New Problem

Thank you, Christine! (and thank you, Alemama!)

Is the fire breathing technique in a "new" book that you published since I purchased the original? I will check with the book store today or on your site for ordering books. And you are correct about the posture. I reread the book yesterday and realized that I wasn't utilizing the proper positions - so I changed my posture. A question - what should posture be when sitting for a long time at an event when you are sitting on folding chairs? We attended a wedding this morning, and I was trying to keep my chin tucked slightly down and was trying to keep my spine from curving into a "C" in that chair - but I'm not certain that I was sitting correctly.

Also, at my last regular yearly Gyn check, my Doctor (not the surgeon) checked inside my uterus and measured the lining and prescribed two months of progesterone to cause me to have two periods (even though I haven't had one in 13 yrs.) to slough off the lining that was building up from the estrogen usage. I took the pills for one month - was miserable and heavy - and didn't have a period. In the meantime, I saw the surgeon and I stopped taking the progesterone. Perhaps the built-up lining of the uterus from the estrogen and the taking of the progesterone is contributing to the changes. I think I have a definite problem as to what to do now since I have that build-up in the uterus. I'm sure that I'll be told to use the progesterone to eliminate the lining.

And, yes, the tampon is working again - but is uncomfortable and difficult to manage on a day-to-day basis. What is organic salve? And doesn't a support garment push down on the uterus? Whenever I wore a "control" pantyhose, I found that the cystocele seemed to be worse. I'm going to try a pessary again and, hopefully, I will be able to use it this time with some help from a pelvic floor therapist for the sciatica (she was recommended by the surgeon).

One more question - Will not using anything at all to keep the uterus in place hasten an advance? There are times when I can be comfortable without using anything, but I certainly don't want to create any advance in this problem.

Thank you so much for your reply. I have no mother or sisters (mother died when I was 24 and I'm an only child), or inlaws, etc., with whom to discuss prolapse (my husband is supportive but can't help with this) - and the friend that I talked with was really pushing me to have surgery. You can't imagine what a relief and blessing this site is for support when there's no other place in your life in which to turn.

You give me hope! and I truly need it right now.

Hello, Christine!

Thought a lot about the HRT and have decided not to use it anymore. My Dr. originally told me that extensive studies had not been done concerning effectiveness but that it might be worth trying (although I did have some concerns because my mother died with breast cancer - but he said it was such low dose, that that shouldn't be a problem); but when I mentioned to the surgeon that I was using low-dose Vagifem inserts twice weekly, she reinforced that studies were scarce and inclusive and I got the feeling that she didn't really endorse using it (She is on the staff of the Dr. who is the head of the Ob/Gyn department at a major teaching Hospital in Cleveland - so I understand that she is not in a position to outright contradict her boss). I also have done some research about cystocele on the web and one of the sources mentioned that the HRT doesn't help but can compound problems. And I will read the Women's Health Initiative. But I can say that I've already decided to discontinue HRT use.

I will order the new book, and will check the V2 support. And I have an appt. tomorrow AM to cancel the tentative surgery and be fitted with a pessary. As I mentioned, I'm going to try the vaginal floor phy. therapy. I decided that I will use the pessary on the days on which I can use it without pain (I had no problem inserting or taking out the pessary daily when I tried it originally) - and I'll use a tampon on the other days so that I can control and remove it more easily on the days when there is pain.

The one thing that helped me greatly was the suggestion by the surgeon that I use A&D ointment for chafing in the exterior vaginal area. I was sooo uncomfortable before she told me. But it works great! - especially on those days when you need to sit for long periods of time. Just a little A&D alleviates symptoms of burning/hurting.

We attended the reception last evening for the wedding we attended earlier in the day. The father of the bride is a gastroenterologist and a friend - and I told him about the surgery because I wanted to have a colonoscopy prior to surgery. He mentioned last evening (rather strange at a wedding!) that my tests had come back negative (CT scan of the lower rt. quadrant because of the rt. quadrant sciatica pain, and a pelvis scan because of some pulsing I had last year in my abdomen, to be sure there was no aneurysm) and that we could proceed with the colonoscopy - and when I told him that the surgeon wanted to do a complete abdominal surgery with some bladder work and that I'm not going to do the surgery at this time, his quote was: "As we say, the best surgery for this is no surgery." Very interesting!!

I had this problem under control with the help of your book for the past 3 years since it was diagnosed - and I will work as hard as I can to bring it under control again. I've been doing a lot of web-browsing - and haven't found any literature that says a hysterectomy is a surgery that solves the problem without creating more problems (sometimes more severe) than it supposedly solves. I know there are many, many more serious and severe medical problems in this world, so I've decided to try to keep this prolapse in perspective. I've started reading some of the comments by other members and have decided to keep in mind the one comment that says "everything" begins to sag in our bodies as we age. Amen!!

Again, thank you so much for your knowledge and support. You can't imagine what a difference it is making for me in getting me back to sanity. Bridi

Oh, my gosh! I just finished reading a lot of the comments from other users - can't believe how many young women with new babies and young children have this problem(s). The problem of prolapse must be the best-kept women's secret in the world! Why aren't women educated early in their lives about the ways that prolapse could possibly be avoided (heavy-lifting, straining for bowel movements, etc.) and be instructed to do Kegels and exercies to keep their pelvic floors strong throughout their lives? I realize that the surgical aspect information is fairly controlled by the medical profession - but at least some of the general information could be given out to young women when they first begin seeing a gynecologist for a Pap test, etc. I belong to several women's groups (with both young and older members), and would be more than happy to distribute brochures or other information if I had access to it just as I have distributed information on breast self-exams, heart health, etc. Do you know of any resource for obtaining info. for distribution? There must be so many women out there that are experiencing prolapse and have no knowledge of your work or your web site.

I visited your store site and ordered the new pre-publication book package and also the DVD and will be watching the mail for their arrival. I am a visual person and need to see diagrams re posture, etc., to fully understand the concepts. Am hoping there are photos of the various stages of cystocele. I feel that mine is slightly smaller since the last exam then when I was told it was a 3 out of 4. I know it changes constantly, but I'm no longer sitting on the bladder as I was a few months ago when it seemed to have worsened.

Also, am looking forward to purchasing your organic salve when it comes on your store site.

Was fitted with a pessary yesterday and was doing okay but had to take it out by the end of the day because it began pushing my bladder (cystocele) down and I had to urinate every 10 minutes (which wasn't a previous problem). Dr. did say that I may need a larger one but she wanted to start with the smaller size because of the sciatica pain I get and did say that it's a trial-and-error process until you find one that fits and is comfortable. So, we'll give it another try next week when I see her again.

Can you tell me what a sea sponge is? Is its origin the same as a regular sponge?

I also read the comments about the Kegel exerciser. I ordered one three years ago but never used it (it's still in its box in my drawer). It just seemed too complicated with the springs and for some reason I hesitated to use it.

I know I keep saying Thank You to you - but this was such a difficult year for me for many reasons (deaths, and many other problems too numerous to mention) - and I was getting so despressed since this prolapse advance(and I'm usually a very positive person who is the strong one for others) - and writing to you and reading all of the other members' comments and love and support for each other has just made such a difference in the short time since I found your site. I hope you know what a difference you are making in this world!! Gratefully, Bridi.