cystosele

Uma - you can try www.augs.org for a reference in our area. Have you tried emptying your bladder like I illustrate in the book at least once a day? If incomplete emptying is the problem and you understand the risks (stress incontinence, sexual dysfunction, etc.) associated with anterior repair surgery, it seems the best approach is making sure the bladder completely empties as often as possible.

If you haven't been able to get this under control with natural measures, then yes, further diagnostics are the logical next step. As I understand it, IC is a deep and tenacious inflammation of the inner layers of bladder tissue with extreme discomfort and urinary dysfunction as primary symptoms. I believe the most effective treatment is radical diet change, stress reduction, natural fibers, etc.

I don't think I was emphatic enough in my recommendation for bladder emptying. I don't know what your work situation is (how much freedom you have) but if I had such a long-standing condition as you describe, I would empty my bladder on my hands and knees as much as possible, even if it meant climbing into the bathtub every time to pee. If you did this for one week, Uma, I bet you would see a change. There's self-cathing, too, but not without risks of further infection...

I just had to comment on your doctor- what an awful thing to say
to you! It's as if he is just dismissing any of your health concerns.
I wish it was easier to find doctors who were understanding and
knowledgeable! I also hope that things improve for you! Diana

Hi Uma,

As much as I want to speak my mind, when it comes to contradicting the advise of your physician I do not have the moral or legal right to do so, given that we as a society have sanctioned medical doctors as the highest authority on health and wellness. Perhaps he wants to do the scope to look at tissue that has sat under fermenting urine for so long.

I can say that a confirmed diagnosis of cystocele + measured urine retention + foul smelling urine = NEED TO EMPTY BLADDER. I can also say that we are all intelligent beings and can figure out that something is wrong with a system that does not address health problems at their source.

Of course, Diana makes the essential point of shunning physicians who try to make us feel helpless and stupid.

I hope you find a good doctor to work with, Uma, and am so looking forward to hearing how this program works for you.

Christine

Hi Uma. I have a cystocele also and years ago had numerous bladder infections. At that time, I had a cystoscopy, which they give you to see if you have any growths in your bladder and also to see if your ureters are open and not blocked. I would go for the cystoscopy if you are having severe symptoms or more than one symptom. Its good to do once and then you don't have to worry about it again. Good Luck in whatever you decide to do.

Technology is wonderful in many ways and I have no objection to there being these sorts of procedures available to us, and it is for Uma and her doctor to decide whether she is a candidate for one. The problem is there is no balance in the way they are used by a healthcare system that is liability-driven and therefore out-of-reach to almost 50% of the population.

Much more significantly, these technologies (x-rays, ultrasounds, surgeries, oscopies) that allow practitioners to look inside the body have altered doctor's capacity to look OUTSIDE the body and to SEE THE OBVIOUS. It's like there's a perfect inverse ratio between how much they can see at the micro level and how completely blinded they have become to the macro level...not to mention they've lost many vital skills of observation and palpation that took them hundreds of years to perfect...