[feelingused1]

I am 31 and have been at a stage 4 for over 5 years with the birth of my last son. Before him, after my second son, I was at a stage 3. So now, at a stage 4, my uterus - vagina - rectum - blatter are falling. My pelvic muscles are lax, my floor muscles are atrophied, my spincter stopped working in '02, and I can barel hold my continince when I need to go.

My point is that I do not have insurance anymore. That is why I have let it get this bad. I only had insurance when I was pregnant, but after the baby is born the state does not insure adults. Before I lost my job in March '09 I had insurance. The sergeon said it would be a total reconstructive surgery and may require more than one surgery to fix.

What would happen to me if I do not get the surgery done? Obviously that is what will happen, as I have no insurance. But does anyone here know of the complications I will face or if it is serious to let this go further? What do you think my options are? I was thinking I can just wait until it does fall out, then they have to fix it. But a freind told me I could die or something? Does anyone here know what could happen to me??? Why can't I just wait until I fall apart? Do you know any suggestions for surgery??

[angelmama]

I'm not sure what you can do except try to apply for insurance to get it fixed, because I'm going to be facing the same problem myself. I have gov't insurance & I might lose it before I can have surgery too. And I want 1 more child at least before surgery, but since I can't even get the surgery done till 1yr out after my last child "supposably(that's what 1 OB told me)"I'm not sure I'll be insured still. Even if I didn't have 1 more child I prob won't have insurance in 1yr w/the gov't either...so I understand your fears. That's what I'm facing as a possibility...that & when we(you & me) do get insurance we will have what they call a "pre-existing condtion" so we won't be covered my insurance. I hope someone can answer this question for the both of us. Btw what's 4th degree considered? I thought 3rd degree was before it was falling out & 4th degree was falling out. I have 3rd degree I think(my prolapse is at the opening). I have vaginal prolapse both Rectocele and Cystocele 3rd degree(I'm pretty sure the cystocele is 3rd degree the rectocele I'm not sure about, but will know when I see my OB again this month).

[feelingused1]

Btw what's 4th degree considered? I thought 3rd degree was before it was falling out & 4th degree was falling out.~anglemama

I was told at 3rd degree that the walls were thin and falling and may be easy to penetrate through. The surgery could be done, but there is still time to wait. That is why they did not do it yet. The doc saw that I has state medical and wanted to wait a few years, until it was a stage 4. I had 3 opinions. The OB/GYN always freaked and sent me to the surgeon, the sergeon talked about payment, then said wait.

When I went in for a pap this year, after not going for 5 years because of insurance, the OB?GYN scheduled me an appointment for surgery that day. I went to the consultaion and they said I was at stage 4 vagina is coming out of opening, rectocyle was almost ruptured, bladder was falling in, cervix is 1 inch away from opening. They said I would need total reconstructive srgery and cosmetic after to make it look and feel normal to my husband. Would need more than 2 to finish it.

A week after that, I had to cancell everything. I tried to go anyways, but the insurance came back inactive. they sent me away.

I am worried for our (me & you) health, but according to the web -md and other sites, it says it is rarily life threatening. Dont know what else could happen, but i guess we will just have to pray and see what happens. Good luck with the insurance.

I hope someone can answer some questions for us. What happens if you dont get it fixed? Is there a stage 5, 6? Will I be wearing a bag at a stage 5? Will the whole thing fall out? Do we have any kind of patient/medical rights??

[happymom]

Hi Ladies,

I have had a prolapse for 2 1/2 years. I have uterine, cystocele(bladder) and rectocele(rectum) The uterine is a grade 3 sometimes my cervix hangs out the door way of the vagina, there are times I feel the cervix when wiping myself after a pee.

I have found comfort in two web-sites. One is www.prolapsehealth.com this is a small forum of women treating their prolapses naturally or with surgery. And the other is www.wholewoman.com I prefer Prolapse Health because they seem to be more open minded to surgical solutions as well as non surgical ones. Whole Women tends to prefer you only to treat your prolapse naturally and if you get surgery things will only get worse (this is not my belief). On both sites you find women who have been treating their prolapse completely naturally and seeing improvements without having surgery. There are many women who have had even severe prolapse for 20 plus years and they are fine and healthy people and have learned techniques to manage their prolapse without surgery. I myself know a women who treated hers for 20 plus years and then had surgery.

You are not going to die. In Nepal women die from prolapse because of no knowledge, and usually by infection (not keeping things cleaned).

You have the option of pessaries that you can order through the internet for $25.00 If you have no money to see a doc buy a few and see if you can get the correct size. I have also used sea sponges made by jade pearl and they work great for holding things in place and to me our more comfortable then the pessary. If you suffer from constipation changing your diet will relieve that a lot. There is also some great physical therapy dvds out there one on www.hab-it.com. For $30.00 you can try your own physical therapy in your home and many women even with severe prolapse have found this to work when they are faithful.

I personally have changed my posture and exercise... and am finding things are suddenly improving.

You will be fine and there are lots of ways of coping until you can get surgery if that is what you choose to do. I know that one day when I am done having kids and I can afford it I will most likely get surgery (but maybe not if things keep improving.)

I just wanted to encourage you that things can be manageable without surgery and there are many women out there dealing with it naturally without causing more harm.

Blessings

[old gold]

Hi,

I am 57 and have had my rectocele,cystocele,& entercele for 3 years. I have found a determined excersise to relax & tighten the muscels, really helps. I am doing PT therapy ,have alot of pain but am willing to work at getting better the hard way.. You cannot die or get injured from them falling out but you can feel very bad.I would do as much as you are able to a special garment the v brace that you can wear to give a lift .I have seen all the doctors, and had all the icky tests. I will hold out for as long as I can...

new hampshire grandmother