Something else going on?

Submitted by gemommy on April 6, 2009 - 4:11pm
Body: 

I've had a lot of ups and downs with my rectocele and cystocele lately. I know this is a normal part of the prolapse process. However, it seems like something else may be going on, too. I want to get some feedback on what it might be.

During the past few weeks, my stools have been frequently loose, flat, and narrow. It looks as if something may be partially obstructing them. Well, I know the rectocele can cause them to change shape, but this is different than before. When I reach in to my rectum with a gloved finger to make sure everything is out, I can feel something roundish and firm in there. It is about an index finger's length inside. Before, I just assumed this was my retroverted uterus pressing on my rectum. Now, because of the stool change, I am thinking it could be something else.

I have also had some bleeding, but I used to have fissure and hemorrhoid trouble, so I figured that was why. I also still have pain sometimes that is not related to my period. It feels like something is pressing hard behind my pubic bone. I also feel the pain in my vulva and inner thighs sometimes. I feel it even when lying down. I know these things aren't necessarily related.

I did go to a urogyn a month ago and she said I have an almost stage 2 rectocele and cystocele. She said she was surprised I was having problems because they aren't that bad and to just do kegels. She also said that PT was a waste of time and that a pessary probably wouldn't help much. She said everything else seemed fine. Of course, I wasn't having this strange stool problem at that time. Anyway, should I go to a colo-rectal doctor or a gastroenterologist? If so, which one (gastro or colo)? I really don't want to be poked and prodded in there if this is all just standard prolapse stuff. Thanks in advance for any advice.

BTW, I am still doing the posture, exercises, and improving my diet. I know this is not a quick fix, but want to be sure not to miss any new problems.

Connie54

April 6, 2009 - 6:51pm

I guess I would see a colo-rectal doctor if you have one in your area. I doubt you have ever had a colonoscopy since you are in your 30's, but I would think it would be a good idea just to make sure everything is ok. Please let us know how your appt. turns out. Good luck, Connie

Connie54

April 6, 2009 - 7:07pm

I was just thinking that maybe what you are feeling could be an internal hemmroid. That could explain the bleeding and change in shape of your stool but not the loose stools. Hemmroids don't cause problems with the consistancy of the stool. I still think you should see a doctor for a check. Connie

louiseds

April 6, 2009 - 8:44pm

Hi Gemommy

I can only agree with the Connie. You have made an unusual observation and I think it needs to be checked out thoroughly, despite the brushoff you received from the urogyn. At best you will find that it is prolapse related. At worst, something is in there that should not be there. If this is the case it is better to do something about it now, rather than later.

If nothing else, you will find out some more about how your organs are rearranging themselves. I would be opting for the urogyn. Ask to be examined standing if they cannot detect this lump while you are on your back. It must be something!

Likewise, if they cannot figure out what it is by palpating, they are not going to find out much more if they suggest you have a scan of some sort, which scans your body while lying down. Something like ultrasound where you don't have to lie perfectly still and be fed into a big tube, might pick up more, cos you can move around a bit. (Though I am no doctor!)

Yes, keep investigating until you get a satisfactory answer!

Cheers

Louise

mom30

April 6, 2009 - 9:40pm

I have constant pasty sticky stools. It has become an everyday thing. I have given up all dairy, it helped a little. I have narrow pasty stools. Everything gets very irritated. I saw the gastrointestinal doctor and she had me keep a food diary, gave me a bunch of blood tests and then finally told me to take more fiber and referred me to the colorectal surgeon. I saw the colorectal, and she was very nice. She put a small scope inside my rectum at the office visit and said she thought it looked okay. But, still wanted me to have a defectogram and another test where they put a balloon up there and test out your muscles. Since I realllly don't want to have my body xrayed while "going" for the defectogram, I have decided to not do them for now. Plus, I am really thinking it's a food/intolerance/allergy problem.

It's probably a good idea to go to the doctor just to make sure it's not something else though.

gemommy

April 6, 2009 - 11:35pm

Thanks for the help. I really needed some support for this. It is so difficult to figure out what is going on in there. I know you all know this. It is also too embarrassing to talk about with anyone else. I think I will call a colorectal surgeon tomorrow to make an appointment. I guess it couldn't hurt to have it looked at by someone who is supposed to know what is what in there.

gemommy

May 30, 2009 - 10:45pm

I am sorry for not posting an update sooner. I have not yet been to the colorectal surgeon. The day before my appointment was scheduled my dd got very sick. Then my ds got the same illness. This all lasted for about 3 weeks. Thankfully, they are both healthy now. It was a tough time. Then, things seemed to be getting better with my bowel movements. I stopped having narrow stools and my pain improved. I decided I would wait a while to make another appointment.

I have also done some more exploration in there. I am now fairly certain that what I am feeling is my very retroverted uterus. I feel it inside when standing, but when I bend over it moves forward. This leads me to wonder, how do you know when your retroverted uterus has moved forward to its proper position? Is it just when you can't feel it through your rectum any longer, or is there some other way to tell?

Anyway, for now I feel that I am doing better prolapse-wise. I have good days and bad days, but overall there are more good days than there were when it started. This is very encouraging to me. My strange pain is almost completely gone. The posture is amazing. I have also started doing Louise's jiggling thing. It helps me a lot.

Also, another reason for not posting sooner is that I have been distracted by my other health issues. I have been taking hydrocortisone for adrenal fatigue for the past 6 months. I have been trying to slowly wean from it over the last 2 months. It has caused me to gain weight rapidly because I no longer need it. My adrenals are healing. This is a good thing, but you can't just quit it all together when this happens. You have to wean slowly so as not to cause adrenal crisis. This weight gain has really hit me hard mentally. I have gained about 15 pounds over the past 2 months. Eight of the pounds have been over the last 2 weeks. It is mostly in my abdomen. I'm sure some of it is water weight, but that does not change the fact that my pants don't fit anymore. I feel like I am 6 months pregnant (and I'm not-I've taken tests). I have an appointment with a new doc in a few weeks regarding this issue. I promise to not go so long without an update again.

Thanks again for all the help. You women are amazing.

louiseds

May 31, 2009 - 4:33am

Hi Gemommy

It sounds like your body is giving you grief on several fronts at the moment. ((Hugs)). A couple of points.

Firstly, don't blame yourself for your trousers not fitting. Blame the idiot who designed them to only fit one size smaller. How about going for some nice stretch yoga pants, or capris, with long tops. Or ditch the trousers for stretchy skirts? You got a sewing machine? Buy a tube of knitted ribbing that is long enough for a skirt. Turn up at the bottom and blind hem or zigzag a hem and do the same at the top for an elastic casing. Voila! Classic, straight stretchy skirt that is neat around the bottom, not bulky, has enough weight to hang nicely, and will stretch or shrink with you. As you get slimmer you can just run a seam down the back to remove the extra fabric if you can be bothered (just like a surgically plicated vagina!!). These skirts are great for pregnancy and afterwards. I am still wearing my vagina-pink one that I made when pregnant with my second baby 23 years ago. Geez, that stretch ribbing is tough fabric!!

Secondly, you can find out which way your uterus is sitting by feeling your cervix. Examining yourself standing, if it is in the back wall of the vagina it is in retroverted position, flopped backwards. If it is in the front wall of the vagina, near the top, it is normal position, flopped over the bladder. If it is so high up that you cannot feel it it is probably tipped way, way forward, which sometimes happens. If it is at the top of the vagina pointing downwards it is probably normal but coming down. When you straighten up into WW posture again, it will probably flop forwards again. Mine runs around all over the place! hope that helps.

Cheers

Louise

gemommy

June 6, 2009 - 9:32am

As always, Louise, thank you so much for your advice. You bring such a fresh, interesting perspective to everything. I wish I had a sewing machine. I haven't sewn anything since 7th grade home economics class, but I'm ready to try again. At least I can look for a skirt similar to what you describe. I really need to break my trouser habit :)