New here with CPPS

[24_7]

My story starts when I was in the hospital for a elective surgery back in 2004. I was urinating in a catheter.

Ever since the recovery of the surgery, I have had an increase in urgency and frequency. Last year, it got really bad (needing to go every 5 minutes at night) and I saw my family doctor. I had the urine test, which turned out fine. My symptoms decreased after a point. It got bad again some months later, and I requested to see a urologist. I had a kidney ultrasound - everything was fine. Urologist gave me an antibiotic. Symptoms decreased and I was normal for a month. Came back - I had a rectal exam. Went back again to see urologist and he suggested the cystoscopy.

After reviewing all the results, My urologist said it was just prostate inflammation, or chronic prostatitis, and it was possible the inflammation started after the surgery and catheter. He gave me samples of Detrol LA and a prescription script.

I decided not to start taking it right away. I was fine for about two weeks, after my cystoscopy, and without any medication. But, of course, it came back, so I started with the medicine. I believe I'm allergic to chocolate (moreso chocolate bars...than say a chocolate flavored protein drink), as on two occasions I had bad flare ups (increased urgency and frequency). Once eating 2 dove bars.

I stopped with the chocolate, and take very little caffeine. Most days I'm without it at all.

I'm currently on Detrol LA - however, it is not very effective. From the commercials, it seems more for overactive bladder, and OB symptoms are still different from what I have. For me, I can hold the urine in, and it's usually a small amount. However, it's very uncomfortable doing that, or having to go after every 10 minutes.

I currently am not having real bad flare ups, but I'm still needing to go, over 15 times a day, atleast as of yesterday and today. Tomorrow maybe different.

And, usually after I go, I don't get the satisfaction that I used to. I feel a slight sting and I know I'll have the urge to go again in about 10 mins or so. That alone is depressing, especially when I'm trying to fall asleep at night. However - once I'm asleep, I don't have to wake up to empty my bladder usually.

I'm seeing my urologist again in April. As I've already given up chocolate and caffeine and am taking Detrol, what would be the next approach to trying to relieve my symptoms and cure myself? I still take the Detrol as a safety, just to prevent a really bad flare up day and night.

I'm going to try more exercise - possibly swimming again. I have read about avoiding wheat - but its a staple diet item for me, as I'm vegetarian, and I don't think it is the problem anways. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[webslave]

I'm not sure I agree with your chronic prostatitis diagnosis. Urgency and frequency on their own do not suffice.

[carld]

Did your Urologist do an EPS ( expressed prostatic secretion) test to see the WBC (white blood cell )count? This test can be a strong marker for prostate inflammation. Do you have any discomfort, like burning in your perineum or pubic area? An inflamed prostate can contribute to feeling like you have to pass urine and frequency and decrease in stream and flow., cause a burning feeling etc...

Have you read the book a headache in the pelvis?

Do you suffer from any form of anxiety/panic/stress?

[scoobysnacks]

how old are you. So they ruled out an enlarged prostate?

[kevin]

24_7: As someone who has very similar symptoms, I feel for you. Your observation about overactive bladder is right -- urinary frequency is a different phenomenon.

The first thing would be to try the Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol. Have you gotten your pelvic floor checked out?

I have read about avoiding wheat - but its a staple diet item for me, as I'm vegetarian, and I don't think it is the problem anways.

I would never have expected wheat to be a problem for me either (I didn't have any acute symptoms after eating it), but after deciding on a whim to go off it for two weeks I realized that many of my 'vague' symptoms went away.

Good luck. Let us know how you progress.

[24_7]

Did your Urologist do an EPS ( expressed prostatic secretion) test to see the WBC (white blood cell )count? This test can be a strong marker for prostate inflammation. Do you have any discomfort, like burning in your perineum or pubic area? An inflamed prostate can contribute to feeling like you have to pass urine and frequency and decrease in stream and flow., cause a burning feeling etc...

Have you read the book a headache in the pelvis?

Do you suffer from any form of anxiety/panic/stress?

I don't think my urologist did an EPS, unless its part of the urine test.

I get some slight burning at my penis tip after I urinate. I don't think I have anxiety/panic or stress causing my symptoms. My bowel movements can make a difference - especially if I have to push. But as far as pyschological, usually, I'm better off in the daytime when I keep my mind busy with other things. I noticed if I hold my urine in for awhile, sometimes after an hour, the pressure actually reduces. I wonder if its something at the penis side, where the feeling of urinating is there, and not the bladder side.

But from a rectal exam and cystoscopy, the urologist said it was prostatitits. I thought that was enlarged prostate?

As far as medication, I just feel the Detrol LA isn't effective, and I shouldn't be wasting my money on it. However, I wouldn't mind paying for something that I feel can help.

[24_7]

24_7: As someone who has very similar symptoms, I feel for you. Your observation about overactive bladder is right -- urinary frequency is a different phenomenon.

The first thing would be to try the Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol. Have you gotten your pelvic floor checked out?

I have read about avoiding wheat - but its a staple diet item for me, as I'm vegetarian, and I don't think it is the problem anways.

I would never have expected wheat to be a problem for me either (I didn't have any acute symptoms after eating it), but after deciding on a whim to go off it for two weeks I realized that many of my 'vague' symptoms went away.

Good luck. Let us know how you progress.

I don't think I had my pelvic floor checked. Is that invasive? Just had a cystocopy.

[24_7]

how old are you. So they ruled out an enlarged prostate?

26 Isn't prostatitis, prostate inflammation, the same as enlarged prostate?

[kevin]

Pelvic floor therapy is the bread and butter of treating CPPS. Order the book A Headache in the Pelvis and go through the literature on this website.

[24_7]

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