Help please.

Submitted by moasberries on August 8, 2013 - 9:25pm
Body: 

Hi there I am very new and undiagnosed but I would like it if someone could help me with some questions.

I have always been worried about my cervix being in the way, when I was 21 and about to get married I went to the doctor to make sure the 'tongue like thing' halfway down my vagina was ok and not cancer. He said he couldn't see anything wrong in there and it looked normal to him. I got married and had a lot of 'honeymoon cystitis.' In the beginning. Then one day I worked out why it was happening, it only really happened when I was on top and sitting up. Sorry TMI? Obviously when being penetrated from this angle my bladder was not happy. So from then on I realised I had a very sensitive bladder and stopped doing that. Sometimes tampons give me that same bladder yucky irritating feeling. Fast forward 12 years, two big babies (9.5 and 10.5 pounds, normal vaginal births.) weight loss...gain...loss...gain (such is life :) moved to another country where we know no-one, no family or friends. I got an e-coli cystitis infection. I went to the doctor she prescribed me some antibiotics, called me up a couple of days later with the lab results and I had been given the wrong antibiotics for the strain of bacteria. Went on different antibiotics, only cleared up really on the last day taking 5 day antibiotics. Then I got my period the next day, against my better judgement I wore a tampon that morning and felt slightly icky the whole time. By that night the UTI was back. Went back to the dr got given more antibiotics, took them, went back still with bladder irritation. This time he checked my urine again and gave me some more antibiotics. I went back after I was finished them and he said I had been clear of bacteria in my sample. He booked me in to get an ultrasound, I had to drink two litres of water to get a full bladder so they could see that it was emptying properly. Apparently it was all fine apart from a 'Bulky uterus' so I got an appointment with a specialist gyno and he said, ' here, have a months worth of low dose antibiotics see what happens...' So I went home and completely lost the plot in tears and anxiety thinking I have Interstitial cystitis ( I had researched possible outcomes on the internet.) so I go downhill fast bladder pain, anxiety, insomnia, nausea. Went and found a new GP he prescribed me with some vallium and some amitrytaline- antidepressant low dose as a nerve blocker. My mum came over from New Zealand for a week she was so worried about me and yes I was having a very tough time with bad thoughts. I went back to the specialist in tears after the month was up he said right lets get you a cytoscopy with biopsy and on monday. Over that weekend I had found that when I pulled up or did a long kegel the annoying bladder feeling went away. So I went for an operation told the doc about the kegels thing and he said he'd take a look at it when he was doing the cytoscopy. anyway it all came back clear apparently I don't have any bacteria, cancer, irritation spots or ulcers in my bladder. So...? The last few days I have been thinking about my cervix, when I bare down it is maybe an inch from my vagina entrance. If I have an unhappy bladder could this be the thing that is irritating it and not letting it feel better as it is constant? I also have a bit of light vibration going on down there in my tailbone and other places at times. Have any of you been in this place? I don't think my prolapse or whatever it is is super bad but it's enough to put me through hell (and financial ruin) over the last 3 and a half months. Sorry for the length of my post but...That's my story. ;)

Forum:

Surviving60

August 9, 2013 - 5:43pm

Hi moasberries and welcome. This is a complicated post that I'll do my best to answer in the hopes that someone with more relevant experience will chime in.

Have you done much reading around on this site, and are you aware of what Whole Woman posture is about? I think that the best course of action is very simply for you to adopt the posture and get those organs into a better alignment. With luck, and effort, the discomforts will start to resolve. Right now there are just too many drugs being thrown at the problem, I don't see how you could have a healthy outcome and recovery from all of this with so much stuff in your system. Doctors aren't the best at dealing with female pelvis issues.

I am assuming when you say you went for an operation, you are talking about the biopsy?

You might also want to try something nice and soothing like coconut oil as a salve for irritation. Take extra care to empty completely; I believe that can always be an issue even when the "test" says it's not. Get down on all fours in the shower, let the water run over you, relax and give it multiple tries.

Please do look around here, consider some of the healthy things that you can do to take the place of the drugs and the worry. You need a bit of empowerment and we can help you get some here! - Surviving

Aging gracefully

August 9, 2013 - 9:11pm

Hi moasberries,
I don't have any advice about the cystitis or the UTIs, other than my heart goes out to you. But, I do have uterine prolapse, as you do. I had been told that I had I tipped uterus in my twenties, and had large babies like you did, but I didn't notice or ignored my slouchy cervix until my late 40s. My husband was always hitting my uterus in certain positions or too vigorous sex our whole marriage. I just thought that was normal for some reason.
I found my cervix actually sticking out, and then I found this site. During the process of whole woman posture, the exercises to keep it that way, and some other tricks I learned from reading this forum, I have been feeling a lot better, and much more confident in myself. Please check it out.
And, please, don't bear down anymore. You want to keep that cervix up as high as you can get it!
I wish you the best!

fab

August 9, 2013 - 10:06pm

reasons not easily explained some women are more prone to flare-ups of UTIs than others. It is not connected directly to uterine prolapse otherwise all women with them would get frequent UTIs and this is not the case. However, most women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime. That's the stats. The e coli is the link and is frequently put down to the fact that accidents happen and a woman's anus is very close to her vulva, so fecal matter can be accidentally transferred. Sometimes having once had that happen, it means a bit of a battle to clear it up. Not fitting the right antibiotic to the right strain as you describe is of course not going to help. Putting someone with frequent flare-ups on a long low dose antibiotic is a recognised approached and frequently is what is required. The fact that you are emptying the bladder completely is a good sign. However, it is important to concentrate on that aspect, as surviving suggests, as the second largest group who get UTIs after women are older men with prostrate problems which makes urinating or emptying the bladder completely difficult. If you have a UTI that is prolonged then it is something that will make you feel out of sorts. It is a frequent diagnosis for an older woman who suddenly becomes a grouch where yesterday she was a ray of sunshine. The old proverbial 'bear with a sore bum'. We make a joke of it so the grouch can save some face for their impatient behaviour, but it is an unpleasant condition and one that plays on people's nerves. So although you may not like me saying this, all that you are saying sounds very normal, but of course that is not to say something easy to get along with it. Apart from the UT, I find that an irritated bladder can be the result of urine retention when I have to urinate a little urine and frequently. This is when I look to my diet and eat the old comfort foods that I know are compatible with me. Known bladder irritants like coffee can also be cut down.

Aging gracefully

August 9, 2013 - 10:21pm

Speaking of UTIs, when I was working in the nursing homes, we always knew when someone was coming down with one, when a perfectly normal person would all of a sudden just go crazy, quite literally! We would send out for a culture, and yep, UTI every time.
Just something to think about, especially for people who can't always speak for themselves....

fab

August 10, 2013 - 1:38am

just such thoughts in mind, graceful. From what I had witnessed and what staff had told me. They seemed to run like a gastroenteritis through the hostel and the nursing home, an ever present haunting spectre to spook and torment the old and infirm and many had never experienced them before and so were totally mortified to boot.

laughLOVElive

August 12, 2013 - 5:18am

Hi moasberries,
I'm sorry I can't be very helpful, but there is a wealth of info on these forums and wonderful members who give great support. I have also had that strange tampon feeling at times from when I first learned to use them and I hated using them in the beginning, particularly when pulling them out. Sex has also often been uncomfortable and certain positions would feel like something was getting pushed up into my stomach. It wasn't til after my first baby that I discovered symptoms of my prolapse. Really hope you find the help you need.

wholewomanUK

August 19, 2013 - 12:44pm

Hi moasberries,
my heart goes out to you. Sounds like you've been on a bit of a merry go round with the advice and treatment you've had. Also some of the diagnostic language is a bit sloppy isn't it? A "bulky uterus" lol - what on earth does that mean!

Anyhow, if you haven't got them already I really suggest you buy some WW resources, such as the vulval health dvd and one of the prolapse recovery dvd's; the 1st Aid for Prolapse which is dance based and has an excellent overview of prolapse organ prolapse or the Wheel of Yoga is a good starting point for those who prefer a yoga based dvd. Also I highly recommend the Saving the WW book. It's the pop bible. It's full of helpful information, advice and support.

In the book it explains how to evacuate your bladder when using the tiolet. I.e. do not sit properly down on the seat. Instead put the weight on your feet and lean forwards, so that your thighs are touching the toilet seat or just off it. That way you're half sqatting and leaning forwards. This way you're more likely to fully evacuate you bladder and not leave a little bit of urine in the bladder where it's more likely to get infected over a longer period of time.

I was very symptomatic with a uterine prolapse a couple of years ago - and very upset about it. However with the book, the dvd's and doing the posture and exercises when I can and taking the advice that rang true for me, I am now in a position where I am in control of my pop. Most of the time I'm symptom free, and when I'm not, I know what to do to make myself improve. Also, after living more healthily for some time now - not surprisingly perhaps I look and feel healthier and happier than I did before.

Wishing you all the best,
xwholewomanuk

want2know

August 19, 2013 - 2:19pm

too!! Whatever that means. I'll ask my ultrasound technician tomorrow.

I've had major problems with UTIs since 2005 when going through the stress of my Mom's breast cancer, treatments and death. Since then, the flare-ups often come at a time of stress.

I have an appointment with my doctor on Thursday. He's been trying to find the root of these UTIs and perhaps he'll agree to a long, low-dosage antibiotic to clear it up.

However, in some of the discussions on here and discussions with friends, I'm thinking that any intake of sugar might cause the infections to return??

:-)
w2k