Newbie here and have a prolapse... HELP!

Hello Speckie!
You are definetely in the right place!

Check out the website, there is alot of information there until you can get the book/dvd....and you must get them! Knowledge and time are your biggest friends right now. Try not to freak out! And try to get surgery out of your head until you have all the information. And then, hopefully, you will not choose surgery...it sounds like you are trying to avoid it anyway!

I am 48 years old and had my prolapse (cystocele) about 3 months ago. Believe me, things CAN get better! You will need to adjust how you stand, walk, lift, sit...but you will be able to do everything! Read more posts in this forum, you will find inspiration!

Hang in there!

Hi Speckie

Yes, it is a scarey place at first, especially if your Mom reinforces her opinion as only a Mom can. The opinions of our Moms go deep into our psyche, even if they are talking total s***, which they and we sometimes can. Don't take this as a criticism of your Mom, who has given you her opinion in good faith, and thinks it is the best solution for you. I am talking about things like "don't have a bath or shower while you have your period", or "I will never speak to you again if you ...". You know what I mean, I am sure. I just read The Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood - can't you tell?

Yes, you can overcome this yourself, as so many of us have. Once you get your body in order, with any luck you will only rarely experience prolapse symptoms. Yes, once you have experienced those symptoms they have the potential to return, but you can learn ways of keeping your pelvic organs tucked away, particularly as you have had no repair surgery, which changes the options your body has for repositioning your organs correctly.

It is a bit like heavy rain eroding a gully in your field. You can mend it by filling the gully in again, but somehow it is never the same as it was, and will erode again at the next big storm.

There are several tools. Making friends with your body and learning how it works, and increasing your own awareness of your body in space; tall, feminine posture with a relaxed belly and a significant lumbar curve in your spine (This tilts your pelvis forward slightly and your uterus and bladder will slide forwards over your pubic bones instead of over your vagina.); clothing that allows your belly to have room to expand as needed; POP friendly exercises and avoiding harmful exercises; a diet that promotes regular bowel emptying and avoids straining and constipation; changes in the way you use your living and working environment, and how you use your body; and finally changing the way you think about what you can and can't do, and getting used to being careful how you move. So much is possible. Your brain is really your main tool. Keep it sharp!

BTW, you will have temporary setbacks as you learn all this new stuff. Don't worry about them. We all have them. You get over them in a few days. Eventually you will come to trust your body again. Then you will be free of fear, and that is a good feeling.

Call back with questions and comments.

Louise

Dear Speckie

I have found five minutes seated on an exercise bike @ a very relaxed 57 rpm moving through air space of 2.2 kms does wonders for my prolapse and loses me 30 cals at the same time. Especially if you can maintain Christine's pretty posture.

love and best wishes Fab

Welcome Fab

So, you've found your own way of repositioning your organs. That's great! This whole community is one that is based on Christine Kent's model of management of POP, but we also toss ideas around, and debate body mechnisms and new ways of using our bodies in ways that are more suppostive of our pelvic organs.

I wonder why you find it so helpful?

I have a theory that riding a stationary exercise bike can be better than actually getting out there on the road because you can find a posture that exercises the right muscles and gets your pelvic organs moving around so they can find their correct spots, without worrying about traffic, and keeping enough speed up to keep you upright. What you are doing may not be as much of a cardio workout, but it certainly is using the right muscles, just like walking uphill, which is great. If you could get some of those little strap thingys that keep your feet strapped to the pedals you could have upward resistance as well, which would add to the benefit of the cycling motion by exercising a different set of muscles as your foot uses when pushing downwards.

Just make sure you maintain your lumbar curve. I think riding no hands is probably better because you can unslouch your top half and relax your shoulders. You could even use hand weights at the same time to exercise your top half as well.

Fitness experts, what do you think of these ideas?

Now your challenge is to figure out a way of powering your TV with your exercise bike and you will have the weight loss system made in heaven. ;-)

Louise

Hello Speckie!
Just checking in to see if you are ok.
I am still a newbie in the scheme of things, but even in my three short months of healing and one month of christine's dvd/book advice, I have noticed my pelvic area feeling stronger and my fears subside (for the most part!) The biggest improvement is not physical (yet), but my mental state. I don't feel like the world has ended anymore. I am coming to terms with my new body and it's limits, and it's a good feeling. My goal is to just keep at it! It is hard when you are raising kids, working, going through marital problems (they started two years ago when my husband lost his job), and just life stuff in general...but finally after 48 years on the planet, I've decided not to feel guilty when I do things just for me! Haha! Too bad it took a prolapse to get there! The universe can be cruel sometimes!
Just wanted you to know that you are not alone! Just log on anytime and read away! There is a brighter tomorrow!

Another home schooling mommy here. There are several of us on the forums. :)

My cervix is at the vaginal opening. I have a hard enough time even sitting in a regular seat, let alone a bicycle seat! LOL

It's going to get better. Do the exercises and you will begin to grow stronger.

Thanks Louise

You are right carefree bicycling is the only way to go when you have balance problems. I certainly will try the strap idea. Yes, definitely riding no hands (look mum!) and it is possible to maintain Christine's posture. I can't exercise everyday as I broke my hip a couple of years back and it sometimes plays up, but still do Christine's exercises when I can. When I cannot I find five minutes on the exercise bike is possible and I can ride anywhere even down the Champs Elysees. I would love to dance with Christine's wood nymphs but I've got plenty of time for that, maybe next year.

love and best wishes, Fab

Welcome, speckie! Gee, between your mother's ignorant (however well-intended) advice and your friend responding to your with a childish 'ewww'...I just hope you can find some support and understanding in real life. We are of course always here, whenever you need us ;)

Re exercise bikes - I think they are fantastic. I am NOT a fan of the recumbent ones though...seems totally counterintuitive on so many levels to me. I ride about 10 km every few days or so and vacilate between leaning on my elbows over the handlebars with back strong, abs engaged, and slight lumbar curve in place...also a bit more upright with arms straight and hands grasping the bars right in front of me...and look ma, no hands ;) No hands is by far more challenging, that is for sure! Really gets the core going and works parts of my innards I did not even know existed!

One word of caution though, like ribbit alludes to..beware the seat. Yeouch, i can only imagine how uncomfortable that would be with a POP to the level of the introitus.

Wouldn't those leaning-back bikes destabilize the pelvic organs? Seems like leaning back like that would be the worst thing. Plus, if your body is in a greater-than-90* angle, you're asking for even more trouble.

Hey, Speckie,

Just wanted to jump in and say hi! You are at the right place.
I am 30 with 3 kiddos (5-3-1.5 years) and with POP.
After you got the book and the DVD you'll know everything you need to live well with your prolapse.
Last year I was so depressed, with lots of pain, pressure and emotional issues b/c of my prolapse. This summer I am gardening a lot, running after my kiddos and just recently started considering getting pregnant again... life is good!

These Ladies here are so helpful you can ask whatever is in your mind. And do not give up hope, you'll be fine!
hugs
Liv

Hi Fab

I take it that you have a Champs Elysees destination in your bike's programs? Or are you really in Paris?

Thank the good Lord for this site and our special Christine and of course you Louise.!! You are always so supportive. I still have trouble remembering my posture and slip with my eating and pay the price always. I love french fries and those darn fish sandwiches. I read these sites every day and 2 or 3 times a day actually. They help to reinforce my thinking and awareness.

Hi Speckie, welcome to you, we are like family here!! Sometimes even at a distance Hang in there, the mind is indeed part, a big part, of the key to comfort and victory and peace in regard to our situations. I still like it when it has been called a sports injury!!! Love to you both LOL

Hi Everyone,

I have put up with a prolapse since my daughter was born 13 years ago when I was 40. I blame my age for my problems but maybe after reading the comments that is not the whole reason I have this affliction.

I was scheduled to have a hysterectomy last year, even though I told numerous doctors that I didn't want that I just wanted the prolapse fixed, it seems apart from doing the web thing that it was all they could offer as a solution. Thankfully something made me pull out, however I am stuck with the problem. I will save up and get the book and CD shortly as I am getting quite desperate.

How soon before you see results?

Progress varies for everyone, but right now try to lift you ribcage, elongate you neck and pull your shoulders down. That should feel very relaxing and very good. Those results are immediate. The posture is something I need to remind myself about all day. I was to have surgery last summer, and canceled, bought the book and dvd. I am a Special Education Teacher, and didn't miss a day of school this year. The postural work and exercises are great. I now feel more like a goddess than I did years ago. I realized my health was just as important as cleaning the house, cooking meals, and caring for others. Treat yourself well and you will recover. Keep reading and asking questions.
The answers are Whole Woman.
Melly

Hi Goddess (without the 'nomore')

Of course you can improve it. I would just add to Melly's comments that it is important to relax (but not push out) your lower belly (mainly the rectus abdominus muscle that we habitually try to make into a six pack.) This gives your bladder and uterus room to slide forwards so they are supported by your pubic bones where they join in the middle where you pubic hair is, instead of being over your vagina.

Keeping your chest held proudly up front displays your loverly goddess boobies, accentuates the feminine curve of your lower back and the reverse curve of your female hips and buttocks. This is the very essence of looking female.

We'll have you as Goddessagain in no time. Actually, it can take a while for your body to adjust, and you will have temporary setbacks along the way. You may also experience some pain and discomfort as your body learns new ways, but it should settle down.

Keep your clothing loose around your abdomen, and be prepared to engage your brain to find new ways of doing everyday tasks in ways that don't aggravate your pelvic floor.

Hope to hear from you again soon. You *will* learn to trust your body again.

Louise

Take it slow, Speckie. This a long and rewarding road to recovery. I am sure you will have more setbacks, but keep your chin up and keep coming back. Use the Search box to find out what you can before your Wholewoman pack arrives.

Louise

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your lovely comments, I already feel supported and not alone. I honestly didn't know that this was such a common problem, no-one talks about it. I am trying to get my body to relax a little, I was always told by my mother to suck in my potbelly, so spent my whole life doing that, now I have to let it all hang out, what a relief. I live in Australia by the way, in Queensland, moved here from England 25 years ago for the climate and married an Aussie.

I am studying for a Bachelor of Education, which has been a challenge as I am 53 so it's been a while. I too have to try to spend more time on me, too busy being everything to everyone else. Can't wait to get the book and CD I really feel that I have finally found the answer. Thank you.
Mary

Dear Speckie,
I am very new to this website and any forum for that matter but it sounds like you have prolapse and are contemplating surgery. I can speak from experience...please hold off on hysterectomy and try other treatments prior. I am 38 and had a hysterectomy last summer. My prolapse worsened and now that I am doing the research I really should have done prior to my surgery, the writing was right there on the wall. Please do yourself a favor and hold off on surgery. I really feel it was not a good decision but I do realize as well, everyone has a slightly different situation. As I am doing my Kegels 24/7 and trying to find ways to help myself.....go for the book/DVD! Hope it works!

Joined some weeks ago but only just got round to using the site, have the dvd and am doing the exercises slowly but surely. My problem is I feel very alone despite having a very supportive husband he doesn't have a vagina after all!! I'm just wondering if others of you are experiencing pain on a daily basis , like heavy period pain or labour pains.
It hurts to sit and afeter a while to stand. I have had the prolapse for 5= years and on a low dose of vagifem and am 58,. My menses finshed at 48 and I had 2 induced babies and lots of scar tissue. I have rectocele and cystocele pop.
Sorry to moan on , I'm sure lots of you have things much worse than me, but I just want some idea of what is within the "normal" range.
Also if anything can help with the pain and bloating.
Thanks

First let me say I have been on this site for maybe 2 months so am quite new so others will have a better response than I do, no doubt. Let me assure you, you are in the right place at the right time. The people on this site have a lot of knowledge!! Christine is unbelievable and true! I have rec and cys and who knows what else. The first thing you have to do as hard as it is is relax. I know I go up and down too but it will be ok.!
Things will change physically and mentally. You will be offered much great advice. Listen and read everything on the site, there is so much to learn.I know I felt so alone and still do at times but that is when I run or rather walk slowly to the forum. Sometimes just read and other times just post.This is the place to"let it all go." Express yourself, let that empty feeling flow through your fingers and into this forum. It does feel like you are alone and I do understand the husband thing, but you are right, they do not have the parts we do or the emotions. They are of a much more facts based nature. They mean well. Sometimes it is hard for me to sit and other times to stand and other times I can do both if I have been really following the WW posture and more. Others will be responding soon I am sure. Continue with the excercises slowly and don't get too discouraged. It is a slow process. We all know that. You will learn very quickly, your spirits will begin to lift and you may even give a smile and won't you be shocked at that! I even laugh now! Imagine that! I thought I would never laugh again!! Stick with us!!

Love Ya Lots and welcome

Thanks so much you really cheered me.

Hi Worried,

I am relatively new here, still orienting. One of the first things I did on the website was to search with the work "pain" but found little. In this forum it is used more as a synonym for the word "bother". Just like you, I wanted to know whether the life sentence of prolapse was also a life sentence for pain. I still don't know for sure, but my pain is much reduced and I am understanding how to control it better. I use a great deal of non-petroleum jelly made primarily of castor bean and coconut, and I wold love to try the bliss balm that everyone talks about, but I can't find it in the Whole Woman store. This I use to keep my whatevers from rubbing, particularly while I exercise, and I find that a pad keeps it off of most of my clothing. I also soak with epsom salts, particularly in the evening, and at least while I am in the water, I don't hurt.

I am also religious about the Whole Woman workout, and find myself getting much stronger as my pain goes away. I look to it with great hope for the reduction of my symptoms.

It took a bit for me to break the cycle of worry and upsetedness, but once I did the pain also reduced. I learned this quickly when some of my worrying led to what felt like my vagina clamping up, causing some of the worst pain of my life! It was head-induced, and I told myself that I just had to stop it!

The most frustrating thing to learn from this site is that prolapse happens to each of us in such an individual way. One's symptoms and how they occur are totally different from anyone else's. The things we do to make it better are just as varied.

So keep hoping, keep reading, and bless anything that helps the pain to stop!

If you're feeling all bloated and such, it could be you need a diet change. I know Christine has some great suggestions, but I have found that I can't eat red meat or wheat. Something like a good source of bromelain (the active, anti-inflammatory ingredient in pineapple) might help.

(P.S. to Heavenly)--So great to hear you're doing better....And laughing again!

I am trying. Really want to get these excercises right and be consistant!
The nauli is still confusing me.