Anyone Have This Bladder Problem Too?

Hi S.:
You are definitely not alone! Did you know that 1 in 3 women will have bladder issues in her life? Many of these problems stem from childbirth. I wish more doctors would recommend pelvic floor therapy (kegels) during pregnancy to help prepare the muscles for childbirth and heal the pelvic floor soon after.

I was fortunate during my pregancy because I was introduced to Dr. Ray Bolgona, a leading Urolgist in Akron. He partnered with a pelvic floor physical therapist to develop a program called The Accidental Sisterhood Progressive Plan. It includes a book, DVD, theraband and diary that helps prevent and treat issues like incontinence and overactive bladder without medication or surgery. It sounds like your condition may require surgery (I'm not a doc, but what you described seems like some kind of prolapse...) but you can definitely start with this program ASAP while you wait for diagnosis. Check it out at www.AccidentalSisterhood.com. I've seen it work for dozens of women. If you're in this area, I highly recommend Dr. Bologna as well -- he specializes in female pelvic floor issues. Feel free to contact me if you'd like more info.
There is absolutely no reason for you to continue living with this problem, especially because you're so young! Too many women accept bladder problems as a natural consequence of giving birth or growing older. But there are solutions out there. Don't stop seeking help until you're 100% dry and sleeping through the night!

Honey let me tell you...you are not alone! I have had three children and each child I had, my bladder became weaker. Now I am on Vesicare so I do not make numerous trips to the bathroom at night. I would talk to you doctor about using a bladder incontinence medicine at night. It has helped me tremendously.

Good Luck!

M.

This is going to sound really weird but I had my daughter when I was seventeen. They also thought I was going to have a small baby (six pounds at the most they said). I even had to be checked into a clinic for two days to make sure I wasn't anorexic (I had been previously diagnosed with the disease) ! My daughter also weighed nine pounds! Weird, huh? Anyway, she is six now and I have been having the same problems. Sometimes, my kidneys hurt as well. I have been checked for stones, infections, and everything. My doctor finally told me that as a small woman having a large child that she may have just caused permanent damage internally. Sounds fun, right? I went to a urologist and he did some type of surgery on me in Sept. that I cannot pronounce. He pretty much had to stretch and reconfigure my urethra. The abdominal pain is still there! I have had cameras inserted in all kinds of places, ultrasounds, numerous pregnancy tests, and everything. They also keep finding blood in my urine. What's up with that? Now my gynecologist just believes it is from the Depo-Provera shot. I have been on it longer than you should be so now I'm working on getting off of it just to see if it is contributing to the pain. I know that it is unbearable but this is all I have for you. I guess I am in the same stage as you. Just keep looking and if you find any thing out...please let me know. I'm desperately seeking as well. Sorry, Y.

i am really sorry to hear about your problem. it must be terrible. i copied the following excerpt from a website about prolapsed bladder. maybe it is something to consider. it is hard to believe that your doctors have not all agreed to continue doing any test possible to determine what is going on with your body. do some searching on the internet of your symptoms and see what comes up..

Prolapsed Bladder Overview
The bladder is a hollow organ in the pelvis that stores urine. The pressure created when the bladder fills with urine is what causes the urge to urinate. During urination, the urine travels from the bladder and out the body through the urethra.

In women, the front wall of the vagina supports the bladder. This wall can weaken or loosen with age. Significant bodily stress such as childbirth can also damage this part of the vaginal wall. If it deteriorates enough, the bladder can prolapse, meaning it is no longer supported and descends into the vagina. This may trigger problems such as urinary difficulties, discomfort, and stress incontinence (urine leakage caused by sneezing, coughing, exertion, etc).

Prolapsed bladders (also called cystoceles or fallen bladders) are separated into 4 grades based on how far the bladder droops into the vagina.

Grade 1 (mild): Only a small portion of the bladder droops into the vagina.

Grade 2 (moderate): The bladder droops enough to be able to reach the opening of the vagina.

Grade 3 (severe): The bladder protrudes from the body through the vaginal opening.

Grade 4 (complete): The entire bladder protrudes completely outside the vagina; usually associated with other forms of pelvic organ prolapse (uterine prolapse, rectocele, enterocele).
Prolapsed bladders are commonly associated with menopause. Prior to menopause, women’s bodies create the hormone estrogen, which helps keep the muscles in and around the vagina strong. Women’s bodies stop creating estrogen after menopause, and those muscles tend to weaken as a result.

First, do lots and lots of kegels! In addition there are some exercises you can do to close a gap in your stomach muscles. This is all related. Check out maternalfitness.com. I would also get another opinion from a doctor to find out exactly what your problem is.

Have you been able to see a physical therapist (PT) that specializes in postpartum pelvic floor issues? I would start there to see if this is something that could be improved or resolved with pelvic floor physical therapy. I've also heard very, very good things about Mayan Massage - specifically for work on the uterus and related female physiology (bladder, pelvic floor, etc.).

I'm in Cincinnati and would recommend Good Sam's Prenatal and Postpartum Physical Therapy group where I went (my son was 9.5 lbs, but I don't believe his weight had anything to do w/ my issues), and I have a friend in Columbus, OH, who has seen both a PT that specializes in female pelvic floor issues AND a Mayan Massage practictioner. She raved about both and said both were helpful in recovering.

Neither I nor my friend had/have the exact same symptoms as you describe (some similarities but not the same), so I don't know if the ideas I suggested will be helpful to your particular situation, but thought I'd throw them out there just in case. Better to know about them and not need them than need them and not know!

Best of luck to you. :)

I don't have any specific advise for you other than to demand some answers from your doctors -- I had some bladder issues after my son was born, but nothing like what you're describing. Your symptoms sound severe to me. Hang in there!

Trying to figure out if you are actually having a problem within your body or if it's a lack of muscle tone? If you have loss of tone, do something they call a Kegal exercise. You can probably find out how on the internet or email me back. The way you describe it, does sound like a fistula but you said you were checked for that? Pain can also come from a very simple urinary infection. Good luck and let me know what you come up with. I also am from Ohio though double your age:)

Hi Stacey, I wish I could help you. I am curious to see what others might post. I have noticed since I had my second child. almost nine pounds, I have had the same problem with frequently urinating, especially at night. I also have the brick thing, but not the other problems. I am also tall and slender. I have tried to stop drinking anything before bed, and still get up 3 or more times a night,. It really can cut into your sleep!
Good luck to you, I know your pain - slightly. I will be checking to see what others post.