bladder prolapse

We are all different but I would say it is not normal, have you been checked for a UTI? My symptoms appeared overnight, was fine on a Friday but by Saturday morning my life had changed. I did have a UTI in the beginning which can make things feel much worse. The ripping/tearing type pain you describe is not something I have heard anybody complain about so I do hope you get some answers at your hospital appointment next week.

I can certainly sympathise with the carpet being pulled from under your feet!

Anita

I am sorry Jean1 but I forgot to welcome you to the forum.

Hi Jean

I confess. I felt a ripping/tearing sensation once many years ago when I was straining on the toilet. I think that's when my rectocele became apparent, but it is a nasty memory, and not clear what the sequence of events was. I remember the sensation though, like painless tearing of fabric. I am OK now.

Jean, I think you may be one of the women who experience prolapse suddenly, as some do. You have probably had it for some time, but there has been one vital bit of support that has given way and allowed the organs to drop. Don't be alarmed. Sometimes it is a bit like a mine cave in, with lumps of rock falling bit by bit, even during the rescue process. The fall is inevitable once the structure of the rock is undermined.

("DON'T GET ALARMED?????", Jean screams in panic!!!)

But seriously, it is quite normal for you to be distressed and floored by this experience. None of us expects it, especially when it happens overnight. You may find yourself feeling grief striken, which is also very normal, and just needs to be worked through. We can all help you with this. Just keep posting your thoughts and questions and we will do what we can to respond.

Kegels will not help with prolapses, only re-establishing continence. If they are having that damaging effect, don't do them, particularly until you have your doctor's visit. Waiting a few days won't make the slightest bit of difference.

I think what you need to do now is go to www.wholewoman.com, cast your eyes over the FAQ's, and get started with getting your body back to natural posture, Wholewoman posture, sitting and standing and walking, so that your pelvic organs move forward over your pubic bone, and allow your lower belly to relax to accommodate them. This can be really hard (sort of hard like using a bedpan for the first time) of you normally tuck your butt under and hold your tummy in, but both are fundamental when dealing with this horrible thing. If it really upsets you, take it slower or stop until you have seen the doctor. You might find it helpful to do some exercises like the yoga pose called Downward Dog which allows gravity to help your pelvic organs to move back deep into your abdomen and take the pressure off your bladder. You may have some initial discomfort with the posture, particularly if your previous posture has been very different, but it shouldn't be major pain.

Also, use the search box at left to search the Forums for keywords like 'bladder', 'cystocele', 'exercise' etc, then use your browser's Find function to pinpoint the relevant post under each topic. This will familiarise you with other women's experiences, and you will learn a lot about what you can do for yourself.

Believe it or not there is some light at the end of the tunnel, because you have found these Forums where there are lots of women who have experienced similar things. Trouble is that for you the light is still just a weak little flickering glow. It will get stronger. You will have bad days and good, but hopefully you will slowly have more good days as you rebuild your body in different ways to how you have done it before.

Many of us get on top of this chronic condition to a point where it barely affects our daily lives, but it can take time, and you just need to be open and patient.

Cheers

Louise

Hi Jean,

I've only been around a few months so I'm a newbie and short on answers, but your level of pain alarms me. Could you see your doctor more quickly? You need to know for sure what you're dealing with. Please reply again to let us know how you are. I wish you all the best. Kit

Hi Jean

I really meant that leaving the Kegels a few days won't make any difference (not the doctor).

Kit is absolutely right. See the Dr asap to work out what the pain is all about. I would still suggest that you do some gentle inversion type exercises in the meantime. Also, make sure you let him know how much pain you are having and ensure that the examination will be very gentle.

Cheers

Louise

Hi

Several months after finding out about my prolapse after my first baby (at 5 months post partum) I was eventually feeling symptom free and decided to be brave and was determined not to let the prolapse destroy my self confidence. I then returned to my active life style and lifted several very heavy objects one day, and in doing so felt a sharp pain and tearing inside. For the next two weeks I could only stand for short periods without feeling like the whole of my pelvic organs were out to fall out. It was the most dreadful sensation and I had to accomplish most of the care for my child on hands and knees during that time. I spent the rest of the time lying on the floor with my pelvis elevated by a cushion and crying. To say I was crushed was an understatement.
It took a month before the symptoms eased and now at 19 months postpartum the prolapse is very little problem, and I no longer have that horrible sensation and it is essentially in the same posistion as before ( 3 - 4 cm inside ) There are a number of things I do need to do on a daily basis to help myself. This includes trying to never become constipated as this puts much pressure on the pelvic floor area, and being aware that I am not super woman and cannot lift very heavy objects ! So - yes there is an end in sight to your awful feeling and making certain changes to lifestyle is in my opinion essential. I really do feel for you as it is an awful thing to experience. Just know that it is quite possible things will improve !!.
Restoring confidence after being in this situation is difficult - having felt how debilitating it can become I do have reservations about how my body can cope with a much wanted second pregnancy. I hope sharing my experience has been of benefit to you - please know that things can get better.

Hi Jean1

Well, at least you know what they think it is. A couple of points though. What cranberry are you taking? Does it have lots of sugar? Are you still using the estriol cream at all? Where are you using it? Where are you washing with the aqueous cream? Who told you it was a stage 1 prolapse, and what do you mean by stage 1? (There are some different grading systems.) When you say you are still getting up during the night due to pressure, do you mean that you feel like your bladder is full? Or just that you feel like you need to pee? How much do you void at night? Is it a good bladder full or just a little bit? With all the antibiotics, have you had any thrush?

You must be worried silly by this. Sorry about all the questions, but it helps to get a fuller picture. Hope we can help you get to the bottom of it.

Cheers

Louise

Has anyone had collagen bulking in the bladder sphincter to decrease urinary incontinence? Let me know of results. Thank you nomadsally

thanks for checking back in. Glad to hear it was a UTI and nothing more sinister. I know you can naturally treat a UTI but it takes a ton of work- if you are willing to do it though your body should be able to fight it. I think most impt. at this point is completely emptying your bladder- pee on all fours every time until this resolves.

Since you are on ABX I think you should totally avoid all sugar and simple carbs-even wheat. Drink water like crazy- get a cranberry suppliment- like cran-actin from the healthfood store.

Order some of the Bliss Balm for the dryness-

I will be interested to hear your answers to Louise's questions.

Iodine drops work wonders for UTI. Just a couple of drops a day and cranberry pills. Also, the dietary restrictions that others mentioned. Feel better.