Misdiagnosed Cystocele

Submitted by janice on September 28, 2006 - 7:55am
Body: 

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to write to add to my story. I thought that I was suffering from prolapse after the birth of my first baby 11 months ago. I came to this site and found a lot of support, especially from Granolamom. I was feeling better about the whole thing, however I decided to go to the doctor to confirm my fears. Over the past week I have seen my GP and a specialist Ob/Gyn. The GP diagnosed my bulge as a cystocele and since I didn't have any symptoms, apart from the bulge, told me not to worry about it, but to go and see the Ob/Gyn anyway. I asked him if he thought there was any chance that it was actually something else and he said no.

I then went to the specialist and since I had my period and he trusted the GP he would go with the first diagnosise. I am only 29 and so was quite upset. I spoke to him for about an hour, which was great, and he was letting me know all of the options and about future births etc. Interestingly he was all for having vaginal births even with a prolapse and was not saying that I should have surgery immediately. Anyway, when I told him I was a bit distressed and asked if there was any way that it might be something else he said that he could have a look. Thank god that he did, because it was not actually a cystocele that he discovered. I actually have a cyst in my vagina which is a blocked duct and no sign of prolapse at all. I think that he was extremely surprised. I am now going to have a quick surgery to remove the cyst in about 2 weeks time.

I thought that it was important to write this post as I know that some people haven't actually seen a doctor to confirm what they assume is a prolapse. Even though it is not the most comfortable thing to be examined I think that it is worth it to give you peace of mind. If you find a really nice doctor they could also be a source of great information about where to get help etc!!!

Anyway I hope that everyone is keeping well and I want to thank everyone for all the information that is posted on this site. Even though I don't have prolapse at the moment I have been enlightened about my pelvic health and am now much more aware of how to preserve it!!!!!!!!!

granolamom

September 28, 2006 - 9:24am

well that sounds like good news to me! I hope the cyst removal goes smoothly and uneventfully and that you heal quickly.
now you can put the cystocele scare behind you, but you are in a great position to prevent it from ever happening in the future.

just curious though, any ideas on what caused the cyst to develop?

beandippy

September 28, 2006 - 2:31pm

Hi Janice! Just wanted to say thanks for the heads up - your post may be really helpful for someone else with the same situation. I'm glad you have everything figured out, and wish you a quick recovery and a wonderful, healthy future! Glor

janice

September 28, 2006 - 7:39pm

Hi Granolamom,

Apparently the cyst has developed in a duct.The duct got blocked and formed a cyst, he said that it usually happens after the trauma of childbirth. He said that since my baby was posterior instead of the smallest part of her head coming down it was the biggest therefore putting more pressure on the vaginal wall and the bits and pieces surrounding it, therefore affecting this duct.

He said that the operation will only take about 15 minutes and I should make a full recovery. He also said that my pelvic floor and vaginal muscles are quite strong - which is obviously a good thing.

He said that they are not rare. It was amazing actually it only took him about 2 minutes to decide it wasn't a cystocele at all.

I would highly recommend anyone who hasn't been checked out by a specialist to do so as soon as possible. It is worth paying a bit of money to either get better information on what you have or to rule out prolapse altogether.

When I was talking to him about the prolapse he went through how it happened and gave me lots of information about that area and how it works. Even if I had had a prolapse I would have felt better having spoken to him.

I will let you know how I go!!!!!!!

Beadazzled

October 10, 2006 - 1:03pm

Hi Janice
Thanks so much for the reply to my post. I feel better after reading it. I haven't been having any problems and am mainly concerned because the bulge is there. Did you have any problems with your cyst? Did your doctor recommend that you have it removed to avoid having problems in the future? Also, if you don't mind me asking, did you discover it yourself? I want to go to the doctor prepared with every possible question.

janice

October 11, 2006 - 7:49pm

Hi Beadazzled,

I had no problems with my cyst. I think I noticed it a while ago but just dismissed it and forgot about it - trying to avoid the problem really. I originally felt it when I had my period. A few weeks ago when I finally acknowledged it it was quite big. I could feel the bulge at the opening of my vagina (sorry yucky word!). I could also feel it sometimes when walked around and more so right before my period. Other than that I had no pain or abnormalities at all.

The doctor said that I could just leave it there if I wanted to, but because it was feeling uncomfortable I decided to have the surery - I just wanted to be rid of it!

I had the surgery 2 days ago and I feel great. The procedure took about 30 minutes, under general. I am really glad that I had it done. I haven't had any pain what so ever, and havent felt traumatised by the experience at all. I should also mention that I am really scared of hospitals and needles etc so if I can do it anybody can!

Have you had any continence problems ? I am clearly not a doctor but the doctors I saw were quite surprised when I said that there was a noticable bulge but I was not experiencing any incontinence. I hope for your sake that it is a cyst or something that is treatable.

At the same time if you have a good doctor they can be reassuring if you do have prolapse. My Ob\Gyn was great, before he actually looked at me he spent about and hour explaining what prolapse was, how it happens and what I can do about it. He also had some great contacts of people who can help eg physiotherapists.

I would try anything if I was you to get in to see a doctor as soon as possible because it really does take over your whole mindset and you would be better off knowing what it is so you can then take the appropriate action.

I would also make sure you question what they say. My first diagnosise was that it was prolapse, When I saw the specialist I kept asking is there any chance that it might be something else and he was just trusting the other doctor, but after taking a look himself it was obviously a different story.

I hope all of this helps. I am happy to answer any more questions you might have. I look forward to hearing from you. Good luck and stay positive!

Janice