BMW Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 I am definitely considering a procedure where a mesh sling supports my bladder. I am really going to have to purchase depends if I get a bad cough... I am affected by leaking when I exercise and when I sneeze a few times. The gyn asked me if I do kegels... Honestly, I think I might do those a few times a week, at the most. She said I need to do them often, every day. I told her that I am really not interested in having this challenge for the rest of my life... I am only 41 and I sure hope to live for the next 30 years to love on my family... She listened to me and did refer me to the surgeon. I have only known one lady, over 65, who had this done. It was quick, simple and did the trick. Any of you have experience with this??? Recommendations??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whereneverever Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 First- I would try Kegels multiple times a day, every day. It may fix it, and it's less invasive then surgery! And if after a few months of regular Kegeling (is that a word?) things aren't better, then you know you need to move forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sputterduck Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 My aunt did and they told her no vigorous exercise ever again. Several years later, she didn't think that pilates was vigorous enough to count. :( She ripped whatever was holding it up, or that's how she explained it. It was a bad idea for her because it was too limiting. She is lively and active and so it didn't last. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMW Posted November 17, 2010 Author Share Posted November 17, 2010 I didn't think about that... the exercise. I don't LIKE to exercise, but I NEED to. If I am to live for many years to come, I will need to keep "moving"! I hate to deal with this problem, though! I feel the need to wear depends to exercise NOW!! Have there been any changes in the procedure since your Aunt's experience? Hmmm... I will be playing tennis with my children for years to come... I will be chasing grandchildren around playgrounds... But, I want a procedure to help my challenge! AAAAH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 I do kegels. They are part of my weekday exercise routine that I do 4 days a week. I do 2 sets of 20. I hold each one for 10 seconds. With a short break between each set. I'm going to add more to my routine. I've only recently had kegels incorporated into my regular exercise. I used to do them sporadically. Then, I read a book about aging that said kegels should be considered part of your regular strength training routine. Doing kegels are not the quick fix you are looking for, but they are not invasive and the one post about never exercising again is just scary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandalwood Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 I pm'd you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Never had it done, but I'm wondering if I'll need one after this baby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotherMayI Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 I had this procedure in June after the advice from other boardies to first try PT. The PT did not work for me, but it was good to learn that I was doing Kegals incorrectly and I learned the correct way to do them. There is actually a Continence Center here where I went through a battery of tests. (Embarassing..tests...but informative) My recovery was virtually pain free. I did have to wear a catheter for several days following the procedure- which was a pain, but it was worth the trade-off to have bladder control. I am free to exercise, cough, sneeze, and laugh as much as I want and I haven't even had a dribble (sorry TMI) of leakage since the surgery. I do want to say that I went to another physician prior to finding the CC and even before examining me he started to talk to my about getting a hysterectomy:001_huh: while he was in there as many times if the bladder is sagging so is the uterus. He then did a brief exam and said I didn't need the hysterectomy, but I was a good candidate for the surgery. I left feeling like I didn't have enough "evidence" that I needed the surgery- that is when I sought out the Continence Center. Sorry to ramble...I just think that going to the CC settled all my fears and doubts. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions. I feel like myself again and I have no regrets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 (edited) After doing Kegels most of my adult life (I was a childbirth educator for many years), I ended up getting a sling bladder suspension. Kegels can strengthen the muscles. However, if the connective tissue that helps support the pelvic organs has deteriorated (this can be from birth injury, a large number of pregnancies, heredity, age related estrogen loss), you can do a million kegels and it won't do much. For me, while it (the surgery) seemed to take care of my stress incontinence (sneezing, coughing, stubbing my toe), it gave me urge incontinence (I get the urge to go at inconvenient times like turning the key off the ignition when I get home and often don't make it to the bathroom.) Before considering surgery, I would ask for a referral to a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor health. Someone may say that they do this kind of work, but if they are doing shoulder rehab and the like, they may have just attended a seminar and see this as another stream of income. You want someone who does only this. If PT does not fix the problem, you might consider the surgery. I would make sure I saw a urogynecologist, not just any gyno who attended a seminar. Urnogynecologists specialize in these problems and are more familiar with things that can go wrong. I've seen gyno's start doing this as a way to make money, but didn't really do a full work up to see if the surgery was really warranted, nor did they see if there were other appropriate therapies. Here is a link with some info. ETA: I was put on exercise restriction and no lifting for 12 weeks after the surgery (mostly because I had other pelvic repairs that were more invasive.) Once that was lifted, I went back to normal activities. I exercise quite a bit - walking 10 miles a week, weight lift 2 times a week, rock climbing, pilates.) None of these has negatively impacted my repair. Edited November 17, 2010 by dirty ethel rackham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotherMayI Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 My aunt did and they told her no vigorous exercise ever again. Several years later, she didn't think that pilates was vigorous enough to count. :( She ripped whatever was holding it up, or that's how she explained it. It was a bad idea for her because it was too limiting. She is lively and active and so it didn't last. I had the procedure and I only had exercise restrictions placed on me for the first 8 weeks after surgery. Although I do not exercise much at this time- I am free to exercise as vigorously as I wish. I am wondering if they have made the surgery more safe since your aunt's surgery? Did she need to go back for reconstructive surgery after the rip? Ouch! That is scary! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 I've been doing kegels seriously since August and I'm seeing results. I do thirty long slow ones a day and thirty quick squeezes. I tend to do them without counting when I'm reading or driving in addition. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sputterduck Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 I had the procedure and I only had exercise restrictions placed on me for the first 8 weeks after surgery. Although I do not exercise much at this time- I am free to exercise as vigorously as I wish. I am wondering if they have made the surgery more safe since your aunt's surgery? Did she need to go back for reconstructive surgery after the rip? Ouch! That is scary! Maybe they did improve it! She didn't have it redone. She wears two pessaries now, one for her bladder and one for her bowel coming through. Poor woman, they cut her from stem to stern when she was having one of her children. 4th degree incision opened her up right into her bowel to get my cousin out. I am soooooo glad they didn't cut me and I didn't tear having my son! My muscles still have some integrity down there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BakersDozen Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 After my last baby I couldn't even walk without soaking a huge pad, and I limited my water intake for an hour and used the bathroom twice before going out for a walk! Then I started to jog and within 2 weeks my bladder was fine. This last pregnancy I jogged until 34 weeks and didn't have a single issue with my bladder during or after pregnancy. So I don't know if that is an option for you or if it would even work but I am so glad I discovered that before I looked into any procedures! Just a thought... I don't do Kegels at all (not intentionally, I just forget!). ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 This is why I'll probably be running my marathon in a diaper. I'd get the surgery if I didn't need to exercise so much! Disappointing! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Oh, that poor woman!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Well, I only have 7 (:lol::lol::lol:--now that's something I don't say all that often!) but I've always done my kegels and I have no problems. PLUS, they make tea time so much better. :001_smile: Do your kegels. Elevator going up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaillardia Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Well, I only have 7 (:lol::lol::lol:--now that's something I don't say all that often!) but I've always done my kegels and I have no problems. PLUS, they make tea time so much better. :001_smile: Do your kegels. Elevator going up! :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMW Posted November 18, 2010 Author Share Posted November 18, 2010 When I run, I leak. When I sneeze more than once, I leak. When I cough (a sick cough), I leak a lot. I do kegels sometimes, but also forget. I exercise and ignore the leak and then shower. I don't know... I feel like if this is what it is like at 41, what hope is there when I am 50? 60? As mentioned, I will have to get depends if I get a cough this winter. I wonder if there are procedures (or if they have changed!) that enable you to run and exercise just as much... ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tricia Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Hi Bee. I've had 12 kids so far. I don't have this issue but I think it is only because I did do the kegal thing. If I spelled that right. Anyway, I have homebirths and my midwives were always on me to do them. So I did. Just because I must have thought it would result in a safer delivery. Anyway, I really don't think it's too late to practice using those muscles. Even if you only do them while going to the bathroom that would help a bunch. From what I understand those muscles are easily strengthened. Maybe because they are so easily stretched!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMW Posted November 18, 2010 Author Share Posted November 18, 2010 My appt. is on the 30th (with a gyn specialist who does the procedure). I promise to faithfully focus on kegels. Every day. I will try for 3 sessions and then whenever I think about it. Will that be enough time to know if it is helping? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaissezFaire Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 I read an article awhile back that said Kegels are completely ineffective. http://mamasweat.blogspot.com/2010/05/pelvic-floor-party-kegels-are-not.html So I am sort of on the fence over whether to even do them. I have the same issue as your do now and then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Wilhelm Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 My Mother had 8 kids... big kids..... and just recently had to have a pessary inserted into the vagina. Now, granted, she is 82....but she said that it has helped a lot...not completely, but alot. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delaney Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 My first was face up and I ripped ALL the way and had a 4th degree. After that 5 third degrees. I can't jump, cough, squat, laugh...whatever on a moderately full bladder. This has been since I had number 1 at age 27. How the heck do you tell if you are doing them right? I have limited feeling from all the scar tissue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaners Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 This hasn't been my own personal experience, but I have read stories from a few different exercising women who did kegels with no effect. They (all four of them) said they were almost instantly better after a chiro visit. Something was misaligned down there and it kept the muscles from holding everything in place. I've never been to a chiropractor myself. I do think there is something to the theory though, because my second was born sunny side up and I wore pads for ages after that. I was a little worried about how things would be after my third was born. He's only three months old and I was able to run with NO leakage at 6 weeks. I haven't done kegels on a regular basis at all. That makes me think pelvic alignment (or tilt, which that blog link in a PP talks about) is also a contributing factor. Now if I could fix my diastatis I'd be all set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyNellen Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 A very good friend had this done three weeks ago (she's in her 40's). She has exercise restrictions for 8 weeks and then should be able to resume her aerobics class. She is very pleased thus far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in OK Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Ditto Lisa. I was just about to post the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smrtmama Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Pelvic prolapse surgery is a HUGE deal and it's often not a permanent fix. I'd strongly urge you to check out Saving the Whole Woman. It has an array of pelvic floor exercises and lifestyle changes that don't have the risks of surgery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Hey, let's play finish this sentence. After having several children.............I don't jump on the trampoline anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotherMayI Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 How the heck do you tell if you are doing them right? I have limited feeling from all the scar tissue. When I did them before I went to the PT apparently I was pushing out rather than "pulling in". The only way I really was able to do them correctly was to lay on my back on the floor with my knees bent and suck my stomach as if I am trying to hit the floor with it. I suppose you could do something similar sitting up. They didn't help me, but the PT thought I had nerve damage from delivering my children...sounds like you do too...Frustrating isn't it?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotherMayI Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Maybe they did improve it! She didn't have it redone. She wears two pessaries now, one for her bladder and one for her bowel coming through. Poor woman, they cut her from stem to stern when she was having one of her children. 4th degree incision opened her up right into her bowel to get my cousin out. I am soooooo glad they didn't cut me and I didn't tear having my son! My muscles still have some integrity down there. That hurts just reading about it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 My aunt did and they told her no vigorous exercise ever again. Several years later, she didn't think that pilates was vigorous enough to count. :( She ripped whatever was holding it up, or that's how she explained it. To do Pilates you're supposed to be contracting that area pretty much the whole time you're doing the exercises. Instead of just kegeling, you might consider a Pilates class - you'd be surprised how much Pilates can tighten up the abdominal area - inside and out! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Hey, let's play finish this sentence. After having several children.............I don't jump on the trampoline anymore. :iagree: I've had stress incontinence since I was about 20-21 year old! Like others, I leak when I run, jump on the trampoline, jump at all, cough, sneeze too much, etc. My midwife told me I was doing kegels correctly and that my muscles seemed plenty strong enough. I've had an OB say the same thing. Still leak though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMW Posted November 18, 2010 Author Share Posted November 18, 2010 Well... I DID jump on the trampoline... and my kids had hysterical laughter... we ALL did... I was soaked. I could hardly get to the shower, we were all laughing so hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotherMayI Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 My appt. is on the 30th (with a gyn specialist who does the procedure). I promise to faithfully focus on kegels. Every day. I will try for 3 sessions and then whenever I think about it. Will that be enough time to know if it is helping? It should be enough time to see some change. As far as your exercise is concerned. I have played full-court physical basketball since my surgery and had no pain, no leakage, and for the first time in years was able to concentrate on just playing. I coached my son's team last year and I could not play with the boys if I forgot to wear a huge pad (not depends-I refused!). I have actually peed my pants at least twice when running after my dog, and playing an aggressive:tongue_smilie:game of tetherball! I really don't think that this surgery will impede your ability to exercise. Today I had to sprint to my car because of the down-pour and not a trickle:D...I could never have done that without the surgery! I would grill the doctor on this part. Please update after your appointment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotherMayI Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Well... I DID jump on the trampoline... and my kids had hysterical laughter... we ALL did... I was soaked. I could hardly get to the shower, we were all laughing so hard. I mentioned a tetherball incident above. I was playing my husband and I was getting a bit too competitive. I told him I had to stop or I would pee my pants- my kids were jumping on the trampoline right by us and they started chanting PEE YOUR PANTS! PEE YOUR PANTS! So I kicked my dh's butt while peeing my pants (and then I ran to the house to change. TMI again, but we all had a huge laugh about it. Do we need a poll- Have you ever peed your pants in front of your dh?:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarrow Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Check out the whole woman website. If you choose to have surgery, you should be informed of the risks. I went to PT with someone who specializes in pelvic floor issues. You can also get a pessary to wear from your gyn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Any of you have experience with this??? Recommendations??? It was not a big deal, I recovered well, I try to still do my Kegels, and mine was sinking before I had one child. A whole pack of children is not needed to get this. You will be amazed at what decent bladder control can do for a lady. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laundrycrisis Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 (edited) I read an article in Discover magazine about this procedure going wrong when the mesh didn't do what it was supposed to do and embedded in a woman's internal organs. I scanned it for someone and so I have it in my regular email. If you would like me to send it to you, PM me your email address. I will be offline for the next two days though. I have also been doing squats, not kegels, since reading this: http://mamasweat.blogspot.com/2010/05/pelvic-floor-party-kegels-are-not.html I came back to add - the squats are working !!!! ;) Edited November 18, 2010 by laundrycrisis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardening momma Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 I read an article awhile back that said Kegels are completely ineffective. http://mamasweat.blogspot.com/2010/05/pelvic-floor-party-kegels-are-not.html So I am sort of on the fence over whether to even do them. I have the same issue as your do now and then. How the heck do you tell if you are doing them right? I have limited feeling from all the scar tissue. I have 2 kids and occasionally leak when I cough or sneeze. That's when I know to do kegels again (I know I should do them much more often...). It definitely works for me. One way you can figure out if you're doing it right is by trying to stop your pee when you're on the toilet (after you start to go). That's the muscle you need to use for kegels (if you don't have anything else wrong with your pelvic area). If you can't stop it, just keep trying every time you go. Eventually you should be able to do it. If you can only slow it down to a dribble, keep working on it daily. Once you can stop your pee, you're in good shape. Then you should be able to feel which muscle it is and be able to do it at other times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 My ob said 300 kegels a day. That's all folks. :auto: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2abcd Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Kegels can strengthen the muscles. However, if the connective tissue that helps support the pelvic organs has deteriorated (this can be from birth injury, a large number of pregnancies, heredity, age related estrogen loss), you can do a million kegels and it won't do much. .... Before considering surgery, I would ask for a referral to a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor health. This is very true. I am also one who does not benefit with Kegels. The connective tissues don't work the same as they do for other women, whether because of a vacuum extraction baby, pre-term labor, lots of babies, pubis symphysis separation, whatever. Here is a good website listing PT's who specialize in women's health issues. http://www.womenshealthapta.org/plp/index.cfm (Thank you dirty ethel rackham, for telling me about it in a previous post! I found two PTs that have made a world of difference for me!) Katy Bowman (referenced in links previously posted) explains some of the things the PTs explained to me. My sacrum moves into my pelvis and causes a lot of problems. Some chiropractors understand this and can help. The PT actually showed dh how to adjust it! Her dvd will help explain this, too. http://www.youtube.com/user/restorativeexercise#p/a/u/2/IOoTC9DpB3k http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrMU2tQ2SUk&feature=related My friend had major pelvic floor reconstruction surgery and it has not helped at all! She would never recommend it. If I were you I would try Katy's dvd or look for a specialized Physical Therapist at the link above. For those who can benefit by Kegels... do you know the tongue trick? Seriously...sit feet flat on the floor, pelvis square on a chair, spine softly erect. Now, sensing the space between your sitting bones (ischial tuberosities), gently begin to press your tongue against the back of your teeth and notice what happens to your PF as you increase the pressure, and as you slowly release. HTH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardening momma Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 For those who can benefit by Kegels... do you know the tongue trick? Seriously...sit feet flat on the floor, pelvis square on a chair, spine softly erect. Now, sensing the space between your sitting bones (ischial tuberosities), gently begin to press your tongue against the back of your teeth and notice what happens to your PF as you increase the pressure, and as you slowly release. Assuming you mean the back of the front teeth, when I first tried this I felt nothing. Then I kept trying, and maybe I can feel a little something. But it's nothing like what I feel when I do Kegels, and not in the same area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 I read an article awhile back that said Kegels are completely ineffective. http://mamasweat.blogspot.com/2010/05/pelvic-floor-party-kegels-are-not.html So I am sort of on the fence over whether to even do them. I have the same issue as your do now and then. THAT WAS FASCINATING!!! :w00t: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 My appt. is on the 30th (with a gyn specialist who does the procedure). I promise to faithfully focus on kegels. Every day. I will try for 3 sessions and then whenever I think about it. Will that be enough time to know if it is helping? After a couple of months I could run on the spot for a minute without problems. Things are still improving. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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