Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Support Thread - Page 74

[jinxymama]

Hi Again,

So 24 hours later, I feel like I've been talked down off the cliff. :) After I posted my laments about my depressing (seemingly hopeless) condition, I found the Hab-it website and blog again and started reading. It gave me great encouragement again to try the exercises and be aware of my posture and activity level. So today, I consciously took note of my posture, avoided any heavy lifting (even abstaining from lifting my 42lb 3yo on/off the potty - she's fully capable!!), and did my Hab-it workout. I feel like I have hope again. I know it's only been one day, but I feel like taking this proactive approach (albeit difficult and tiresome at first) will pay off big time in the long run. 

Hatchling - I want to thank you so much for your encouragement! I too am not a fan of Western Medicine and would try just about anything before considering surgery. I hope and pray I never need surgery ever again (the ones I DID have were somewhat elective - def not life-threatening). And like I said, after reading some of Tasha's blog and Q/A, I was highly encouraged that I can actively take charge of my destiny (so to speak) and correct my situation by creating healthier habits (but MAN that posture thing is hard and tiring!)

Anyway, not sure if you've read any of her posts, but here's a great one on posture: http://hab-it.com/blog/?p=319

And her comparison of her program vs. Whole Woman: http://hab-it.com/blog/?p=212

And a YouTube video of how to have correct neutral spine posture (taken from the DVD - which I wish everyone could have!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcTEUKp7zsY

She really does provide a lot of great info for free. It's worth checking out!

After all my reading (including your reply, Hatchling) I agree that this issue of prolapse (and diastasis recti - which I also have to a small degree) are definitely a result of poor habits, perhaps compounded by other factors, but are more a lifestyle problem than anything else. I also think we (as humans) want to choose the path of least resistance and therefore do not want to put forth the effort to 'fix' the problem ourselves. But I know it'll be worth it. 

Please keep me updated on your progress. Would love to hear how you come along. 

PS thanks for the tips on the exercises! I live in the SW US (desert) and have amazing weather right now (low 80s today) so walking is a perfect activity for me and the kiddos! ;)

[Moonspinner]

The almost 10,000 women on the Whole Woman site are beyond wonderful and supportive. Whole Woman was around long before Tasha and Katy, in the days when no one else was calling for an end to a surgical specialty (urogynecology) that performs surgery based on anatomical misconception. To say that the women at WW would blame another woman for developing prolapse is pure fantasy. Unfortunately, WW has strong opposition (due to inevitable political, emotional, etc. factors) and there are people actively working against what Whole Woman has brought to the world. It is such a pity that not only does WW have to confront a surgical system that truly does not know the error of its ways, but it has to be dogged by certain women who hold grudges of their own making.

In any case, please learn about how your body truly works! Tasha teaches a "neutral" pelvis - the science of which has been completely debunked. Unfortunately, the army of PTs who bought into the theory are so invested in it that they cannot let it go.This is not about anybody's particular exercise programs or products, but that you have a human female genetic structure that works best within certain biomechanical parameters. 

[hatchling]

@ Jinxymama: Yes, go walk! I can't wait for the weekend. It is supposed to warm up quite a bit. Still cold, but at least exposed skin won't freeze in 7-10 min.! 80

Full disclosure here, I am using the whole woman's suggestion on posture. I am not fully sure where I found the advice on the other exercises, but they sounded good and easy. It is hard to keep it, esp. while nursing or just going around the house. It hurts while walking until your muscles get retrained to hold things in place. I have found that when I forget, those muscles remind me.

Moonspinner, I am not sure if you are referring to something I said or something from  the previous post to yours? I know that somewhere online, the blame WAS put on the woman (not just someone accusing someone about saying it)...it was all the fault of the one who owned the body...but I really don't know where I read that. Wherever it was, it sure was offensive at the time. I have to agree to some extent, though, we do choose what we do and how we do it, and as Jinxymama said, we tend to take the easy way out. Sometimes the truth hurts. The other side of it though, is older women knowing and never passing on knowledge that this can happen and those who have had success beating it, not passing that knowledge on So, we collectively can take the blame. Our responsibility in all of this is then to figure out what works and encourage others not to give up, but fight to get better, and then TELL others how to prevent/heal their problem.

Anyway, I am glad that I am seeing some relief. It is nice. I plan to fight, as I said, until I am not able to. I guess that means until I die. lol Thanks for the feedback, Jinxymama. I am glad that I can inspire someone else. I am still very new to this all, but if nothing else is accomplished in my ongoing saga here, I am encouraged to be used to help others on their way.

I think accusatory comments are best left alone. I have a feeling that the arguments will never end, considering that nobody agrees. Positive, supportive comments are more productive for all.

[jinxymama]

Hi Moonspinner (aka Christine Kent :) I'm sorry if I offended you (or anyone else) by anything that I said. I'm still not sure if you were just making a blanket statement or were directing your comment to me or anyone in particular. I highly, highly value everything you have done / are doing to educate everyone on this all-important topic. I also highly value others that are trying to make a difference, as well. I think Hatchling said it best:

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatchling 

Now, I feel like there must be a balance in all of the advice that everyone (who's selling something) gives. Everyone is right...everything works, but not everything works for everyone just the same...sometimes it makes it all worse! I can't afford one thing, let alone many DVDs or books. I don't know what advice I can trust, not even if it is from a physiotherapist because they can't agree either. 

I also think education and support for one another is vital, and in my most recent post, I was simply trying to educate people on things I found helpful, which is the point of this thread. I know I am already super encouraged by what I've read from other contributors and have hope again. (That's HUGE!!) No one in my circle of friends have issues with this, and my mom (one of my best friends/confidants) is pushing me towards surgery. 

You all are helping me see the light. Thank you!!!

[EsteyBomberger]

I completely commend your decision to seek alternatives to surgery for your POP. If you look on this website women are facing irreparable complications from their mesh and bladder slings. You're at risk for loss of copulation, damage to your internal organs, scarring etc. The FTC announced that even multiple surgeries may not fix the damage the sling can cause. Thousands of women are filing settlements against the companies that produce mesh, but a large sum of money couldn't replace a quality of life. 

http://www.ctvnews.ca/more-women-describe-transvaginal-mesh-problems-1.803061

That article holds some good information talking about what kind of women and problems are best suited for mesh or surgical intervention. But of course there is always a risk with such a serious procedure

[Alenushka]

Insurance will cover visit and treatment t the Pelvic Floor Clinic. Any large hospital  will have one nearby. They do a wonderful job with biofeedback training. Ifall fails, surgery to pelvic organ prolapse can be very effective and life changing. Sometime conservative treatment is not enougth