Spotting

Submitted by Grandma Joy on May 18, 2010 - 11:42pm
Body: 

Hi,

I have a problem of a little spotting and yes, I will go check it out as soon as I can find a gynecologist. Not too fond of any of the doctors in my location, so will have to look further afield. I've had to wear a pad for slight leakage the last 8 months and my cele sits right on it all the time. It looks like an abrasion on the vaginal wall that could be bleeding because of being dry from touching the pad all the time. I try sitting and standing in posture but it never seems as though the bladder sits over the pubic bone, it continues to hang down. I also seem to actually sit on it at times and it feels like it pinches. Has anyone experienced this? Sitting on the exercise ball, in posture, makes it feel like my hip bones are separating. Another muscle problem?

I have the book and video but can't do all the exercises because of a musculoskeletal problem I have had for 14 years. Recently, I've had several acupuncture treatments that have helped that problem tremendously, and is bringing me to a point where I can do the exercises. Also, I started the Tai Chi, but have been gone from home two weeks so haven't really gotten into it. I think it will help my muscles on the outside of my leg and in the lower back. If I understand it right, these are the muscles that will help to strengthen the pelvic area.

Back to the bleeding thing. I really am nervous about seeing a doctor because I don't want them hurting anything in there and causing me more problems. The last female doctor I went to was rougher than any male doctor I've seen.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Grandma Joy

louiseds

May 19, 2010 - 6:11am

Grandma Joy

I have found that the red clover tea I have been drinking for the last few weeks has made some difference in my vulva too. It is not quite so moist as it was a few years ago, but it is definitely less vulnerable. My skin has improved and become less dry as well.

I have about 2/3 cup of loose red clover tea in a little silver teapot, morning and night. I leave it to steep for 10 minutes and pour the first mug, then pour more water on the dregs and have another mug afterwards. If I can't be bothered making the tea late at night I take a 40mg Promensil tablet. These are standardised red clover leaf tablets, much stronger than the tea. Having the tea means that I skip lots of caffeine too.

Bliss Balm helps all the tissues to slip past each other better. It doesn't dry out like a normal water based lubricant.

You are quite elderly, aren't you? I am wondering what is going to happen when we get really old, and our muscles don't have as much strength. Pump iron in the nursing home perhaps? I am serious!

Louise

Grandma Joy

May 19, 2010 - 10:52am

Hi Louise,

It's not the vulva, it's the bladder hanging thru the vaginal wall and the golf ball it becomes. It is hanging at the opening so it touches the pad or the panties. So, it is the small portion of the vaginal wall that is visible and has the abrasion. I think the pad is what's drying to the "golf ball".

In one of your posts, you talk about all the connections of the muscles, including the iliopsoas, the latissimus dorsi, those in the hips and down the outside of the leg - these are the ones giving me the most trouble. These are the ones I think need the most work. However, these are some of the very ones that were compromised years ago. During breast cancer surgery, (try to visualize this) my arm was tied over my head, which rotated the entire shoulder girdle, a foam wedge was placed under my back (to give the surgeon access), with the lower edge next to my spine and the bottom end of it stopping around T12. Drugs were administered which relaxed all the muscles so the body is draped over the wedge with the hips flat on the table and the spine twisted all the way up. I was in that position for 6 hours which damaged all of the muscles, causing lactic acid to form and whatever other "glitches" to take place, with not only the aforementioned muscles affected, but all the others connected to them. I have, with great determination and consistency, tried to get help with this. This is why it has been difficult to do any exercise. When attempting any exercise, the "glitch" would prevent full movement and the muscles would go into spasm. Some of the spasms were likened to heart attacks - I consider them full body "charlie horses" - not pleasant. I have been to occupational therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors, orthopedic doctors, you name it - they don't get it. The oncologists know what will happen to the body but other medicalists don't know what to do with the outcome and they eventually say something like - "well, you are getting older, you know, so how about some Zoloft - it'll make you feel better!"

I have always been able to do Christine's exercises and posture to a certain degree until about 8 months ago when the hip spreading thing started and everything seems to try to fall out. The PT's I've been to who know how to do the John Barnes method of Myofascial release have loosened me enough to keep going but never really addressed the "glitches" but would go around them. The scar tissue and adhesions have played a major part in binding down my muscles and causing the entire right side of my body to pull down. This is about the point where my prolapse was discovered and is why I think the fascia is of importance in my case. In March of this year, I was fortunate enough to visit a lady in New Mexico who has her own massage school. One treatment from her was amazing and she recommended acupuncture to help stabilize different areas of my body. It proved to me some therapists know how to help someone - they just don't do it. My progress has been slow but steady. The acupuncture has lessened the extreme pain around T12, the area that makes me feel frenzied with the acute pain, and I can feel improvement all over - not where I want to be - but at least where I can function better. Because of this, I think, no I know, with the right modalities, one can improve. And I think, no matter how old one is, one can improve their situation with perseverence. Finding the people who really want to help you as opposed to giving you drugs is primary. The acupuncturist put needles in an area that eased the pulling in the latissimus dorsi, thereby enabling me to walk and windmill my arms without going into spasm.

Strangely enough, I've been sitting here in posture for the last hour (couldn't do it for more than 5 minutes in the past), and that precious little golf ball is still up inside!!!! The acupuncture has helped me to get to this point. There is no doubt in my mind that I can get back into Christine's regimen with more improvement than before.

As for my age, most of the professionals have referred to my getting older and that I need to accept it and take their drugs. Well, age didn't cause this, doctors did, and I refuse to become a permanent patient. I have now been denied health insurance so it behooves me to continue my journey in the most natural way possible at the young age of 63.

BTW, your post of a couple of years ago about all the muscle connections helped me to understand the "why's" of some of the disabling strictures. Sometimes I get tired of researching and understanding all the medical terms, so it helps to have things in laymen's terms.

Thank you and wishing you the best. Oh, and no, we're not going to nursing homes - God willing, we're going to pump iron, even if it's a can of beans, in our own domiciles, eat right and be healthy right up to the very end.

Blessings,
Grandma Joy

Christine

May 19, 2010 - 11:10am

Hello dear,

I only have a moment, but was concerned when I read your post earlier this morning. I have developed some new movements I think will help. Will contact you just asap.

xChristine

aza

May 19, 2010 - 1:12pm

Hey grandma joy, do you have any idea how inspirational you are?!
Also, re chaffing, are you using store bought pads? Have you thought about investing in some really soft cloth pads that will not be so drying, have less chemicals, and generally make the whole pad wearing thing a bit nicer? Satin, bamboo, cotton, and other fibers will undoubtedly cause less irritation.

elleninala

May 19, 2010 - 9:19pm

Hi, Grandma Joy. I use a panty-liner because I apply Bliss Balm throughout the day and want to protect my outer clothing. The panty-liner was beginning to irritate my skin, so I solved the problem by cutting with scissors along one edge of the inside layer of the crotch of my panties, and then inserting the panty-liner between the layers. My skin comes into contact with only the cotton fabric of the panties. Before washing all my panties once a week I soak them for several hours in hot water and OxiClean and they come very clean and do not irritate. Maybe you can get an idea from this that might help.

Bliss Balm is great. It keeps the exposed skin moist and healthy. I keep tiny plastic jars of it all around, one in my purse, one in the car, one in my office desk, etc., so I always have it handy.

Best to you,
Ellen

Grandma Joy

May 19, 2010 - 9:53pm

Wow! No I never really thought about being an inspiration to anyone, other than my children. How lovely to have you say so - It certainly gave a boost to my day. Yes, I am using store bought pads and thought just today that I, who is definitely into organics, should be using something better.
Thank you for your wonderful thoughts.

Grandma Joy

Grandma Joy

May 19, 2010 - 10:08pm

What an innovative idea! With Aza's idea of cotton liners and yours of putting it in between the layers of the crotch has really gotten me to thinking. I will certainly invest in these new ideas and I will order the Bliss Balm. I hadn't needed it before the last few months but I know it will be good for me. We've also just recently used the OxiClean on my husband's clothes and I'd decided to buy a bottle for the house. I was surprised at it taking the grease and chocolate out of his clothes!

Thank you,
Grandma Joy

louiseds

May 20, 2010 - 4:56am

Hmm, what't he doing with chocolate on his clothes? It is supposed to go in his mouth. He needs to aim better.;-)

Grandma Joy

May 20, 2010 - 12:28pm

Nope - can't aim good when he thinks I'm fixing to catch him eating it! Especially if it's commercially made chocolate full of wax, soy and other additives! He's a closet chocoholic, gets nervous when he hears me coming, tries to hide the evidence, and always gets a dab or two on his clothes.

I've had him on a healthy eating regimen and he looks great. He has switched (mostly) to real chocolate but the Belgian Chocolate melts very fast since there is no additives in it. I keep him supplied in home made trail mix with dehydrated fruits and several different kinds of nuts, but in his mind, it doesn't take the place of the sugary, chocolate commercial stuff. But, he's working on it.
Grandma Joy

granolamom

May 20, 2010 - 9:53pm

aza beat me to it, I was just going to post that I just love you, thats all.
I can always feel positive energy coming through your posts, and you absolutely are an inspiration to me!
I'd love to make you a sample cloth pantiliner to try out before you buy some (can't offer to make you a full supply because I just know the kids won't give me that kind of time).
contact me privately if you're interested.

Grandma Joy

May 25, 2010 - 12:25am

Ah, Granolamom,

To come on here and see the words "I love you" posted to me was so heartwarming, I nearly cried. I'm just sitting here trying to think up something profound to say to you, but I'm at a loss for words. I can't think of anything to say except "I love you, too." I've always been inspired by you and missed you a lot when I was off here awhile.

Today was really a rough day, sitting on this golf ball and walking around with it, is just wearing me out. However, in retrospect, I do have you, Christine and Lanny to thank for the blessings in my life today. I am so thankful you are in my life

Love and blessings to you all,
Grandma Joy

kiki

May 25, 2010 - 2:56pm

oh i love WW, and the love that is shared here. Grandma Joy, you are an inspriation and amazing and you will get there. have faith.
have you asked your accupuncture about herbs for prolapse? i took some that i think really helped. i also took homeopathic hellonius 30 once a week for a while and that also added some lift to my organs. subtle, but noticeable.

with all my vulval skin issues cloth pads are a must, as i can't tolerate other ones and the creams / oils would kill my clothes. i discovered a woman who makes lovely raw silk and bamboo pads. i'm happy to share the link if you would like. the raw silk looked to rough at first, but once you wash it it is lovely and soft and saves me clothes. the bamboo is heavenly. they go a horrible colour from the oils (i get undyed ones) but i don't mind--who is looking! every now and then i boil them (kill yeast, and cleans them some).

for the pain, grandma joy have you heard of EFT? i'll post about it later if you like--it's a self tapping thing. but gotta run and get some stuff done before i sleep. but happy to share more.

take care
kiki