Coming to terms with it all and use of tampons/sponge

Submitted by theteach on May 17, 2010 - 8:37pm
Body: 

I usually check in several times to read new posts. I have found this forum very beneficial. Christine's book saved me from what I now believe would have been a mistake.

As I had surmised in an earlier post, one's age, might play a role on the degree of improvement a woman can experience. I am a 62 years young woman, otherwise, very healthy...until I discovered my prolapse about a year ago. I was scheduled for surgery in Sept. 09 and cancelled it.
What I have come to terms with is that to me this is all about controlling symptoms and knowing my body better. I probably can't expect to go back to "normal" like a younger woman who just had a baby. I guess I can figure myself lucky that I had no symptoms until I was 61 yr. old!

I am pleased to say, after some failures...I have been using a Playtex sport tampon daily to hold everything in place and I feel very normal with it. At first I thought I needed a lubricant...but it would only end up sliding on out in about an hour of wear.

I learned a couple tricks from this site that make the difference...one is to lie down when inserting it so that you aren't fighting gravity when inserting it. And, I make sure and aim it to the rear as far as I can insert it. I will usually just wear it for 8-10 hours...or maybe longer if I forget about it...I always take it out at night to sleep...so that my tissues can breathe. I don't know if the sports tampon is any different than the other ones...I have some other brands and when I use the sports one up, I will probably try the other. Anyway, I am elated that I can now go thorough the day without the sag in my crotch. It also seems to help with eliminating the "urge" which I have no idea why!

I may talk to my doctor about a pessary...from some of the comments I have read, it might not work for me. What I like about the tampon is that I am in control!

There is something else that I have noticed about my symptoms...as long as I keep regular and have regular bowel movements, it feels a whole lot better down there. I have dramatically increased my intake of fiber...but have found that raw vegetables do the trick for me.

I still exercise, walk regularily and firebreathe....I think I can manage this!
For the past couple weeks I have hardly thought about it...for once it hasn't dominated my thoughts and that is a good thing.
Thank you Christine for all your help.

Aussie Mum

May 17, 2010 - 10:51pm

Thank you for Iserv for sharing your positive story, it is great to hear how well you are doing and that the tampon has made such a difference for you. Such a great site this; to ask questions, share stories, let others know what has and has not helped - and to hear of improvements which give us all inspiration too. So happy for you, keep it up!

kiki

May 23, 2010 - 2:55pm

so glad to hear of the successes you are having--thank you for sharing! definately food is so crucial to dealing with our POPs. i keep experimenting and it just keeps getting better and better, and i know i'm not alone there.
glad the tampons are helping. haven't tried sports tampons, but do use just plain old little ones to hold things in when need, and they work fine. bigger ones are more likely to get pushed out unless it's during my period...

so glad to hear you are managing your POP so well, and finding what works for you!!!
great news, and thanks for sharing.

aza

May 26, 2010 - 9:48am

Thanks so much for taking the time to say hello! You sound like a woman who would be great to chat with over a cup of tea. I really respect the way you intuitively want jurisdiction over your body and seem to be figuring out what works with diet and tampon support etc.
Looking forward to hearing more form you!