New and lots of questions

Submitted by MyChelle on December 5, 2008 - 1:42am
Body: 

Hello everyone.

I am new to the site and have a few questions. First let me give a bit of background.

I am 53, have had 7 live births, 1 c-section. The lowest birth weight was 4 pounds, the largest birth weight was 9 pounds. The c-section was the 3rd child. All others were vaginal births. I was 16 at birth of 1st child, and 45 at birth of last child. Labor for 6 was never over 4 hours. C-section was due to complications with 3rd child. Toxemia with the last child.

I am, by nature, small boned and normally weigh between 105-125. I never gained over 20 pounds with each pregnancy except the 9 pound baby.... that one was a 60 pound gain... but i lost it all quickly after birth. My last birth was at age 45 and he weighed 7 pounds. I only gained 17 pounds but developed toxemia during last trimester. Doctor recommened Depo Provera for control. While on Depo I went from 125 to 195 in 3 years. Stopped Depo and lost down to 165.

No noticable vaginal issues until 2006.

I have a feeling I was headed for this prolapse for quite awhile. A couple years ago I had a slight "bulge" in the vaginal area. I made my appt with the doctor, she suspected prolapse of the uterus even tho exam didnt show anything prolapse. Ultrasound found everything in "okay" shape.

About a year ago, I had sensations of "contractions" in the uterine area, that seemed to last all day. Within a week, I was exhausted from all the sensations. Again, trip to doctor, she suspected "problem", off to GYN. Discovered cyst, and the specialist removed my "Nuvaring" from my list of meds, saying it was too much estrogen at my age. Well, Nuvaring vacates and contrations stop.

March of 2008, in the middle of the day, I had the urge to urinate several times and felt some tolerable discomfort in the bladder region. I remember thinking "Oh great, a urinary tract infection". I increased my water intake and added cranberry juice to my diet and the discomfort disappeared, but the urine flow became steadily decreased.

May of 2008, I discover the slight bulge again. Off to doctor again. She said everything looked fine on examination. Referred back to GYN. Transvaginal ultrasound. Blood work reveal I am postmenopausal. Doctor calls me to tell me the ultrasound looks "great" "No problem" ....but, there was a spot on my bladder and have my primary refer me to Urology for "post void residual".

Urology test for bladder size and ability to hold was scheduled. Day of test, cathater is not able to enter bladder. Numerous methods tried , to no avail. Urologist finally inserted spectum into vaginal canal and was able to insert scope to look around.

This is what he says. Cystocele, which is primary issue. Appears to be the beginning of rectocele. He is not recommending surgery. He told me he wants to avoid that and see what my body is gonna do. He said "Do your Kegels, loose weight, and eat a better diet". He said the human body was never created to carry the weight that society has gotten into the habit of heaping on it. He said I am naturally small boned, postmenopausal, had a few kids and overweight. He said add it all together ... the body will use the "path of least resistance" and being a woman, I have the straight path available.

Here is where I am. I am not at a point where I am "outside" my body. I have good days where I dont feel the bulge at all, and I have days where it sits just close to the entrance. On these days I use a tampax to push it back.

I do not leak. I do not leak when coughing or sneezing. I have experienced a great deal of difficulty defacating due to a cluster of hemmoroids. (But from reading the forums, I have discovered a method that makes this function MUCH easier). I do not get urinary tract infections and I do not have any unusual discharge or bleeding. When I wake up in the morning, the bulge IS NOT there. It will settle into place, if it is going to that day, as the day progresses. Sometimes I can feel it slide into the spot the bulge occupies, other times it is a gradual descent. While I haven't had sexual contact in quite some time, I have used self gratification, and I don't experience any discomfort. So I guess all in all I am one of the lucky ones.

But, my doctor told me it won't heal itself, it won't go away. I can not .... can not ... imagine this for the next 30 years or so.

Where do I start? What do I do? I am on a diet, and I am trying to exercise without making things worse. I try to keep a positive attitude. I would appreciate some advice and feedback.

Michelle

rosewood

December 5, 2008 - 2:55pm

Only have a few moments, but want to respond. Contrary to the irksome description by your dr. (what was it -- post-menopausal, overweight, had a few kids ...), I see it in an entirely different light -- you are an amazing 53 year old woman to have birthed 7 children, and I'm sure other incredible life experiences. I recommend that you get Christine's book, 2nd edition, and begin working with the posture and other concepts and lifestyle changes, as well as beginning to learn her ballet workout. Soon she will have another dvd available for exercises. Also, try the firebreathing and perhaps Nauli. As for diet, I'd start with ground flax seeds every day. I've found a routine of gentle rebounding has helped me as well. The point here is that it seems to me that your situation can completely be stabilized, if not reversed. 3 years ago, I had bulge at vaginal opening -- no longer. My life is totally active, maybe even more active than before. Just start on the path toward healing -- sky is the limit. I suppose there are limits -- and part of learning to live with prolapse is accepting that -- but the paradox (like many things in life) is that there are simultaneously limits, and no limits. Part of it is in the mind. Perhaps those who have been here for awhile may know what I mean.

Keep coming back and look to back posts for lots of info.

Blessings on your journey,

Marie

alemama

December 5, 2008 - 7:00pm

Not sure why you can't imagine living like you are for the next 30 years. It sounds like you are doing wonderfully. Big beautiful family - No leaks, no infections, no trouble with BMs, no pain- sounds super!
Your decrease urine flow can get much better if you change the way you empty your bladder. Try it on all fours in the shower and note the flow- it should be nice and strong- you will be able to get this same flow if you rock up onto your feet and lift your bum off the seat with your knees wide apart-and lean slightly forward.
The reason you needed a speculum inserted to get the cath in is because the angle of your urethra has changed because of your cystocele- this is also why your flow is not too strong. This anatomy is illustrated really well in the book Marie mentioned. But basically the speculum pushed your bladder more forward (into the space where it belongs) and returned your urethra to it's optimal positioning.
You may be able to reduce the size of your bulge and for sure you will be able to prevent further prolapse with this work.
You also may like to take a look at what you are eating- remove as much processed food as possible- I have had great success with eliminating all meat, wheat, and dairy- but have added back the wheat and dairy with no problems so far-
Recently there has been talk about Vitamin C- I know it plays a strong role in tissue healing- and you can not get too much- just get a great source.
Also I would add some magnesium and D (carlton's cod liver oil is good)

and lastly you may find you like the balms offered in the wholewoman store-
I desperately want the peri balm- Perhaps for christmas:)
hope something here helped you-

basically it is time to start thinking about YOU! have a massage, get an adjustment, eat WELL and move beautifully!
Glad your doctor did not recommend surgery- you will find if you read the book that surgery for POP is a slippery slope at best-

You can exercise- once you are comfortable in the posture you will be able to enjoy almost all exercise- Walking is great- big arm flaps and circles are good-
Nauli is fantastic for the abs and the prolapses.

granolamom

December 6, 2008 - 8:12pm

can be fabulous!!!

your dr may be right when he says this won't heal itself, but you aren't going to sit around and wait for that to happen. you're here and looking for advice, you're PROACTIVE and YOU can help this heal. I know you can, because that's what I'm doing. that's what we're all doing here.

so yes, get the book, the second edition and learn the posture.
I'm usually one to find fault with dr's but again, your dr may be right when he says the body finds the path of least resistance. you being a woman and having a 'straight path available' is where he's wrong.
when you stand in the wholewoman posture, that path is no longer straight. the vaginal opening is no longer below you, but behind you. your pelvic organs really shouldn't be placed above a hole, but allowed to fall forward, into the curve of your belly, with the pelvic bones underneath them. this doesn't happen overnight, it takes some time to learn to stand, move, be in a new way. and your fascia and ligaments are likely stretched out and your muscles probably tight in areas, so it will take time to get things properly positioned. but I believe that to some degree it is possible.
and yes, learn the nauli!!!

I'm all for losing excessive weight and eating a good wholesome diet. kegels, well, not such a fan. they didn't prevent my prolapses, so I don't see how they will correct it. some find them helpful, but be smart about it. if you find they make things worse, stop. or do fewer.
from now on, YOU need to be the expert on your body. You will learn what makes the prolapse better and what aggravates it. this takes time and patience and effort, but it is oh so empowering.

MyChelle

December 7, 2008 - 4:06am

Thanks for the comments and feedback. I need to clarify my statement about the "next 30 years". This is all still new to me, and I am still trying to find my wings. I have read some of the stories and struggles of the other women, and a great majority of you are soaring with the eagles. I want to be able to climb there as well. I love that moment when I wake in the morning and I feel the silence of a quiet body. No bulge, no sinking sensation. And I fear getting out of bed not knowing if or when it will succumb to the downward slide. I have good days and bad days, good weeks and bad weeks. September was bad MONTH. I reached a point where I went to my doctor and begged him to take me off work so I could just lay in bed. Yes, that was what I told him. "Just let me lay in bed till it goes away". He told me no. :) LOL.

I was researching treatments when I came to find this site. I read some personal stories and FAQ's that matched my own. I tried the leaning forward to empty my bladder. What a relief that was. I also found a post about the way to sit for personal BM moments. Now that was a priceless moment. But, I managed and it worked well. That was when I decided to join in and discover how I can live well with this phase of my life and try to find a better way to communicate with my body and have it listen.

I have been trying the posture ... what I can understand from reading all the posts. I feel a bit awkward, and since I am overweight I tend to feel like I am "hanging" my fat out instead of trying to pull it in. A few times I have felt really good with it, other times I feel like I am tipping forward leading with my head with my butt following behind by a few minutes. I am using the methods for the body functions of elimination. I have to say, it is so NICE not to rock back and forth and twist up like a pretzel for a BM. Any advice? I am in process of getting the book.

Is "fire breathing" the same as "breath of fire"?

I started taking a multi vitamin when I discovered the prolapse. I recently added Butcher's Broom Extract, Flax Seed Powder, Psyllium, Lactobacillus acidolphilus, and Peppermint Extract to my supplement routine. I added those for my hemorroids. I have also suffered from Irritable Bowel Syndrome since I was 17 or so and figured the peppermint would be rather soothing of sorts. I have always eaten alot of fruits and vegatables and high fiber cereals, so that will be easy to work with on the food changes. I dont' eat red meat or pork except maybe 2-3 times a month. I love bread, bagels, and such. I do not eat alot of candy or sugar sweets. Any suggestions or changes here from anyone?

I am a preschool teacher and am on my feet for 7 hours straight. I have a lunch break and a 15 min break. Those are my times to sit and rest. There are times that I get off work, and I feel like I am hanging to my knees. Does anyone have any advice on how to work through this time? Some days I am fine, some days I am so on edge I could scream. Some days my tampax is sufficient to hold me up... somtimes I find I am fighting the edge of the tampax as well as the bladder. Some days I feel raw from all the insertion and removal.

Well, ladies, thanks for any advice. I am off to bed. It is late.

Michelle

Brick2012

January 14, 2013 - 7:29pm

hello Mychell,
You said in an early post that you had solved your hemorroid problem. what did you do? I am interested in a natural way to helps with my hemorroids. I cannot drink Metamucil as this stuff makes my constipation worse. I drink CALM and use myralax at lot.

any thoughts or suggestions??
Brick 2012

Surviving60

January 15, 2013 - 7:54am

Hi Brick - MyChelle hasn't posted to the site for over 4 years, but if you put Hemorrhoids into the search box, you might find some member discussions on the topic. Good luck to you! - Surviving