cystocele?

Submitted by SassySage on November 29, 2010 - 4:27pm
Body: 

I am new to this site but from what I am reading, it is a very interesting site and just the information I have been looking for. Haven't been officially diagnosed yet but will be talking to my physician in January during my annual about the sporadic symptoms I have been having for a few months. Maybe a couple times a month I will have a pressure sensation after having a couple loose stools that day. This then leads to burning sensation when urinating, which does resolve quickly, but the pressure sensation and like a "tennis ball between my legs" and the need to urinate frequently continues for a couple of days, then subsides, only to return again in a few weeks to a month. I tried to locate what I think may be a cystocele but not sure what I am feeling. It seems to be just at the front of the vagina. Nothing is currently bulging from the vagina. I am 62 years old, have had two pregnancies in my 20s, very large babies, and now am also somewhat overweight. I tried Kegel exercises but can't seem to stop the urine no matter how hard I try. I do have urinary urgency, at times some urgency incontinence, and frequent "drips" for no apparent reason. I tried holding my urine a little longer but can only do this if I sit down. I also do sit quite a bit for my job at a computer. When I experience this full sensation, I find it subsides a bit when I sit but quickly returns when standing. Just trying to get as much information about what may be going on in this postmenopausal woman. Txs much for any input.

louiseds

November 29, 2010 - 5:46pm

I am also wondering if sitting changes the sensations in the pelvis and we don't realise how full the bladder is? When I get urgency it is usually either a very full bladder, or else I have had caffeine, which is a bladder irritant. Try cutting out the caffeine, ie colas, coffee, tea, and even chocolate, for a few days, and see if it makes a difference.

SassySage

November 29, 2010 - 6:20pm

Thanks much for the info on the caffeine. I am a caffeine drinker, about 2 cups a day for many years, but just noticed this pressure/burning for the past 5 months or so and now occurring more often. I will try to cut back on the caffeine, including the chocolates and see if it makes a difference. I do know that the caffeine can make me anxious but didn't realize the effect it can have on the bladder as well. Has anyone heard that onions may also play a role in being a bladder irritant? I do use onions quite a bit in cooking. Could probably use some posture changes as well that I am reading so much about. Will keep checking out the posts and try to get myself as educated as possible about my own pelvic floor issues.

SassySage

louiseds

November 29, 2010 - 9:54pm

Hi Sassysage

I didn't know about onions. We are great onion eaters.

I am not suggesting cutting out caffeine for good, though many women here would suggest it. I am simply suggesting that you go cold turkey on anything with caffeine for a few days and see if it makes a difference. Caffeine leaves the system quite quickly so a few days will tell you one way or the other. Then you will know for yourself how your body responds. It may be that you can tolerate some, but not your normal amount.

Posture is still the major factor though. We are talking about learning to carry your body differently 24/7, and maybe putting up with some discomfort for the first few weeks. I feel that without postural realignment anything else you do will have little effect. Use the Search box.

Hopefully you will eventually buy Christine's DVD and book. You can find excerpts of the DVD on Youtube. "Wholewomaninc" is the channel.

Louise

SassySage

November 30, 2010 - 11:05am

Thanks Louise. Your recommendations are appreciated. I certainly can understand why my posture is a big factor in my developing pelvic floor problems over the years. Going to check out the UTube excerpt. Today seems to be a better day, not as many symptoms, but I know it is only a matter of time before they pop up again as they are so sporadic and unpredictable. From what I am reading, perhaps I am dealing with both a cystocele and rectocele. Will definitely be looking into getting Christine's book and perhaps the DVD as well. It helps to know that what I am now experiencing is shared by so many woman and that so many woman are now sharing their own experiences with others. A great web site and some great advice and info.

I am going to try to cut back on the caffeine and see if that makes a difference.

Thank you
Sassysage

louiseds

November 30, 2010 - 7:53pm

HI Sassysage

Just cut out all caffeine for a day. *One day only* will tell you if it makes a difference, but I would not have *any* caffeine on that one day. That is the only way to definitively tell how much the caffeine is annoying your bladder. When you have done it for a day, put one beloved cup of coffee back the following day (or whatever is your greatest caffeine vice). Assess again. Is the time of day of the urgency related to coffee intake? Caffeine works quickly and is broken down quickly. Coffee first thing in the morning won't affect you at all by the afternoon. Just observe and learn. Then you can decide for yourself if it is a factor and what to do about it.

Oh, and another thing. If you drink arabica coffee, you will probably find less bladder irritability than if you drink robusta coffee. They are two different species. Most normal American coffee and almost all instant coffee is robusta. It has a higher caffeine content than arabica, and is cheaper. Good quality coffee is always arabica. More full-flavoured and more expensive.

BTW, you seem to have had a change in your attitude already. That is good to see. One of the strange things about POP is the way it insidiously eats away at our confidence, our self image, our feelings of competence and our overall wellbeing. Once we can see that it doesn't need to be boss of our lives, and that there are lots of things we can do to improve symptoms, it somehow has less control over us.

granolamom

November 30, 2010 - 8:09pm

we've had bladder issues with one of my kids, we find that there are a bunch of bladder irritants out there (who knew?)
caffeine (as louise mentioned) is a big one. also dairy products, citrus fruit juices (not sure if also the whole fruit, but def. the juice) and any carbonated beverage (even seltzer). in our experience, seltzer is the worst, which was really surprising to me.
this doesnt mean all these foods will affect everyone, but like louise said, eliminate one for a day and you should be able to see if it makes any difference

fab

December 1, 2010 - 5:18am

Dear SassySage

Absolutely amazing how you can hold urine while sitting, but once on your feet oh boy! Can't explain it, but it's normal for POP and so you and I can be considered normal as well.

When I was working in an air conditioned building under neon lights with subsequent headaches and raging thirst I was getting through five cups of tea and a coffee daily. Can't do much about the building you are working in. There was in the late 80's and early nineties a lot of talk about sick/toxic buildings (very much considered a loony fringe thing). It seems few architects have stopped designing them or builder's building them.

Limiting your intake of caffeine is frequently beneficial as Louised says. Sipping a cup of warm water just as you would your coffee can get you through the worst. Mostly we are thirsty first and wanting a caffeine kick second.

You may find that you need to change your diet. Not drastically, but slow down on those foods that you are aware have some correlation with your subsequent bowel movement and urination. I have found slow or hastier bowel movements increase my bladder frequency.

Something that has been around for a long time, but a bit out of left field, and a little awkward, you may like to try is not drinking while eating. (I don't mean soup or cereal with milk etc.) I mean a meal or a slice of bread or a piece of fruit with your coffee, tea or wine. If you are used to following each meal with a coffee or tea, it can prove awkward at first, but you can change habits. I have found it worthwhile to separate my eating from my drinking by about twenty minutes in terms of urgency and frequency of urination.

best wishes