Rectocele, recto rectal intussusception and pelvic floor descent 😮

Women's health
1

Hi everyone. I'm hoping someone can shed a bit of light on results I got over 3 years ago.

First of all a bit about me.

I'm 34, mother of 2 and had 2 missed miscarriages that both required D&C. First child I had at 17 and since then I have suffered from chronic constipation as a result of having multiple sclerosis. I had many tests done and it showed that basically my brain doesn't send any signals to my colon so nothing gets moved along properly plus (not sure of the medical name) the muscle that is meant to relax when pushing, in my case it doesn't relax.

So long story short I had a proctogram done at the start of 2013 and with those results (I didn't really pay any attention then) they decided to start me on peristeen. It's a colonic irrigation kit that I use twice a week. It's now the only way I can manage a BM.

Fast forward to now and even the peristeen isn't working. I end up in agony as the water goes in and then it's as if my bottom falls out and blocks the exit. I have had to manually remove things in the past but is just gotten so much worse. My vagina also ends up throbbing and I feel like the pressure is being directed across there instead of down the way.

Also I had my annual smear the other day and the nurse had a hard time finding my cervix. She mentioned prolapse too so that's what made me see my GP about everything. She has referred me to gynae and the surgical team as she wasn't sure which was needed.

That's when I got a copy of the proctogram results from 3 years ago. Could someone please explain what exactly they mean. I understand the rectocele but not sure on the other bits.

"This ladies proctogram demonstrated evidence of a wide necked anterior rectocele at instigation of defecation. There was evidence of poor puborectalis relaxation and prominent excessive pelvic floor decent on further straining. Recto-Recto-rectal intussusception was demonstrated".

Sorry for such a long post. Just wondering what it all means and what could possibly be done to help. Things have gotten so much worse since then. I don't have anyone else to talk to about it so I'm glad I found this forum.

Thanks 😊

2

Hello Youngyoung I'm so sorry you're having such an awful time. Basically the results show you have a bladder prolapse (anterior rectocele) which is affecting you having your bowels opened so it's probably pressing on your bowel. Your bowel is also inverted (intussusception) which is also preventing the stool from passing. In my opinion you should have been referred to a surgeon then because surgery is necessary. Hope that helps x

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Thank you very much.

I suppose they thought the peristeen would be an easier option but I am a little peeved off. Just feel like I have been shoved to the side.

I can't have surgery any time soon as I'm receiving a form of chemo that wipes out most of my immune system. My levels may be back into range by the time I'm seen anyway 😑

So do you have any idea what surgery would be needed if it does get to that? I'm very new to this so lots of reading is called for 😊

4

For an anterior prolapse a repair is performed but depends on what stage it is and how much it bothers you. There are other procedures some which can be performed under a local anaesthetic so seeing a Urogynaecologist (as apposed to a gynaecologist) will be really useful because he/she will be able to discuss your options. Your other problem, the intersussception is a different matter because that will continue to prevent you having your bowels opened normally until it's dealt with and that usually means an operation. You said you've been referred so that's a start so hopefully you'll get some answers but I think you would need surgery although I'm not as up to date with bowel surgery. Hopefully your immune system will have recovered by the time you see someone (within 18 weeks from the date your GP makes the referral are the NHS timescales) and you can get this sorted out. Xx