Advice for a friend

Submitted by Kazatti on January 22, 2013 - 1:57am
Body: 

Ladies, hope this message finds you well. I am hoping you can help me give some advice to a friend of mine who has been struggling with undiagnosed with prolapse for years.
She has had a pelvic ultrasound and also defecating proctogram which have shown a rectocele (which we had self diagnosed) but also a rectal prolapse which is hanging outside the anus.
The rectal prolapse is giving her a lot of grief and pain.

I know firsthand that the posture can help put the pelvic organs etc back in place, but I am still a bit confused and unsure of the anatomy etc.

She is being told to see a colorectal surgeon and advised that surgery is the only fix for the rectal prolapse. I have tried using the search tool but can't find anything specific (probably not searching correctly) Is it still considered POP if it is the anus?

I am encouraging her to come here and look on the forums and will lend her my DVD as I am terrified she is going to have surgery she will later regret!!

I guess my question is are they right in saying that nothing can help a rectal prolapse go back in or is it just the blinkered medical profession?

I'm not sure that this has come out the way I want, she is open to the ww posture but I think she is being swayed into surgery, but I also don't want to discourage her from it if it is a totally separate issue than POP.

Any advice most appreciated!

Forum:

oceangirl08006

January 22, 2013 - 8:02am

Hi Kazatti,
I used to think my rectocele was protruding from the anus; I was never positive if it did happen but it sure felt like it. All I can say is that I have only been doing WW for a month now and I know longer have that sensation. Maybe this is not what your friend needs to hear, but we live in a 'buy now, pay later' world. It seems like there is a pill or a surgery for virtually every condition out there. The whole woman is kind of a new idea, especially in a developed country like America. It is a self-empowering idea that claims that the body has the power to heal itself if given time and the chance to do so via posture, diet, meditation, clothing, etc. That's the thing though; time. It takes time, and everyone nowadays wants a quick fix for everything. If your friend can gather the courage to come to terms with the fact that it will take TIME to reverse her own symtoms and be willing to experiment with all aspects of WW, I have a hunch that she will eventually notice a difference.
Also, in response to your question of POP in the anus being the same thing, I would say yes; a prolapsed organ is a prolapsed organ. I believe that if your friend really takes on every aspect of WW and tries to attack it with a positive attitude there is a good chance she, in time, will be glad she never went to surgery.
I've totally been there, where you feel so desperate that surgery just sounds like the light at the end of the tunnel, then I discovered WW and it has changed my life for the better.
Again, sorry this isn't pure evidence that WW can fix your friend's condition, but try to encourage her to be willing to take the time to do the best thing for her body (whatever that turns out to be).
Good luck, and I wish your friend the best!

Surviving60

January 22, 2013 - 8:26am

Thanks Oceangirl for a very encouraging post. I too am unclear on what a prolapse from the anus might mean. But WW is definitely a better place to start than going under the knife, if such can be avoided. I guess we need some more technical assistance with this question. - Surviving

wholewomanUK

January 22, 2013 - 12:53pm

Hi Kazatti,
Thank yo so much for your post. Your friend is lucky to have such a caring friend.

The answer to your question "Can the WW approach help with rectocele?" - the answer is yes the WW approach will help. It is very likely that your friend would experience significant improvements to her pop - and would probably be able to manage her pop and live a normal life.

Of course no-one and no approach can give guarantees and with so little information and without a personal consultation - we can only give adivce information and support and report what most women who follow the WW approch experience.

Re your friend's "rectal prolapse hanging outside the anus". A rectocele describes when the rectal passage bulges into the vaginal passage. So as I understand it, it doesn't bulge directly out of the anus.

I'm not sure aobut this but I'm wondering if in fact this is severe haemorhoids? I had haemorrhoids after giving birth and the rectal passage bulged directly out of the anal passage. it was painful and difficult to walk at times. There are creams that can help with this. I've found Anasol (bought in UK pharmacies) really helped with this, (the name tells it how it is!), and if/whenever this issues flares up I anally insert some Anasol, gently push up the haemorrhoid and after a few days the issue is resolved. Although, as with pop, I obviously have a propensity for this problem. Perhaps some other women may know of some other/more natural remedies?

I would definately recommend your friend to try the WW approach first. What has she got to lose. The WW way is safe, natural and effective fo many many women (just look at these forums). She can always try it for 6 months or so and review her options then. If she goes for surgery there's no turning back. There are legions of insurance claims re adverse consequences following pelvic organ surgery. This is surely evidence that a large number of women are deeply unhappy with the results.

I would highly recommend that your friend look at things like this site, the WW Youtubes, the 'Saving the WW' book and your dvd's. The 1st Aid to Prolapse dvd gives the most background info re the WW approach and underlying principles. It's different when you se things for yourself rather than just what well meaning friends say.

If after all your efforts she decides to go down the surgical option first, then that is her choice and you'll have to 'let it go' I know from personal experience this can be a sad and disheartening process, but in the end it's a personal choice. I feel very sad when women, who've had some introduction to the WW approach
especially, decide to have surgery. We all have our reasons and it's a good teaching about 'letting go' and compassion!

Wishing you and your friend good luck.
xwholewomanuk

louiseds

January 23, 2013 - 8:57am

Many women are told that they *must* have surgical repairs for pelvic organ prolapse or it will get worse, and be much more complicated to fix. I am one of them. It didn't get worse, and eight years later I still haven't had surgery.

I wonder if rectal prolapse is the same? This website certainly doesn't say that surgery is essential, but that it is important to manage it actively. So, maybe she doesn't have to have surgery? Maybe she will be just as well off to manage it actively? http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Rectal_pr... .

Louise