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[Camjo06]

Hi all,
I was referred to the bowel & bladder clinic due to issues with chronic constipation, lower back pain and groin pain.  Had a colonoscopy which was thankfully all good. The nurse diagnosed me with a prolapse, and said I was too far gone to benefit from physio. They have referred me to Gynae but the waiting list is approx 2 years long.  My symptoms are getting worse, by the end of the day the prolapse has dropped so much it’s rubbing on my underwear, I’ve got abdominal pain and dragging, pain in my groin, awful lower back ache and the feeling like you get when a tampax is sitting uncomfortably. My question is, has anyone managed to deal with these symptoms independently whilst waiting for help from the professionals? I’m taking pain killers everyday and only comfortable when sitting on a heat pad - it’s miserable! X

[Taz2]

Hi camjo06. Can you say what has prolapsed? All prolapses still benefit from a tailored programme of pelvic floor exercises even though they won't be a total cure. Have you been seen by a specialist pelvic floor nurse? Has anyone suggested a vaginal pessary to lift things up while you are waiting? Sorry for all the questions but I've had uterine and bladder prolapses and know how wretched they can make you feel.

Taz x   

[sheila99]

All of the above plus I think you should go back to the gp. If it's rubbing on your underwear it isn't just discomfort it's potential infection too which imo makes it more urgent. No experience in humans but plenty in sheep where speed of treatment is a big factor in whether it's curable or not.

[Taz2]

I agree with Sheila. If the prolapse has dropped so far as to be rubbing then there is the risk of ulceration. Have you been given advice on what you should avoid doing to stop it worsening? Also the sort of pain you are mentioning is not typical of prolapse.

Taz x

[kathryn22]

Oh Camjo
You poor thing,you must be in bits.
What the hell?? How can you not be urgently treated. Agree totally with the others, get back to the GP, there are fast referral routes that GPs have access to. It’s barbaric to leave you like this.
I have a grade 2 prolapse of the bowel bulging into the vaginal wall. The pessary ring didn’t work x 3 all fell out after a very short time. Luckily I have membership of Benenden so managed to be seen within 6 weeks, the NHS wait was a year. I rest as much as possible feet up and pop painkillers constantly. Don’t know if it’s possible for you but after 6 months you can be seen at a Benenden hospital and may be able to have a repair with them, so you pay for 6 months before you qualify,but if you can afford it it’s a short cut. If you do it just check if a pre existing condition is included Good luck post your progress

[VioletAquarius]

I agree with the previous answers, and an alternative to the ring pessary Taz2 has mentioned is the Inflatoball.

[Taz2]

Thank you VioletAquarius I'd forgotten that one.

Taz x

[VioletAquarius]

Thank you VioletAquarius I'd forgotten that one.

Taz x

No problem, we're all here to help and offer support x

[Camjo06]

Thanks everyone!
I've been diagnosed with a uterine prolapse.  I was referred to womens health for physio a year or so ago which helped a little, but they referred me to the Bowel and bladder incontinence team who diagnosed a prolapse.  They said there was nothing they could do for me dircetly but referred me to gynae which is where I am at the moment.  I rang them this week enquiring about the waiting list, which is currently 62 weeks to be seen in the first instance, that is without a treatment plan. The incontinence team mentioned a ring to hold everything up but that would have to be arranged via the gynae team.  In the meantime they suggested no heavy lifting and to make sure I don't become constipated and that was about it.  Unfortunately, my appointment with them was first thing in the morning, they did say as the day goes on it can become worse as you're walking, lifting and going about your day so they didn't see me at my worst and I was referred as a non-urgent case.
I've made an appointment with my GP for next week in the hope they can expidite the appointment. 
You can pay for private healththcare with my partners employer but I'm not sure if it covers pre-existing conditions, it's something we're going to have to check out.

[Taz2]

Read up as much as you can on how to prevent it getting worse. Have you been given any advice as to pelvic floor exercises?

It is true that it gets worse as the day goes on. Did they examine you standing up? If it has dropped enough to be rubbing on your underwear then this should be apparent even first thing in the morning. I feel for you I really do. Also did you mention the pain you are in? I didn't have any pain with mine so can't help with that I'm afraid

Taz x

[Winterose]

I use an inflataball and have done for about 16 yrs . Once it’s in you feel totally normal .
They don’t seem to be available at present . I would like to have surgery but not sure what the latest techniques are . I’d had an hysterectomy but that didn’t help .
Get yourself some type of pessary in meantime so you aren’t in that awful situation as it takes over completely.

[Winterose]

Stress no more is company that has pessaries . The nhs ring was no good for me .