Incontinence & Bladder Prolapse

Body: 

Hi folks

I was looking for a little information on this, here on the forum, and I couldn't seem to find what I needed. Maybe someone can help me or send me to the right forum topic.

Over the past few years, I have been having a lot of trouble with bladder infections and incontinence. Now that my symptoms seem to indicate a 'slight prolapse', I am finding things a little different.

Before, I used to know that I had to go. Now, there are times that I don't even realize that I have to go, and I have to force myself to urinate. Other times, I think I don't have to go, and find out that I've 'already gone'. Fortunately, I don't disgrace myself because I have taken to wearing a sanitary napkin 24/7.

My question is: what can I do about this?? I know that the answer I would get from anywhere else would be 'of course -- do your kegels', but I know that this probably is not the right answer here on ww village forum.

Can anyone help me??

Hi w2k - I need some clarification of what's happening. When you say "I don't even realize I have to go and have to force myself to urinate", does that mean you are not feeling any sensation of fullness in the bladder, but you are trying to pee anyway, possibly for convenience sake because you are going out, or something like that? And other times, you have leakage, which you did not feel when it was happening? So put this all together and it sounds like you just aren't feeling anything.

It goes without saying that you need to be making sure you empty the bladder on a regular basis. Getting down on all fours in the shower and just relaxing totally, can help you do this, whether or not you are getting strong sensations to indicate you are actually urinating.

If you try doing a kegel-type of action with your muscles, can you feel that? Does anything happen? Don't do it lying on your back, but rather, with the organs in optimal position and the lumbar curve in place. Trying it thusly should not be detrimental to your prolapse and might help you figure out what's going on down there.

Hoping some others will take a stab at this question! - Surviving

Hi want2know,
Yes I'm alittle unclear too. I understand you have some pee but hadn't realised you had. However I'm not clear about not realizing you need to pee and have to force some urination. In any event, it's clear you have an issue here to some extent, which is a common experience for many women with pop.

What will help is the WW approach. This includes WW posture, WW exercise, good diet, non constipation and leaning forwards whilst on the loo without sitting on the seat with your elbows/hands on your thighs.

There is a very helpful article in the WW blog, called 'the new kegels'. This also has a link to a youtube where the exercises are demonstrated. The new kegels are actually the WW alternative exercises to the tradtional kegels/pelvic floor exercises.

I found it was also very helpful to have a good idea of the principles behind the WW approach. If you're someone who likes to know 'why' about things, you'll probably find the WW 'Saving the WW' very useful. If you're lucky enough to live near a WW teacher or Christine, I would also recommend some 1:1 contact. Once you understand the prinicples behind the approach, it's easy to live your life in a way that supports the pelvic organ support system and in time maintain or perhaps improve your symptoms.

Good luck,
xwholewomanuk

Thank you, Ladies.

I guess I wasn't realizing that these two things actually are working together. In the past, if I took in a lot of fluids, I would soon feel the fullness in my bladder and would quickly find my way to a washroom. I am used to that feeling, but it has been only the last month or so that I realize that this other situation is happening.

Because my body always told me when I had to go, I am expecting it to still do so. This last month or so, there have been times that I know that I have had a lot to drink and SHOULD have to urinate, but there is no feeling of fullness in the bladder. So, as Surviving suggested, I am trying to pee for convenience sake or because I realize that I should be emptying my bladder regularly.

If I wait too long, thinking that I have no need to go (because there is no feeling of fullness), I end up with leakage, which I did not feel while it was happening.

I guess this must be the result of the bladder prolapsing slightly. Probably I will have to set my mind to making sure that I empty out whether I feel I need to or not??

If I do the kegel-type of action with my muscles, I usually feel the fullness in my bladder (now that I think about it), and it would make me need to go. However, contracting those muscles gives me absolutely NO control of the flow.

wholewomanuk: I am definitely working on the ww posture, ww diet & ww exercise. I also plan to get the book "Saving the Whole Woman". I DO like to know 'why' and I am so impressed by all the information I am finding on this website. It is great to find women who have 'been there before me' and can help me avoid some of the traps set for women.

You have both helped me to realize that the situation that I'm now in is a result of the slight prolapse. The lack of feeling of fullness in my bladder just means that I'll have to be extra diligent in making regular washroom trips and making sure that I totally empty my bladder.

I do not live anywhere near a ww teacher or Christine, but I really find it helpful communicating here on the forum and reading all the articles that apply to my situation.

I definitely believe that the ww approach works, and I'm doing everything I can to make it a part of my life.

Thanks
w2k

In the past, before prolapse, I used to go out in the boat with my hubby, fishing all day. As long as he & I were all alone, there's no problem because I can drink all the fluids I want and we would find a place to stop when I needed it.

However, when we would take others with us, I wouldn't drink anything at all so that I would be able to wait until mid-day for a 'pee-break'.

There should be no problem, even now, when hubby and I are out alone, but what would you suggest for the times when others come with us?? Is it likely that I will now suffer from incontinence even if I don't drink anything all day?? Will I be harming myself by 'holding it' if I have urine that has collected in my bladder for 5 or 6 hours?? Should I just stay home??

Please help!!

Well, don't stay home! I'll just tell you what I'd do. I'm not a big drinker of fluids anyway, so I'd see this as a good day not to go crazy with the fluids. Other people need pee-breaks too, so you and hubby should try to work one or two of these into the schedule if at all possible. And if you're really worried about it, wear something protective, in case all else fails. Stay in posture as much as you can and have fun!! - Surviving

I REALLY appreciate your input.

Hubby really needs me to come this time, since I'm his 'fishing partner' and can help him a great deal. We really didn't know what to do. I'll let him know.

Love
w2k

P.S. I was thinking this might be a good opportunity to try 'the posture'

As someone who has a prolapsed bladder, is it better not to drink too many fluids?? I had actually been increasing my fluids to rid my body of toxins and bladder infections. Am I doing the wrong thing??

Thanks
w2k

Hi w2k – Many women who get frequent UTI’s are advised by their doctors to drink lots of liquids to keep the system flushed out and the urine diluted. I don’t get UTI’s so I’ve never discussed this with a medical professional.

I think that the extra liquids simply put more strain on the kidneys, and if there is a problem with emptying, you are still going to have that problem, and that is the problem that needs to be solved. Many of us drink when thirsty and get plenty of water in the course of the day just from normal eating and drinking. If you live in a hot climate and/or are very active and sweat a lot, or if you are breastfeeding, obviously you need extra.

At times I have tried to drink extra water throughout the day, but I just don’t have the motivation. I spend plenty of time in the bathroom as it is.

There are others who believe in more water, and they can have their say. You can also search the forum for past discussions. - Surviving

I probably need to be more cautious especially at the beginning of trying to live with (and correct) prolapse. At times, it seems to put more pressure on my bladder, so I could be causing myself problems.

I only live in a hot climate for a couple of months in the year, and as a person who does not enjoy the heat, I usually stay where it is cool.

Perhaps I should make my fluids last longer -- I mean drink slower -- so that I will not be thirsty so often and will still be able to take in the necessary nutrients.

I'll try to be more conscious of what I'm taking in, because I certainly don't want to cause myself kidney problems as well as bladder problems.

:-)
w2k

w2k, whatever you are doing about fluids in general, I would certainly urge you to limit them if you anticipate having to "hold it" for longer than usual. The one and only time when I have trouble emptying, is when I've been holding my pee for a long time. I can't seem to relax the muscles and it takes me several tries. - Surviving

:-)
w2k

I don't have strong feelings one way or the other- but if you decide to limit water, watch what you eat. You could end up with constipation and that's trouble for prolapse!

Gotta agree with that! I have way more bowel than bladder issues, and whenever I'm facing a situation where bathroom breaks will be limited, I eat very lightly and cautiously (starting the day before, if possible). - Surviving