Reassurance until Dr. Appointment

[agegracefully]

I've got an appointment with my gyn, but it's not for 3 days, and I'm getting more and more anxious while I wait to see her. My sister and my mother both had bladder prolapse, or I wouldn't have even searched for it when these "symptoms" started.  For a couple years now, sex has been terribly painful, and mostly I avoid it because of the discomfort and depression it causes. (I assumed the pain was caused by vaginal dryness, but it seemed too severe for that). I took a power yoga class on Tuesday (4 days ago). It was pretty intense and when I got home I had a terrific urge to pee, like a burning urge. I went, but the urge never went away. Since then I feel a constant need to urinate (like it's right there at the opening of my vagina), and I mostly produce very little. BUT, if I truly need to go, I can barely reach the bathroom before it's coming out.  It feels like every nerve ending "down there" is firing constantly. Burning, tingling, I can't really describe it, but it is very uncomfortable. It's been a couple days since I've had a bowel movement, and even though it feels like I need to, I can't because of the burning and tingling in my vagina when I'm on the toilet. (I'm sorry, how can I describe my symptoms without TMI?)  After that yoga class my period started - I'm so irregular now (49 years old) that I can't say if I was 'due" or not. I didn't have any other symptoms - sore breasts, but I did feel a fleeting crampiness during yoga.  The blood is very red. There hasn't been much on my pad, but it's on the toilet paper when I go. It's a different period than I've been having, so I'm nervous now that maybe it's not even period blood...  You see, I can worry myself over anything, and the wait to talk to someone is getting harder and harder.  Do these symptoms sound familiar to anyone?  Other than genetic, I don't have the other risk factors I read about. I haven't given birth, and I'm not overweight. Feeling inside my vagina, there is a puffiness(?) on the forward wall, and it's tender, but I don't feel anything like a distinct bulge.  Help? suggestions? Ideas?  Thank you.

[UKlady1001]

It is great to hear you are feeling pretty good right now.  
Towards the menopause, periods can be longer and heavier for some ladies before they finally stop.

I hope you continue to feel much better

[agegracefully]

Thanks for everyone's responses all along.
I went again (just a couple days ago) to see my regular ob/gyn and had an endometrial biopsy.
I had very heavy bleeding for a month, and that has stopped. Now I do think all of my symptoms have been peri-menopausal. We'll wait for the results of the biopsy, and then decide how to proceed. Right now I'm feeling pretty good.  MAYBE that was my last period - going out with a bang.  :)
I do appreciate all the thoughts.

[UKlady1001]

I notice you are 49 and with irregular periods you may be perimenopausal.  This could be a good time to consider whether you wish to use vaginal estrogen cream etc as with the reduced hormones can come more UTIs and/or possible prolapse issues.  Hopefully you will be fine, however, if you are having further symptoms it may be worth considering a Urogyne appt.

A constant strong urge to pass urine may not be something you want to live with and isnt normal.  I wish you much luck with any decision you make regarding your symptoms.
Let us know how you get on

[agegracefully]

Hi. The urination urge has gone. My period (I think it was) lasted longer than normal, stopped for a couple days and started up again. I still have some spotting (a panty liner is enough) every day. In 4 days, this will make it 1 full month of unusual symptoms. Since I didn't see my regular gyn (I saw the nurse practitioner and the available doctor that day) I think I might try to get in again, and see my regular gyn. And if I have to, move on from there to a specialist of some sort. How do I even know where the bleeding is coming from? I hate to be graphic, but it's like thick strings (about 1/2 inch long) or small clumps in the toilet. They sent the urine sample for a culture and it came back normal. The ultrasound was normal as well.

On top of this, I'm supposed to have a breast MRI (normal follow up) and it has to be scheduled according to my period, which is so irregular that I can't even identify it! I cancelled the last appointment because of the urination urge. I just didn't think I could stay perfectly still for a full 20 minutes.

[UKlady1001]

Can you speak to your pcp again and make it clear you wish to be referred?  I dont know what pcp means but are there any other Drs in practice where you are you can speak to?
Your symptoms resemble prolapse but there could be more than one thing going on.  You could even have a urine infection that is undetectable in addition.  My urge to urinate goes up when I lie down due to an infection in my bladder wall.  They dont always culture though.  I am on treatment for this.  
Can you ask again to see a Urogynecologist?  Dont sit and worry, go back and put your request to your Dr.  Our GPs are not specialists so you need to get past them and to the right type of consultant for you.
Keep going.  Good luck and let us know how you get on

[Jinx_777]

i too have symptoms of prolapse, but every time i tell my pcp she chalks it off to pre menopausal.   have a difficult time going to the bathroom (1 or 2).  get up probably 15 times a night to go and barely go.  the urge to go is worse when laying down.  had a colonoscopy a few months ago and they noted to my pcp for me to see an ob/gyn asap.  4 months later and that has not happened.  'periods' lasting for almost 2 weeks now and there is only about 2 weeks in between them.  annoying.  seems the pat answer is always menopausal.  i just turned 47.  hope your symptoms get better.

[UKlady1001]

Great to hear you are feeling much better.
Keep an eye out for any more blood, where it is coming from and/or fluctuating symptoms etc.

Let us know how you get on and how your results turn out

[agegracefully]

Thanks. The ultrasound didn't show anything "funky". I'm actually feeling better. I was wondering too about the bleeding, UKlady.
It's a challenge trying to figure out what is a problem, and what is normal body changes that come with aging.  I'll have the urine results and the full ultrasound reading, and I guess move from there.  Thanks!

[UKlady1001]

I have a urine infection in my bladder wall and the bugs dont culture.  I am having success with antibiotics and Hipprex.  

However, I did wonder if originally the blood you had was definitely from a period?  

If you go to a urologist take all your test results with you so you avoid any unnecessary cystoscopys which tend to make bladder conditions worse.  

Let us know how you get on

[agegracefully]

No answers yet. The urine sample showed no infection, but they will send out for a culture. The gyn didn't find any prolapse during the exam. Very little residual urine found with bladder catheterization. Everything is tender. After the catheterization emptied my bladder, I had a terrible urge to pee (should have been the opposite). Next is ultrasound. After the results from the ultrasound we'll address the irregular bleeding, and then maybe move to a urologist.

[KatesGram]

Might be as simple as a UTI!! Good luck.

[summer59]

I am not sure you are reading this before your appt. but if I didn't catch you in time I hope you feel better now after seeing your gyn.  Sounds like you have a lot of sensitivity with your nerves which is not unusual.  If you do have prolapse muscles and nerves can get all fired up.  If your not totally satisfied with the appt with your gyn I suggest you see a urogynecologist.  Their specialty is prolapse and and could address your other issues.  Please let us know how it works out for you. Good luck!