pain getting worse + peeing

[gothique11]

So, anyway, I'm about 5 months post-op (my surgery was June 9th) and I'm still having problems and it seems to be getting worse. 2-3 months post up things seemed fine, and I had no paid and not as bad with problems with leaking. Now, I just full on leak if I move too much, bend over, or lift anything. And pain wise, it's been getting worse (I'm taking pain killers again).

My local family doctor just shrugged his shoulders and didn't know what to do or what to check or test.

It's gotten so bad that I can't lift anything at work (as required by my job) and I'm actually taking time off work at the end of the week until things get figured out.

I keep trying to do kegals, but they don't seem to do much. Things seem pretty swollen inside, so dilating has become pretty painful. And, yep, no sex for me anymore... it's just too painful now (wasn't a couple of months ago).

I think I'm going to call Montreal again. I called about the Peeing thing a while ago... a little over a month ago, and Brassard mentioned the kegals. But then, I didn't have as much pain.

I'm not sure if it's just because I lift stuff a lot putting orders away at work, etc. Thus, I've been trying to rest not, not lift stuff, not move too dramatically, etc. I find that prevents the full-on leaking (it's embarrassing to pee your pants -- it's just not a little dribble, it can be a lot, or just a little but constantly). The pain is still there, although worse if I lift anything -- even a gallon of milk!

Has anyone else experienced this before? I'm hoping it will go away with rest, and hopefully I wont end up having surgery again. But I'm not sure if I'd go to Brassard for that, or some local surgeon (who may or may not know what to do, depending on what's wrong, if I can actually find a doctor who will figure out what exactly is wrong and where... getting the I don't know treatment doesn't help much).

Thnx for any advice,

--natalie

[Kate]

I'd talk to Ann, Suzanne and Brassard first (again), since they should know the most about what's going on, and perhaps will fix things without charging a fee?

From what I understand, the op doesn't really mess with the parts/muscles that control flow. But I'd theorize that if you have swelling inside as you said, it could be interfering with things perhaps?

~Kate~

[pennyjane]

hi hon.  well, you're still early to be doing that much lifting and straining.  i'd get back with my surgeon and ask those questions.  something isn't right and better to find out what it is and fix it as soon as possible.  your md isn't on the ball, this ain't a shoulder shugging thing.  i got myself a gynecologist as soon as i got home and she's been a lot of help with understanding and teaching me things that i didn't learn growing up.  do it soon.  God bless with...

[Flan Princess]

I was thinking about this for a bit, and to be honest, I can't think of any reason for this to be happening. If it were a damaged/atrophied muscle, it should have gotten better after kegal exercises. My best guess is that it sounds to me like an intramuscular bacterial (or virus) infection of some sort. I can only recommend seeing an OB/GYN or urologist about it soon.

[Ms.Behavin]

Ditto on the OB or a Urologist.  You might have an infection.   I was in serious pain about 6 weeks after,  went to the ER, They thought it might be a bladder infection, and gave me anibiotics.  The test came back negitive the next day, but the Antibiotics did the trick anyway. 

Girl get yourself to a doctor now and have some blood work done.  You should not be having that kind of trouble now.  As to the tests gee,  standard bloodwork up and urinalisys.  maybe find an OB GYM.

take care of yourself girl

Beni

[gothique11]

yeah, trying to figure out the doctor thing, and someone that I can see soon -- rather than waiting three months to see. And some other places won't take trans people. There's one GYN that I know of that will take trans people, but it's a 3-5 month wait list to see her. Most specialists take a long time to see. Same with a urologist, it takes a few months to get in.

I'm not sure why, but I also keep bleeding down there. It wasn't much at first, but recently it's been more common. *shrugs* I don't know is a clue or not.


--nat

[RebeccaFog]

HI,

   I really wouldn't wait around. I understand there is a waiting list, but that sounds like an awful long time to have to wait. Maybe you can try to arrange for one of these doctors to call you the moment someone else cancels an appointment.
   Or, and I know this is scary - hit an emergency room and don't take no for an answer. Bring a friend or relative to be there to make certain you are treated well.


Rebis

[Just Mandy]

Hi Natalie,

I'm no medical expert but I would think blood this far along is not a good thing... I would seek
help now, not later. Don't try to "be strong" and tough this out. Go, today. Really.

Amanda

[Kate]

I'm not sure why, but I also keep bleeding down there. It wasn't much at first, but recently it's been more common. *shrugs* I don't know is a clue or not.

Inside or outside?

I've read that there are sometimes "areas of delayed healing" that can be treated with Silver Nitrate(?) I believe. If your normal doctor doesn't feel confident or comfortable figuring out what's up, I'm pretty sure Brassard would be willing to talk to him/her and offer guidance about what to look for and do. In any case, his office should be able to offer some advice as to what it might be, the urgency for treatment, etc.

Kate

[Cyndigurl45]

Hi Natalie,

I'm no medical expert but I would think blood this far along is not a good thing... I would seek
help now, not later. Don't try to "be strong" and tough this out. Go, today. Really.

Amanda

What she said sweetie this is very, VERY serious

[Just Mandy]

I've read that there are sometimes "areas of delayed healing" that can be treated with Silver Nitrate(?) I believe. If your normal doctor doesn't feel confident or comfortable figuring out what's up, I'm pretty sure Brassard would be willing to talk to him/her and offer guidance about what to look for and do. In any case, his office should be able to offer some advice as to what it might be, the urgency for treatment, etc.

Coming from someone who has been though SRS recently it sounds like you may be saying this might not
be a big deal. But to me who has not been through it and is a big scardy cat anyway it freaks me out that there
is bleeding this long after a procedure. But maybe it's normal? How long does it normally take to heal?

Amanda

[Suzy]

Natalie,

I would certainly call Brassard and, if possible, get back up there.  This is just not right.  There has to be something out of the ordinary here, and the surgeon who operated would seem to be the best one to look at it.

You will be in my heart and prayers!

Kristi

[Kate]

I've read that there are sometimes "areas of delayed healing" that can be treated with Silver Nitrate(?) I believe. If your normal doctor doesn't feel confident or comfortable figuring out what's up, I'm pretty sure Brassard would be willing to talk to him/her and offer guidance about what to look for and do. In any case, his office should be able to offer some advice as to what it might be, the urgency for treatment, etc.

Coming from someone who has been though SRS recently it sounds like you may be saying this might not be a big deal.

I definately don't want to imply that... she really needs to pursue this to figure out what's going on.

BUT, I have met and talked with a few postops who still had some bleeding months afterward. It's not uncommon, but it IS something that *must* be addressed.

But maybe it's normal? How long does it normally take to heal?

From what my literature said, bleeding should stop within a few weeks to a month. Still, my papers say things aren't really considered "healed" for an entire year. And swelling can take months and months to really resolve, etc.

Kate

[Just Mandy]

I see, thanks Kate... I'll stop freaking out now

Amanda

[Purple Pimp]

Get help: PRONTO!  I had surgery back in May, and I haven't had anything like what you're experiencing.  Please be careful though; I'm sure you're well aware that there are plenty of trans-unfriendly gynos out there, so if you do go to one, make sure that they're caring and will actually help you rather than just making things worse.  There are also gynos out there who are perfectly nice and would try to help you, but might just screw things up because of their unfamiliarity with the procedures we've had and the resulting differences in internal anatomy.

Please get help!  And keep us informed, of course 

Lia

[tinkerbell]

I'm with the people who are urging you to get help stat, Natalie.  This is not normal at all, especially the pain thing after months of being post-op.  I would call the cute doctor with the French accent straight away again and again.

tink  

[MCMCyn]

Ok, the blood thing comcerns me. Is it spotting or true bleeding?

I had surgery with Dr Brassard in late January. By early April I was feeling fine. In mid-April I was getting increased pain, from my belly button right down to the base of my crotch. Everything was sensitive to the touch. Even the slightest touch hurt. Wearing underwear hurt.  On Thursday I e-mailed Suzanne at Dr Brassards office with my exact symptoms. Friday morning I felt a UTI coming on. Anything I did, led to a strong urge to pee. Friday afternoon, Dr Brassard called me back. He asked two questions and said I had "such-a-such" infection (I forget the actual name) and he had me get a prescription for Cipro from my primary care physician. He said between 48-72 hours I would be feeling better.

Sure enough, within eight hours the UTI pain subsided. Approximately 58-60 hours later I was sitting at work and it dawned on me........I had felt ZERO discomfort at all. He diagnosed my problem with one short e-mail and two questions via the phone.

In other words, get in touch with him, it's p[robably something very simple. But I, like you, got very very nervous. Five pills and two and a half days later, I was feeling fine.

[Blanche]

I'm with Kristi!

Natalie,

I would certainly call Brassard and, if possible, get back up there.  This is just not right.  There has to be something out of the ordinary here, and the surgeon who operated would seem to be the best one to look at it.

Kristi

I'm 4 months post-op & I get some spotting occasionally but nothing to be freaked out about & I have no pain. Have you got a fever? It sounds like an infection but maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing at all. 

[JasmineG]

In terms of seeking an OB/GYN who is trans friendly, we are not the only one's who have this kind of surgery. Girls with Vaginal Agenesis also suffer the same plight as us. The only exception in their case is that they don't have scrotal and penial skin to donate to the neovagina. However, they do have skin grafts. Internally, they have the same thing done that we do. It's called The McIndoe procedure.

Aside from getting immediate medical attention for the bleeding that you are encountering, seek out a physican that specializes in vaginal agenesis. Chances are they will have better understanding than those who have never encounter a case such as our own case. There is still the chance that some will be transpobic. However, you just have to keep looking and asking the right questions.

As an intersexed transsexual woman, I've already began calling around to physician's and I ask two question when I speak with them. (1) Do they have experience with intersexed women and (2) do they have experience with women with vaginal agenesis. I happen to be in a position where my surgeon is here in the U.S. and if I encounter problems, I can reach him real easy and I happen to live in a state where there is a few SRS physician's. I've called one SRS physician and ask to become a patient on any follow-up emergency cases. I'm also playing on setting aside enough money that if I need to fly down to my physician who performs my vaginoplasty, I can do so. A flight there and back can be had for a little as $200. Hotel can be as cheap as $65 to $75 per day.

I hope this helps. I have been reading more and more stories of girls having problems with getting proper medical treatment because transpohbia. One of my ex-friends has told me that she can't even get HRT as a post-op because all the doctors she has called and talked with has told her they don't want to take her case on. In my opinion, this is discrimination.  As post-op females, you are no different than a woman who has vaginal agenesis (outside of chromosomes) or a woman who has had a hysterectomy. These doctors should be ashamed of themselves. Keep searching and keep asking the questions. I'm sure that at some point you will find a physcian that will be more than willing to take on your case. In the meantime, make sure you take care of that pain and bleeding as soon as possible.

Jasmine

[Kate]

Any updates on this, Natalie?

~Kate~