New to the group with some questions

Submitted by MaryEve on April 26, 2010 - 8:33pm
Body: 

I am not exactly sure if this is how I post something but I thought I would give it a try. I went through menopause about 3 years ago and just a couple of weeks ago I felt a bulge inside my vagina on the back side. I also experienced alot of back pain and changes in my bowel movements. One day I am fine and the next I feel like something might fall out. It is uncomfortable to sit down and also to bend over. I just had a pap smear in January and everything was fine. I went to the NP who did a vaginal exam with me flat on my back and she didn't see anything but she said my cervix was a little low and it wasn't noted at the time of my pap smear. However, she did refer me to a Gyn. who wrote recotole (sp?) as a diagnosis and she recommended physical therapy. We talked a little about surgery - something about the fascia, etc and if I remember correctly something about overlapping the skin to tighten it up? Of course, this was before I ordered the book and DVD which I just received. I tried to do some of the exercises and I do have one question - I can not sit on the floor cross legged very well- there is something wrong with my left hip/leg. I was diagnosed with pelvic instability a couple of years ago - my pubic bone was out of kilter and it was pretty uncomfortable and painful at times.. I found out my left hip is not formed properly- probably something since birth and the left leg is a little shorter. IT is not something you can really tell looking at me but I was wondering if it could be a contributing factor to this new prolapse of mine. Someone recommended a frog leg exercise and that is something I can not do on the left side. I wondered if I should visit another kind of doctor because of the past issues I had with my pubic bone and the fact that I have limited movement and pain when I try to sit crosslegged or try the frog leg exercise. I also noticed that I have no upper thigh strength when attempting to lift myself. I am so glad I found this group ! Thank you for any input!

aza

April 26, 2010 - 9:57pm

We are glad you found us, too ;)
Others will be along shortly with more thoughts but I just want to say a loud YES that everything you describe is indeed related to prolapse (bulge, back pain, change in bowels, short leg, pelvic instability, pubic bone issues, thigh strength etc). Or perhaps prolapse is related to everything you describe. Whatever, either way this is the basis of WW work....working with the inherent support system in the female design and utilise the inherent support in the body. Imagine what difficulty your body has had in doing it's job when the tools and machinery have not been in the greatest shape or placement. Have you had kids or any pelvic / abdominal surgeries?
Oh, and legs aren't usually shorter or longer than the other...it is more a sign of an asymmetrical pelvis that pulls one leg up higher than the other (please correct me if I am mistaken here)
There is so much healing and improvement awaiting you, MaryEve

MaryEve

April 26, 2010 - 10:43pm

Thank you for your reply. I have had 3 kids but no abdominal/pelvic surgeries. I asked about another type of doctor since when I was in PT previously, the therapist suggested an osteopath but I never followed through on it. I love swimming but have been away from it for YEARS! I wondered if there would be any harm in taking that up again and if so, would there be any stroke to avoid- I tend to alternate between the breast stroke (which has a frog leg kick but it doesn't seem to bother me) and the crawl. I have been walking after work- I have a job I spend standing all day. lifting and push carts around. I wonder if I spend too much of my day standing and walking!! (probably 8-10 hours a day). I tried the posture in Christine's book and DVD while walking today. I am going to try to stand correctly tomorrow while working. Not exactly sure how I can push shopping carts correctly since the handles are high. I still have alot to process in the DVD -especially the fire breathing . Is there any connection between thyroid and prolapse- the doctor said my TSH was a little on the high side and wanted it retested in a few months. The doctor suggested taking a stool softener daily and it didn't do that much but I have added Cal/mag in the evening and that seems to be helping. Is there any harm using those 2 things daily? I thought about Miralex or some fiber supplements. Thanks again for any input!

heavenly

April 27, 2010 - 10:00am

MaryEve,

Check the forum 3 times a day to see "what is what." None of our situations are "funny" however, I read your post and all I could think of is "another one bites the dust" and I smiled. Not about you, we all love you sister. Just there are so many of us out there. I never knew anything about these things until about 5 months ago. I am 61. Everything you described fit me to a tea! And others!! Not to fear, I have cried and felt my life was over but "praise the Lord for this site." Before you know it you too will have a smile on your face!! Some of the excercises have been difficult for me because I don't bend well but Christine has given me some ideas and they are working well. We are all here for you. you are not alone!!! We love you!

Christine

April 27, 2010 - 10:51am

Thanks so much for this response, Heavenly. All of the moderators and myself can only respond to so many posts and it really takes all of us to make this wonderful forum happen. I have a very busy day, but will try to write more tonight.

Christine

Sammy

April 28, 2010 - 6:30pm

Hi Mary Eve:
What do you mean by change in bowels? Mine are sometimes curly or at rite angles.... Is this the cystocele/rectocele or a polyp or worse?