New to Whole Woman

Submitted by BelieveInHope on January 12, 2017 - 11:15am
Body: 

Hi, I'm new to Whole Woman, I'm 60 years old and was diagnosed about a year & a half ago with bladder prolapse. I was referred by my regular gynecologist to a uro-gynecologist. Not sure I even like my uro-gyn, but he's really the only uro-gyn in town to my knowledge. He fitted me with a pessary and I've worn it now for probably 6 months, even leaving it in for days at a time because it was so comfortable and I never had any issues. More recently though, I was having some dryness and I know from my urinalysis that the pessary had been rubbing the inner wall/tissue of the vagina which I became very concerned about. When I asked the uro-gyno what might I use to help like a moisture cream with the pessary, his nurse said he likes to prescribe estrogen cream. I immediately declined. Somehow I got on line and started looking for information on prolapse, any help I could find, a more natural approach because I just know that my uro-gyno will suggest surgery, probably mesh or a hysterectomy at some point. So, I found this site, Whole Woman, and I am so ever grateful to Christine and her amazing techniques and admire her for all the work she has done to help not only herself but to help all of us. So many of us have some type of prolapse or will in our lifetimes and I know many of us do not want surgery. Just recently though I was having some pain and discomfort on my right side of my body, around the area of the gallbladder and it would radiate down to the appendix. So, I told my GP and she ordered an ultrasound. The ultrasound revealed a cyst on my liver and she wanted to do further study and ordered a CT scan of that area including the abdomen too which i had done today. I have been wondering if my prolapse has worsened and wondering if this might cause pain and uncomfortable body aches, tugs, etc. I am now worried about the CT scan results. Anyway, my question is to anyone who might care to answer is, should I go to my uro-gynecologist that prescribed the pessary and have him check to see if my prolapse has worsened and just see what he says? If i do, and he says surgery is needed, I know right away I will want to say no. So I'm wondering if I go back to him at all because althogh I would like to know if my prolapse has gotten worse and there is nothing else wrong with me, I still will not want to go with his recommendations of any type of surgery - that is what he does for a living - the whole mesh thing, hysterectomies, etc. Then do I tell him about my natural method of managing it myself etc --- I have an appt with my uro-gynecologist next week and just wondering if I should go at all. I know I do not want any surgery, yet from a medical standpoint I wouldn't mind knowing if it's worsened or I have any other organs that have prolapsed. I just know though that his recommendations to make things better (in his mind) will involve surgery and that's not something I want unless it's absolutely necessary as in cancer.

As for the Whole Woman posture and everything I am learning, I am very happy to say I am actually noticing improvement with my bladder prolapse. I do have to remind myself of the posture and to keep doing it all through the day, but I am noticing improvement. I love the Whole Woman techniques and program. I bought the book, videos, and am starting the exercise program. So grateful to Christine for all her work - ever grateful. I also purchased a "hide-away" prolapse support garment and just started wearing it today - really like it so far, definitely adds a feeling a support that my underclothing never did. As of right now, I am not wearing my pessary, I have not been wearing it for over a week now since I discovered WW and things are pretty good, accept I notice I was able to urinate much better with the pessary than without it at this point. Now I feel as if my bladder is kinked more so without the pessary so I don't feel I empty the bladder completely, but other than this, I am fine not wearing it. I am practicing Christine's technique of emptying the bladder in the bathtub on all 4's and that seems to really help. Honestly I do not feel comfortable having a foreign object in me, referring to the pessary and will do anything I can to avoid it.

I'm so glad to be here among all of you. I hope to learn how to post appropriately and in the right areas of the forums. So glad to connect with others who are dealing with similar issues. It's great having this support and a place to all gather and share our experiences. So glad to be here, blessings to you all.

Forum:

Surviving60

January 12, 2017 - 6:05pm

Hi Believing and welcome to WW. Regarding your urogyn appointment - well, only you can decide. I personally would never choose to seek out the advice of a surgeon when it comes to my pelvic organs. You don't particularly need his opinion either. The pelvic organs are always on the move; where they are today might not be where they are on the day you see the surgeon. The short answer is, if you are smart enough to avoid surgery, there is no need to go and see a surgeon. That being said, if you feel better keeping the appointment, do it. But you seem to be on the right track with your posture work. Have you learned fire-breathing yet? That is a must for all kinds of prolapse. The support garment is, in my opinion, not necessary or helpful for a garden-variety cystocele. That is more for a heavier uterine prolapse where the cervix is actually protruding and extra support is helpful and reassuring at times, especially when you are early on in the WW work. But a cystocele is just a bulge in the vaginal wall, cause by the bladder which is behind the wall. Keep up the good work! - Surviving

BelieveInHope

January 24, 2017 - 11:00am

Thank you so much! I cancelled my appointment with my urogynecologist and am doing the WW workouts. I'm trying the fire breathing too. It's all helping & I'm enjoying the exercises, very relaxing.

I have decided to give up the pessary or at least give it a try without it. I was concerned about irritation from it, I also had a difficult time removing it & the bulge did not seem any better while wearing it. Wasn't even sure I was wearing it properly. I'm feeling really good about managing this myself with the help of the WW program. Love this site and being surrounded by everyone here, love the support and & help we can offer each other. Feeling blessed & not alone! Thank you again!

Surviving60

January 25, 2017 - 4:23am

Hi BIH and thanks for checking back. Make sure you are doing the workouts in correct WW posture, and concentrate on staying in that posture as you go throughout your day. I can personally assure you that it does become automatic after a time; but if you're like me, you'll always have to remain somewhat mindful. Which to me is a good thing. Be patient with yourself. You will have your ups and downs. It DOES work. - Surviving