prolapse and kidney function

Submitted by florida1985 on April 30, 2009 - 12:04pm
Body: 

I have read about half of Christine's book and saw an item about kidney function. I just learned a couple of weeks ago that I have prolapse, and probably with rectal and bladder involvement. I ordered Christine's book and definitely have prolapse symptoms but they have not been confirmed by a gynecologist. Now, I am having loss of kidney function, I assume due to uterus blocking my tubing from kidneys. I have made a call to a gynecologist, but I know that will mean surgery. I am not feeling great - having back pain and nausea from my kidneys backing up. I'm more worried about kidney function than the prolapse. I believe I can live with the prolapse by following Christine's recommendations. I don't know what to do about my kidneys though. But, I know surgery will be recommended in order to fix my kidney issue. Does anyone have any ideas? I really don't want surgery. I felt such a sense of peace when I found this website and ordered Christine's book. Felt that I could handle the issue and really got angry that no one is telling women about this. I would have started changing my diet and exercise years ago. But, I just hope I have time to try Christine's methods. Thank you.

Alix

April 30, 2009 - 2:36pm

I am absolutely no expert, but it seems to me that you aren't either, and the scary meaning you are giving to your symptoms may not be at all the correct one. Could the pain and nausea be due perhaps to an infection, which could be treated medically? Whatever the specialist says, I do hope you will share it with us.

Christine

April 30, 2009 - 4:39pm

Dear Florida,

I agree with Alix. First of all, I felt I had to put that piece of information in the book even though it referred to (I believe) one study. We are untold numbers of women here, many with stage 3 prolapse, and never have we heard mention of ureter/kidney involvement. Please take a deep breath and relax until you are able to get a proper diagnosis.

Hugs,

Christine

louiseds

April 30, 2009 - 9:45pm

Hi Florida

While I agree with both Alix and Christine, my worry wart doctor did order a transvaginal ultrasound, and a kidney ultrasound at the same time, in the absence of kidney symptoms. This was because cystocele sometimes is associated with development of UTI's, and I have had a few of these. UTI's can affect the kidneys, and I did have nephritis as a child as a secondary infection from an unhealed cut on my foot, (that was the diagnosis at the time). Also, the malpositioning of the bladder can stretch the ureters, and this can affect kidney function. WW posture will reposition the bladder, so the ureters are no longer stretched.

As it turned out my kidneys were fine, my bladder emptying is within normal range (so Christine's techniques for kidney emptying do work), there were no abnormal masses, and everything is just honky-dory.

In your case it sounds like you are not well, and I would wait for a medical opinion before thinking the worst. There are multiple possibilities, and you need to not assume anything or catastrophise about the worst that can happen. You are aware of the worst possibilities, so the news will not be worse than you have already considered. There will be no nasty surprises for you.

You are also obviously quite well informed too, which will make it easier to understand what the doctor says. With complicated visits to the doctor I like to take somebody I trust with me into the consultation who is relatively intelligent, knows what you are going through and can take notes so you can discuss with them what was said.

Make that doctor's appointment straight away, and tell them at the same time that you suspect kidney problems. Don't mess your kidneys around. Let us know how you went. Good luck.

Louise

karrymae

April 30, 2009 - 9:47pm

Can you clarify about what you mean when you say that you have "loss of kidney function"? Are you having difficulty peeing, back pain, or other symptoms? Did your doctor diagnose you with kidney problems?

I know that just prior to being officially diagnosed with prolapse issues, I was having pain in my back in the area of my kidney (left side only).. which incidentally is the side where I had episiotomies with the birth of my children. After being told that I had a cystocele, rectocele, urethracele and uterine prolapse,( yes lucky me I have FOUR prolapses) I searched the internet and found Christine's site. I bought her book and started to work on my posture and the pain eventually went away. I am thinking that it was probably due to my uterus dropping and pulling on ligaments. (just guessing) I guess I just wanted to say that it may not be your kidneys... hang in there.

~karrymae

florida1985

May 1, 2009 - 7:57am

You're right, I'm no expert, but I did read the symptoms of kidney failure and I have them. My kidneys are not filtering. My urine and bladder work fine, but just clear urine. I'm nauseated, my stomach's bloated, and I have a metallic taste in my mouth - all symptoms of kidney failure. I figure worst case is they are trashed, best case is they are blocked due to prolapse and will recover. I ignored symptoms for months because I wasn't aware they were kidney-related. Had the urgent pee thing going, but you read about how common it is, so I didn't really think much about it - just attributed it to too much coffee, and had no symptoms of prolapse until recently. I have an appointment with a urologist today and expect to be hospitalized. (Boy, I really do sound doom and gloom, don't I). I'm afraid I'll be pushed into surgery because of the kidneys, but want to try Christine's method.

I'm going to ask my husband to post to you if I do end up in the hospital. I hope I'm being foolish and over-reacting. Thanks to all for your comments.

Christine

May 1, 2009 - 9:13am

All blessings to you, Florida. So many disease conditions are reversible! I hope you have given up the coffee and are emptying your bladder in the ways suggested in the book. You are in my prayers and we will all look forward to hearing of your progress. {{{{hugs}}}}

florida1985

May 1, 2009 - 2:27pm

Hi everyone,

I'm so embarrassed to write this. I just had a kidney stone. I was so primed by the stories in the book I got terrified I would be forced to have the surgery on an 'emergency' basis. Thanks to everyone who told me to chill and take a breath. Sorry for being so melodramatic. I had been taking l-carnitine to strengthen my uterine muscles, but it also causes fat burn. I am quite a bit overweight and think the fat burn combined with too little water caused the nausea and bad taste in my mouth. That had never happened before, but I am taking a much larger amount of l-carnitine than usual. I just panicked. Plus, I had been drinking red clover leaf tea and yarrow, also to help strengthen uterine muscles. Probably too many phytoestrogens overloaded my circuits and my lizard brain kicked in.

I so appreciate this site and being able to communicate with other women about these issues. I see an OBGYN Monday about the prolapse. But, I'm ready for them now.

Florida

Alix

May 1, 2009 - 3:21pm

Florida, no need to apologise or feel like an idiot! There is something so scary about first discovering one's prolapse, to me it was different from the other problems my ageing body poses and threw me into shock and panic out of all proportion, as it turns out, to the harm having a prolapse does me. In addition, the health of one's kidneys is realistically SO important. Naturally for you the combined worries were intense.

I can't believe it is only about 7 weeks since I first felt my bulge with a terrified finger - and sat up til after midnight frantically researching my condition on the web. I'm not out of the wood yet, but thanks to this site I am mostly a lot calmer, and certainly more educated. I hope for you too the worst may now be over.

florida1985

May 1, 2009 - 6:32pm

I just wanted to say regarding the herbs and other supplements I mentioned, that no one should take anything without thoroughly reviewing side effects, etc. and definitely no one pregnant should try any herbs without working with a qualified herbalist and/or their physician.

Christine

May 1, 2009 - 6:40pm

I'm so glad to hear your good news and hope the stone resolves soon. Thank you for the herb warning.

:) Christine

florida1985

May 1, 2009 - 6:42pm

Thanks, Alix for the kind words. Christine's book definitely helped me understand what was happening. I'm angry though that not one OBGYN or PCP has ever mentioned the possibility this could happen to a woman. My hemorrhoids were the first prolapse clue. I could have been working on prevention for years. My 40 hour labor, c-section, and then undiagnosed thyroid issue and resulting weight gain definitely contributed.

I'm so happy that we women are reclaiming our bodies and standing up in defense of them rather than just handing them over like used cars that need spark plugs replaced. Our bodies are sacred. I'm holding on to every part of mine as long as possible.

Good for you for researching and educating yourself! You go girl!