Exercising with pelvic prolapse

Hi everyone: I was told by an internist a few months ago that stretching exercises would be helpful for my fibro. I have to admit that before, I wasn't a very faithful exerciser. But--I found some simple stretches for seniors on several videos on YouTube, and so far, it's going okay. I do think it helps my stiffness somewhat. Nothing heavy duty, of course.

But---(I think) because of my odd neuro issues, especially with the nerves in my legs, feet, and toes, I do run across some problems. It's basically when I try to do other exercises to keep my pelvic prolapse from worsening (I'm very careful to only do exercises that are fibro-safe, too). I find that if I'm having what I call a 'neuro day,' and the nerves in my legs, feet, and toes are overactive, and/or I'm just having an extra-stiff day, I run into problems.
Sometimes even lying on a very hard mattress can be difficult when trying to do the exercises. It's strange to explain, but maybe some here know what I mean. I can almost lose (some) sensation or feeling, or it can lead to cramping or to pulling or stiffness that could lead to cramping.

So--I'm looking for exercises to help prevent more prolapse where I don't have to lie flat, either on my back or stomach or get on my knees. On good days, I don't have a problem doing them on my back, but on bad days, it's pretty difficult.

Can anyone relate and recommend some do-able exercises that help prevent prolapse from worsening? I found a few simple beginner Kegel exercises on YouTube, but not much else, so far. I suppose the problem is that the best position for exercises for prolapse are done lying down, or on one or both knees (can't do those).

Thanks for any suggestions. Hope that everyone here is doing okay.

Thanks for your response, Sherrine. At this point, I'm told the prolapse is not at all severe, but I just have to be careful exercising, lifting, and such. My ob/gyn said probably the main issue to watch is to not gain weight because that would put more pressure on the prolapse.

But, if things should worsen (let's hope not!), I'll keep what you said about your M-I-L in mind. Her surgery repair lasted a good long time---awesome!

I don’t think the mesh was available back then…70 years ago. She never mentioned mesh and just said it was tacked back in place.

Sherrine

Hi Luvzminis. I suppose we're all so different with body parts/muscles/ligaments, etc., so it might be hard to make comparisons. To be honest, I tend not to do a lot of "exercises" on a regular basis. It seems like I have so many things I have to do all the time, just to get through the day, and unfortunately, exercises aren't at the top of my list. haha
I never noticed that the Kegels made anything worse. One thing I think of, when you thought they made you feel like you were getting a bladder infection, is something I've really noticed........I do have some vagina tissue protruding a bit. (I used to think it was actually my bladder.....but it's the bladder behind the vaginal tissue). That tissue isn't supposed to be exposed all the time........to toilet paper, to air, to having urine on it, etc.

So....I've noticed that when that tissue gets irritated, the whole area around it gets irritated/itchy, and it feels like a bladder infection........But I think it's just that irritation from the prolapse.
Also.....I have trouble with poop pressing on that area, and that actually makes the bladder prolapse worse, until I can get the poop out. (Sorry.......but some of this stuff just needs to be said. haha).

So.....I'm not sure the Kegels will cause you more problems, unless maybe you are doing them wrong??
I'm like you in that I often think I might have a UTI. I get a urinalysis, and it's always normal!
Yes, a culture is good, but I think that's mostly if the regular/first test is suspicious.

When I get really irritated "down there"......I use a betamethasone-type cream that my OB/GYN prescribes, and it seems to help in a couple of days.
Do you ever have urine leakage? Do you wear pads alot? I'm wondering if that material can also irritate anything hanging out of the vagina. Also......I pee MANY times a day, and wonder how irritating that must also be to that prolapsed vaginal tissue that isn't supposed to come in contact with urine/toilet paper.

Sorry to go on so long.
Sorry about your DH's covid. I hope he's better soon!

Hi again Luvzminis! Sorry I went MIA. Christmas sort of ran me ragged and did me in!

No, the cream I mentioned isn't Replens, but a prescription thing that has betamethasone in it. Weird, but I seem to feel irritated down there, when I have too much pelvic pressure (from constipation), but I definitely get it if I have even just a little urine leakage.
Too bad you don't have a physical therapist closer to help you with the kegels. I forget if I mentioned this, but my therapist used a device to put into my vagina and then had me do kegels, and she could see how well my muscles were or weren't responding. Hopefully you can find someone to help you with this.

Like I mentioned, for me, there are many "core strengthening" exercises that make my prolapse worse......so always find out which ones those might be. It's too bad we can't treat both problems at once! I hope you had a good holiday.