Ladies nd some feedback - pessary usage

[deBBieW]

This really isn't pain control, well maybe, but I doubt it. I didn't know where to post this.
Ladies - has anyone needed to get or use currently a pessary for a prolapse? My new uro/gyno (is PN accepting, no expert) said my bladder is mildly prolapsing, and perphaps a pessary would help pull up the some of the tissue. I get that hot full, fleshy feeling all the time, and I never had that a few months ago. So is it the nerve making the prolapse feel exaggerated? Or is it just feeling "fleshy" for lack of a better word, because of the prolapse.
It's nothing serious, and not surgical. I'm supposed to go back on Friday, and try it out. I said ok, but I'm thinking of major flare/pain.... a foreign object in my vag. I'm think I'm chickening out - I can take it out myself of course.

I have no illusions that this will decrease my pain levels a lot, I know better. Just to rid of that saggy, fleshy feeling would be great, I feel I can't even walk more than 20 min. with that being annoying.
Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

thanks... Debbie

[calluna]

Yes, my GP suggested a pessary when I first had a prolapse. It did certainly did help the prolapse, everything felt lot more comfortable, and it didn't hurt in the slightest.

[JeanieC]

Calluna,

When the pessary was suggested, did you have PN? I do hope you are still doing so well, what a great result you had.

Debbie,

I have symptoms like you do, which began before the PN symptoms did. I have never had a pessary suggested. I am going to bring the subject up at my next GYN visit though, as like you say, if it makes things worse you can take it out. Have you had PN release surgery? I have, and am just beginning to notice some benefit so I would hate to stir things up. The falling out feeling is not nearly as bad as feeling like a knife is inside you. I do think that PN is making your symptoms worse, it definitely did with mine

[Celeste]

I know a couple of ladies who use one because they are not good candidates for surgery. If you do a google image search on "pessary for cystocele", it's kind of amazing how many differently shaped devices that there are. This makes me think that different people have different needs, maybe due to anatomical variations (height, weight, previous surgeries, etc.)

There's a website for hysterectomy patients called www.hystersisters.com . I got an email from them saying that they had added a pelvic floor forum to it, for various problems and surgeries that women facing hysterectomy may also need to know about. I skimmed the pessary information there and it does sound as if trial and error is involved in fitting to get just the right one, so definitely something to discuss further with your doctor.

[calluna]

JeanieC - no, I didn't have PN when I tried the pessary. And yes, I am still doing well! Thankyou!

[deBBieW]

Well I may chicken out tomorrow, I have had so much pain this week from a gyn exam last week, and pelvic floor PT yesterday... I'm just not sure about the pessary thing. I'll see how much probing they will have to do.
And yet maybe pulling things up a bit may feel good, my prolapse is not surgical at all, and it's moderate at this point. I don't know if I can handle anymore pain right now. I'm close to quiting my part-time job, I'm sure you can relate

thanks everyone - Debbie

[JeanieC]

Debbie,

I would really like to know what you decided to do, and if you have now tried a pessary. If so how is it working out?

[deBBieW]

Hi Jeanie,
sorry I forgot to post - no pessary, I chickened out, but I think I will try if my pain levels go down a bit. I had PT just 2 days before the appointment, so I was sore from that too. I looked at the pessary, and it was not as soft as I thought, and I just didn't feel like someone probing me again, and the in and out stuff. I knew I would have to practice with it. My doc was cool with it, she said I should be in the right frame of mind.
Sorry I don't have more info, but I would ask your doc, your pain levels are down,right? You are still recouperating, but pain is down, so this might be a good time. I would not need any estrogen cremes or anything like that, as I'm not menopausal yet either, should be at 56! But be sure to ask about that too, it might make tolerating the pessary easier, so I'm told. My sister wears a pessary, and doesn't mind it all.

I'm going to get a pelvic/sacral MRI to rule out a Tarlov cyst, and then go for the pudendal block - and then who knows!

take care,
Debbie

[Violet M]

Debbie, I know one gal who feels that her PNE developed as a result of using a pessary so I think you are smart to be careful. I think it's worth a try if your prolapse is really uncomfortable but if it's painful, forget it. You could try thigh shapers to help hold things together (like Spanx). I've found them very helpful.