New to the forum

Submitted by Northern Gal on January 17, 2013 - 4:26pm
Body: 

Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum and WW in general. I have a minor cystocele recently diagnosed at age 57. I have had the book and DVD for about one month and have been doing the exercise routine pretty regularly. It has helped me a lot in terms of relieving symptoms such as discomfort and tiredness at the end of the day. I have also learned a lot through reading the book and the forum. I feel very lucky to have come across this site. My doctor gave me no information but did recommend a physiotherapist. Although she really seems to have a desire to help, I didn't find the Kegels or weights she offered to really do much other than make me more uncomfortable. I don't expect any miracles but would like to manage this without surgery and be able to do the things I like to do without being sore all the time. I have three beautiful children and three beautiful grandchildren and can't stop enjoying what life has to offer me, so I'll just keep working on this each morning before I start my day!

Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories, tips, fears, and successes. It has really helped me to know I am not alone in this and to gain a lot of valuable information.

Forum:

MsNightingale

January 17, 2013 - 6:51pm

Welcome! That is great that you have the book and DVD and are studying away. How is your posture coming along? You are quite new here and in time I would expect that you will be feeling a lot better. For me the turning point was about 6 weeks into constant dedication to posture. I have learned too that the physio can be nice, well-intentioned, but just too kegel minded. As we here have learned, they do not work. What works is the dedication to posture, good diet and elimination, and a good attitude. Give this time and you should be doing all of those you love again. Best wishes to you!

louiseds

January 18, 2013 - 3:42am

... music to my ears, Northern Gal. You will have your temporary setbacks, like all of us, but there is always someone on these Forums who can pick us up and turn us around again when we fall over or lose our direction. Great to hear from you.

Surviving60

January 18, 2013 - 5:01am

Hi Northern Gal. When I read posts from new members, I sometimes find that certain things just jump out at me and beg to be commented on. In your case it's the statement "I'll keep working on this each morning before I start my day". I assume that's when you exercise, but the reality is, that you are working on this every waking moment. That's when you want to be in WW posture....all the time. Standing, sitting, walking, all the time and eventually it will become natural and automatic. The exercises are so important for developing the right muscles and learning the best moves and positions for organ support. But it's staying in posture all the time that counts the most. You probably understand this by now. - Surviving

wholewomanUK

January 18, 2013 - 6:53am

Hi Northern Gal,
Welcome to the WW community. I'm so pleasedyou found htis site and have already found the WW approach helpful.
I'm 56 and was first diagnosed with pop about 1 1/2 years ago. I've found it really helpful and now feel happier and healthier than I have done in years. I also generally do a WW practice ie follow a WW dvd morning. For me this really helps. I also agree with Surviving60 that the key to this approach is being in WW or natural posture pretty much all the time.
The medical preofession and physios generally recommend kegels which, so long as they are not performed on your back, will not do any harm and are good for sexual intercourse/pleasure, but do not offer effective treatment for pop. The reason being that the pelvic alignment and pelvic organ support has not been fully understood in the medical profession. However this situation will surely gradually change as the WW approach becomes more widespread.
This highlights that there's a real motivation for us to talk to anyone we feel comfortable to talk with about the WW approach.
Wishing you all the best,
xwholewomanuk

Northern Gal

January 21, 2013 - 11:42am

The posture is coming. I have had to work on not holding in my stomach and letting it relax. Otherwise, I think I have got a handle on it. Whenever, I realize that I am holding in, I relax. It seems like I am slowly finding the posture to be more natural. Just have to be mindful of it. Thanks for the support.

MsNightingale

January 21, 2013 - 11:54am

It took me ages to relax the belly. That is the hardest for many of us. Keep at it and one of these days you will simply forget that you have an issue. Best wishes to you!

Brick2012

January 21, 2013 - 3:07pm

Hey all,

same here! I spent so many years tucking in and holding in. it has been real work to get used to the posture. when I do it ---it works!!!,

I also like the jiggling tip I picked up off of this site. it really helps when I have a bad day or overdid it.

louiseds

January 21, 2013 - 11:48pm

I still go to chest breathing sometimes. We all do when we get stressed or anxious, or scared. I think it is a limbic brain thing. When I realise that I am chest breathing, and even hyperventilating it is my signal to do a relaxation exercise of some sort, to bring myself back to calmness. My early morning meditation time is an opportunity I have to 'reset ' my breathing for the day.

I really like to do some diaphragmatic breathing just before I go to sleep. It is another really nice time to breathe properly, and do a full body relaxation, lying down, tucked in, when all the chores are done, and the ones you didn't do can wait until tomorrow.

Place your hands either side of your navel, and feel them rise and fall as you inhale, then exhale . Do a few, until you feel relaxed all over and ready for sleep. I find this a good way to get my shoulders to relax, because they really are not at all involved in this way of breathing.

Northern Gal

March 5, 2013 - 1:10pm

Just an update ...
I have been doing the exercises and working on my posture for about 2 months. I already feel more human and more in control than I did before. I do the exercises every day without fail. Also, very helpful for me, is urinating in a basin along with the toilet. I can feel the discomfort leave my bladder as I am emptying better. I also went to the health food store and got the tea for bladder. I think it is also helping my bladder to feel better. Lubrication is also a big help! I know I am only at the beginning but it feels good to know that this is manageable. Thanks to Christine for all the valuable info in her book and DVD. I sure didn't get this from my Dr or PT.

Surviving60

March 5, 2013 - 5:00pm

Thanks for the update, Northern Gal! One of the biggest benefits I've gotten from this work is to be able to let go of my fear of doing things, fear of getting worse, all the fear that comes along with an initial discovery of prolapse. Not only are you doing all the right things, but you have gained the feeling of having some control over this beast! It lets you get on with your life, doesn't it? You can wake up in the morning and face the day. And the longer you work on this, the more stabilization you can experience. I'm coming up on 3 years and still noticing improvement. I'm not even sure if my symptoms are still abating somewhat, or if I've simply gotten to the point where it is not an issue that causes me stress. Either way, it's all good! - Surviving

Northern Gal

May 8, 2013 - 3:04pm

Well, today I met with some people that I see only once or twice a year. One of the ladies, who has known me for over 30 years, asked me what I was doing to look so good and not age. Of course, I was flattered! But, I really think the big difference in how I look is the posture. In a room full of older ladies and gents, someone sitting with chest up and unslouched really stands out. I am feeling a lot better most days because of WW. And, even the bad days, are not nearly as difficult as they once were. I am getting a lot more out of this than just help with my POP. Thanks Christine and all the ladies who have commented and been supporting my journey!

louiseds

May 9, 2013 - 4:38am

:-)

Surviving60

May 9, 2013 - 9:59am

As much as I envy women who have made this posture correction at a younger age than I did, still I think that we who managed to correct DECADES (a lifetime) of bad posture are possibly most in awe of this whole process. Imagine me at 60+, finally figuring out how to really use my body. I marvel at this daily. - Surviving

louiseds

May 9, 2013 - 10:12pm

Yes, Surviving, despite the things that life hands out to us over the decades we are still blessed with the same natural design as our younger sisters. We may have some physical limitations and scars, but most of us don't carry babies and toddlers all day. We have decades more experience and perhaps a little more wisdom, when it comes to knowing what is good for us, and what isn't.

Don't worry Youngsters. You too, by the grace of God, will get to where we are, and be amazed at what your body can do in spite of incredible challenges in the interim.

Louise