Following a previous blog entry, one of our Hab It subscribers posted an insightful comment. With her permission, I have posted it below:
“Thank GOD for you, Tasha. I have your DVD and I’m about 3 weeks into working steadily on the strengthening exercises. I have a uterine prolapse and like yourself (and a previous commenter) am an avid runner who truly does NOT want to give it up.
I was devastated when a doctor flippantly told me “well you’re done with that”.
I’m staying with the program. All tests have come back negative – no disease and no other issues – so I trust that my body will strengthen and recover.
Here’s something to consider – I’ve been taking supplemental magnesium for years. Started years ago for migraines, then bronchials, then sleep problems – yes magnesium helps all of those things (even constipation) so I have taken more on a regular basis every day. What I didn’t realize is how many smooth muscles it really affects. I believe the ultra – relaxing (plus active running) has contributed to my prolapse. I stopped the extra magnesium and started your program and have seen positive results in only a few weeks.
Just something to consider. We really do have to be our own doctors – at least our own ‘experts’ on our bodies.
On my first visit I was told I needed a total hysterectomy “immediately.” No other options. For a fit, healthy, non-diseased person. It was terrifying until I got online and spent days on end researching. Thank you for your DVD and all of the help you give online. Your sincerity just shines through – you truly want to help and you are thorough and knowledgeable and it really shows. I so appreciate what you’re doing!”
The message in this blog entry is to ask questions, to educate yourself, and to be cautious with what we put into our bodies. Many of us take supplements to improve our health, but because of the lack of thorough guidelines and recommended dosage information, we may be doing more harm than good.
I have asked a friend and registered nurse to give her input on this post. Feel free to ask any other questions you may have regarding Vitamin D, Fish Oil, Calcium or any other supplements you may take. Our expert will give her recommendations.
What do vitamin D, fish oil, and calcium do for prolapse? Are other supplements beneficial?
I have only recently found that I have cystocele, which I have probably had for a long time. I’m 59 years old. My doctor told me that PT would be a waste of my time and money because he says there are no muscles right there. He’s saying that Kegels can help with stress incontinence when it’s not caused by prolapse. But from researching and reading from this site and Prolapse Health, it looks to me as if he’s incorrect. I wouldn’t expect a cure, but maybe and improvement, or not getting worse. It seems ridiculous to me that the PT places I called require a prescription from your doctor. I am frustrated by this and I guess I’ll need to get a second opinion. I plan to order the Hab it video and give it a try anyway.
Your Comments
Regarding supplemental Magnesium and all other supplements, we must first start with our individual blood levels. The way to find the levels is to have a simple blood test for Magnesium and 25hydroxyD3. These are two things that are frequently deficient in our bodies and may well contribute to inflammatory processes.
If one has normal levels of Mag, supplementing could conceivably ‘over-relax’ the tissues, by unbalancing the other elements it works with. Usually when one has too much Mag it leads to diarrhea (think the old Milk of Magnesia laxative). Another important thing to be aware of is that none of the minerals, electrolytes, etc. act alone; they usually work with another element in our bodies. Magnesium has a great effect on Calcium metabolism.
Magnesium is a wonderful supplement, when needed. For me, personally, it completely stopped a benign, but terribly annoying, heart arrhythmia (and I worked in cardiac care). D3 is hugely important and actually acts like a hormone with many positive actions in the body. Truly all women with prolapse would do well to ask their doctor to add a check for Magnesium and D3 for routine lab work, especially with prolapse. Omega 3 is another valuable supplement unless you eat two servings of fish such as Salmon each week. It is thought to be very helpful in acting as an anti-inflammatory agent. Inflammation is thought to greatly contribute to dis-ease. Trey, RN (ret.)
I’m 61 and have both cystocele and rectocele, and your Dr. is incorrect. I’ve used Tasha’s DVD and vitamin D3/Omega3 and for over a year and saw significant improvement in about 3-6 months. Tasha’s kegels also help – my Dr. said they wouldn’t as well. I also try to walk a couple miles at a brisk pace as many days during the week as I can. Once you understand what’s going on (again, the DVD explains this well) you get to know your body, and even when you “overdo” one day you’ll learn how to get back on track. I’ve found most of the medical practitioners I’ve run into are terribly behind the curve on this and more prone to suggest surgery (which has a significant failure rate) over an effective exercise program. I feel much more empowered using exercise to control my symptoms. I’d give it a try if I were you!
Thanks. I have already ordered the DVD. I’m afraid that I may not do the exercises correctly without a real person to check. I have found this to be frustrating and somewhat depressing, even though I know it is certainly not life threatening. I don’t think the medical community is in touch and since so many are male, they don’t get the emotional side. My doctor was so nonchalant. I wondered how he would feel if someone told him his bladder was going to protrude from his penis.
Wendy, if you click on our resources tab at the top of our home page and then click on the APTA website link, it will take you to the women’s health physical therapy page that can help you find a PT in your area. If you don’t find a therapist in your area listed, you can call clinics in your area and ask if they have a women’s health physical therapist on staff.
I agree with you that nothing is better than hands on treatment.
-Tasha
Thanks. I have already researched online for PT in my area. I had already talked to one and asked my General Practitioner for a prescription which he said they would fax. I’m just waiting till they do so that I can make an appointment. I’m thinking of finding a new gynocologist, but how do you know who’s really what you need. Mine has always explained things, but when I went back to talk to him after I’d done some research, I felt his explanation was sorely lacking. Although he said the cystocele was a fallen bladder, he never said it fell into the vagina. I find this disturbing. Thanks for listening.
Great information and reference! I also like “Supplements: Know What You’re Putting In Your Body” for the title. Another good post TMulligan.