e-stim

Submitted by eljay on September 8, 2006 - 9:16am
Body: 

Hi, All.

I'm new to this group and have looked around, but didn't see any references to electrical stimulation devices. I went to the Urogynecology Clinic at my local teaching hospital, where they used an intra-vaginal stimulation probe. According to the staff, it has produced great improvement in women with both stress and urge incontinence. There are two separate probes available - one for the vagina and another for the rectum (for fecal incontinence).

My problems are stage 3 cystocele, stage 2 recticele, stage 2 uterine prolapse, and several tears in my anal sphyncters. (Briefly summed up as, "I'm a mess!")

I am determined to avoid surgery and am very optimistic about the information avaliable here. I have been doing specific yoga asanas as presented in The Woman's Book of Yoga and Health: A Lifelong Guide to Wellness by Linda Sparrowe & Patricia Walden, which is an excellent resource.

As this device is quite expensive (over $800), my questions to Christine and others are:
Is this a worthwhile option to pursue?
Does anyone have any first hand experience with these devices?

Thanks,
LJ

Christine

September 8, 2006 - 9:42am

Are you incontinent?

louiseds

September 12, 2006 - 4:47am

Hi LJ

Sounds like what I had after my second pregnancy. I became hyperstimulated as part of infertility treatment and ended up 3 weeks pregnant, looking and feeling like a 6 month pregnant balloon. Had 5 litres of fluid drained from my abdominal cavity (cysts on ovaries) and finally felt normal by about 10 weeks, but my pelvic floor had been stretched like a drum skin, and never had a chance to recover before the big belly part of pregnancy. After the birth, which was quite normal, I couldn't get any of those muscles to move at all, and finally had electrical stimulation treatment which shocked the little nerves back to life. Once I could move the muscles a bit, ie reestablish the nerve pathways, I could do the exercises myself until my pelvic floor gained tone again. I didn't have much prolapse then. That came later I think. It is all a bit of a blur after so many years. My daughter is now 21.

So the answer is that it did work, but I only had a few treatments. It was the exercises, that I could then after the treatments, that gave me back the muscle tone. $800 can buy a lot of Champagne when it all works again!

BTW, you are not a mess, just a bit torn about. Having a doctor give a detailed diagnosis with graded numbers can make it sound worse than it did when you went in to see him. Take baby steps, one at a time, and be gentle on yourself. I am sure that in time your body will recover, with your help. You've taken the first step in seeking a diagnosis, which is great. Now you can measure up your options before making any rash decisions. It may be that a little strategic surgery could be some benefit, if and when you decide what to do.

So walk tall as the lovely woman you are.

Cheers

Louise

mouchoir

September 14, 2006 - 5:08am

Hi eljay. I lost a post on this yesterday so this will be a shorter version! (only my 3rd post so obviously missed a step). I have uterine prolapse and my pelvic floor muscles are weak. I'm seeing a physio and through biofeedback she could see the muscles were weak and suggested using a vaginal exerciser. I used kegelmaster for 8 weeks but the improvement was marginal so she suggested e-stim. I've been using it for about 2 weeks now and will be getting muscles re-checked in another 4 weeks. From reading this forum I know it probably won't/can't improve my prolapse but I want strong pelvic floor muscles anyway as sometimes feel 'wide open'. The e-stim is mildly uncomfortable at the beginning of every session but after 2 mins it's fine. I do find that afterwards everything down there feels nice and tight and it relieves the pain and pressure feelings I have (only temporarily though). I think I've had less bad moments in the last 2 weeks. I'm also trying to incorporate Christine's changes and while I've put my faith in them I'm not consistent enough yet.
I need to have a bit of a rant about healthcare in the US. I've read so many times on this forum about women who can't afford physio or an operation etc(for more serious stuff, not just prolapse). I'm seeing the physio manager of the maternity hospital for free, and am welcome as a free patient for life. I also got the e-stim machine to take home for free and use as long as I see necessary. It's a shocking state for a civilised country to be in that the quality of healthcare depends on the state of your finances. We're far from perfect here in Ireland - too few beds, too long waiting lists - but medical care is available to both rich and poor, it's a shame it's not the same over the Atlantic.

eljay

September 19, 2006 - 3:14pm

Hi, Christine (& others).

Thank you for your responses. I have been out of touch with my computer, but should be back online now.

I am not really incontinent, although I do have a very "short fuse" when I need to go (i.e., mild urge incontinence). The e-stim would be more for the purpose of strengthening my pelvic floor. The incontinence is more of a minor inconvenience. If I wait too long, I may lose a drop or two into my panty shield. Obviously, it would be better to not have to deal with this inconvenience, but it's not my major concern...

I have tried to learn the posture, which has been a challenge as I've spent the past 50 years "tucking my tailbone under," which I only now realize is actually causing a straight shot for gravity to pull everything out!

Why doesn't someone tell us these things when we're still young???

Thanks, again.

LJ

louiseds

September 20, 2006 - 7:12am

Hi LJ

I ask myself the same question every day, and wonder whether it could have been different for me without all that dancing and gymnatics training. However, life goes on. I am 53, and it has been a bit challenging learning the new posture, but the benefits are there, so it reinforces itself in time. I have been doing it now for almost 12 months, and still have to pull myself up sometimes, but it is quick and easy to do, and feels much better.

I am actually very thankful that I learned it at the age of 52. My mother is 94, and now way beyond learning new things, as she forgets them again immediately. I feel as if I am preparing myself for old age, sort of like putting away superannuation. I am sure that my old years will be more comfortable with my pelvic organs in their rightful spots.

Take care, and just do what you can.

Cheers

Louise