38 years later, my episiotomy has not healed properly and , still gives bad pain after every BM. 8 specialists can't do anything, or give useful advice. I have a rectocele, maybe a fistula, or fissure, and one doctor said a "fold". Small enema bulb washouts will sometimes help, but can induce a second tiny stool, which stings the raw tissue, so then needs another small washout. The pain is severe and usually leads to swelling or seizing or clamping of the anus, which is then worse.
Ice or warm sitzbath sometimes helps, but some days, I just must lie down, and hurt. Sitting or walking is usually worse.
With the Canadian Med. system giving up on me, I don't know what to do. Does anyone have ANY suggentions, things that have worked for you? Signed: Desparate D. H.
In case anyone was wondering, here is how or why the botched episiotomy happened: I was in the Hospital delivery room at about 1 A.M., when the nurse said: "you're nearly ready to deliver, I'll phone the Dr.... She came back with this: "Dr. says I'm to give you a shot". Somehow I knew that was a shot to delay the birth, so I said, No, I'm ready to have my baby now. The nurse tried the Dr. again, and came back with: "Dr. can't come, you have to take the shot." I said I don't want it, I won't take it! But she said you have to take, Doctors orders, and forced the shot on me. I was soon in a drug induced deep "sleep".
At 9 am, the Dr. woke me up, with: Well Mrs. H, "let's have that baby!" I was totally NOT ready to deliver, groggy, no contractions, etc. No problem, I'll just put you on a drip, and you'll be ready in no time. Well, that didn't happen. Dr. was frustrated, and without my knowledge (permission), just did the big, rough quick episiotoy. (perhaps my son, stuck in the birth canal may have made him desperate) I was still so groggy, I don't remember the birth, etc. He quickly sewed me up. I think it must have been a rough job, since I had so much bleeding and pain. In a couple of days, and still in pain and bleeding, they sent me home with a sitzbath. After several weeks, I gradually got better, but was never the same after all this.
I put up with minor incontinence for the next 32 years, but could deal with it. About six years ago my current problems started, and have gradually got worse since. After all the experts I've seen now, nobody wants to get involved, and don't know what to do, anyway. We now know that mistakes were made, and nobody wants to get involved, exept to try to cover all the tracks of the botched episiotomy. It seems, "you watch my back, and I'll watch yours." So they just keep passing me along, and hope that I'll just go away, and die of old age (72 now). Our med. system is in bad shape. So now my dear husband and I just take turns trying to "play Doctor" on our own. I'd really like to hear from anyone who has had any similar experience, and what worked for you. Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts. cheers, D. H.
D. -
I was one of the lucky 1% whose stitches failed. Within a month of delivery, I was in for a follow up surgery in which I was re-stitched. Took about 2 months to heal.
Your situation sounds miserable. Explore corrective surgery.
Good luck to you and yours,
fangedbunny
Have they ever explored the idea of another surgery to try and correct the problem?
Just a thought...
I am sorry I am answering this so late after you posted. My first question is are you sure your pain is from the episiotomy? and I only ask because it sounds like these are pretty new symptoms. you mentioned s fissure those hurt SUPER bad I just had surgery to fix mine and feel 100% better the way you describe your bowel movements sounds exactly like me trying to have a bowel movement with my fissur. So in the states they give you a cream totry and relax the anal musucle and if that dosent work(didn't for me) they go in and cut the inner anal muscule so you can have normal no painful easier bowel movements. If I was you I would go see a doctor about the fissuer and see if that helps some of your issues and then maybe you can find someone else to help with the episiotmy stuff Good luck I hope you get some releif soon.
Look for a different clinic/doctor. My ob is part of a large clinic which promotes 'pelvic health' and I would imagine that is the type of place you need to go to for better answers (texaspelvichealth.com). You could try calling them to see if they had any referrals for you locally. In your shoes I might even consider a trip to visit them if that is what it took to improve things. Good luck and don't give up. There has to be a solution with the right doctor.
You might look into a plastic surgeon. Labiaplasty has become a "thing", so many surgeons are well versed in the female anatomy below, as well as dealing with scar revision and proper healing.
At any rate, time to see a new doctor!
I agree after 38 years, there has to be some new type of procedure that can help you. This is too much misery to have to live with.
Call around even to obgyn's.. plastic surgeons and see what they suggest.
My SIL is having another surgery for this soon. (hers is at least 15 yrs old) I hope you can find someone to help you.
