HRT?

Hi WholewomanUK

Yes indeed! You may find that you will be going against medical recommendations. This is what happens when you think for yourself, and start to understand for yourself what this body of yours is doing.

I wouldn't for one minute suggest that you decide before hearing the doctor out that you are going to go the non-surgical route, any more than I would suggest the opposite, and ask for surgical repairs. I suggest you go along expecting the doctor to be in partnership with you, rather than authoritative over you, and be prepared to ask a lot of questions, and find out what the doctor has to say, then put it alongside what this site tells you and decide for yourself.

Doctors are just one of many types of health professionals we can use to keep our bodies running smoothly. Doctors do have their uses.

Re the sick leave thing, I suggest that you ask your HR Department if health professionals other than doctors can give you a certificate for time off work. To tell you the truth, that never occurred to me before.

Going against doctors orders can be scary, and seem risky. This is why you need to fully understand how your body works, so you can confidently make that decision backed by your own knowledge! You will not be burning any bridges by disagreeing with the doctor. People do this all the time, eg when a doctor tells someone to give up smoking, they often don't, and end up staying on their illness treadmill, with the doctor happily prescribing drugs and surgery for heart disease, lung disease etc, year after year until they finally die. Next please!

Re "commuting, IT, sitting and stressful", these are all factors you will need to address in the future anyway.

Commuting, can you walk some of the distance instead of doing it in a vehicle. This would give you extra exercise at the beginning and end of the day.

IT, is it really any different from any other industry? If so, how, and what can you do to make it better for you?

Sitting, well that's a whole world in itself! There is sitting and sitting. Some ways are helpful, while others are very bad for our bodies, POP or not. Let's deal with that separately. Meanwhile, look for seats, chairs, sitting and like keywords using the search box, and check out the discussions we have had. Overcoming sitting challenges has been a very important aspect of my recovery and ongoing POP management.

Stressful, well that is another whole world too, and it is related to our expectations of ourselves, the nature of IT, and exercise/commuting. Do you need a change of job?

Just like losing weight, the best way to do it is not to start doing something you have never done before, or stop doing/eating particular things, and expect it to be sustainable. The answer is to alter everything in a positive direction. Exercise some, and smarter, sit better, drive less, eat a better diet, clothe your body in more body-friendly clothes, care for yourself stress-wise, be kind to yourself more, and get into some serious stress management. Stress is a killer for constipation and making us slouch. Take more care how you use your body. Learn workarounds for punishing tasks.

There is very little you do not have the power to change in a positive way.

Don't jump ahead too far. Just sort things out one by one. You have the rest of your life.

Posture is critical, as is arranging your physical environment to accommodate the type of posture that the western world doesn't accommodate very well, ie furniture! Diet is critical, so your body can eliminate stool easily, without straining.

Change the balance. Only you can do it. Your body needs you to do it. You are worthy of it.

Louise :-)