[ATS]

Hello everyone,

I am currently awaiting a gynae appointment to determine exactly what is going on 'down there' but in the meantime I am doing loads of pelvic floor exercises in the hope that it may relieve some of the pressure. I just wondered if anyone had used a pelvic toner to help with their kegels and if they do indeed help with any sort of prolapse. I am pondering over the Kegelmaster or the Athena but there is quite a price difference although the Athena does the work for you. Not sure if this can be used with a prolapse though! I believe it is my uterus that has dropped as my cervix is just inside my vagina.

Have any of you had surgery to correct a prolapse and could you let me know how it went? Also, how long after you were diagnosed did you get your surgery? I sincerely hope this is completely fixable. The thought of surgery terrifies me but I cannot live like this.

Any comments much appreciated.

Thanks.

[mic]

Hi ATS, and yes, I am in my second week of recovery from surgery for pelvic organ prolapse and it's the best decision I have made. I lived with bladder prolapse for about a year suspecting this in October of 2006 and having it confirmed in January 2007 by my gynecologist. At that point it was a simple in/out surgery for a stitch up of the bladder and no hurry to have the surgery. Over the next few months my vaginal wall prolapsed (wasn't aware of that) and in August 2007 my suggested surgery went from simple to major pelvic reconstructive surgery. My surgery was performed on October 15th and the first week of recovery was slow and a little depressing but now in my second week I'm alive, full of energy and have been given the OK by my doctor to "putter around" the house. I am able to dust, fold wash, do some dishes but no lifting..nothing heavier than a gallon of milk.
I can't tell you how great it feels to stand and not feel like there is a grapefruit hanging between my legs. I can wipe myself after urinating and not have the huge bulge to wipe around. I would highly recommed the TVT (mesh sling) process to anyone with this diagnosis.
Hope your research is successful and you consider all options available. TAKE CARE, MIC

[ATS]

Hi Mic,

Can you tell me what prolapses you had exactly? Since my last posting I have had more problems and I believe my uterus, bladder and bowel are affected. I am totally depressed at the moment and am finding it hard to get up in the morning.

I have two young children who need me and it is incredibly hard to put a brave face on.

Thanks for your reply.

A

[mic]

I am more than happy to give you the details. Three years ago I had an abdominal hysterectomy with the removal of my cervix and uterus due to pelvic varicose veins. Before that surgery the pain was the worst I had in my life. I delivered both my children 100% natural with no pain medicine. If I had to scale the pain from the varicose veins on from 1 (low) to 10 (highest) the number would come in at about 35. After surgery for the hysterectomy there was some minor cramping but the pain level was only only a 2 - I chose not to use pain medication at all. My prolapse consisted of the bladder and vaginal wall with a bulge proceeding out my vaginal about the size of a orange/grapefruit. It was so uncomfortable. The surgery consisted of placing the 3 mesh slings to hold the following: urethra, bladder, and vaginal wall. It was a vaginal surgery with small incisions in the crease of my groin and two small incisions on my buttocks. The incisions in my groin were glued and the 2 on the buttocks were stitched. They aren't painful and have begun to heal because they are itching which is a sign of healing. I have been in verbal contact with another woman who had the surgery performed to correct the placement of all her organs: bladder, uterus, and bowel and she is doing quite well and very happy she decided to have the surgery. I strongly suggest you speak directly with your doctor and ask questions. Find out how the surgery will be performed and what will be done to correct the prolapses. The surgery and recovery period have far outweighed the pain and discomfort from the prolapses and I am truly happy that I decided to have the surgery...it has changed my life in a very good way. TAKE CARE and please feel free to ask questions.
Mic

[old gold]

hi, i have severe constipation, rectocele,cystocle &enercele,do the pelvic toners work ? athena is something i am interested in. i also just had internal/external hemmeroidectomy which destroyed my sphincter muscels. alot of pain.