Childbirth

[esthome]

I had my 2nd baby just over 7 months ago. Since then, I have suffered with rectal heaviness, often it feels full even though it's not. I am under the care of a colorectal surgeon who confirmed I do have a moderate internal rectal prolapse but he thinks pudendal neuropathy is aggravating my symptoms of heaviness, pressure and fullness. I am aware of my bottom 24/7. For the first four months I had burning in my anus and throbbing, but this subsided. Additionally, I had an area inside my vagina which if touched would burn afterwards so I went to see a gynaecologist. He informed me I had a bit of scar tissue and that some of the pain was nerve so he could give me an injection of steroid and anaesthetic to help. This was 5 weeks ago and since then my vagina feels 100 x worse. I now have a constant burning sensation, worse when I sit and feels raw. I also now have pins and needles [which come and go] on my perineum and anus. The gynae is saying that he has never known anyone to worsen from this procedure.

I feel so angry with myself for not leaving my vagina alone. I just wanted one area of my pelvic area to feel normal again. I am praying that this will subside as it is still early days but gynae has said that the steroid will have worn off by now. I can only imagine that my nerves have been aggravated. I hope they haven't been damaged again. I guess I would like to hear what others think of this? Do you think it will subside? Rectum wise, the colorectal surgeon keeps telling me that nerves take a long time to heal and to give my body time so I am not on any treatment or seeing anyone for this.

I am also really worried that all of my old symptoms-the rectal burning will return as they had gone and I don't want them back again. I know no one can tell me what my body will or won't do but I just feel so lost. The internal prolapse means I don't completely empty - that's bad enough but my sacrum also feels heavy everytime I walk, like something is dragging it down and when I stand from lying down, my whole pelvis feels like a weight is inside it. Could this be PN too? I never thought childbirth would do this to me.

[Violet M]

Esthome, welcome to the forum.

It's unfortunate that you are struggling with pain when you should be enjoying your children. Like you say, it's impossible to predict what will happen but I think it's too soon to conclude that the new vaginal pain is permanent. Are you using any topical ointments or other medications to numb the area? Meds might help to calm down the burning feeling.

There have been other people with PN who posted that they had a feeling of heaviness similar to what you are describing but I can't say for sure if PN is what you have. Have you been evaluated by a pelvic floor PT for tension in the pelvic muscles?

It sounds like your colorectal doc is pretty knowledgeable about PN. If you can keep your pain levels low with conservative therapies it makes sense to give yourself some time to heal and not risk anything more invasive.

Take care,

Violet

[esthome]

Thank you Violet. I am going back to the gynae tonight to discuss pain management. I can't believe this procedure has made me worse, he did not inform me it could worsen. He didn't even say it was a nerve block, he said he would hydra dissect the area with anaesthetic and steroid. I am reluctant to try physio when everything feels so angry. My guess is that someone poking around will irritate it further.

I am struggling to stay positive, it appears pn does not just heal/ go away from what I've read but all I can pray for is improvement. I was so looking forward to going back to work February to keep myself occupied from the other issues I have. I can't see that happening now.

Regards

[Violet M]

Some people get better just from lifestyle changes but others don't. Some people have symptoms that come and go. So I don't know if your symptoms will eventually subside but I hope so.

I couldn't tolerate internal physio either so I understand your reluctance to try that. Might be worth at least a one-time PT evaluation if you haven't already had one.

Violet

[esthome]

Hi Violet

Unfortunately the new vaginal pain remains along with the odd electric shock sensation around my anus. Gynae has said the steroid will have worn off by now but he sounded genuinely perplexed why I've reacted to the procedure like I have. He told me that he wouldn't have reached the deep pudendal nerve but possibly it's branches. He called it pudendal neuropraxia and said he hoped it would settle in time. Let's hope.

I am undecided whether to go and see someone else about all of this. Given that I felt what I would describe as a potato up
up my bottom from 5 months pregnant, then burning in my bottom after the birth which thank God has gone along with potato feeling but I am left with fullness, heaviness and now this new pain. Amitriptyline which I've been on for 3weeks has taken the edge off but not by much.

I know the colo-rectal consultant has told me to be patient, time will heal (he doesn't know about my new pain yet) but reading so much on here has got me worrying that it is only going to progress. My guess is that the nerve was stretched during pregnancy, then even more so with delivery. The vaginal procedure has then aggravated an already fired up nerve.

Your thoughts would be appreciated. Do I wait and see, give my body 18 months post baby or look for a proper diagnosis and expert advice.

Thanks

[Den]

Hi, I too have been damaged by childbirth. I haven't put my story on here yet because I go to bed as early as possible to take the pressure off and find typing on a tablet slow. I'll get round to it one day. I had a triple prolapse after childbirth in Jan 13, leaving rectal pain. I had a ventral mesh rectopexy done in Oct 14 by Mr Dixon in Bristol after seeing Dr Greenslade. There have been some improvements but not as good as I'd hoped. I still have to go for a follow up and will have more work done if they suggest. However, completely emptying my bowels is not perfect but easier. I still can't sit, find walking and standing difficult, ripped flesh feeling inside and burning etc. It makes you feel so low it's indescribable. I can do so little compared to before. Investigate rectal prolapse surgery, but remember that everything will flare whatever you have done in that area, then it's a waiting game to see if helps in the long term. Anyhow, give yourself a bit of time to recover. Another year won't make a difference as this problem doesn't go away quickly anyway.

Best of luck.

[Violet M]

Your thoughts would be appreciated. Do I wait and see, give my body 18 months post baby or look for a proper diagnosis and expert advice.

Thanks

It's a tough decision whether to wait and see if you will heal. If you go that route, you might want to try mindfulness or the mind-body approach to see if it helps you. Wish I had a better more definite answer for you.

Violet