new letter

Submitted by Daphne on September 15, 2011 - 10:56am
Body: 

Dear Christine,

This is a letter I sent to you a few weeks ago but as I haven't heard back from you I thought I had better try and post it in the Forum. I am not very good at knowing what to do on Forums so I hope you get it.

I am asenior and have been reading, with much interest, your first book. I am afraid I am not ready to share my story with the world, I hope you don't mind that I have written to you by e-mail. Like you, I have had a Bladder op. mine was called a Birch Bladder op. This was done in 1999. Since that time I have gradually had something falling down my Vagina. The Surgeon who did the Op. said it was a Rectaseal and to leave well alone because the Ops. were not always successful. A few years later I went back to him again as it was getting larger. This time he said he didn't think it was a Rectaseal but a fold in my Vagina. A couple of years ago I went to see him again and he put in a Pessary but that made me leak straight away and didn't stop so he took it out, that was just the round ring type. He then put in a ring with a bump in it and that didn't make me leak so I went home and found that I couldn't pass water at all so after 14 hours I struggled and got it out myself. Both of these had the diaphram in the centre.That surgeon has now retired this last few months. I had occasion to go to a hospital because I had been having a few spots of blood showing on my panty liner. The Dr. there examined me and said not to worry but that the lump was my Cervix. I went to my family Dr. a few days later as I had a previously made an appoinrment who also examined me and he said it was my Vagina and said I should go and see a Gynecologist. I got an appointment and went and had another exam and told him I wasn't interested in Surgery but would like him to fit me with a Pessary to which he said he didn't like Pessaries. I feel that he was of the old school of thinking and was only interested in surgery. He had finished the exam and was asking when I had my bladder op. I said in 1999 and he said he didn't believe that and that he didn't think I had had the surgery I said I had. As I have kept my own notes since 1989 I new there was no mistake. He said he thought the surgeon had only put a kink in the bladder and that it was the bladder that was the prolapse. The op. was done on the lower part of my stomach with quite a long cut just above the Bikini line and I now have a bumplump on the left side of my stomach from this operation above the scare so I think it was more than a kink that was done. I also found after that op. that I had lost the feeling to push when I felt like a bowl movement. That is 4 Drs. each calling it something different so I don't feel very confident at the moment as to who might be right. My family Dr. is about to retire at Christmas so I am trying to see if he can find me someone who will be interested in fitting me with a Pessary. I have had a hard stool all my life and remember my Mother trying to make me take Senna pod tea. Lately I have been taking some Sennacot at night, just 2 tablets but I am still not getting a soft stool and really don't like to take medication for this but different foods I have tried do not make any difference. By the way I live in Canada. I have a large garden and haven't been able to enjoy it this year because of this Prolapse problem. I knew I didn't want surgery, even before reading your book but after reading the book I was even more convinced. I used to do Yoga when I was a lot younger and still do a few of the moves and I also go to Tai Chi once a week when possible. I do actually know several people who have had successful Hysterectomies years ago but in their younger years and have not had problems. My Prolapse comes right out of my body now as a large baloon and I often feel a pull either side of the bottom of my stomach. How many different types of Pessaries are there for the Drs. to choose from?

I can actually see my Uterus at the bottom of my Vagina but it's the big baloon thing that stops me sitting down once it is out. The only thing I am able to do then is lie down and push it back but that isn't always convenient. I am just about house bound with this problem and even have difficulty standing long enough to get our meals before it's out so that I can't sit down. I would be so grateful if you could suggest some way of keeping it from coming out. Since I first started this letter I have been able to get an appointment with a Gynacolgist who believes in trying Pessaries but that won't be until Jan. next year and I wonder how much worse it will be by then. I am not taking the Senacot now either and yesterday started to take 1 Tablespoon of Flax oil to see if this helps with the constipation.

Operations I had earlier in my life were 2 Hernia's one Laporoscopic and one regular surgery and also in 1992 I had my first Bladder op. that was done Laporoscopic but was unsuccessful and I couldn't go at all so the surgeon had to take it undone. He said he was sorry and gave me a hug. I also had Breast cancer in 2004 and had three ops. for that plus Chemo and Radiation. As you can imagine I feel like I have had enough ops.

Looking forward to your reply. Daphne.

Christine

September 15, 2011 - 6:01pm

I will certainly read your letter with care, but it will probably be Sunday night or Monday morning before I can respond. My 2-year old Mac coughed and died and I'm struggling on a borrowed machine - trying to prepare for my Saturday teacher training class after having lost a day of work. Very busy time at WW. Best wishes and I will be back asap. Christine

alemama

September 15, 2011 - 7:13pm

We can help sort you out if you are open to that :)
are you open to having others comment?

Amel

September 16, 2011 - 4:33am

Dear Daphne
You have daunting problems - no wonder you feel fed up with it all; I just wanted to say as a fellow senior don't despair.
Constipation is a big subject so while you wait to hear from Christine do your research on this and let the women on this site help you as there is an enormous amount of information about this and other related subjects.
In my experience a lot of small changes make a heck of a difference to how things improve.
I'm sure you'll stabilise and improve your situation with time and patience.
Hang on in there
With love Amel.

Daphne

September 16, 2011 - 8:42am

Thank you ladies for your responses and to the lady that asked if I would like to hear other comments, all would be welcome. To Christine, I look forward to hearing from you.
I am not sure if this will go in the right place. I was going to reply to you individually but wasn't sure how to do that. I am not even sure how I got this page so I am just taking a chance here.
Best Wishes, Daphne.

Daphne11

September 16, 2011 - 9:09am

Hello Daphne,
I just read your forum words from September 15 and just want you to know that if you want me to send you Reiki (tension relief, healing) I will be happy to do that. Reiki is a kind of prayer that requires nothing of you except to want to feel better. It will be my pleasure and gift.
I am new to wholewoman.com since 3 weeks ago and have found great help through this site.
(Plus, for constipation I have stopped dairy products and most breads and switched to soy milk, rice milk and 6 soft prunes twice a day plus doing the WW stance as often as pelvic pain begins. Much better.)
We are all in various stages of recovery/management, sigh.
Daphne11

Tintagel

September 16, 2011 - 10:42am

I read your post this morning and have been thinking about you all day while I've been at work. I think you are a strong and courageous woman and I'm so glad you've told your story. I'd never been on a forum before either, until I joined this one a few months ago so I know it does feel strange to be pouring your heart out to strangers, but the anonymity means that we can say things we probably wouldn't even confide to a close friend. Someone else here recently said this place is like a port in a storm and that best describes how I feel about it: it is a safe place.
I'm still very much at the learning stage myself, but I know that there are many other people here who can offer you good advice. Just one thing about the constipation, I have found good old fashioned prunes (6 a day) do the trick nicely and if they don't, I take Dulco Ease tablets for a couple of days. They are stool softeners rather than laxatives, so I think they are a bit gentler. I'm in the UK, so they might be called something different in Canada but the main ingredient is ducosate sodium.
I hope you'll soon be feeling better
Tintagel

Salt

September 16, 2011 - 2:45pm

Dear Daphne,
I'm so sorry to hear of all that you've gone through.
it can be so upsetting and frustrating to have different 'professionals' telling us it's different things! doesn't instill much confidence in them :(

I am a newbie here, new to prolapse so don't have much to share about that but I have a lot of frustration around constipation (for me it alternates with diarrhea but during the constipation times, it's awful).
One thing I've discovered over time is that, in addition to some foods helping to soften stool, for me, some foods harden it or slow down my bowels a lot.

It's sort of like doing detective work figuring out which ones.
We are all different but I will share that, for me, all meat causes severe constipation. If I eat 1 spoonful of meat, I guarantee I will be constipated.
If I eat more than that, the constipation lasts over a week and my bowel slows down so much that I get so that it's hard to eat because there's nowhere for the food to go.
I just had a terrible week triggered by eating a few spoonfuls of chicken that has got me swearing to never eat meat again.

Coconut causes the same symptoms and so does ground flax seeds* and the supplement/Mineral Calcium.
*note* for most people, ground flax seed actually helps constipation - a lot. but for me even 1/23 of a teaspoon will slow my bowels to a crawl and make my stool very hard - no matter how much water I drink.
flax *oil* is fine for me.

I hope that, as time goes by and your detective senses are turned on, you will be able to figure out which foods help or make worse.

One thing that does help me, and many others from what I've read, is the supplement Magnesium. (but not if it has Calcium in it too - that makes me worse). Enough magnesium tends to cause diarrhea for many people and it depends on the dose. so you may need to play around until you find what dose works for you.
I just bought some magnesium in powdered form so that I can easily adjust the dose to how constipated (or not) I am. that is harder to do with a pill.

Wishing you all the best and I commend you on your courage for reaching out to share in the forum.

Mishek

September 16, 2011 - 11:49pm

Hi Daphne, I am so sorry to hear of the terrible time you have endured, but glad you have found this forum where you will learn a heap of information and in turn be able to help your pop symptoms improve.I have had a huge improvement just by doing the ww posture and my rectocele symptoms are so much improved in a short time. When i first found this forum i couldn't use my bowels and i was so scared, but by reading everything on this forum i learned a lot from others who had already been where i was and am now more able to help myself.

My main problem was not being able to empty my bowels fully. I was taking magnezium powder every second or third night and as time went on i tried to use it less and less. This went on for only 2 months and i haven't had to use it for 10 days:)
Regarding you not being able to sit down, We had another lady here (csf) who had the same problem and is now symptom free. I don''t know if you have started the ww posture, if you haven't i would get right into it whilst you are waiting for Christine and you should see an improvement in your discomfort. It is the pulling up into ww posture that will bring your uterus forward and up over the pubic bone where it should be and away from the vaginal opening bit by bit and then allow you to sit more comfortably.
I hope this helps and please ask as many questions as you need and i hope you get some relief really soon.

Christine

September 18, 2011 - 10:01pm

Hi Daphne,

First of all, if you sent an email that was not answered, I am so sorry. I really am overwhelmed with email and must send most of it on to my assistant, Dinah. If yours got lost in the shuffle, I do apologize.

Yes, mine was a Birch as well...a very stupid operation that should be outlawed. Every wombed woman who has her vagina pulled forward with such a procedure will develop profound uterine prolapse. I believe I tore half of mine out on the left side while retching from anesthesia the night of the operation and I, too, have a lump on that side. :)

I can truly sympathize with your discomfort. It is impossible for me to know how the other operations will effect your ability to raise your cervix enough to live well with your condition. Your bowels have become rearranged and quite probably have taken the place over your pubic bones where your uterus used to sit. This makes it very hard, if not impossible, to bring your uterus fully back to its original position.

However, it is very possible that exercises such as firebreathing on hands and knees, combined with sitting and standing in WW posture will draw your uterus forward enough so you will become comfortable. I’ve also found belly rolls very helpful. On the in-breath, push your lower belly out and then scoop it up toward your chest. On the out-breath, push it back and down to where you started. These can be done anytime - even sitting at the computer. This lifts your small bowel and allows your uterus to inch forward a bit.

You must get your bowel problems sorted and given your history of possible nerve damage, I think the suggestion of magnesium might be your best bet. Do keep your eye on the lump, as it may be a recurring hernia.

Daphne, I don’t hold out much hope regarding the pessary. When the uterus is misplaced as severely as yours, the pessary does not lay naturally between the vaginal walls. Rather, the muscular cervix comes down like a strong piston and pushes the pessary right out.

I have been working with my altered anatomy for many years now and have been able to draw my uterus permanently forward so that my cervix is always well inside. This is really a must for living well with prolapse.

Hysterectomy is a huge risk. All of the “ligaments” and fascia that keep the bladder forward, the rectum behind, and the intestines above is destroyed. Women *always* have problems after hysterectomy, because much of the nerve and blood supply to the pelvis is destroyed as well. Many women suffer silently and many others deny their symptoms, while encouraging sisters and friends to have the surgery.

However, a point in time may come when you have exhausted all other avenues. I so want the WW work to be enough for you, but given your surgical history I’m not sure it will be. The women who seem to do best post-hyst are the ones who have had a “simple” hysterectomy, without the accompanying procedures that tie the vagina to the spine or dissect the vaginal walls. They always deal with some level of prolapse, but the fortunate ones are those who have cystocele-rectocele, but not significant enterocele (the bowel bulging into the vagina) or urinary incontinence. Hysterectomy can be worked with if it comes to that, but we would all much prefer to see you improve through WW techniques instead.

There is also the V2 supporter, an external support garment that might bring you some relief. Google V2 and it should come right up. Chafing is a problem that might have to be managed with a good salve. If you can just bring your cervix inside the labia by WW breathing and postural exercises you will likely become comfortable for the long-term.

Your story is a perfect illustration of why the uterus should never be put at risk by senseless operations and hormonal drugs. It truly is the “hub of the wheel” and we need the support it provides (even when prolapsed) always. The uterus is a very tough organ and a woman can live her entire life with significant prolapse.

I realize there is a lot to think about and digest. I hope you will relax and take your time with these ideas. As you learn the WW work, try to understand the concepts underlying the posture. This is what is life changing - mindfully pulling up into a body shape you never considered before now. At first it feels quite strange and uncomfortable, but within a few weeks or months you will wonder how in the world you pulled your tummy in all those years.

Wishing you well,

Christine

Daphne

September 21, 2011 - 9:32am

Hi Christine,
Thank you so much for reply, I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule. I was a little disheartened to read that you didn't think a Pessary would be of help to me as I had been hoping that was going to be my Salvation. I am sitting at the computer and have tried your Belly Roll it takes a bit of getting used to but Practice makes perfect, so they say. I seem to think that I used to do something like that in Yoga. The Fire Breathing, I wonder if that is something I am doing anyway. When I do my daily exercises, I do one that I do on hands and knees. As I breath in I let my stomach drop down and lift my head up, on the out breath I drop my head down and pull my stomach up as I arch my back. After doing several of them I do the same thing again but this time I lift my leg out and behind me on the in breath and on the out breath I bring the knee forward towards my face as I drop my head down. I have made this sound complicated but it is easy really once you get the movement down. At the moment I take Calcium 1500 mg. for my Osteoporosis and wonder if this has any bearing on the constipation. I also take 300mg Magnesium and 1000mg of Vit D. I wonder if I should take more Magnesium?
Again, Thank you for your help and this wonderful Forum.
All Good Wishes and continued Health. Daphne.

Daphne

September 21, 2011 - 11:52am

Hi Mishek,
Thank you for your reply. I am glad that you have found some relief from your problems. I have read, in the past, that Magnesium helps with constipation, at the moment I take 300mg a day, in tablet form but it doesn't make any difference to my bowels. I think I will have to start taking more to see if I can get a result. I have never heard of Magnesium powder. It does seem to be my problem too, not emptying the Bowel completely. I find that as soon as I try to do a Movement the balloon like lump pops out, it's different to the Uterus. I really think that if I could get a soft stool my problem wouldn't be so bad. One Dr. told me that my Uterus is about 3½" lower than it should be which I would imagine is about the length of a Vagina, as that is where mine sits in the day, just at the bottom inside. During the night everything goes back inside to the top of the Vagina.

I wasn't quite sure what (csf) meant, was that the user name of the lady you mentioned, it might be good to know what she did.

I do appreciate your input and hope you will keep in touch again to let me know how you are getting along.
Wishing you all the Best, Daphne.

Daphne

September 21, 2011 - 12:10pm

Dear Salt,
Thank you for your input and help. I don't eat much meat as I don't like the fact that it was once a living thing but I do have a few slices of Pork tenderloin for Sunday supper. I am sure you are right about different foods effecting our bodies working system, it is good that you have found out what you shouldn't be eating. I seem to have tried all sorts of things to make my stool softer but nothing seems to work. I think I am going to try and take more Magnesium than the 300mg a day that I am taking now and see if that will work for me. I hadn't heard of Magnesium powder before, how do you take that?

It must be such a relief when you find something that works for you and makes life better.
Wishing you well, Daphne

Daphne

September 21, 2011 - 12:28pm

Hi Tintagel,
How nice to hear from a fellow English woman.

I am glad to hear that the Prunes work for you a lot of the time. I have cooked them and eaten them raw and drank the bought juice but I guess Prunes are not the answer for me as they made no difference at all. I think I could do with Gun powder LOL Yes, we do have Ducosate gel caps. here in Canada, which I have taken but unless I take Senor cot as well they don't do anything for me. I would much prefer to find some food to work for me but so far I haven't been lucky. I have a Salad for super every other day and eat a piece of fruit most evenings but I am still waiting for that miracle food to help things on the way.

So far, I haven't found the Flax oil helpful either which I was hoping would improve things.

Look forward to hearing from you again and how you are getting along.
Every Good Wish, Daphne.

Daphne

September 21, 2011 - 12:34pm

Hi Amel,
Thank you for your reply. It is nice to hear from another senior. I was interested to know what little changes you have made that have worked for you. Every little piece of advice is welcome.
Best Wishes, Daphne.

Daphne

September 21, 2011 - 12:44pm

Hi Daphne 11,
Thank you for your letter, I am wondering if you are English too, as Daphne is a very English name and not heard much here in Canada. whenever I tell people my name they say what a pretty name it is. I don't think I have heard the name in all the years that we have been here. I used to be at school with 3 other Daphne's in England.

I can't drink Soy milk because I have had Breast Cancer, they told me I should not drink that. I have never tried Rice milk though, what is that like? It sounds like you are getting to know what suits you best. It all seems like trial and error before finding what works best.
Hope things keep improving for you. Daphne.

Daphne

September 21, 2011 - 12:49pm

Hi again Daphne 11,
Sorry, I forgot to mention your kind offer of the Reiki Prayer. Is it something you can share on the Forum. It sounds interesting and I am sure lots of people would also benefit.
Daphne.

Daphne

September 21, 2011 - 12:52pm

Hi Alemama,
Any comments would be most welcome. I am looking forward to getting sorted out!!
Daphne.

Tintagel

September 21, 2011 - 1:30pm

Hi Daphne
I didn't realise you were English too, did you emigrate to Canada?
Isn't it wonderful that so many of us from all over the world can come together here to support one another.
This constipation business is a devil isn't it? I had it for years without taking it seriously until my cystocele made its unwelcome appearance a few months ago and now I realise it must have been the main cause. There seems to be a trick to keeping the fibre balance right - not too much to make too much uncomfortable bulk, yet enough so you can 'go' properly. I have settled now on having a quite large breakfast of oats, oatbran, any nuts or seeds I have available (not flax seeds any more, I think they're too harsh) and, ofcourse, the 6 prunes. This is very sustaining and I often don't eat much again until the evening when I have a proper dinner. I know you're supposed to have 3 meals a day, but I do find that when I eat, my bowel seems to fill up again (which makes the cystocele very uncomfortable) so for me it works to eat breakfast, with a nice cup of tea (or two) then go to the loo and then I can be reasonably comfortable for the day. If things get uncomfortable after dinner in the evening it doesn't matter too much as I can go to bed!
I hope the magnesium powder and other suggestions help with your problems. I'm sure you've already thought of this, but before a bowel movement I now try to position my bladder (and uterus) forward and then pin them in place with a curved lumbar spine before sitting on the loo, leaning forward. My hope is that the POP can't then move too much and I do my firebreathing as soon as I come out of the bathroom, just to make sure.
I do hope you things improve for you very soon.
Big hug
Tintagel

Salt

September 21, 2011 - 6:06pm

hi Daphne,
most health food stores have magnesium in powder form instead of in pills (I just found this out recently).
A common brand is called Calm but most stores will have another option too - less expensive. I buy NOW brand Magnesium Oxide 100% Pure Powder 227g costs around $9 canadian and will last a long time. much less pricey than pills (which are already pretty good price as far as supplements go).
I'm in Canada so I don't know if NOW brand is available where you are. 1/4tsp of powder has 400mg of magnesium which is a LOT.
It is almost tasteless so I just scoop out a tiny bit onto my palm, lick it off and drink some water afterward. not very scientific :-)

I hope so much that you can find something that works for you

wishing you well too!
Salt

p.s. I can't recall if I mentioned that calcium supplements can be very constipating

Mishek

September 21, 2011 - 9:03pm

Hi Daphne, regarding the magnesium powder i put one teaspoon full not level a little bit more than level into a large glass and fill with water or jiuce or half water and half juice. you can have it warm as well. I have mine at night so it can do what it needs to do while i'm sleeping and relaxed. It works every time. Out of everything that i have tried excluding laxatives, magnezium powder works the best. Laxatives can make the bowel lazy and cause more constipation problems. Magnezium is also a stool softener. As you get your organs forward and up by using the WW technique, your bowels should start to behave a little better. I don't know how much prune juice you're having but if it's not working i would double the quantity and have it warm. It also helps to track people who have the same problem as you as you can learn by the things they have tried.
Yes cfs is the person's user name, so if you type her name into the search box at the right hand top of the page and then you can track her progress.
I hope you get some constipation relief really soon as there is nothing worse than not being able to have a complete bowel movement.
Keep posting and let us know how you go. Sending you kind thoughts:)

Daphne

September 23, 2011 - 12:30pm

Hi Salt,
Thank you for your information about Mag. powder. I was surprised to read that a quarter teaspoon was 400mg. I have to take 4 tablets to get that much. Yesterday I did, up, my dose from 3 to four tablets but I haven't had any significant change today in my stool. I am going to take the same amount today though and see if it makes a difference tomorrow. I will finish these tablets and then try to get some powder form. What is the name of the shop that you get your NOW brand from. I live in the south of Canada and may be the shop you buy from is a chain store of shops. I have to go to the next town to find Health Stores. I like your laid back method of taking your powder!!LOL. If it works, why not!

Do you know anything about the "NAULI" exercise or how to do the "FIRE BREATHING"

I guess we are about into Fall Season, some of the leaves have just started to come off of the trees here.
Best Wishes, Daphne.

Daphne

September 23, 2011 - 12:42pm

Hi Mishek'
Thank you again for your advise. I didn't mean that I was taking the Prune juice now but that I have in the past. I am thinking I might get some again though or buy some dried Prunes to stew myself. The powdered form of Magnesium does sound easier to take than tablets,I have such a job swallowing tablets. I did take 400mg. of Magnesium yesterday, had a vegetable stir fry for supper and then for dessert I stewed some Apricots but none of it made a difference today. I will still take the 400mg. of Magnesium today though, which is 100mg. more than I usually do and have a Salad for supper.
Thank you for your Kind Thoughts, Daphne.

Salt

September 23, 2011 - 12:43pm

hi Daphne, we are moving into fall here too! I'm in southwestern Ontario - a few hours northeast of Detroit.

the store I got it from is just a small one - only in my area called S&H http://www.sandhhealth.com
but almost all health food stores in North America carry the NOW brand. here is a link to the magnesium powder I got:
http://www.nowfoods.com/Products/ProductsAlphabetically/M003205.htm

but you don't need that specific brand. any kind that is just magnesium powder will work. if your store doesn't carry it, they can probably order it in.

I am too new to firebreathing and nuali to give any explanation but they are both shown on the DVD. I just got my DVD a few days ago :)

wishing you all the best
Salt

Salt

September 23, 2011 - 12:47pm

hi Daphne,
just wanted to let you know that when I'm super constipated, it can take a few days of taking magnesium before the effects reach the bottom of my bowels if that makes sense.
and it can be tricky finding the right amount because if I think it's not working, then I take more... but by the time it works, it may have been more than I need and can lead to diarrhea. so it can be a delicate balance.
I hope you get relief soon!

Daphne

September 23, 2011 - 12:58pm

Hi Tintagel,
Yes, we did emigrate to Canada but I am still very home sick. We still drink tea though!! Whereabouts do you live in England?

I have been trying to find out how you go about the Fire Breathing, can you describe it to me? Also, have you done the NAULI exercise or it may be another breathing exercise, I don't know, it's just that I have read other people have done it but haven't actually said what it is.

I have thought for a long time now that if only I could get a softer stool movement I would be better off and it seems lots of other people have the same thought. It is good to know what other people do to help things along. I will still keep hoping for success!!
All the Best Daphne.

Tintagel

September 23, 2011 - 5:20pm

Hello Daphne
I live in the south east, in Surrey, though as you can tell from my name, my heart belongs to Cornwall. Glad you've kept the tea habit, such a comforting brew!
Whole woman firebreathing is an exercise to move the pelvic organs forward by creating a vacuum in the abdomen.
Christine describes it (with photos) in her book and it is demonstrated in the First Aid for Prolapse DVD, but to summarise it is as follows:
Stand with feet comfortably apart and parallel
Bend the knees and lean your torso forward 90 degrees from the hips, keeping the the proper head, shoulder and neck alignment (look down, not forward)
Place hands just above knees
Breath in through your nose and relax your stomach so it all hangs down (yes not pretty, but not to worry). Lift your tailbone.
Breath out steadily through pursed lips and contract the abdominal muscles in and up, when your lungs are empty you should have a hollowed abdomen. I find that can actually feel my uterus and bladder moving when I do this.
Nothing moves except your stomach muscles and bottom - the latter is pointing up when you breath in and curves under as you breath out
that's it I think. You repeat taking slow deep breaths. I set the oven timer and do two minutes at a time.
It can also be done on hands and knees or forearms and knees and possibly other ways too.
I haven't mastered nauli yet, it is a circling of the stomach muscles while holding the hollowed abdomen. I get confused as the what direction they're supposed to go. I sometimes do the easier version of relaxing and re-contracting the muscles (so the stomach falls down and is lifted back up to hollow) a few times, after exhaling and before taking the next in breath.
I hope I've explained this properly.
The other thing I find makes me feel comfortable is just relaxing on hands (or forearms) and knees, bottom in the air. I relax my stomach and sort of jiggle a bit to shake my bits back into their proper place and then stay there for a while. Sounds a bit odd, but I probably spend about an hour a day like this now, if I can, mainly when I'm reading in bed. Without being a contortionist it is possible in this position to have a feel to see where the organs are and it's quite encouraging if they're pretty much in the right place, even if only temporarily.
I'm sure overcoming the constipation is key to feeling more comfortable, so I do hope you get this sorted out soon. I bought a bottle of syrup of figs a while ago when I was trying everything I could think of, but as I was taking it alongside my prunes, oats etc, I'm not sure how effective it was on its own. At one point I took physillium husk capsules and they definitely made me go, but I think they're just very bulky fibre designed to push things through so might not be ideal for you?
We're having lovely autumn here, golden days, my favourite time of year. Must try to get out in the garden a bit this weekend, lots of leaves and acorns to clear up.
Best wishes
Tintagel

Daphne

September 29, 2011 - 11:09am

Hi Tintagel,
Thank you for the Fire breathing explanation. I do that but didn't know that it was called Fire breathing. You explained it really well, the Nauli I didn't quite understand but I think I have seen, at some time, on the TV, some of these well toned men showing how to do it, at least it sounds like it would be that. I can't imagine how you roll your stomach around, sounds like it would take a lot of practice though.

We were just talking about Syrup of Figs the other day, so it was funny that you should mention that. I remember taking that as a child, we couldn't believe that it was still made as so many old remedies aren't. I don't know that we can get it here. I have bought some sun dried figs and cooked them up and eaten three just after supper but they didn't work either.

You must have a nice big old Oak tree in your garden if you have lots of Acorns, you could do with some of our Squirrels to help you clean up, they would have a Hay Day. If I remember right Surrey is a pretty place but Cornwall is a lovely area and I can see why you miss it. We had several holidays in Polperro, we loved it there.

I have found that doing the knees and elbows movement that I too can sometimes feel something move back up inside. I had a smile as I pictured you in that position for an hour!

This last couple of days I have taken about a Tablespoon of Lactulose before going to bed. It is a very syrup like liquid and very sweet. It seems to have made things a little easier. My Pharmacist ( Chemist) said it was a very mild laxative that you could take on an on going basis. I think you should be able to get it in England because I do know someone in Wales that takes it. You can take up to 4 Tablespoons a day if needed. The same Pharmacist also told me that Women should not take more than 3oomg. Magnesium a day, men 4oomg.
Have a lovely Autumn, Daphne.

Daphne

September 29, 2011 - 11:25am

Hi Salt,
We certainly seem to be in the same situation with this constipation business. I will just pass on to you what I have just told Tintagel. My Pharmacist, who I asked about taking more than 300mg. of Magnesium to help me go better. She advised against it as she said it makes for a more severe Laxative and it is best not to use that method on an ongoing basis. Just thought I would tell you that. I have started, these last couple of days to take 1 Tablespoon of "Lactulose" at bed time which has helped in a softer stool. I don't know where you live but it is available here in Canada and England that I know of. It is a milder laxative but you can take it on a regular basis if necessary and up to 4 Tablespoons a day if you need to..
This may work for you too.
Best Wishes, Daphne.

Daphne

September 29, 2011 - 11:35am

Hi Again Salt,
I have just re read your last letter and see that you live in my area, what a small world.
Daphne.

Salt

September 29, 2011 - 2:23pm

small world indeed Daphne! I'm in the 519 area code area.
good to 'meet' you in this virtual world :)

I hope the lactulose helps a lot.
I hadn't known that about high magnesium doses. thanks for sharing that.
I have results at less than 300mg but I know that was not enough for you.
have you tried vitamin C? that is another supplement that will give me diarrhea if I take too high doses of it (and it's good for me at the same time :)

thinking of you and hoping you get relief soon.
Salt

Daphne

October 1, 2011 - 12:31pm

Hi Salt,
I am in 519 area too, how about that!
I think the Lactulose is helping. I didn't take it last night because our day was all messed up. I had to go for my Yearly Mammogram at London Hospital. I was wondering if I would be able to sit down after I made my way from the Car park to where I had to go, fortunately I was able to park in the underground parking and use an elevator to go to the first floor, from there it isn't too far to walk. It was a terrible day coming home, weather wise.
I think I might just take vit. C, we do have it in the house as my husband takes it. Do you find one sort better than another? If that helps I would rather that than the Lactulose, it does seem to make my mouth dry during the night.
All the Best, Daphne.

Salt

October 1, 2011 - 2:06pm

hi Daphne,

I use vitamin C in Ascorbic Acid form (that is the most common I think). I take it by pill because it's too tart to take as a powder.

I would avoid it in the form 'calcium ascorbate' because it means it's bonded to a calcium molecule and calcium can cause constipation. sometimes this form is in 'buffered' vitamin C or 'ester c' so I avoid those if they have the calcium in them.

I'm so glad you made it home safe in spite of the weather and that you were able to take an elevator!

wishing you the best,
Salt