I have a grade 2 bladder prolapse, potentially a very minor uterine prolapse (hard to tell because of the minor-ness). I have found PT very helpful in reducing symptoms - I am basically only symptomatic from doing certain high impact activities that I still have to limit (running, jumping, certain weight lifting exercises). My symptoms are heaviness and a tampon-y feeling, no continence issues. Most days I am either symptom free or very very mild symptoms.
I think the helpfulness of PT depends on the issue and why it’s happening, and the severity.
I agree that at least an initial consult is likely to be helpful, and that PT will help set you up for better surgical recovery, too.
If you were in my area I’d rec my PT in a heartbeat.
A year ago she said I had a grade 2 rectal and grade 1 uterine prolapses. Nothing was mentioned about the bladder at that time. Today she said the uterine had gotten worse but did not say a number. She did not give a new number for the rectal or give a bladder number so I don’t know how bad they are. But bad enough that she would stitch them up if I go the surgery route. I don’t know how the grades work and if these are bad numbers or not. ETA I googled and would say I’m at a grade 2 uterine now.
My understanding is that grade 2 symptoms often can be alleviated with PT. For me, my OB told me what my surgical options were, but also did not recommend it as my first option, and was pretty sure that symptoms would resolve with PT and potentially use of a pessary. That’s definitely where I’m at right now.
I’m also starting with above average athletic training (not so much above average athletic ability haha), so my muscles have already been strengthened and also taught how to move in supportive ways prior to all this happening.
I’m also younger and pre-menopausal, so I still have that lovely lovely estrogen helping me out.
All that is to say, in way too many words, that your mileage may vary. I’ve had amazing results and hope that you too can get really good results from PT without needing surgery.
One hard thing may be not getting fast results, this likely involves muscles we can’t easily isolate and feel the contraction or stretch. Biceps are easy, but not all muscles are so obvious. You may have to go through several days / weeks of these exercises before you can actually “feel” the exercise in the target.
I definitely had to work to “wake up” a lot of muscles, and learn to isolate them and feel them move. Hilariously, some of the hardest exercises for me have been breathing exercises!
Really relaxing is the other side of the equation -and it’s not necessarily easy. I know I have muscle imbalances because one group (that’s likely compensating) is overly tight, while the other group is weak.
So, I have become the lucky recipient of a sewing machine (Singer heavy duty, 4411). I don’t know how to use a sewing machine. I easily found some youtube videos on how to thread it and use it. My question is, does anyone have any recommendations for content for beginning sewists, where to find easy patterns, anything like that? (I know about and like @Oro’s channel–but it will be a while before I can understand intricate stuff!)
PS I’m a knitter so I use Ravelry to find patterns and inspo. Is there a thing like that out there for sewing?
Has anyone successfully quit YNAB? Every time I see that hundred-dollar bill looming, I fantasize about quitting it but I’m not sure how to gather the same data.