Longstanding Cystocele - arthritis and bladder emptying

Submitted by nevergiveup on October 15, 2015 - 2:47am
Body: 

I'm 64, have had a cystocele for over 25 yrs. During this time only relatively minor discomfort until a few months ago when I got more severe symptoms (and probably more 'celes!) Main problem was sciatica type pain in backside, lower back pain (on and off for years), general discomfort and increasing difficulty fully emptying bladder. Have always been very active but am underweight with a few (mildish as yet) problems with arthritis. My concern is that adopting the posture might aggravate any tendency to arthritis in my spine and how easy is it going to be at my age transforming myself from a beanpole into a shapely lumbar curve without problems arising? I have been trying to do the posture and sometimes I'm ok with it and other times my upper back aches so much I feel I need to lie down there and then but perhaps that's quite normal?

The other thing is bladder emptying. If I try the rocking forward approach, it's very effective but it leaves me with a strangury type pain like a spasm afterwards for quite some time. I'm desperate to avoid UTIs/antibiotics and use herbs/homoeopathy/preventive measures as much as poss but have had to take antibiotics when a UTI spiralled into serious kidney infection. So faced with a dilemma, do I try and really empty well just once a day to reduce the incidence of spasm or do I need to really empty thoroughly on every occasion. Any feedback/advice would be very gratefully received. Thank you.

Forum:

Surviving60

October 15, 2015 - 5:19am

Hi nevergiveup and welcome to the forum. I think that you are on the right track. Don't force the posture, just relax your belly and keep your chest lifted and let the lumbar curvature re-establish itself on its own. I started this work at 60 and I don't believe at that age we can restore as much of the curvature as a younger person could, but enough to manage prolapse and help our hips and spine stay healthy. So take it slowly and do expect some occasional soreness as you get used to it....especially with the arthritis.

If you are thoroughly emptying at least once a day, you should be OK. You can do it on hands and knees if necessary - may be less likely to cause a spasm.

We all do this work in our own way and at our own pace.....it is a journey with lots of self-discovery along the way! We are always here to help. - Surviving

nevergiveup

October 15, 2015 - 10:19am

Thank you Surviving. Your comments are really helpful. It's literally such a learning curve! Quite difficult to remember to relax the belly all the time too but really important, I'm sure. It's such a whole body thing really, isn't it, not just about what's going on in the pelvic organs.

wholewomanUK

October 18, 2015 - 11:32am

The WW work and way takes time, patience & engagement with the posture, exercises & lifestyle. It's a holistic approach. Fortunately we've got time on our side and literally have the rest of our lives to pursue this work - or rather what becomes a way of life.

Work gently within your comfort zones, but nt so much that no work is done. I wonder if you have the dvd 1st Aid for prolpse for elders. It's a lovely gentle session for those who find the more energetic and challenging dvd's too much. I found doing regular WW exercises made a significant difference re my improvement and management of pop.

The bottom line is that we have to engage with this work for it to have a chance to work! Women have to do it to benefit from it. So do it gently but surely and no doubt you'll notice that you improve in time. resting when you want or need to is, I think, fine to do if you're able. I know I used to get very tired when my pop symptoms were worse. Not sure why; physical, psychological?.. In any case, resting when I could she/if I felt tired felt great.

Best of luck, wholewomanukx

nevergiveup

October 19, 2015 - 2:55am

Thank you for this advice. I am concentrating firstly on mastering the posture and incorporating it totally into my daily life. I can manage the breathing into the midriff when lying down but struggle when standing or sitting but will persevere. I have the regular First Aid DVD but not the one for Elders. I am generally mobile and active (I live on a smallholding) so hope that in time I can start on some of the exercises. If they prove too challenging then I will certainly think about getting the Elders DVD.

Surviving60

October 19, 2015 - 4:09am

I would recommend the First Wheel yoga DVD for you! - Surviving