cystocele: some progress, some lack thereof

Submitted by saddleup on June 7, 2009 - 9:56pm
Body: 

Hello, ladies:

I've been working with the Whole Woman approach for almost a year. I am 54 and post-menopausal. Though I have learned a lot about how to live (well) with a cystocele, some annoying symptoms have persisted. Notably, this involves urinary leakage, which I experience a few times per week. It never leaks very much, but it happens. I think that, even though I lean forward to complete urination, sometimes not all the urine comes out until I walk away and bend over or sit down. I can feel a little pouch of membrane inside the vagina which I assume is the sagging vaginal wall. I do the WW exercises two or three times per week. I'm wondering whether the fascial tissue will ever actually rearrange itself to the extent that the bladder will be supported better. I wish I didn't have to wear a mini-pad all day.

Sort of against medical advice, I still ride a horse. I use a sports tampon and have no problems while riding. The tampon keeps everything in place. Actually, when I told the dr. what I was doing, he thought it was fine. It's just that when I first saw him, he wanted me to get the bladder repair surgery and told me that when I recovered, I might be able to ride a smooth, gaited horse (like a Tennessee Walker)and not our wonderful but bouncy Quarter Horse. Yeah, I was depressed, and I didn't ride for a couple of months. But I did't get the surgery, either (thank God). Then I saw a posting here about the sports tampons and discovered they really helped. So my hair is turning silver, I haven't had a period for five years, and I buy sanitary products at the drug store. Whatever works.

I've seen some posts about pessaries, pro and con. I don't think I will try them, at least not yet. Some say that the more you leave one in, the worse your condition gets. Other women love using pessaries. I am somewhat concerned that I am tempting fate by using tampons and continuing to ride. What are the chances that I am making the cystocele worse by this particular lifestyle choice?

By the way, I've been on a very small dose of Detrol LA, one of the bladder control drugs. I don't think it helps all that much. I do have to say that whatever leakages I experience are smaller than they were, but that's also because of the techniques I've learned at WW for bladder emptying.

So, I'm still not too happy with the fact that the ol' bladder just ain't what she used to be. On the other hand, I'm doing just about everything I wish to do. Is that the sort of compromise that one just lives with? I try not to swear at the unwanted occurrences--sometimes I succeed! But I'm feeling depressed. Blah. Any words of wisdom are welcome. Thanks so much.

Saddleup

louiseds

June 7, 2009 - 10:23pm

Hey Saddleup

There's nothing wrong with wanting perfection. Keep working towards it, but try not to become obsessed about it.

I would try MeMyselfAndI's trick of sit down, pee, pee again, stand up, waddle around in a circle, sit down and pee a few more drops. Repeat if necessary *before* you pull up your knickers.

Another trick to try is to half stand up after peeing (butt just off the seat), leaning forwards. This will engage your transverse and rectus abdominus muscles and increase intraabdominal pressure. That will probably empty a bit more too. You could combine the two, or even cough as well. Even transferring all your weight to one foot in that half squat might help. What you are doing is passively creating an action which will mimic stress incontinence, ie you can use the bladder's weakness as a strength. That was a bit zen, wasn't it?

Cheers

Louise

luvmiboyz

June 7, 2009 - 10:44pm

*I am somewhat concerned that I am tempting fate by using tampons and continuing to ride. What are the chances that I am making the cystocele worse by this particular lifestyle choice?*

I am very new to all this prolapse stuff but if riding makes you happy and you seem to be doing fine with it, then why even think of giving it up? i mean isnt that what life is about..doing what makes you truly happy? I hope to jog one day again...i would actually settle for being able to stand on my feet for a long period of time without feeling uncomfortable. I plan on going back to work next year doing hair and im not sure how thats going to go....even part time. I just keeping believing that im going to heal from this
~Amanda

saddleup

June 8, 2009 - 8:22am

Thanks, Louise. Sometimes the visuals created by these innovative approaches are pretty amusing. Of course, I will promptly close the bathroom door and try them! Thanks for reminding me that life isn't perfect. I think that I'm doing very well living with the POP. Maybe I worry too much when my mind is not engaged elsewhere.

saddleup

June 8, 2009 - 8:30am

Dear Amanda:

Thank you for your supportive comment. I think that women in this situation start feeling so alone, because we just don't talk about it with others, that our emotions tend to magnify the problem. Standing on your feet without undue annoyance sounds like a reasonable goal to me. In Christine's new DVD, it shows her actually running, after years of dealing with a uterine prolapse. Exercise really is good for us. I think that recovery often involves a lot of time and patience. Blessings on you and yours.

Saddleup

luvmiboyz

June 8, 2009 - 12:12pm

yes, that reminds me! i have been wanting to order the DVD for sometime ...ill see if i can today. thanks for reminding me

This is a very lonely "condition"...not something you can easily bring up, not that anyone understands unless they are going through it themselves
~Amanda