Bleeding and discharge **NO UTERUS**

[justice2155]

I had a vaginal pelvic prolapse repair 8 years ago (bladder, intestines, vagina rebuild, etc).  My UTERUS was REMOVED at that time but my ovaries remain intact..  According to my Dr. it was a fairly extensive surgery with thousands of stitches.  In May of 2008 (2008!!) I began to experience major pain, low and posterior in the vaginal area as in where you would have an episiotomy.  I tried the normal various home treatments but it grew unbearable very quickly.  I couldn't sit, I couldn't stand. I ended up at the emergency room (without insurance...) the Saturday before Mother's day in 2008.  

The Dr could not perform the physical exam due to the severe amount of pain it caused.  He then ordered a CT scan of the lower abdomen but couldn't find anything.  He called the on-call OB/GYN but got no further suggestions.  They chalked it up to PID prescribed pain killers and antibiotic and sent me home with orders to follow up with the original surgeon on Monday to rule out failure of the original surgery.

The following day, I began bleeding fairly heavily. Dark red and brown with a pus texture mixed in.

I visited my original surgeon who said the surgery looked fine, but did notice a small growth in the same area of the sharp pain (epesiotomy area) and wanted to do a biopsy in the next coupld of days.  He could not determine where the blood was coming from.  As I was in the process of moving out of state (Try packing while this is happening!!) he suggested I obtain an OB immediately upon reaching our final destination and having them do the biopsy.

OK... New state ... New Dr...  New insurance.

Primary physician refers to a gyn.  He can't examin completely either due to the amount of pain.  Biopsy was done (OMG!!! painful.... but returned with no bad results)  He couldn't find location of bleeding either.  Calls his partner in... He can't find it either....  They refer me to a surgeon.  Checks me rectally and finds a possible thickening... Sends me for another CT Scan for his own films and wants to do an exam under anesthesia.  Go figure... He ends up moving his practice before scheduling and refers me to ANOTHER surgeon...

This surgeon does not want to do an exam under anesthesia, but wants to send me for a colonoscopy  (find out all sorts of stuff there that I didn't know  LOL... but nothing that would cause the original problem...)  Surgeon sends me to a colon specialist (Don't ask me why...) but nothing new there.  I returned to this surgeon for follow up and NOW he tells me he doesn't know why I was referred to him to begin with that he doesn't normally do any vaginal issues, just general surgery and some colon.  Oh geez....

Back to primary Dr.  who refers me to another GYN....  not bleeding on day of visit.  He says he can't tell if I am not bleeding. Left with instructions to come back when I am bleeding (forget that the pain is still there.....)

Back at new GYN within days... extreme pain returned and then felt a gushing sensation and ended up with about a cup of bloody nasty mess.  (Brought it with me to Dr... but for some reason he didn't want to see it.....)  He seemed suddenly interested and took a swab sample.  Said there was an opening where the biopsy was done.  My husband said he stuck that swab in that opening about 2 inches.  It felt like 20 feet....  Labs had no bad results...

Said he didn't want to handle case due to the extent of the surgery. So he referred me to yet another GYN supposedly at a university setting.  

This GYN couldn't find a problem either.  (Not bleeding on day of visit) but said my problem was just that I was obese and to lose weight.  Forget the fact that before this all started I weighed 300+ lbs and had already lost 50 lbs before the pain started......  She was the most humiliating physician I have ever encountered.  I think my husband was madder than I was when we finally left.  She did end up telling me that although she can refer patients to the University hospital, she was not on staff for them, so she did refer me to yet another GYN....  

I haven't made that appt yet... Very frustrating...  and scared to drive another half a day's distance to be told I am fat.

It has now been one year and 4 1/2 months since this epic drama began.  I have had CT Scans, Ultrasounds, Bladder ultrasounds, and Bloodwork to satisfy a vampire.  I still have daily pain (almost a throb or a period cramp feel) that increases just prior to a rupture feeling after which I have several days of bloody discharge/drainage.  I bleed small amounts routinely from the general epesiotomy area (bright, new blood). Two - Four times a month I have GREEN and YELLOW THICK discharge.  I have sharp pains on my lower right abdomen.

But no one can tell me anything other that I am fat.

[Tinker4321]

I had my uterus removed at the age of 29 in the late 70's.  In 2000 I had my first bladder suspension and my ovaries removed due to the extreme cases of cancer in my family.  In  2010 I had to have yet another bladder suspension and a mesh implant was used.  Last year, after suffering with pain, bloating and then the start of bleeding, I went to a Urology surgeon in Dallas.  After several tests it was determined that the mesh had more or less "imploded" in my abdomen.  The surgeon went in and removed pieces of stuff that looked like wire and fishing line.  The majority of the mesh was already grown into the colon and intestines and he did this surgery vaginally because I had an enormous infection that had to be addressed immediately.  I am only four weeks away from my six month check up with my surgeon but have been experience "vaginal bleeding" again and this time pain in the vagina.  I am 66 and have not been involved with a man for over 6 years.  Today's discharge of blood has been the heaviest yet and I do not know whether I should call for an earlier appointment or just wait.  It is not a heavy bleed, just blood on my tissue after wiping but the abdominal pain comes and goes as does the vaginal pain.  Should I be a worry wart and call my surgeon or just wait till my appointment.

[remar]

Cherie gave you great advice, she always does. I think you do need to have the diagnostic lap done. They will go through your naval and there will be a tiny little scar that no one can see.
Have they done cultures?
Keep pushing your Drs until you find out what is going on. Take care. Remar

[justice2155]

Thanks for the idea.  They keep telling me no infection, since all blood work comes back normal.  Doesn't seem right though, does it... green/yellow, but blood work ok????

[Cherie762]

You of corse know yellow and or green anything means infection right? Im really sorry your going through the run around. First Im gonna be honest and to the point ok? I dont sugar coat things and you do not need that.

I have worked in hospitals in the past and fact is its a RARE  dr/surgeon that is going to tell you "Yes , I made an error during surgery" women in situations like yours get what I call catch all diagnosis's that means they basically dont know,,say PID. send you home w antibiotics which is good, they sure wont hurt and pain meds ok , but kinda not, you may not want to cover the pain, it may impeed an acurate dignosis. but I have been through hell with pain so I do get you it is needed and you should not have to suffer

Ok,,heres what I think you need a dignostic laproscopic procedure..WHY  does dr not wish you to be under anestesia? I think you need to know that if you infection goes systemic ( spreads from one body system to another and anotherr) that you could be in some real trouble,) Tell your dr you want a diagnostic laproscpic done. Please if you dont know what this is ( I am guessing you do due to past surgeries) read on it,It is minimally invasive and gives a good look into abdomen..you wont feel the pain and a skilled surgeon can physically see and figure out what is wrong.

Please keep in touch you NEED  A DIAGNOSTIC LAP.

Hugs, Cherie