Doctor with large Ego

[Zygala87]

This is kind of gross but rather important to me. I had major surgery March 3rd. Full hysterectomy plus rectocele repair. Upon my first visit to the Surgeon he asked me if I was able to have a normal BM. (sometimes he has done it too tight, The rectocele repair.) I told him I did not know as I was taking MiraLax each day. I didn't want to break any stiches. Now 3 & 1/2 months later I find having a movement very painful. I went off MiraLax and I am on stool softners. I do believe he made things down there too tight and I'm afraid to tell him as he has the biggest ego I have ever seen in a Doctor. I'm wondering what he might do about it if I get the courage to tell him? I presume this is rare but hoping someone on here might have experienced the same problem. My IC has gotten to a very good place; now this knew problem! I'm so sick of Doctors and procedures! For the first time in 4 years I am so darn depressed which is not like me at all. Any advice will help me I believe. Hugs, Ziggy

[waterflow]

Don't you just hate when doctors are like that. Mechanics are too I just found out but that's another story and subject. I would tell him anyway. Is there anything he can do? Not to sound gross here but will it work bigger with time? Maybe it needs to stretch on its own? I know what it is like to have painful BM movements. It gets really painful at times when I forget to take the stool softner. Vicodin does it. What about another doctor to ask? Like family one? Hope things get back to normal soon for you.

[VickiB]

I agree with Mary, you should tell him anyway.

I don't know if there's anything he can 'do' about it. Perhaps he just wanted to know so he could recommend your taking a stool softener. Who knows. But he should be kept in the loop on how it's going for you.

It's a shame that you have to deal with this too now!

Vicki

[maryla]

I have to agree with Mary and Vicky. I'm sorry you are dealing with this, but he needs to know! Just remember "he" works for you. Yes, I 've dealt with those with huge egos myself. But it's my resposiblity to let them know what's going on, and it's their responsiblity of how they handle it. You are not responsible for "How" he reacts.

I know first hand how horrible bm's can be, before getting my bladder removed I had horrilbe colon spasms almost with every bm. I'd rather be having a baby, let me tell you they hurt so bad.

Hugs and blessings

[dg2901]

Aside from redoing the surgery theres not much the Dr can do. Regardless, s/he needs to know how youre feeling. If the Dr doesnt know its completely impossible to be helped, whereas if s/he does know there might be a plan of action that can be taken w/o too much physical intervention.
Having been through the same thing, if only sutures were used to do the P repair it will loosen up with time. You are probably still dealing with some amount of swelling; however minimal it could still cause problems. Also your body might be getting used to go functioning w/o the help of Miralax.

Regardless, your Dr needs to know. His/her ego is their problem, not yours. And I highly doubt a Dr would allow their ego to interfere with proper medical care of a patient.

Wishing you well...
D

[ICNDonna]

Another possibility, since you took a laxative for several months, is that your body has become laxative dependent. I do think it's important to discuss this with your doctor.

Donna

[nanawaggs]

Hi, Zygala ~

I agree that you need to discuss with your doctor. I for one lived in pain for 2-1/2 YEARS because I did not discuss my post surgical problems with the doctor, a very kind gyno. I, too, was a bit afraid but not because he was arrogant, just in denial I suppose. Well, after the long haul in pain, I finally went to another Uro/Gyn and ended up having surgery to "undo" the first surgery (bladder suspension that was way too tight which also caused vaginal tissue erosion!) and another surgery just last month to repair all my prolapses which all occurred after the original surgery (again bladder/vagina/small intestine).

I feel so much better and I am so much more confident in the skills of my new doctor as well as his WONDERFUL COMMUNICATION and as his brochure says, "his passion for healing and for improved patient outcomes". He is truly interested in MY assessment of my pain/discomfort. THAT STATEMENT, IMPROVED PATIENT OUTCOMES IS SUCH A KEY IN OUR QUALITY OF LIFE. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO LIVE IN MISERY IF THERE IS A WAY TO CORRECT THE PAIN.

I hope you reconsider discussing this with your doctor. As the others mentioned, maybe it's something that will correct itself over the course of time, maybe not, but I think you need to know to give yourself some emotional comfort and address the problem if needed in a timely manner....do not suffer silently for years as I did.

Blessings,
Ginger

[maryla]

Ginger,

I know I'm Highjacking this post, But I wondered how your surgery went and I'm so glad you were helped. :woohoo: Thank God!

Hugs and blessings

[nanawaggs]

Hi, Mary ~ and I'm so sorry, Zygala, for interrupting your posts....I suppose this should be listed under a success story. It has been a long 2 years and 7 months but I have made tremendous improvement. I was screaming for some sort of "Normalcy" and I feel like that is achieved.

Thank you for asking about my surgery. I am absolutely thrilled. Monday I had my Post Op appt with my doctor. He first asked me questions about how I felt. Then the exam. He was very pleased with the results and we (he, my hubby and I) have decided to put the prolaspe issues aside as successful.:woohoo: I have definitely seen improvement with my frequency and the painful bladder at only 100cc's maximum filled. I have actually held up to 200 cc's a couple times without pain now!!!!

During the surgery my doctor did look inside my bladder as best as he could, confirmed IC, did not see any ulcers but was limited without a distention due to the amount of surgery involving the bladder at that time.

So, although the surgery is successful, we still have issues relating to IC. I have had a lot of urethral pain with trying to "pee". He started me on Urelle but I did stop the valium suppositories the last two days to see if I'm reacting to that. Today I have actually "gone" without that feeling like my urethra was going to explode right off. (I think I actually goofed by changing two things at once, because I'm not certain what is helping). I am to continue with instillations 2xweek and my current meds, and see him again beginning of Aug to revisit the urethral pain. If it is still there, I may need 2 more surgeries ....one to remove the mesh put in by the previous doctor for stress incontinence and a 2nd one to correct the problem again.

Both my husband and I have seen several doctors throughout this fiasco, but we are absolutely impressed with the compassion my doctor has for me and his knowledge/skill level. I had a 2 page list of questions to ask him and he sat patiently until I was satisfied with each answer. I have never felt rushed and his entire staff is devoted to see that they find a program that works for me.

He said they'd teach me to do my own instills and would set me up with all the supplies I need. I am able to purchase both Prelief and Aloe Vera right at his office and I paid less than I could have gotten them on the internet. They are so accommodating to coordinate my instills immediately after my PT just in case I have any discomfort.

Yes, Mary, I thank God for the blessing to have such a fantastic doctor. I feel totally confident with any recommendations he would make because he listens to me and "we" come up with a good solution. Although I'm still experiencing the ups and downs with the IC, knowing I'm in good hands to get it under control is such a relief.

I know this disease has a mind of it's own and tomorrow may bring some backstepping, but as long as I keep moving bit by bit forward, I'll try to keep my spirits up. Don't get me wrong, I've cried and am on an antidepressant right now but am so thankful for surgeon who is very experienced with IC.

Thanks for letting me share and hope it helps others.
Ginger

[Zygala87]

Thank you all. I did get up the courage to speak with the suregon. He advised me to return to MiraLax, telling me the muscles (colon) are basically too weak for anything to help but a laxative. Taking a great deal of stool softners has not helped me at all. I told him of my fear of being "laxative dependent". He implied that will be the only way I can get relief. He did tell me to speak with my PCP at our next visit and ask him how dangerous taking a laxative for a long period might harm me. I saw a Gastroenterology Doctor last year. He had me return to his office many times and put me through very stressful procedures never once telling me I had this horrible the massive rectocele which was the real reason for all my discomfort. I won't be returning to him! I need relief NOW, so will return to MiraLax. The Suregon assured me nothing was made too tight down there and it is lack of muscles working that is my problem. All due to my age and having that large rectocele for a very long time. All I can do is return to the Laxative until some Doctor comes up with a better idea. Having the total hysterectomy & rectocele repair has helped my bladder greatly. Nothing pushing against it I would guess. Only ones own Doctor can advise them about surgery. All this is just my own story. Hugs Ziggy

[nanawaggs]

Hi, Ziggy ~

Just to put your mind at ease a little....I have a similar problem and am on Miralax daily. On my list of questions Monday for my doctor was how long can I be on it considering the label says 7 days. He told me not to worry that his son (I think 9 years old) has been on it for 5 years. I'm considering it safe for me. You still might want to check with your PCP as advised, but this came from my Uro/Gyn so here I go. My bowels are still pretty messed up...I know the PFD isn't helping one bit either.

Isn't all this "normal function" stuff just so abnormal and crazy!!!!! I hope you get your relief safely and with a level of comfort mentally. I know our brains just want to protect us and we depend so much on the expertise of our health care professionals.

Hugs back for a great day!
Ginger