My mother is having problems with a dropped bladder. She is 90-years-old. What can be done for this?

My mother at 78 had surgery for a uterine prolapse and a fallen badder. We were in the process of seeing doctors to correct it when she had a stroke, so we had to wait six months after the stroke to have the surgery. It was all done vaginally and she was better than new in two weeks. She has much better control now and fewer bladder infections. She made it through the surgery without any problem, but after the pain meds wore off, she was in pain for a few days. The pain meds they prescribed constipated her so I ended up having to give her an enema and switching to tylenol. She was also sent home with a catheter which allowed her to stay in bed and rest, so that needed emptied and cleaned. It was removed after 5 - 7 days and she did end up on antibiotics for a bladder infection afterward. So it was a miserable couple weeks, but in the long run it was worth it for her, and now two years later, she doesn't even remember it.

Of course it all depends on your mother's health, but it did improve the quality of my mother's life. Wish you the best!

Surgery. She needs to see both a Urologist and a Gynecologist.

I am 55 years old, my uterus & bladder had both dropped, recently had surgery, hysteroctomy & they put the bladder back in place. When I went for my initial visit with the surgeon, she explained to me that a lot of elderly women have this problem, as well as women that have lifted too many heavy objects in their life or had large children. I had both! I explained to her I was going on a vacation in 4 weeks, she said that wasn't enough time to heal, that she could put in a device called a "peseree" (not sure of the spelling) that would hold all up. It has to be cleaned once in a while, said that she had lots of elderly women come in just for the cleaning & replacing the object. I was able to remove, clean & replace on my own, but your mother wouldn't! My point is this, if they will not do the surgery to put the bladder back in place, contact her gynecologist, tell her your mother needs the device put in to hold the bladder up, it has to be sized according to each individual, she could go in for the cleanings, which only involves taking it out & rinsing with plain water & replace. Just a warning, when they did my surgery, I also had to have the rectal wall rebuilt, as both pulling down, somehow pulled on the rectal wall. The recovery for me has been quite lengthy, but if her uterus isn't involved, may not take too long! Also, I'm sure if she is having urinary difficulties too, that will all be a question for the doctor. I was having frequent bladder infections, dribbling, urinating when coughing or sneezing, etc. So a lot will depend on all her symptoms & needs discussed with gynecologist. I went to a urologist first, didn't help. I also found out by the gynecologist surgeon that during the surgery they may have to call on a gyneurologist, didn't know there was such, but they were able to do my surgery without one! Good luck, call her doctor!

I should also mention, Mom's pain was mainly from the uterine prolapse surgery not from slinging her bladder.

You had the wrong surgeon, M 1953. The correction should have involved a complete "tie up" on each side attached to the spinal column. That way, it will never drop again. It also will never fail ( after four months recovery).

Don't understand your statement, are you saying they did the wrong surgery on me & how would you know???? I don't think I said how they tied it up, I'm not sure, didn't ask! I was told by 3 different urologist surgeons that my bladder wouldn't drop ever again, 5 surgeries later, it did! In other words, I have had the surgery to put the bladder back in place 5 times. If you know something I don't please tell me!!!! I am tired of having this surgery! Also, the recovery seems to get worse each time. Thanks for the advice, just didn't understand it all!! What did you mean it will not fail after 4 months recovery? Please explain!

M 1953 : You may wish to contact Dr. Steven Kovac, MD in Atlanta, GA. He is Chairman of the Dept of Gynecology at Emory University Hospital/Clinic. He has perfected a method of repair for the uterine prolapse ( also bladder and rectal). He goes all over the country teaching this method. Good Luck.

Thank you! That is a long way from me & so far my surgery is holding this time, I might want to wait & see if this one is going to fail & the doctor might have done it right this time, as this is a different doctor. I used 3 different urologist before & some of the surgeries are so old, can't even locate the records of some of the past surgeries. But will write the name down & look this doctor up, if my insurance would pay, not usually as my insurance required I use a surgeon in my area & in our particular insurance program. My husband & I retired early in life & are on retirement income, have descent insurance but it does have requirements. I appreciate the advice though, & thank you!

My 80 year old mother recently told me that her bladder had dropped. Her doctor said she could expect to have more urinary tract infections as a result, and there's really nothing much she can do about it. I'm glad you are getting more comprehensive advice than my mother is getting. I'll be checking into this "pessary" thing. But it sounds like your mother is in for a real trial now that her bladder has dropped. Do your own research and talk to people who don't make money off what you decide to do. Good Luck. God Bless You.
Jonathan

my 94 once extremely active and agile mother in experiencing extreme pain and she believes she has a dropped bladder Is pain common with this condition?
thanks
vivian