Embarrassing and for the LADIES
 

So does anybody else have vaginal weakness? I've had 3 kids so maybe that's part of my problem. But I never noticed any difference with the first two (they did more damage than the third). Even doing kegals I notice my muscles get weak. Can't find any info on this other than incontenince(sp). Very embarrassing but I have to know! Also I've seen my Obgyn about minor prolapse due to noticing a low lying cervix during my cycle. He said not to worry now since I'm young and the only option would be to remove my uterus, and that can cause bladder prolapse. He said unless its extreme its ok. Anyway I'm so sorry if this is too personal but I've got to know if I'm alone in this or if the stupid MG may be contributing. Thank you Ladies!
I hope this finds you strong and well.
Jess

;) It's not embarrassing at all, Jess.

The pelvic floor muscles can be affected by MG too. Any of the 640 skeletal muscles can be.

Exercising is a Catch-22 with MG but you could do a few Kegel exercises a week to see if it helps.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/keg...rcises/WO00119

Just don't do too many repetitions at once. It doesn't take much to get some tone back in those muscles. Or go to a PT and see what they suggest.

It's so hard to keep anything toned with MG. Very frustrating!

:hug:
Annie

I too have the incontinence but I thought it had nothing to do with MG. It usually happens when my body is over worked. I never thought of it happening because of a weak pelvic floor.

Mestinon has helped my urinary incontinence tremendously, so I am thinking that the problem must be due to the MG.

I have been wondering the same thing for a long time. I had a hysterectomy a year ago with a cystocele and rectocele repair with the mesh. It is this operation that kicked off the severe MG symptoms. I often wondered if the need for the cystocele and rectocele was really caused by the MG. Oh by the way, the surgery did not fix the symptoms, for the urinary urgency and leakage.

kathie

I feel it has been affected as well.. I did have some incontinence (only 3 times but still) when my symptoms were at their worst.. none since the IVIG though.. it's so frustrating that EVERY single muscle is affected!

If you are able to obtain a referral to a physiotherapist who specialises in bladder and bowel incontinence, they can advise on specialist electrical devices that are inserted into the vagina or rectum which can help with incontinence caused by muscle weakness. They are hooked up to a control unit and deliver pulses of current which cause the chosen muscles to contract involuntarily. Used regularly, these can help strengthen the pelvic floor or rectal muscles to improve continence. They are especially helpful if you have muscle weakness or problems with initiating and/or releasing muscle contractions. If you can't voluntarily perform muscle contraction type exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor or rectum, these do the same sort of job for you.

These devices may not be suitable for everyone, of course, depending on the specific underlying cause(s) of any particular incontinence. However, for anyone where muscle weakness is a causal factor and its felt that improving muscle strength would give improvements, they can be helpful. The downside is that its a bit mortifying going through the assessment process and it is a distinctly odd sensation what they are operating!!!

I feel for you ladies! I have the same incontinence problems. I never bore any children of my own, so when I started having urinary problems (before my mg diagnosis, but about the same time all my other symptoms started), I had no clue what it was. When I was finally diagnosed with mg, I made a remark to my neuro that it was good to know where the incontinence came from. He of course, said that mg does not affect the bladder. He did blink and agree when I informed him that last I knew I had control over my urine! Said he never thought of it that way! I have gone to a urologist and had all kinds of tests and basically, there is nothing to do but wear a pad at all times. I've gotten used to it (along with a lot of other mg problems), but it sure ain't no fun!

FYI, I saw a specialist at Vanderbilt and she recommended botox injections in my bladder every 6 months; general anesthesia and all. I said thanks, but no thanks.

Chronic illnesses and neurological conditions seem to be especially designed to inflict maximum humiliation and embarrassment on us, don't they?

I sometimes forget that the non-disabled friends I have aren't quite as used to the free and frank chat about bodily functions as my disabled friends are!!!

The only problem with using any electrical device to stimulate muscles with MG is that if they are weak already, stimulation will make them weaker (as activity would). But it's a good idea and worth a try for such an annoying issue.

Neurochic, It's sad that other people can't talk frankly about diseases or related issues. It's quite freeing. And they might learn a thing or two for when they become ill. ;)