So, most of my symptoms are urinary related. I've recently started doing trigger point release with a PT. So far it's been interesting to see all of the tense muscle bands, especially in the pelvic wall (interestingly, my left side is much more tense and painful than my right... my PT says she finds that the left side is worse in her patients much more often than the right... is this true of other people?) Anyway, I'm sticking with the therapy (it's only been a month) and working on moment-to-moment relaxation, doing squats, trying to relax, the whole thing.
There have been some pretty bad weeks (it's been 7 months), and overall the symptoms have caused me to majorly adjust my life. I've seen my concentration impaired by this, seen my ability to do social and physical things drop, etc. I had a period of denial where I resisted learning anything about my condition, just hoping it would go away. Now I'm seeing that there are vague patterns to how my symptoms go. Although it's never perfectly predictable, I feel like I'm gaining some degree of control. But this must be old hat to everyone here.
My question is this: recently I have been focused on relaxing my muscles, especially the muscles of the bladder neck, which I suspect are big culprits for me. I try peeing without exerting very much pressure, and I have been working to eliminate the squeeze/clench at the end, to get out the last drops, which is so common. However, when I relax like this, while peeing I usually experience 'hiccups'; it feels like the bladder muscles spontaneously lock up, stopping the flow. I resume the flow again a few seconds later, but this seems to me like pretty good evidence that my bladder muscles are spasming, or something. How can I try to combat this? Any ideas? I'm on Cardura, 2mg, to relax those muscles; can this aggravate the spontaneous hiccups in the stream? I wouldn't think so...
Thanks
question about peeing
question about peeing
Age: 19 | Onset Age: 18 | Symptoms: urinary frequency (8-20 times/day) and urgency, burning pain in urethra and penis, hesitancy and weak/intermittent stream Helped by: sleep (frequency and pain worsen as the day goes on), hot showers, Cardura (for improving stream, and for pain), relaxation Worsened by: ejaculations, stress, drinking too much (bad frequency and pain if i drink more than ~1.5-2 L/day)
Interesting question, for me its been on the right side. I also experience thise "hiccups" you do. sometimes it helps to relax and put on your favorite cd. and just think about how worse it could be, this helps me get a good stream flowing, but don't worry I don't think its the meds
Age: 23 | Onset Age: 21Symptoms: Urinary problems, Sexual problems, Sitting problems. All very painful | Helped By: Hatha yoga, Trigger point therapy, Avoiding sex . Avoiding Sitting. Relaxation. | Worsened By: Sitting for long periods of time. Sex. Being tense.
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Dj Smitty
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i get the hiccupy starts and stops too still...even though my flow is much better than it was. Try sitting down to pee and letting those muscles relax. I thought it didn't do much at first but it really does help to have the prostate area hanging like that...at least for me.
Age:23 | Onset Age:22 | Symptoms:Urinary hesitancy, moderate frequency, urgency and retention, slight perinneum, rectal and leg pain, frequent abdominal/bladder pain. Red/white spotty irritation on penis | Helped By:hot baths or showers, walking and moving around, pain medications | Worsened By: sitting for a long time, holding urine too long. I'd say I'm about 75% better naturally so far.
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scoobysnacks
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I get this at the beginning when I pee and occasionally once I've started if it didn't do it at the beginning, other times when things are relaxed it doesn't do it. Truth be told, if it didn't cause irritation down there I wouldn't probably really care anymore. But, the hiccup as you call it is directly related to a tight perineum on me, so when its doing that I get irritation in the urethra.
Anyways, I don't think Cardura will help it. Cardura is for the smooth muscle which is the involuntary muscles down there. Wish I could be more specific and scientific but I can't. The muscles that are my problem, and I suspect are you problems too are not the smooth muscle or involuntary muscles, you can actually clench these. How do you think we stop peeing when we get pushed, scared, or need to get the phone, lol. Anyways, you can take the cardura but similar products never helped me.
Ativan or valium helps, internal massage, and relaxation helps. Sometimes if I'm not super tight I can combat this hiccup at the beginning by pushing like I have to go very badly. I try to rethink what it was like to pee before I got this condition and try to mimic how I would pee when I had to go very badly, that sort of push.
Although not everyone seems to have this symptom its been one of my biggest issue since getting this condition. After running or lifting the hiccup is very intense, almost like an orgasm right before I try to pee. I can feel the urine just get stopped in its tracks, that causes much irritation.
Stretch, relax, and internal massage, keep at it, that's all we can do.
Anyways, I don't think Cardura will help it. Cardura is for the smooth muscle which is the involuntary muscles down there. Wish I could be more specific and scientific but I can't. The muscles that are my problem, and I suspect are you problems too are not the smooth muscle or involuntary muscles, you can actually clench these. How do you think we stop peeing when we get pushed, scared, or need to get the phone, lol. Anyways, you can take the cardura but similar products never helped me.
Ativan or valium helps, internal massage, and relaxation helps. Sometimes if I'm not super tight I can combat this hiccup at the beginning by pushing like I have to go very badly. I try to rethink what it was like to pee before I got this condition and try to mimic how I would pee when I had to go very badly, that sort of push.
Although not everyone seems to have this symptom its been one of my biggest issue since getting this condition. After running or lifting the hiccup is very intense, almost like an orgasm right before I try to pee. I can feel the urine just get stopped in its tracks, that causes much irritation.
Stretch, relax, and internal massage, keep at it, that's all we can do.
Age:29 | Onset Age: 25.5 | Symptoms: Initially burning in prostate/perineum, burning in urethra, uncontrollable muscle contraction before urinating, dual ache in groin, left testicle pain, feeling of golf ball in rectum, soarness in rectum, and muscle spasms, now mainly very mild urinary tract inflammation, burning mildly after ejaculation, some days after physical activity involuntary mild muscle contraction before urinating | Helped By: .5 mg of Ativan, Aleve (naproxen), quercetin, alcohol in large quantities (vodka and soda), stretching, walking, internal massage the perineum area and levators. | Worsened By: sitting, weightraining, jogging, coffee, caffeine in general, alcohol bothered me at first, overdoing sex
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Astrotitan
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- Location: Australia
A urologist told me that a tight bladder neck can cause a vortex effect which will cause irritation, especially at the small opening/ducts of the prostate. I am due for a test in about 2 weeks to see if this is the case. They are using some kind of X-ray come pressure test to see what happens when I pee. They are going to do a TRUS while they are at it. Only had to wait one whole year before someone suggested I do one!!!
Will keep you all posted what they find.
Tom
Will keep you all posted what they find.
Tom
Age 43: Onset June 2005, Initially: perineal pain, discomfort in penis, very sensitive, sometimes burning. Red around the urethra on penis. Increased urination during night, problems with stream, sometimes constant urge to urinate. Exercise and moving around and laying down helps. Sitting down and squatting makes it worse. Improved to about 85-95%. Symptoms usually mild pain near belly button and slight urge to urinate.
TRUS
Curious, what will a TRUS show?.
My uro said it is only used to look for cancer usually along with a biopsy..
Since I had a normal DRE and low PSA, he said it was not necessary.
Seems like lots of folks on this siite had one.
Are there other reasons for a TRUS?
What else can a TRUS detect or indicate?
Thanks much.
My uro said it is only used to look for cancer usually along with a biopsy..
Since I had a normal DRE and low PSA, he said it was not necessary.
Seems like lots of folks on this siite had one.
Are there other reasons for a TRUS?
What else can a TRUS detect or indicate?
Thanks much.
Age: | Onset Age: | Symptoms: | Helped By: | Worsened By:
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Astrotitan
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Gifford wrote:
2. Evaluation of men with azoospermia to rule out ejaculatory duct cysts, seminal vesicular cysts, müllerian cysts, or utricular cysts. None detected.
3. And of course early diagnosis of Prostate Cancer based on biopsy results along with abnormal digital rectal examination findings, elevated PSA levels, or both (Ultrasound alone cannot establish or exclude the diagnosis of Prostate Cancer). No problems here either.
Conclusion after TRUS, nothing wrong with my prostate.
Unfortunately, 1 week after TRUS, I ended up with an infection which is rare, but can happen. This was cleared with ABX.
1. Volume assessment of the prostate is an important and integral part of this procedure. It yielded that my prostate was of normal size, contrary to a urologist and external ultrasound indicating that it was large.Courious, what will a TRUS show?.
My uro said it is only used to look for cancer usually along with a biopsy..
Since I had a normal DRE and low PSA, he said it was not necessary.
Seems like lots of folks on this siite had one.
Are there other reasons for a TRUS?
What else can a TRUS detect or indicate?
2. Evaluation of men with azoospermia to rule out ejaculatory duct cysts, seminal vesicular cysts, müllerian cysts, or utricular cysts. None detected.
3. And of course early diagnosis of Prostate Cancer based on biopsy results along with abnormal digital rectal examination findings, elevated PSA levels, or both (Ultrasound alone cannot establish or exclude the diagnosis of Prostate Cancer). No problems here either.
Conclusion after TRUS, nothing wrong with my prostate.
Unfortunately, 1 week after TRUS, I ended up with an infection which is rare, but can happen. This was cleared with ABX.
Age 43: Onset June 2005, Initially: perineal pain, discomfort in penis, very sensitive, sometimes burning. Red around the urethra on penis. Increased urination during night, problems with stream, sometimes constant urge to urinate. Exercise and moving around and laying down helps. Sitting down and squatting makes it worse. Improved to about 85-95%. Symptoms usually mild pain near belly button and slight urge to urinate.
TRUS
Re:
Evaluation of men with azoospermia to rule out ejaculatory duct cysts, seminal vesicular cysts, müllerian cysts, or utricular cysts. None detected.
I could never convince my uro to do this because\I had a smooth prostate and a low PSA (1.0). Isa TRUS something that I should insist be done ?
gifford
Evaluation of men with azoospermia to rule out ejaculatory duct cysts, seminal vesicular cysts, müllerian cysts, or utricular cysts. None detected.
I could never convince my uro to do this because\I had a smooth prostate and a low PSA (1.0). Isa TRUS something that I should insist be done ?
gifford
Age: | Onset Age: | Symptoms: | Helped By: | Worsened By:
Your symptoms are extremely close to mine. You're definitely on the end of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS), as opposed to simple pain. I would stick with the PT if you're finding trigger points. If that doesn't solve your problem, though, referral to a neuro-urologist or specialist in urodynamics would probably be key for you. What you describe sounds like a problem with your external urinary sphincter. Depending on how much these symptoms bother you, you can get urodynamic testing. There are a few urologists doing EMG of the sphincter, which is the most elaborate form of testing for sphincter synergy and goes beyond the simple electrode used in most urodynamic tests. Biofeedback has been successfully used to treat these kinds of synergy problems.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Started: Spring 2003; high urinary frequency and pain associated with bladder filling; urinary hesitancy; pubic/prostate/perineal discomfort; Helped by: trigger point therapy, Afrin nasal spray, Cymbalta, hydrocodone (small doses), distraction. Makes worse: sex.
Not medical advice. Consult your doctor.
Not medical advice. Consult your doctor.
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Astrotitan
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- Location: Australia
Kevin, if you are worried that something is going on in your prostate go for it, but it is a little discomforting. I had it done and it was the best thing I did because it ruled out any problems with my prostate and I stopped worrying. Maybe if the first Urologist had any idea what was going on or new what he was doing, things could have been less stressful for me at the beginning.
Age 43: Onset June 2005, Initially: perineal pain, discomfort in penis, very sensitive, sometimes burning. Red around the urethra on penis. Increased urination during night, problems with stream, sometimes constant urge to urinate. Exercise and moving around and laying down helps. Sitting down and squatting makes it worse. Improved to about 85-95%. Symptoms usually mild pain near belly button and slight urge to urinate.
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LightningTree
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On the subject of urinary hiccups:
I get this sometimes when I am having trouble relaxing my pelvic muscles to urinate. Its somewhere between involuntary and a very strong urge to allow it to happen. On days when I am more relaxed, I have less problems with this.
I've found that if it starts, I can walk away, try to calm down, and come back a few minutes later and void without this issue. For me, this is highly correlated with anxiety and tension.
I get this sometimes when I am having trouble relaxing my pelvic muscles to urinate. Its somewhere between involuntary and a very strong urge to allow it to happen. On days when I am more relaxed, I have less problems with this.
I've found that if it starts, I can walk away, try to calm down, and come back a few minutes later and void without this issue. For me, this is highly correlated with anxiety and tension.
This is not medical advice, and I am NOT a doctor of medicine or a related field.
* Age:33 Onset: February 2004.
* 99.9% IMPROVEMENT in 2.5 Years with the first year being the really hard part
* Current Symptoms: Mild irritation of perineal muscles on occasion. Relieved for days at a time by a specific stretch (see below).
* Initial Symptoms: Terrible penile, urethral, rectal, and perineal burning/aching with addition afferent sensations.
* Current Treatments: Deep stretching of the legs and pelvis. Most effective: Deep psoas and levitar ani stretch using the first phase of the "pigeon pose" from Yoga. When a deep pulling is felt in the middle of the pelvis next to the upper rectum, symptoms are completely alleviated for several days.
* Past Treatments Hyperprotection of the perineum for 1.7 years, Walking, Rectal biofeedback, Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol, Conditioned deep relaxation practice, Men's Multi-Vitamin and an Extra B-complex pill, all seemed to help.
For some reason, I have never had the ubiquitous urinary frequency that is associated with this syndrome.
However, when I pee in small amounts it seems to cause a flare.
If I completely fill and void my bladder the flare is less or non-existent. Usually I drink 30oz+ of liquid and wait for the full sensation before going.
This seems counter-intuitive. One would think that the tightening action involved with holding your urine would be worse. Is it possible the volume of liquid is assisted by gravity to fully void? Thus, using less muscle contracting to remove the last few drops.
Also, if you urinate while taking your nice hot shower it seems to mitigate a flare.
However, when I pee in small amounts it seems to cause a flare.
If I completely fill and void my bladder the flare is less or non-existent. Usually I drink 30oz+ of liquid and wait for the full sensation before going.
This seems counter-intuitive. One would think that the tightening action involved with holding your urine would be worse. Is it possible the volume of liquid is assisted by gravity to fully void? Thus, using less muscle contracting to remove the last few drops.
Also, if you urinate while taking your nice hot shower it seems to mitigate a flare.
Age: 31 | Onset Age: 28
Symptoms: Pain in perineum, tight sphincter muscles, referred pain at tip of penis.
Helped By: sleep, hot baths, relaxation, stretching protocol.
Worsened By: Sitting and stress. No connection with food, alcohol or caffeine.
more concentrated urine = more irritation
less concentrated = less irritation
less concentrated = less irritation
Age: 23 | Onset Age: 21Symptoms: Urinary problems, Sexual problems, Sitting problems. All very painful | Helped By: Hatha yoga, Trigger point therapy, Avoiding sex . Avoiding Sitting. Relaxation. | Worsened By: Sitting for long periods of time. Sex. Being tense.