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Nightbird,

I also feel heaviness in the vaginal area. All this started recently. Will go to doc later this month in order to find out exctly what kind of Prolapse I have.

Overall joint pain could be caused by many reasons. As an RN I'm sure you're aware of that.

I think it's wonderful that, as an RN you have joined this site. So many people in the medical profession automatically listen to the conventional (and often unsuccessful) advice of docs and surgeons to do the little operation! All of us here are looking for ways other than surgery for this non-life threatining prob. Even women who've already had surgery are here looking for advice in order to avoid future surgeries which, unfortunately, all too often seem to result from the original 1st procedure.

sevilla

Hello
You certainly have done a lot of living in your 53 hours, LOL. Spoken like a true midwife. The symptoms you describe are for the most part similar to others who have uterine/bladder prolapse, except for the pins and needles on the back of the thighs: this may or may not be another issue.

Uncomfortable sitting and sleeping. Having read around the site you would know we are about posture. I take this particular discomfort is the bulge and of course that will only lessen with the process of working it back up and then forward back over the pelvic bones.

I always found cat and cow yoga postures helpful. I also found riding a stationary bike (in posture) also lifts the uterus/bladder. These things you can do while waiting for the package as well as having a go at the posture described on FAQ on the home page.

While you are having UTI type symptoms it is very difficult to move the prolapse up. These UTI symptoms are a bug bear until you straighten out your diet, your evacuation and your posture. You will eventually with thought discover things (particular foods, infections etc) that seem to inflame the bladder and then it is of course a matter of avoiding these where possible. Some, you will not be able to avoid and then it is a matter of patience and rest.

Sitting and walking in posture is essential. Lying down, usually the prolapse can be pushed back up and forward, or if not severe muscle sucked back in and there it will remain. So sleeping on your back, side, front won’t matter. When you can't get it back inside the vulva the use of a cushion between you knees while lying on your side can allow you to stretch your legs like a pair of scissors and this can sometimes earn you a comfortable sleeping position.

Yes, self exams will vary from day to day and from standing to lying down. This flexibility of the prolapse is a heartening aspect for this tells you that it can go back up.

Best wishes, Fab

Hi Nightbird, so glad that you have found this site. I just turned 50 this summer and received my prolapse a couple of weeks ago. (I too believe it was years in the making)
The whole woman posture for me is a recognition of my strength, which gives me confidence and feels very sexy/sensual.
I was scared to death when I first got here, but have found a great support group and loads of info.
Hope you find the same.

Swannee

Hi Nightbird! I have been hanging around here for about 2-1/2 years. One of the measures that I put off for FAR too long was being careful to protect my lumbar curvature in the car. Car seats are killers but unless we drive for long periods at a time, it's easy to forget or ignore. These days, I always stuff something down behind my lower back, even on short trips.

Make sure you are emptying your bladder fully. Lifting up and forward on the toilet seat helps tip the bladder and unkink everything so you can get it all out. If that's not doing it for you, down on all fours in the shower once a day for a good drain might be wise.

WW posture is such a huge life improvement in so many ways. I've never wished for my old pre-prolapse body back! It takes time to make it a habit, but when you have crossed over to that place, you can't feel good any other way. Good luck to you! - Surviving

Dear Lovely prolapse2012 I love your wording....receiving your prolapse. Yes, for those of us lucky enough to have found Christine, it could be the gift that propels us on to something very special. You sound like you are doing fantastically well! Best wishes to you and to nightbird !

Nightbird, I'm kind of in the same boat and looking for ways to tolerate sitting. I've created bubblewrap pillows for myself (two logs, one for each cheek). This takes the pressure off the vagina/urethra area which can't stand being sat on. I am worried, however, if sitting like this is making the prolapse worse! If anyone has thoughts on this, please comment! I do hold my torso up as best as I can in this position. Lying down, when on my back, I have a pillow under the back of my thighs. On my side, I have a pillow between my legs. If I can't fall asleep, I take an herbal sedative to relax my body.

I feel your pain! It's just awful not being able to be comfortable sitting, standing, or lying down! I mean, what other position is there!?

I use herbal laxatives so that I don't have to push or strain. This straining (from a lifetime of chronic constipation) is what caused my prolapse to begin with (I have no children). So I try to make sure it comes out easily now.

I had the UTI type sensations when I peed, and for many months I misunderstood this whole problem as a UTI (as did my gyno and urologist). Only recently have I figured out it's not UTI related at all, there's no infection, it's just the burning from all the tissue being pulled and nerves inflamed. I just try to relax my bladder when I pee and empty it completely.

I'm just starting to figure this stuff out and just came to WW a few weeks ago. Hoping for the best for all of us!

Welcome. I do know what you are going through. For me, walking was the only thing that was sort of okay for the first several weeks. If I wasnt actually taking a walk, pacing became my state. Sitting was impossible and very frightening because I have to sit for my work. I wanted to chime in here to hopefully give you some hope. Maybe 6 weeks into this or so, sitting became fine. Focus on the posture and try to stay calm. Walk in WW posture every day (are you able to?). When lying down on your back, consider putting a small pillow under your lumbar curve rather than your thighs (at least I am thinking that might honor the posture better). I tried every chair in my house for height and for softness (looking for firmness without it being too hard). Because I am a cellist and must sit to play, with Christine and Surviving and Louise's help, I was able to find a position to sit. I actually turn out a bit from the hips, keep my knees balanced over my feet and uplift the chest into position. I find sitting with my legs almost parallel to the floor helpful - but not quite. The knee is slightly lower than the hip and that way breathing into the belly is freer and uplifting the chest more natural. Do you have the book and DVDs? Are you living constantly in posture? this can be overwhelming at first but it will not always be. How bad is your prolapse? I wish you all the best and hope you will find comfort soon.

Thanks for so much for chiming in! I did just get the DVDs and the book and am slowly getting into it. I'm working on the posture, and will try the pillow under my lumbar curve. A physical therapist told me I have bladder prolapse, at minimum -- she couldn't determine what else was wrong beyond pelvic dysfunction. I'm going to the fourth gynecologist next week for a diagnosis. I think the whole kit and kaboodle has fallen down, as I feel significant pressure, pain and discomfort thruout the pelvic area. Will see.

I'm glad to hear that you can now sit to play. That does indeed give me hope. Thanks again for responding!