Mornings - better or worse?

[Gabriel]

I notice that when I do have a flare (which is more rare these days thankfully - I seem to be on the typical spiral of lessening flares) that pain (or rather irritation - it's a different sensation to pain for me) is most severe when going to bed and is completely relived when I wake up (unless I get less than 6 hours sleep) and for the next few hours after that. I was curious if pain was better or worse for others in the first few hours after waking and if better, what was the reason? The only thing I can think of is that being asleep allows ones muscles to relax to an extent not possible when awake.

[scotsman]

I certainly find when waking I have next to no pain - but it usually comes on after 10-15 mins. My general symptoms are better at night though.

Richard.

[CppsDad]

I strangely fluctuate 100% on this issue. In normal conditions, I start the day with very little pain, but like Scotsman's, mine comes back in 15 minutes. Conversely, when my flare-up is in my testicles, this pain is ALWAYS worse for me in the early morning, and eases up once I've been moving around for 30 minutes. I think this latter condition is caused by a) stiffness in the muscles, and b) normal erections while dreaming that last too long. Ah well, I can't figure it out. :)

Michael

[timberdoodle]

I typically find that my symptoms are negligible most mornings but worsen to different extents throughout the day, especially by noon. My PT suggests that I am doing something negative (posture was one of her ideas) that brings the symptoms back to the forefront as the day progresses. Too bad I can't just lie around in bed all day.

[Gegatso]

During this flare and my last, I have ONLY had the burning in the morning, then the rest of the days are fine. I have NO idea why.

[MC]

It is actually worst for me in the morning. After about 5 minutes of being awake while standing to make breakfast it seems the muscles tighten right up (perineum muscles). As long as I stay relaxed they ease up over the course of the morning. Sitting on my prostate friendly pad while eating breakfast really seems to help loosen it up. I think because the pad stretches the muscles apart while letting the perineum sink into the cut out section of the pad in the middle. Afternoons and evening are not bad unless I do some physical activity like working out. If I'm sitting down (slouching, not directly sitting on the tailbone) watching tv on my very comfortable couch I barely notice I have a problem until I get up. It wasn't always this way but things have eased up quite a bit over the last 6 months of being on Elavil, occasional Valium, and of course tons of stretching.

[LightningTree]

For me, the mornings are always pain free. During the first six months of my first flare-up, the pain would comeback within 15 minutes of waking up (sometimes accompanied by violant muscle spasms.)

Now, I can usually stay pain free until sometime in the late afternoon.

I get more pain and swelling on days where I did some sitting during the day. On days where I avoid sitting entirely, I am sometimes symptom free.

Taking a nap often eliminates symptoms for a while. Deep relaxation, which I am practicing with a psychologist, is also effective.

By the way, I did stretching 3 times a day for 9 months straight. You need to be honest with yourself about whether you are doing your stretching. I am getting back into the daily routine now.