Advice Please

Hi want2know, I'm impressed that you immediately wanted to take a less medically-invasive route, diet and exercise is always be a good thing to work toward! About the stages, if you can't see or really feel a bulge in the vaginal area, you probably only have a stage 1 or less. However, the Saving the Whole Woman Book has instructions on self-diagnosis, and you can 'rate' yourself.
Somebody else will have to give further advice on the fibroid issue, as I do not know much about it. I would advise simply doing a little research by exploring this site, maybe purchasing the book and/or DVD's. Also, search this forum; there should be a search box at the top left. Just type in 'fibroid', and I'm sure you'll be busy for a while. Good luck!

My mom had a bunch of fibroids , and had a hysterectomy because of that. I have heard that they can become cancerous, but someone with expertise should comment on this. Are you experiencing pain? My mom had vaginal mesh put in and they fixed her bladder problem too, while they were in there (with the mesh.) She claims she is doing fine, but I have seen her completely ignore how she is feeling so I am skeptical...plus if she is being honest it was a crap shoot of good luck she is fine. I think it would be crucial to know: will the fibroids pose significant health risks beyond discomfort? How much risk are you willing to take? Can they take out the fibroids without messing with the bladder, or by removing laporoscopically and leaving the uterus intact? Can they sign papers, put it in bold on a white board in the surgery room, stamp legal documents, whatever it takes, declaring that no matter what during a fibroid surgery they will never ever put in mesh and never ever mess with any other pelvic region? Also, it very well could be that diet and exercise can help you stay symptom free...I am not sure. Certainly, and unfortunately, I don't think posture, diet, and exercise can make the fibroids go away. If it was me, I'd be asking my 500 questions and if removing the fibroids must be done surgically, I'd be drawing up a binding contract about what is and is not acceptible to you. If you have surgery definitely get a social worker and a patients' advocate as I have heard of women waking up with a bit more taken out or put in than they bargained for. . You have every right to insist on this. It is your body, your life, and your quality of life, and you are worth their impeccable attention, respect, and high regard. Don't settle for less!

What happened to want2know's original post? I know it was there, I read it before there were any replies, and now there are 2 replies and the post is gone! Spooky. - Surviving

Hi want2know - first let me point out that grading of your prolapse is next to meaningless. The same doc who might call it a grade 1 in the morning, might call it a grade 2 in the afternoon. Prolapses are constantly on the move, as anyone here can tell you. So take that with a grain of salt. As well as anything else your doctor says along the lines of "diet and exercise won't help". There is no real cure for prolapse, there is only management, and if your doc feels that prolapse surgery provides the best future for you, well.....allow me to say that that doctor is just plain wrong about that. I think you already know that, and I'm certainly not suggesting you be confrontational - just informed.

If you are anywhere near menopause, it certainly makes sense to wait and see what happens with the fibroids. Putting your wishes in writing before a surgeon opens you up is no guarantee that you won't wake up missing something. Have you read "The H Word" by Nora Coffey? Surgeons have total discretion to decide in the operating room what they think the best course of action is. They don't have to answer to anyone. Good luck to you - Surviving

Hi, I'm a newby to this website and just starting to explore the forum and wanted to share...

Want2Know, just wanted to let you know that there is hope for natural relief of fibroids now that you are entering menopause. I was diagnosed with three types of fibroids, including one "external" one as large as a small orange, as well as an enlarged, "fully tilted" uterus (lays completely on the bladder) a few years ago that was contributing to serious incontinence issues.

My medical provider was on military leave and the doctor that was taking her cases referred me to a gynecologist who gave me a pelvic exam from hell (by the time I left, I was bleeding to the point of needing protection I did not have) and started talking surgery without taking any scans or x-rays, but did not answer my questions regarding the fibroids and incontinence. I "fired" her and dismissed her idea, started exploring the web for information to try to educate myself and had discussions with my naturopath about possible natural options I could take. She suggested dietary changes I should make and supplements to add, which we tweaked along the way as I transitioned from pre-menopause into menopause, in addition to no- to low-impact exercise. After about 1 1/2 to 2 years, I can say that it did work.

Before I started this journey, I was carrying a change of clothes with me at all times, making hourly trips to the bathroom to keep my bladder empty and changing protection, and dying of embarrassment when asthma attacks would cause unexpected accidents. Now, the incontinence is almost non-existent, and things just feel better internally. The only problem is that all the coughing I have done due to undiagnosed asthma at least 10 years ago and the additional problems of the tilted uterus and fibroids have apparently contributed to a rectocele that I am dealing with now. I am praying that this website will give me the encouragement and information I am looking for to manage my rectocele. After nearly 8 years of "healing" my body of asthma, allergies, menopause and fibroids, I am so wanting to get back into life and start living again.

I gave up on the Kegels and fpt a long time ago...they just never gave me any relief. I am an amateur singer, so the natural posture comes naturally for me, which was reinforced by the ball room dancing I do. Although walking, biking, and qi gong are my favorite forms of workout, I really enjoy the endorphin release I get from dancing and look forward to adding the WW workout.

So I encourage you, W2K, to research fibroids. There are websites as friendly as Whole Woman that are as informative and supportive about fibroids.

BTW - none of the research I did, or the conversations that I had with medical personnel and my naturopath, ever alluded to fibroids becoming cancerous. In fact, just the opposite - they all clearly stated that there were no documented cases of fibroids becoming cancerous at all. If this is incorrect, I hope someone can site reliable sources that would clarify that for me.

Hi 1htwmn and thank you for posting. Welcome to WW. I think you will find the kind of support you are looking for here. I am so glad that fibroid issues have eased for you.....there are so many doctors putting the scare in women. Menopause really does change things, and we have seen from your post and the experience of other members here, that there is much you can do along with way.

A rectocele is very manageable with diligent posture work, and attention to diet/stress control/bathroom habits. I have rectocele and cystocele and started this work several years ago, after menopause. So much has changed in my life as a result. Christine teaches us how to return to the natural spinal shape we all had before "learning" to suck it all in. If you haven't totally lost that lovely lower lumbar curvature, then you are ahead of the game! This isn't just about pelvic organ support but has much broader implication for spine and hip health. We who have been followers for awhile are anxiously awaiting her hip study, about to be released.

So - welcome aboard. Embrace this work whole-heartedly, it will bear wonderful fruit. - Surviving

Hi, my understandig is that uterine fibroids are also non cancerous 90 or 95% of the time. I have been dealing with a large one outside of my uterus making me look pregnant now for 7 years or more.
I have tried a good diet, and I have just done a Dr. Shultz liver cleanse this week, well it was a good cleanse this time, but this morning the day after I have woke up feeling achey and stiff practically all over. I am 55 years old, I hope this is not just old age sitting in and I can expect it for the next 20 years!?
I have never been diagnosed with a rectocele or a cystocele, but when I sit it feels like I am sitting on something and it is internal? How do you get the diagnose of a rectocele, or for that matter a cystocele??
I also have bowel blockage and a feeling that things are wrong in my rectal area. I have been healthy otherwise but this condition has been here for 2 years plus. Perhaps I have a undiagnosed rectocele??

Rose, there is a self-exam chapter in Christine's book, and an article you can search for on the Library page (under Resources). The forum and website are certainly full of information about rectocele, as you have no doubt noticed, because you've been an active contributor here for months.

If you are already practicing WW posture and lifestyle, then it hardly matters what kind of prolapse you have, or even if you have a prolapse at all, because you are already "managing" it. If you are not practicing WW, despite all your readings here, I'd recommend starting, not just for organ support but for spine and hip health and for overall well-being.

I myself have never even had a formal diagnosis. If you feel better getting one, so as to rule out other concerns, that would be your move to make. - Surviving

Thanks for the welcome, Surviving. I tried a forum years ago for a different issue but did not stay on it very long as it did not seem to be supportive...just a place for others to go and whine about things. It was hard to stay positive and encouraging in that kind of atmosphere. This was a big step but need it as prolapse seems to be a "taboo" subject in this area, even among my age group. Your encouragement and the openness of so many on this forum is a blessing.
I am one of the "rare" ones, so to speak...no pregnancies to stress the internal organs but been through tough times with the allergies and asthma. Who would have ever thought that undiagnosed, therefore, untreated asthma would cause such a problem as well. I believe mental stress and negative emotions contribute greatly to physical problems as much as physical stressors do and try not to harbor bitterness towards the medical community for the lack of (...?) and be thankful for the treatment options I have taken - acupuncture and naturopathy have been more successful forms of treatment for me for these conditions, but they, too, have their limitations. My challenge will be to increase physical activity to counteract the sedentary job that I have if I am going to manage a rectocele and avoid surgery. Whole Woman feels like the place to start.