Achy Pain in lower abdomen

Submitted by angel2me on October 5, 2011 - 9:51am
Body: 

Hi Everyone,

I haven't posted in a while but I wanted to get some feedback regarding one of my symptoms and to see if anyone has experienced a similar sensation. I have all three prolapses which I have been told by women on this forum that my bladder and rectal prolapse are probably holding my uterine prolapse in place. Well since I discovered the Whole Woman posture my uterine prolapse does not feel noticeable to me like it did in the beginning. I was very aware of a bulge like feeling and now that is so infrequent even during my periods. However, I have been having this miild ache/pain in my lower abdomen that seems to be off and on over the past year or so. I have an appointment tomorrow to discuss this with my family doctor but I thought it would be a good idea to ask the ladies on this forum. I looked up the symptoms for endometriosis and fibroids and it does not seem to be connected to those two. My pain is about four inches below the belly button just off to the right side of the midline. I am wondering if its the ligments that are being pulled down or affected by the prolapse. I noticed now when I wake up in the middle of the night and I have been sleeping on my back I feel achy on the sides of my lower abdomin. And when I turn to sleep on my side I feel very achy on the side I am sleeping on in that lower abdominal area. It defintely feels muscular and I guess I should be doing more of the exercises and not just the WW posture. I will admit since I haven't felt the uterin prolapse I have sort of stopped doing the workouts. I have purchased the First Wheel Yoga DVD and want to start using it but I hurt my wrist and it is hard to hold some of the postures. Has anyone felt this pain in that area of the lower abdomen and what do you guys think it could be. If I palpatate the area I don't feel any bulges or soreness except for maybe very mild tenderness. I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

csf

October 5, 2011 - 5:21pm

HI, All -

In our group effort to figure things out I'd like to throw a couple of thoughts out there.

1 I really am not an expert, Mar, but my guess is that what you're guess is correct - ligaments.

2 When I got an ultrasound at the onset of pop, the ultrasound woman told me about her grandmother who had found a solution - to push her u up - and to the side - and that it went kind of tucked into that space at the top of the v and stayed there since she placed it sideways. I didn't understand at the time but I sort of do understand now. Does that make sense as a possibility?

3 I think I feel something again, but I am not certain if it is just being able to palpably know that I am "full" when I do a check. Or if I actually feel something that should be there. Feels very subtle whatever it is.

4 One thing I never really brought up is that I think when obgyn's say that they don't see anything wrong, I suspect it's because they always use a spectrum or whatever that metal or plastic thing is called. I feel like they push everything back into place with it and say o they see nothing wrong. Seems to me that FIRST they should just look themselves without any instruments. Just as we would, you know? I feel it should be a part of procedure that if a woman comes in suspecting pop, the doctor should examen her FIRST by looking and barely spreading simply with her hands. Then do a standing check, you know?

5 I wish more people who had pop reversed would check in here. I certainly know I could use the support. I can't tell right now if I am just fearing pop and need to relax. Or if there's actually a bit of lowering or shifting again.

Sigh. : ) I am not uncomfortable. Just a bit worried.

marric

October 5, 2011 - 2:12pm

Hi Angel -

I have had achiness in my right lower abdomen area for a long time. It eventually got so bad that I had to take a leave of absence from work and I ended up having surgery for a femoral hernia. After the hernia repair, I have continued to have the achiness and wondered if in fact it is a result of pulled ligaments or stretched nerves that are continually being tugged on by my dropping organs. It seems worse during certain times of the month and I just had a very bad bout with pain after not wearing my pessary for a few days (I thought I was ready to go without it and I guess not). Anyway, I can't answer your question about the pain on your right side, but I am curious as to how pop may be contributing to it.

Maybe Louise will chime in with her wonderful words of wisdom.

Marric

marric

October 8, 2011 - 6:12am

Hi Angel2me -

Just wondering how your doctors visit went and if s/he had any thoughts on the achiness in your lower abdomen. You and I are one of the few women on this forum that seem to have this type of pain associated with our prolapse. Any info you have to share will be greatly appreciated.

Marric

Carrie97

October 9, 2011 - 7:52am

I get this alot! Not sure if it's constipation or what. Almost feels like period pain. I get the urge to poo or pass wind but feels like I can't.

Carrie x

louiseds

October 9, 2011 - 8:49am

Hi Ladies

I am sorry, but I really don't know what it could be. Constipation is a possibility, maybe combined with some ligament stretching.

One of the things that I would mention is that I think it took me about five years for my organs to stabilise. I did go through some times when my uterus was off to one side and I felt like my cervix was poking into the side of my vagina. Eventually it all centralised again, albeit a bit lower than before, but if actually felt more comfortable. It has not worsened since then. I think the episiotomy I had with the birth of our first baby did not heal properly, so I think my uterus could sink lower on that left side because of that. Also, the colon comes from the back,goes up the right, across the top and down the left side, before turning towards the spine again, so the abdomen is not really symmetrical anyway. I used to get ovulation pain, which was quite sharp and often one sided, but I have never had constant pain.

It might be worth trying some anticlockwise abdominal massage and see if that makes any difference. I became constipated a couple of weeks ago, and was getting all sorts of odd, occasional, abdominal aches and pains. The anticlockwise massaging was a bit uncomfortable, but seemed to loosen up my gut contents, and got it moving again. No more pain since.

The point of telling you all this is that it could just be a transient thing on your way to finding an equilibrium. Sometimes it gets worse before it gets better. As long as the doctor is telling you there is nothing wrong I would just concentrate on getting through it. Just getting up an having a little walk around might help too.

Carrie97

October 9, 2011 - 12:22pm

I get ovulation pain too. It's just rubbish being a woman. Sometimes it's so bad I feel like someone shoving a knife up my bum.

Carrie x

angel2me

October 11, 2011 - 7:50am

Hello,
Thank you for your input and support. I had a an ultrasound done, two actually. They did one vaginally as well. I should find out this week if anything is going on. Will keep you posted.

Carrie97

October 11, 2011 - 11:08am

I had one done a few yrars ago and then when I was pregnant in 2009/10 going to request another one soon.

Carrie x