specialists.  It won't be long B4 GPs are expected to do a full day of surgery!

85% of patients are returned under blue light to hospital after 'early' discharge  which is why there are lines of Ambulances outside A&E Depts..   . Years ago 1 would stay in the Ward for at least 5 days to make sure that there was no infection and to be supported.

[kathie22]

Yes
Think we call that the Good Old Days and I agree it almost  hinges on dangerous
I think it’s one thing (of many) that the NHS have made a mistake with. But I must say again I’ve been really fortunate with my treatment It was a lot of stress to have to continually harass my GP and I know she was/ is sick of the sight of me to the point they would prescribe almost whatever I wanted as long as they didn’t have to see me But I think slowly the penny dropped that I was in serious trouble mentally as well as physically so to make sure there was no comeback on them I got referred urgently Am definitely going to see if I can see my surgeon privately for a check up He was brusque but efficient

[Taz2]

How are you feeling now Kathie? I hope that your prolapse surgery has helped with both your physical and mental health. I had a hysterectomy and front wall repair ten years ago due to prolapse. It made things much more comfortable.

Taz x

[Kathleen]

Hello kathie22

Many thanks for the update and I am sure your posts will help other ladies in your situation.

I think the phone follow up / triage arrangement is just another example of services being overwhelmed and corners being cut. It was easy to believe that financial cuts to public services were to improve efficiency and were necessary until you or someone you care about needs some care and it just isn't there.

I hope that your recovery goes well and take care.

K.

[kathie22]

Hi Taz & Kathleen
Thank you both for your messages
It’s a very slow recovery and I don’t think it’s fully appreciated what a major surgery it is But there are little improvements most days Although I still have the horrendous anxiety of not being confident that the surgery has worked But then I am the original Nervous Nellie
I have contacted my surgeon today and he has agreed to see me face to face which has amazed me I must say that I have been very lucky to end up under his care I actually emailed him directly and he replied within a couple of hours It will give my poor frazzled brain the information it needs to wind down I can honestly say that I think I have received the best treatment available so far but as we know nothing like it was some years ago. Opposing this is the lack of help from my practice it’s taken 6 weeks for them to speak to me about a temporary oestrogen replacement while I’m healing and even then I had to tell the GP that I shouldn’t be inserting pessaries while I’m still healing with stitches in place 🤦‍♀️ And I still have another month to wait before they’ve scheduled another call to refer me for pelvic floor physio Don’t you just love E referring where the triage is done by the HCA team and a nurse 🤣😞