symptoms getting worse

Submitted by cararosesmum on December 30, 2009 - 9:08pm
Body: 

Hi, I'm new to WW, so I hope this post is in the right place.

I was given the all clear on my mild rectocele and urethrocele by my PT in September. Not knowing any better I went away and did lots of crunches to get rid of my mummytummy. I returned to my PT last week becomes my symptoms had reappeared and were getting worse. Since seeing the physio, who recommended a pessary thngs have got even worse, and I can know feel something permanently right at the mouth of my vagina, when I'm walking, standing, sitting. The only time it mostly goes away is if I lie down, and even then I can still feel something with my hand. I have tried inserting a super tampon on my PTs avice, but it just seems to slide between the gap between my front lump and rear lump, without actually holding anything up. I used to really only feel it when havinng a BM, know I'm aware of something there all the time, and the rear of my vagina bulges out very easily, unless I am in Kegel mode.

Things have definitely got worse in the last 5 days, since seeing the physio. Does anyone have any idea what is going on down there? I am mother to a 16month old (still BF) and I do lift her alot, by I engage my muscles first, and I haven't been carrying her more that usual, so why the deterioration?

I also found WW at the same time, and have ordered the DVD. I live in Australia and haven't seen it yet, so have been tryingto do the posture based on the website and youtube. Is it possible if I have the position wrong that I could be making things worse? I've still been doing my Kegels, but trying to do WW posture sitting and standing. I have spent alot of time in front of the computer, checking this stuff out, but I never lean back. Sometimes when I 'm standing I realise I'm slouching and looking sway back rather than in the position. I'm quite scared that I'm doing more harm than good. Should I just give up on the posture for now? I really can't get my head round it getting worse when I'm trying to look after it.

Sorry this is such a long post. So many questions. Yesterday was a really good day, I felt really positive. Today, not so much.

Thanks for any thoughts,
Emma

louiseds

December 30, 2009 - 11:46pm

Hi Emma

I am in Oz too. No, don't give up the posture. It is a bit like learning to shimmy or riding a bike. You get nowhere fast at first, but then suddenly you realise that you did it just for a few seconds and it felt good. Keep trying. You will get it bit by bit. You are probably, like most of us, trying to undo half a lifetime of tummy tucking and butt tucking, so no wonder you are finding it hard. More than five years later it is still getting better for me. You have your whole life to get it right.

I think the most important factors are keeping the middle of your back straighter to become taller, ie boobs out the front, your shoulders relaxed and your chin tucked slightly. It is like hanging from a cord that comes out of the crown of your head (not just above your forehead). Oh yes, last stage is to consciously relax your belly (but don't push it out) and visualise your pelvic organs moving forward, coming to rest on your front, lower abdominal wall. It is very difficult to tuck your butt in this position, which is good!

Louise

kiki

December 31, 2009 - 7:30am

how many kegels are you doing? too many can make things much worse. one physio i saw said for 10 - 15 good ones
physio before had me doing hundreds and it got horrible...so less was definately more!
16 months is still early days. i would say things didn't start to plateau till closer to 2 years, but even then have kept improving. i'm nearly at my 3 year POP anniversary, and with lots of nauli and firebreathing at the moment and anti inflamatory diet, they are improving more. so hang in there!

also watch posture carefully when breastfeeding--easy to slump down (i just fed a lot lying down to avoid that).
also have your periods returned? POP can be more prominent with your cycle, so that's a possibility...

don't give up and it will improve!!!

cararosesmum

January 1, 2010 - 3:00am

hmmm, well, yes, since I realised everything was heading south again I started Kegeling like MAD in an attempt to 'quick, shove it all back up there pronto!" Could be I've exhausted all my muscles by a serious case of over exercise. I will try for the less is more approach and see how it goes!

My period has only returned once (in November), never to be seen again, so it could be cycle, I have absolutely no idea. I will just try and hang in there and not slouch. Thanks for the replies, it's good to know it can improve!

kiki

January 1, 2010 - 1:59pm

definately you can!!! read christine's blog on kegels the right way for starters--very helpful.
and then try doing a lot less to see how you feel. they aren't meant to be exercised this way....
let us know how you get on!