I can't be fitted with a pessary!

Submitted by Midwest Star on October 17, 2006 - 2:02pm
Body: 

I finally saw the urologist yesterday, after waiting 6 weeks. I'm finally, officially diagnosed, after having the condition for 15 years! LOL! She was completely sympathetic to my wish for non-surgical methods of dealing with the situation, and made an appointment with the nurse practioner for later in the afternoon to get a pessary fitted. I thought one might be helpful in lifting things without causing myself more damage.

We tried several different pessaries, but each time, when the NP sent me to the toilet to try sitting down, when I walked back, the thing was sticking out part of the way! Even when she upped it to the humongous doughnut shaped one that hurt to go in-- the darn thing was sticking out when I came back into the exam room. And they do hurt when doing that!

So, the nurse practioner said that some women just couldn't be fitted, and that it was unfortunate that I was one of them and that she really recommended that I get a complete hysterectomy to take care of the problem. I was completely shocked at the suggestion, but managed to decline politely. She also said that the exercises I was doing would never help.

I can't believe she was such a defeatist! If I weren't so stubborn, she might have done serious damage to my attempts to exercise and strengthen my pelvic floor and vaginal muscles. That's just setting someone up for failure, saying something like that. And suggesting to just get a hysterectomy to take care of the problem! Completely irresponsible! I get madder, each time I think about it. What a misguided individual. I liked the doctor. She was supportive of what I'm doing. The nurse practioner can go jump in a lake.

Midwest Star

October 18, 2006 - 3:53pm

Do you suppose that the nurse practioner was being dishonest, and only giving me pessary sizes she knew would fail- just to drum up surgical business for the urology clinic?

Has anyone ever heard of someone being unable to retain a pessary?

Titus2mom

October 18, 2006 - 4:49pm

I was fitted for a pessary about five years ago and one did fit and offered me some relief to my uterine prolapse. But after the birth of my fourth child, I have been unable to retain a pessary. They simply don't stay put and come right out, though the doctor tried many different styles and sizes. I know my prolapse has gotten worse and I suppose that is why. Though my doctor is sugggesting that I have surgery, I am choosing not to. I need to look into getting Christine's video and book for some help.

Christine

October 18, 2006 - 6:24pm

I think the medical system is just dumb-struck and at a loss as to alternatives and palliative treatments. Surgery is all they've known for many generations.

I'd venture to guess very few of us can retain a pessary. I think it's a design problem as well. Who but men would've fitted the vagina with donuts and cubes???

Midwest Star

October 19, 2006 - 2:07pm

Thanks for the replies. I didn't like the paranoid turn my brain was taking. I'm going to assume the NP made a good faith effort at fitting. I'll be fine without one, I'm sure. That darn doughnut one HURT going in!

edit- It was kind of interesting as to what she had to say, though. It was her opinion that the cervix had descended too far so as to make pessary use impossible.

Jenstubb

October 27, 2006 - 10:01pm

Hi. I had a similar experience with a nurse but when the doctor finaly did the insertion the pessary fit. I find that if I lay down and insert it gets in more properly. Maybe she just really wasn't inserting it correctly. If you are able try seeing a urogynecologist who specializes in it. I use a pessary just when I exercise and I tell you it is such a relief. It gave me back my active life. I hope that it works out for you :)

neety41

October 31, 2006 - 9:14am

I had a hysterectomy at 38, 3 years ago and its best thing i ever did! Just had a rectocele repair too, I personally would not mess about with ring pessaries, herbs or whatever else I hear about. Get the surgery I say and get on with life!!!

Christine

October 31, 2006 - 9:42am

I think you made your point, Neety...thanks for sharing. The urogynecologic literature is very clear that you are now 500% more likely than the general population to be undergoing surgery #3 at some point. With each operation your body is less able to manage intraabdominal pressure, which means your organs (bladder, rectum, and intestines) continue to be moved toward your pelvic outlet with every breath you take.

Luisa

October 31, 2006 - 12:55pm

Hi , I was going to the gyn. every 3 months to remove and insert the pessary. he wasn't to clear about me trying to do it myself at home. So, I made an appointment with the midwife and sho taught me how to do it. Put right leg up on a chair while standing up and I foun it very easy. Now I take the pessary out every 3 days and I'm fine . It beats going to the gyn. every 2 or 3 months. That will avoid infections . luisa

Annabel

November 1, 2006 - 12:15am

I tried two sizes and they didn't stay in. After research into surgeries I came across this site. I actually bought Christines video a few years ago and do my best to stay fit, although have had to give up much of my active life for activities that keep my bladder pressure at bay. Are there any other alternatives other than surgery, or an alternate to the pessary that can get me back to my old life style?
I'm so encouraged by this dialogue with other women with the same issues.

I was told recently by a urologist that a hysterectomy would give the surgery a better chance and the Burch procedure with the mesh to support the organs was the best way for me to go. I really have a hard time buying into this. I know they are making advances in these types of surgeries, but I can't imagine having this foreign material in my body and harder to imagine that my body will function as well as it does now. I'm healthy otherwise, at 54 and have had two children naturally, and do not take hormones, although have resorted to vagefem (in pill form vaginally) which I'm not real comfortable about as I've never taken HRT, the pill, or have ever had a hysterectomy. Have been so discouraged that the choices I've been given are surgery or a pessary. Sooo depressing.