Rectocele and exercise

Submitted by Bubblyfish53 on November 5, 2015 - 3:21pm
Body: 

I think that I have been suffering with this problem for some time now. In January I had thrombosed external hemorrhoids caused by a bout of constipation that was brought on by prescription painkillers for a frozen shoulder. I was admitted to hospital for surgical removal of the hemorrhoid but the suyrgeon was very much against the operation as it could cause severe after effects. So I went home with laxatives and ice filled condoms to ease the pain. At the time I didn't realise that I had been basically trying to force the stool into my vagina where the rectecele had prolapsed. In fact I have just recently had a similar experience but I could feel the stool pressing within my vagina and around the perineum and I manually assisted the movement as it was the only way to empty my bowels (apologies for graphic details).

I have read everything I can on the problem and it was my husband who found this site for me. He is being very supportive but I am very worried about it. We are currently in Florida and don't return to the UK until mid December when I will go to the doctor for a proper diagnosis. From what I have read I don't think I really need it confirming as I am certain that rectocele is my problem.

We have three children and the firstborn resulted in a torn perineum, the second a retained placenta and the third was a very easy delivery. So, I have a history of pregnancy related problems.

I have ordered and am awaiting delivery of Christine's Starter Pack and until it arrives I am trying to sit and stand in the WW posture from what I saw on the introductory video. I love to exercise and have always done Kegel exercises (just using my own body). Please can anyone recommend any pelvic safe online videos that I can work from while I wait for the starter pack to arrive? Also any tips to help me get into the correct posture would be great.

Staying positive and looking forward to coping with rectocele in the most natural way possible.

Forum:

Surviving60

November 6, 2015 - 9:13am

Hi Bubblyfish and welcome. Do not be concerned. I myself have never had a formal diagnosis of my 'celes, and though we would never try to talk someone out of seeing their doc, I sense you have already figured out that he or she will not have much to add to this discussion. Any diagnosis is subjective anyway. The organs are always on the move, and however it all may look to any particular doctor on any given day is not a critical piece of information.

For now I'd recommend just working on getting used to the feel of relaxing your belly completely. This is a huge shift for so many of us, who have been taught to suck it all in. Relax the belly, breathe in and out of the belly, don't constrict the belly with tight clothing. Pull up your chest and feel that wonderful long strong torso. Start getting used to walking in this way....it's a great exercise. Just living in this posture means that you are working on this all day long. So much of it is mental.....training yourself to make this automatic. Plenty to keep you busy while waiting for your stuff! Good luck to you! - Surviving

Bubblyfish53

November 7, 2015 - 2:36pm

I agree with you about the doctors diagnosis not being important as I know in myself that I'm right. We women can generally tell what's wrong but don't always know the medical terminology. I only found out by using the Internet to look up the symptoms.

The past week has been mentally exhausting, I feel like I'm now really over the hill and so very unsexy! But, today I can tell that my mind is now coming to terms with this latest condition and I seem to have had quite a few since turning 60.

You are so right that it is difficult to relax the belly. I can do belly breathing from years of yoga practice but when standing I was always taught shoulders back, stomach in and tail bone tucked. I keep reminding myself and yesterday went for a long early Monday ending walk practicing the whole time and it really did feel quite comfortable.

I will keep releasing my belly, stick out my backside and give myself a good positive talking to!

Thank you for your advice.

Aging gracefully

November 7, 2015 - 3:07pm

Don't stick out your backside, bubblyfish. All you need to do is relax your belly and pull up your chest, shoulders are down, not back. Back is flat and broad. And, pull up at the crown of your head.
These are the basics of whole woman posture. The lumbar curvature comes on its own, no need to try to force it. That just causes unnecessary pain, as you have noticed. You relax your body slowly into posture. It will come to you the more you do this work.

Bubblyfish53

November 9, 2015 - 5:10am

Thank you!

I think I just twigged! It happens automatically, when I relax belly and lift chest (so standing tall but without sucking in the stomach which automatically tucks under the butt) then my backside just seems to stick out all by itself. With making the movements more consciously I can feel that it is just a more natural posture. Well I hope it is anyway otherwise I am walking around like a pregnant duck!

I had a bad day yesterday, just basically feeling depressed about the whole issue, possibly because I had mild constipation again plus a tension headache. It is difficult coming to terms mentally with rectocele and knowing that it is not going to repair and I have to learn to live with it.

Christine

November 9, 2015 - 2:27pm

I like the sound of that mantra. :-)

Bubblyfish53

November 14, 2015 - 12:29pm

I received my starter bundle mid week, thank you it is so full of helpful information and I feel sure that I am going to be able to help myself through this with Christine's help.

So much has been fed to my brain that I feel quite exhausted already! I have started the exercises and quite happily get through the beginners part one and two each day and also have tried the first stage of advanced, which I find challenging having never done any ballet type exercise before.

I did not realize there was a streaming option available or I would most likely have opted for that as I don't have a dvd drive in my laptop so have to do the daily exercise routine in the living room. I would like to order the yoga series to stream on my iPad as I have practiced hatha yoga for the last 15 years and would like to learn the modifications to better aid my new posture.

Can anyone tell me please if the streaming work in the UK as well as USA? We live 24 weeks in Florida and the rest of the year in England and as I can see this is going to be a new way of life for me I will need to stream in both countries. Also, is there a download option as our internet service is not very good in UK?

Thank you for all this wonderful information.

Surviving60

November 14, 2015 - 12:33pm

Hi Bubblyfish - it is my understanding that the streaming is hosted on multiple servers, and should work well from anywhere. This is why it is such a good option for anyone regardless of location.

And by the way, an external dvd drive (that can be plugged into a USB port on a laptop) is very inexpensive. I have one myself.

Have a good time! - Surviving

Bubblyfish53

November 15, 2015 - 8:19am

Thank you Surviving60!

I'm going to give the streaming a try. We will be back in UK in December and I'll let you know if it works ok there.

I know that external dvd players are inexpensive but I really don't want another piece of equipment. I just replaced my old laptop (which died totally - I don't believe in replacing things unless they are broken) with one that did not have all the extras like dvd drive to reduce the weight for travelling. Ideally I would like to stream on my iPad as that is so portable it goes everywhere with me and I have no excuse for skipping an exercise session.

I am already beginning to feel the benefits of the posture and exercises which has really improved my mental wellbeing and its less than a week since my starter bundle arrived.

This site is a fabulous resource for prolapse sufferers and the help offered by dedicated forum members is priceless.

Surviving60

November 15, 2015 - 8:59am

Streaming on your iPad should work great, anywhere there's a decent internet connection. There is no option for downloading streaming files to your device, however.

For your DVDs, maybe you should shop for an external drive. Mine is just a little flat square thing that is just big enough for a CD or DVD....about the size of a CD case, very small and travel-worthy! It doesn't even have a power supply or power cord, it gets its power by being plugged into 2 USB ports on the laptop (it has 2 short cords for this). - Surviving

Aussie Soul Sister

November 17, 2015 - 1:45am

Hello dear Bubblyfish53,
I have been offline for a couple of weeks.
Just a note to welcome you and let you know that I have been doing Christine's approach for over 3yrs with a rectocele.
It has been an interesting and life changing journey.

The benefits of Christine's approach are far and beyond prolapse!

Also a fav of mine are Christine's Blog posts, which are full of her research and so helpful towards understanding our body's powerful natural posture & so much more, linked to human health & wellbeing as a direct result.

Learning to observe and listen to our bodies is also a very important skill, which Christine's approach teaches us & I have found this has become very much a spiritual journey over time...

Best wishes,
Aussie Soul Sister

Bubblyfish53

November 17, 2015 - 11:36am

Hello Aussie Soul Sister and thank you for your comments.

This certainly is a life changing journey and one that I am just embarking upon. Initially I was very upset and confused by it all. Now, after spending a lot of time on Christine's website and this forum, together with reading the book and following the dvd's while consciously realigning myself into WW posture whenever I notice that I've lapsed, I feel my positive attitude returning.

There seems to be a whole lot that I have to learn but that doesn't worry me at all. I have always resorted to natural healing wherever possible so this reinforces and improves on what I've already been doing.

I will read through some of Christine's blog posts as I haven't yet got that far. Thank you for telling me about them.

I look forward to seeing you again in the forum somewhere.

Best wishes,
Bubblyfish53