Can you stand 2 more questions from me?!?

Submitted by TDBC on November 17, 2012 - 6:38am
Body: 

I have been trying out the posture -- although I'm not convinced I have it correct. I think I'll just have to continue to experiment.

Here are my questions:

1) I know you're not supposed to bear down at all, but it seems to be the only way I can get all the urine out -- even when I'm sitting in the correct posture on the toilet (leaning forward, bottom lifted). Will this resolve when I get more proficient with the posture? In the meantime, is it really horrible? I don't feel like I have another option.

2) My sense of urinary frequency is upsetting to me (more because I'm fearful that it's something more sinister than a prolapse) and I'm finding everyone's reassurance very helpful as I wait for my appointment. My question is: the sense of having to pee is less in my bladder and more in my urethra. Often, when I feel the slight sensation of having to go, I notice in only very low (almost in my anterior vagina -- but not actually in my vagina, more just behind the mons (does that even make sense). Is this consistent with prolapse?

Thank you all SO much. Clearly this is causing me a lot of distress....

Forum:

TDBC

November 17, 2012 - 9:10am

I was just in the bathroom and decided to feel if there was any change in my cystocele. I didn't notice anything different there, but there's ANOTHER bulge. It's more posterior. What on earth is THAT?? I can feel my cervix fine and it seems closed and there's nothing protruding. Does it sound like a rectal prolapse? Can that contribute to urinary frequency as well? My appointment can't come soon enough....

Please tell me this is nothing awful. I am about to lose my mind.

Surviving60

November 17, 2012 - 9:23am

Relax and take a deep breath. You will be fine. Yes, cystocele and rectocele very often go hand in hand. I have both, and this helps to support the vagina and keep the cervix from coming further towards the opening. So, from this point on, assume that you have both, and stop checking yourself. It’s only causing more stress and this is such a vicious cycle. It doesn’t matter which prolapses you have, or what “grades” your doctor wants to assign to them (they move and change constantly anyway). WW posture is the treatment.

If you have to bear down in order to get all the pee out, that’s not only bad for prolapse but also puts you in peril of UTI’s. Please try doing it on all fours if you haven’t already. Relax all of your muscles and give yourself all the time you need. I’ve always had a kind of weak trickle myself, but can’t imagine bearing down……Do whatever is necessary to tip your body to the correct angle. Get down on all fours, jiggle your organs into your belly, take a few good firebreaths to pull your organs further out of the way, then relax and see if you can get it all out. - Surviving

TDBC

November 17, 2012 - 9:48am

Sigh. I am so devastated.

So you think the bulge in the posterior part of my vagina is likely a rectocele? Can that affect urinary frequency if it occurs with a cystocele? I guess I'm just wondering if the rectocele is a new development and is what is contributing to my increased symptoms from the cystocele.

I had a 4th-degree tear when my son was born 10.5 years ago -- I suppose that probably increased my risk for all types of prolapses (he was also 9.5 lbs).

Surviving60

November 17, 2012 - 11:41am

TDBC, you need to relax and curl up with a copy of Saving the Whole Woman. We have all been in your shoes, and the discovery isn't an easy one. But life goes on and you realize how small prolapse can be in the great scheme of things, if you get your mind and body to grasp onto a solution. Have you actually tried the posture yet? - Surviving

MsNightingale

November 17, 2012 - 11:54am

You are not alone in all your feelings of panic and devastation. Listen now to our dear Surviving. She words all of this so beautifully. You will be okay and yes, life will move on and it will all be okay. Stop checking yourself, check your posture instead. Give yourself some time and yes, it is the posture that will become your friend, your body, your mission. It is the hope that we hang on to and it is the answer for most of us. It takes a bit of time, do not be scared, just pull up your chest, relax your tummy, order the book and the prolapse dvd for starters and take your time with it, savouring it all to make it your own. Do not worry how many times you post. These wonderful women are there for all of us....no, all of us are there for all of us. This is a new beginning believe it or not, and you will grow enormously in ways that you can hardly realize. Love and best wishes to you!

Surviving60

November 17, 2012 - 12:09pm

So beautifully stated as always, Ms N. We can only offer encouragement and our own personal stories. Each of us had to accept this into our lives and learn to trust it and work with it. We can help you get started, TDBC, but the effort has to come from you. The sooner you stop panicking and start working on this, the sooner you'll have your life back. - Surviving

Aussie Soul Sister

November 17, 2012 - 4:27pm

Dear TDBC,
I've been doing WWP for about 6mths now, about the same time as our lovely Ms Nightingale, and wonderful Surviving 60 has much WW experience. I have had rectocele for nigh 17yrs & had a panic when I found the forum, as I thought everything was going south, and received priceless support here. However confronting it is at the time, rest in our cyber advice & love & (((hugs))), & read as much as you can. We are here with you in your journey...
Best wishes & (((hugs)))
Aussie Soul Sis

fab

November 17, 2012 - 4:59pm

Dear TDBC,

The next time you feel it necessary to bear down when urinating, try taking a breather and gently massage the middle of your lower stomach from your navel down to your pelvic bone. Just up and down. Sometimes that urge will go, other times you will do a little more urine without having to bear down. I think sometimes the sphincter gets kind of locked.

best wishes, Fab

TDBC

November 18, 2012 - 7:21am

Thank you all so much. I never would have imagined feel so upset over this. I think the loss of "normalcy" down there must touch something very primal in us.

I *have* been working on the posture -- although I find it much easier when sitting than standing. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but it seems so contrary to everything I've learned about good posture all my life!

Surviving60

November 18, 2012 - 1:38pm

Yes TDBC, it's the opposite of what we've been taught to think of as "good" posture. So it sounds to me like you must be doing it right. One day real soon, you may wonder how you stood any other way! - S60