Getting started - HELP!

[chrisphl]

Hi,

I've been lingering for a while and haven't really done much of anything to help this. I bought headache in the pelvis and read through it, but didn't find anything really actionable in there - I mean nothing that I could quickly get started with.

I've had this condition for about 8 months now and it clearly fluctuates according to how much stress I have in my life. If I have no stress (vacation), the pain is gone in a day or 2 and doesn't come back until I start working again.

I own a company and probably work 12-13 hr days (at least) right now and can't really afford a break.

What do you guys recommend for short term relief? I'm going to see a PT who specializes in myofascial release in 2 weeks. In the meantime, I need something to chill this pain out.

Here is what I found works:
-not sitting in a chair (hard not to do)
-running long distances
-stretching
-hot sitz bath (I don't have a bath in my apt)

I've been to a urologist (supposedly one of the best in the country) who determined that it is a neuromuscular issue - he referred me to the PT.

I'm looking for some relief to get me through this until I can get a game plan together.

The great news that I find really comforting is that I know it is related to stress. I literally feel awesome when I'm not stressed out for a few days - it's like I'm a whole different person.

Regarding the pain, I'm sorta getting used to it, but I'd rather find a way to kill it all together - I'm sure everyone says that.

I'm not saying I'm not willing to read through this all, but right now I have limited time, so I'm looking for an some quick insight. For instance, I've read about internal massage - and tried it - but I literally have no clue what I'm looking to achieve.

I've found that I do "trigger points" in my abdomen - little knots that I can actually feel depending on how bad things are. By really putting pressure on these, it tends to knock out testicle pain.

Regarding the pain, it goes from a burning around my ass (feels like I sat on a coal), shooting pain down the leg, a golf ball in my prostate, testicle pain, stomach cramp pain, penis pain, etc. It usually only hurts in one place at a time but can move around during the course of a day and each day is a new adventure.

I have no pain peeing and I can sleep perfectly fine and feel fine when I wake up - unless I'm REALLY stressed out in my sleep. When I'm not stressed out, I can have sex and it's just fine w/o any pain. With stress, it's a pain in the ass - literally.

Please, any help you guys can provide would be awesome.

Sorry for the stream of consciousness post, but I thought I would lay it all out as I thought of it.

Thanks,
Chris

[alprost]

I own a company and probably work 12-13 hr days (at least) right now and can't really afford a break.

You need to find, or make, a way to address this.

I used to think like that as well. Then I made getting better the number one priority in my life, and everything fell into place. It probably isn't what you want to hear, but in reality, it is that simple. I've also found I'm much more productive in the hours I actually do work.

Everything else you are doing is great, and you have been lucky enough to see a knowledgeable Uro who has referred you to PT to sort out the physical aspect of your condition. You just need to gear the rest of your life towards recovery as best as you possibly can.

[carld]

On the right track...

As far as pain or discomfort management until you go full force into this protocol....

Meds...Try Elavil low dosage to calm the nerves or help with nerve pain

Benzos like Xanax or valium low dosage and under supervision of your doctor. These meds will help relax those muscles and reduce anxiety. Can be habit forming so please be careful. Really a wonderful class of drugs.

You can try muscle relaxers at night like Flexeril. I'm going to try that as well at some point.

I'm not a doctor, just a dude with CP...

[LifeInTurmoil]

Ultram(Tramadol) really, really helps me with the pain and also as a bonus, with the depression. It's a GREAT medication for short term and in my case, long term relief. I did not get any positive results with PT until I combined it with Ultram. As you get better you can slowly begin to drop the dose as needed. This is not to say that YOU will need to be on Ultram while YOU go through PT, but it is good to have around for those really tough days.

[chrisjiujitsu]

I get some relief from naproxen. I get more relief from the 500mg doctors version and not Aleve (naproxen). Valium also helps me also in a bad case scenario. Also wanted to comment on the long running. I was wondering if you feel better as some hormones kick in but will feel worse off after they wear off. I guess you would notice this if you were to have bad days after.

I was thinking it may be a bad idea to not make this a priority. If you put it off, I think it will take that much longer for your treatment to completely fix you. I just have a hunch that if you give your body time to learn to keep doing what is causing pain, it will take that long to unlearn it.

[Sleeper Service]

I just have a hunch that if you give your body time to learn to keep doing what is causing pain, it will take that long to unlearn it.

Completely agree with this.

[chrisphl]

I wish I could stop what I'm doing and focus on this completely, but it's just not possible due to my business. I'm at a phase where 2 years of work are about to pay off and I cannot walk away from it now.

Regarding the medications, how do you just get them? I'm assuming that you need a prescription, but I don't have a close enough relationship with the doc where he would just give me whatever I ask for.

I also have a question on the trigger points on the abdomen. Is it possible that this could actually be a hernia? I've noticed that the more I work on this one spot, the more it hurts.

Thoughts?

Also, I'm wondering if it's possible to get rid of this completely. Is that possible?

[alprost]

I wish I could stop what I'm doing and focus on this completely, but it's just not possible due to my business. I'm at a phase where 2 years of work are about to pay off and I cannot walk away from it now.

Fair point - you have got to do what you have got to do. But.....as this is likely to be part of the reason you have this condition, you need to plan to address this at some point - the sooner the better - if you want to recover IMHO. Time and time again I've seen smart guys focus on the Physio side and neglect other aspects central to their treatment, and I've never read of a positive outcome.

I also have a question on the trigger points on the abdomen. Is it possible that this could actually be a hernia? I've noticed that the more I work on this one spot, the more it hurts.

That is consistent with trigger points - I'd discuss this with your PT

Also, I'm wondering if it's possible to get rid of this completely. Is that possible?

I believe wholeheartedly that it is. IF we are fully committed to following all aspects of the treatment protocol - lifestyle; stretching; relaxation; PT etc.

There are plenty of examples of people who have made a full recovery.

[LifeInTurmoil]

Just to give you an example of how IMPORTANT it is to your recovery to try to learn ways of changing certain aspects of you lifestyle....So far I have had 109(one hundred nine) physical therapy treatments with an EXCELLENT doctor in a year and four months time. Of these 96 were also INTERNAL treatments through my rectum. These treatments have helped me a great deal, BUT, when I try to return to certain things the way I was used to doing or become extremely angry or anxious...BOOM....it's "flare-up city" for me again! I also have a seriously herniated disk in my back which often "takes me down" all over again so I must be very careful about what I do. The last serious flare-up that I had was back in May. It took about 6 weeks to get it back under control with the help of my doctor. I had been going through a great deal of excess stress that month and I believe that between the stress and my back it became too much for my pelvis to handle. If somehow you can try to keep a calm attitude it makes a huge difference in recovery time. This is really easier said then done, I know. I haven't learned to do this very well either, but I know that it can really make a difference. Stress is a real killer and probably one of the main reasons why we continually suffer with this damn ailment and a whole lot of others!! Stay well!!

[scotsman]

Just to give you an example of how IMPORTANT it is to your recovery to try to learn ways of changing certain aspects of you lifestyle....So far I have had 109(one hundred nine) physical therapy treatments with an EXCELLENT doctor in a year and four months time. Of these 96 were also INTERNAL treatments through my rectum. These treatments have helped me a great deal, BUT, when I try to return to certain things the way I was used to doing or become extremely angry or anxious...BOOM....it's "flare-up city" for me again! I also have a seriously herniated disk in my back which often "takes me down" all over again so I must be very careful about what I do. The last serious flare-up that I had was back in May. It took about 6 weeks to get it back under control with the help of my doctor. I had been going through a great deal of excess stress that month and I believe that between the stress and my back it became too much for my pelvis to handle. If somehow you can try to keep a calm attitude it makes a huge difference in recovery time. This is really easier said then done, I know. I haven't learned to do this very well either, but I know that it can really make a difference. Stress is a real killer and probably one of the main reasons why we continually suffer with this damn ailment and a whole lot of others!! Stay well!!

Great post and very true.

I'm the same - lots of physical treatment but a stressful/busy job/life is preventing me from getting rid of this. I feel that I'm doing all my work, relaxation + triggerpoint work, just to stand still.

Richard.