pelvic floor toner IBS,

[cassie17]

Hi,I have read that the electronic pelvic floor toners can help IBS,I have just ordered one,does anyone have any success stories using one of these.Thanks.

[Hidden]

Hi cassie17,

I was advised to use a pelvic floor toner by my colorectal consultant as he believes that my bowel probs (mainly incomplete emptying) are due to the rectocele and intussusception I have. Stool gets stuck in these (sorry) thereby causing my symptoms. He said that strengthening my pelvic floor muscles may reduce both recto and intuss and allow stools to pass through as they should.

I've been using the toner for 6 weeks and there is now a huge improvement in my symptoms - quite astonishingly so in fact.

However, although I can say that it's helped from the point of view of my own medical condition, you have to remember that IBS isn't an illness in it's own right, but just a collection of symptoms which haven't been attributed to any other cause although there obviously must be one. The cause for some, if not all, of my symptoms has, hopefully, been discovered and it looks as if the toner is dealing with them, but I really have no idea whether it would help if the reason was a completely different one.

I hope this makes sense to you and I also hope the toner you've ordered works as well for you as mine has. Let me know how it goes.

Rosie

[cassie17 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Rosie,Thanks for your reply,I also get the incomplete emptying feeling along with every other IBS symptom I also have diverticular disease, Ive tried everything I heard of that might help over almost 20yrs,I'm also suffering from weak bladder so it might at least help that as well, hope you continue to improve.x

[Hidden in reply to cassie17]

Have you had a defecating proctogram? It was that which gave me answers - best procedure I've had. It also found an enterocele which presses on my bladder causing frequent urges to 'go' and I'm hoping the toner might eventually help this too. Your symptoms do sound very similar to mine.

[sophiezara in reply to Hidden]

Hi I also have problems never quite doing enough when I go to the loo, and gave to keep returning.. Could you tell me which toner you bought and where from. Thanks

[cassie17 in reply to sophiezara]

Hi Sophiezarq,I have purchased the kegal8 tight and tone,from stress no more,but it hasn't arrived yet so I dont know if it will help but will try anything,x

[Hidden in reply to sophiezara]

I've got the kegel8 Ultra 20 from kegel8.co.uk

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Rosie,We've chatted a few times before. I just would like to ask you a bit about this Kegel8ultra,firstly before you had it did you suffer Stomack pain.

My GP has referred me to a Colectrecal specialist as he suspects a prolaps bowel,I think we've disgust this before,because he suggested another colonoscopy and no way am I going through that pain again,so I was going to put your suggestion forward for a defecateing Proctogram .

But back to the pelvic floor,Haveing sufferered pain for god knows how many years,I'm now desperate. I've now been told I've also got a water infection and they want to put me on Co-amoxiclav which I know will make my Stomack pain un bearable. So would you truly recommend the Kegel8ultra.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Gemini,

Yes, I did have abdominal pain and this was probably all caused by wind and gas which used to build up and get trapped due to the rectocele and intussusception I have.

I think the kegel8 toner is, quite literally, gradually straightening things out so I don't have so many nooks and crannies for stool to get stuck in! This, of course, means virtually no wind or gas, therefore, no pain and no more incomplete bowel-emptying either.

I'm well aware that occasionally I may get a problem in the future and keep magnesium citrate on hand for just that eventuality. However, I've just had 4 continuous weeks with no issues whatsoever and my upper digestive issues have also vanished.

Having said all that, I think you should get a defecating proctogram done before you even think about buying a toner. The causes behind your symptoms may be completely different to mine and you could just end up wasting your money. Rectoceles don't always show up on a colonoscopy - mine certainly didn't - and intussusception only becomes apparent during a def proct so do insist on one.

Rosie

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Rosie,My problem being,I don't get to see a Colectrecal specialist until March,and although I've been suffering badly for sometime,it just seems ages away when I'm in so much pain.

But I'll defeinately put that to him. Thanks for your help.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes, the amount of time the NHS leaves you hanging in there on your own these days is ridiculous. I've paid for several private appts in the last couple of years just to move things along a bit.

Take care and let me know how you get on once you've eventually had your appt.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Rosie,I'm just inquisitive, have you had to have any operations for your problems.?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

No, I haven't. None of my probs are bad enough to need surgery ... yet, but I'll be called back for a proctogram at regular intervals now just to make sure things stay okay.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

This sounds exactly what I would like, and clearly need! Can you please tell me the make you have?

Many thanks

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi

I've got the kegel8 Ultra20 from kegel8.co.uk.

Rosie

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Rosie, thank you so much for coming back to me. I did in fact carry on reading down the posts you had mentioned there! I'm on the brink of buying, on the strength of your review/personal experience. Had I happened upon the Web page I'm not so sure I would have. It all seems to be a bit too good to be true and there are no proper endorsements and odd quotes from TV doctors etc which don't actually name this product in their quote ie just the reasons why we should all exercise our pelvic floor muscles. So.......if you are seeing results I will assume you are not on the payroll of Kegal8. .....and I will hooefully see for myself amazing results. Well, any improvement would be hailed a success! Thank you again for replying and I would like very much to hear more of your results at a later date, if that would be OK. I will get the Ultra 20 too I think. In for a penny in for a pound!

Suzi x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Suzi,

Firstly, no, I definitely don't have shares in or a marketiing job with Kegel, but if enough people go out and buy from them perhaps I'll wish I had!

I'm not particularly recommending Kegel either. Having no idea about pelvic toners, I only got mine from them as they seemed to have the biggest choice, most options and extras and their product reviews were pretty good. I've since discovered that their customer advisers are very knowledgeable and helpful too.

Kegels are definitely not the cheapest toners out there, but I'm a great believer in that you get what you pay for. That doesn't always hold water, but it's usually a good jumping-off point.

However, I must say that I've no idea how well one of these devices would work for anyone else even if their problems were the same as mine. All I really know is that it's working amazingly well for me, still can't quite believe it actually - is it all going to bite me on the bum tomorrow and I have to come on here and 'fess-up?

I think the big test will be when I'm recalled for another proctogram (don't know when that will be) to see what the effects have been on the rectocele and intussusception I've got. If they haven't worsened or, better still, have improved, I'll be a very happy bun!

I'd be really interested to hear from you again if you decide to get a toner so we can compare notes.

Rosie x

[cassie17]

No,I haven't had that test done, ive had barium enima x ray,abdominal x ray, and 2 colonoscopies.

[Hidden]

I bought a Kegel8 pelvic toner 3 months ago which dies seem to be helping my IBS. I think as I am 70 and also have prolapse this is going to be a long term thing but at least it is already helping. I would suggest it is worth a try for you.

[Mc89]

Hi Cassie17,

My IBS got much worse after op for prolapsed bladder & hysterectomy 2 years ago. I also have a "small" rectocele. My specialist female physio suggested a Kegel device. I have been using it for 2 months & I think it has strengthened my pelvic floor. It's early days & I can't say it has made much difference to my IBS yet but I will continue with it for my pelvic floor issues. The physio did say not to use it too much, twice a week was her advice & to continue with normal PF exercises. Hope this helps.

[Hidden in reply to Mc89]

Just shows it really does depend on who you talk to. The physio I saw told me to use the toner intensively for at least 12 weeks and to increase it to twice a day after 6 weeks if I didn't notice any improvement. Fortunately I've had a huge improvement in my symptoms after 6 wks of use. I hope things get better for you too.

Rosie

[Mc89 in reply to Hidden]

Rosie,

I have the same Kegel machine as you I think. Which program do you use most? I've tried a few different ones (depending how much time I have) I wasn't too sure to start with but I think they are definitely worth a try. Pelvic floor issues & IBS are are great combination aren't they?!

M

[Hidden in reply to Mc89]

Hi,

I asked the kegel8 customer service people the best way to use the toner for rectocele and intussusception and they told me to do the following:

prog 03 and prog 17 on alternate nights for 6 weeks;

prog 03 and prog 16 on alternate nights for a further 6 weeks; prog 05 two to three times a week thereafter for maintenance.

The adviser also suggested that I should try using it twice daily if I had no improvement at 6 weeks, but since I've had a pretty remarkable improvement and my digestive/bowel issues are pretty well gone, I haven't had to do that.

Yes, it's a magic combination of problems alright, but, for me at least, I think one was the cause of the other. Still not counting my chickens though as it all might just turn round on me next week ... or even tomorrow!!

Rosie

[Mc89 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Rosie

M x

[Hidden]

You don't need anything to help doing pelvicfloor exercises - you just squeeze it yourself, hold for a count of 10 and release - you should build up to 10 repeats. Ypu can also stop your wee once or twice intil you can get full control

This costs nothing and it's the onky exercise you can do anywhere at any time anf without getting sweaty

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

The advantage of an electronic toner is that in one 40 - 45 minute session it contracts pelvic floor muscles at least 100 times at varying strengths. I don't think I'd ever do this amount myself and especially not every day.

There are also varying programmes delivering different types of 'squeezes' according to individual problems.

[Mc89 in reply to Hidden]

Being able to stop my wee is a distant memory! For those of us who have had difficult childbirth & surgery I'm afraid it's not as easy as that. You need something to 'wake up' your damaged muscles. It's very expensive though, don't know if you could borrow one on the NHS.

[Hidden in reply to Mc89]

You can work your pelvic floor muscles several times a day and the wee 'stop' every time you go and there must be some improvement eventually. As I said the exercises can be done anywhere at any time

I have had 2 children over 30 years ago and been sterilised.

[Mc89 in reply to Hidden]

We will have to agree to disagree on this one cricket queen. There are many of us who find pelvic exercises almost impossible (my pregnancies were over 20 years ago too) you will find us on the pelvic floor site rather than the IBS one. It's not a good idea to keep trying to stop urination, you can do it occasionally to see if you can locate the correct muscles but not too often as it can cause further problems. If you are lucky enough to get them to respond then yes you should do them 3 times a day for the rest of your life. I don't think these things are fully explained when you have gynaecological surgery. They come back & bite you on the bum later in life!

[Hidden in reply to Mc89]

I meant stopping the flow of wee when urinating

[Jules40]

Had a toner for years, but I am a bit lazy with it after a while. Hasn't helped my Ibs , it can be difficult to find a time to use it when you already have pain most of the day

Has anyone tried the anal probes? I don't feel brave enough to try one!

[Hidden in reply to Jules40]

Hi Jules40,

The toner that I've got gives you the option of using electrode pads instead of probes, perhaps these might be better for you.

Rosie

[Jules40 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Rosie

Glad you have had good results, which pads are you using please and are you applying them to your back or ankle?

Just had a quick look at there site and i have a older version, will have to check if they fit

[Hidden in reply to Jules40]

Sorry, should have been clearer. I don't use the pads but they came as part of the kegel8 kit as an option.

[Hidden]

I use Programs 03 and 16 or 17 on the Kegel8 at least once a day in bed and read whilst doing it as it whiles away the time nicely !!

[sg25]

After reading these posts I decided to 'go for it' and invest in a Kegel8Ultra. Arrived two days ago but like other members found the instruction booklet a bit confusing. The other confusing issue was that the actual probe in the the book was guaranteed for around eighteen months but the paperwork which arrived with the probe said it lasted for only sixty uses!! Also the booklet said on the programme I had chosen to use twice a day! As I work part time this wasn't going to be possible. I spoke to a very helpful girl on the helpline who said not to use twice a day as this would overwork the muscles and could make matters worse! Unfortunately, the probes that are now sent as standard with the machine are their latest up to date models but do only last for sixty uses! This means that every two months a payment of around £25 is required to keep the machine running as it should....not so good as I thought the initial outlay enough in the first place. Once I'd come to terms with that annoyance I did think that hey...if it works and rids me of my embarrassing and debilitating symptoms then it will be worth every penny. Just used for the second time, I would describe it as tingling and very slightly uncomfortable but in no way arousing as I think some people question! Hope this helps others who are considering and I will report back at a later date.

[Fiona0212]

I have just bought one on your recommendations. I have to have surgery and want to get pelvic floor as strong as possible and after surgery work on Bowel muscles too which I will be able to with the pads

Thank you