My progress (Calguy's Case)

[superuse]

Since giving up racquetball I have been feeling much, much better.

Yes, if you reduced your problems greatly by ditching racquetball, (very very stressful on groin, adductors and obturators ) get rid of its replacement, yoga. If you must, emphasize very simple and non-difficult stretches for a few minutes a day. There are too many people who were doing yoga (and of course, mostly its "power" and Bikram etc variants) and dance (ballet) before onset to consider it or complex stretching a serious part of the remedy. That and the fact that A HEADACHE IN THE PELVIS names "stretch injury" as one of the causes of chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome leads one to believe that stretching can be counterproductive for many.

[popburner]

I have to second what superuse was saying - I was a dancer for years and it is that hypermobility that my PT says may have contributed to the issue. In fact, she recommends only moderate ranges of motion through the hips for people dealing with pelvic pain, as too little or too much use of the ROM is part of the problem. If you absolutely MUST exercise (though I would much rather suggest working with a pain psychologist on how to pace your recovery - i.e. set up a plan so you can work slowly back to more activity as you get better) she suggests swimming (only smaller strokes, no crazy olympic maneuvers), walking, or maybe eliptical with arms (use the arms more than the legs).

All the best!

[calguy]

Well symptoms have changed over the last week. I had PT session last Thursday and Saturday frequency kicked up for one day, then I started getting testicle pain for the first time and a little irritation and numb feeling in the tip of my penis. This pain is kind of scary because you dont want it to get worse. Havent had these symptoms before. I started taking Elavil every other day last week and it has been keepng me more relaxed throughout the day. It was a litle hard to sleep for the first few days while starting Elavil, dont know why? My stream isn't as strong either which could be due to the effects of Elavil . Going to try and loosen things up tonight. Was going to run back to PT but its getting expensive and have to try and treat myself. Muscles in the front of my thighs are no longer burning, just more sore like I am over working them. this could have something to due with how I am carrying pelvic floor.

[garyholc]

I know that numb pain in the penis, I get it not in the tip, but down the left side near the base and its not very nice. Not bad enough to take anything for but its not nice either, especially when sitting. My symptoms have returned a bit due to me being down the past week and half about my ex... feeling a little more upbeat today, and guess what, symptoms have reduced.

I can almost now predict my symptoms based on how I feel during the day!!!

[strobers]

I'm having a bad week too Calguy. Since last Monday I can't stop this stupid clamping when I void. It just came out of nowhere. I've never had this symptom in 14 months of having IC/CPPS. I'm in the tub more than a frog is in a pond, I stretch, take my supplements, listen to my relaxation tapes, play my guitar and subconsciously dread going to the bathroom because I'm afraid I'm going to clamp again while I'm voiding and make my flare even worse. What a way to live. I'm afraid of urinating. How sad is that?

If it continues for another few days I'm going to have to go back to my uro and ask for some kind of anti-spasmatic. I actually can see and feel my lower abdominals dancing around like I had an alien inside me and I am ready to give birth. Unflippen' believeable.

I wish I could have the assurance that hesitation/clamping cannot cause urine to reflux back into the prostate ducts. My PT says it's impossible and other people say it's totally possible. I wish I knew what to believe.

[strobers]

Does anybody on this board have an idea?

[webslave]

What do you want to hear? Clamping during urination is not smart. Get something to help you stop that, even if it's a benzo. Take an alpha blocker too.

[calguy]

It seems all my issues of pain and frequency seem to stem from my abdominals. When I massage lower abs right below belly button and to sides by hips I can refer the pain down to all my trouble spots. When my abs are tight this also cause frequency. I've stopped tensing belly and massage these areas almost daily. Will these muscles relax one day or is this something I will have to keep up forever. I can figure out why they tighten up so much? It may be that my tension or stress causes these to tense because when I take a muscle relaxer (flexeral) at night the next day everything is fine, but when I go for a few days without taking anything things tighten up. Could it be the muscle relaxers are just helping my whole body relax thus relieving tension in my whole body? I do get very relaxed when I take these.

[Jay]

Hi calguy,

I have not yet found any triggers in my abdomen, but I would bet the area is involved. I've noticed that I have a habit of holding in my stomach all the time, and that causes my pelvis to tighten inward, too. I can stop it while I'm thinking about it, but as soon as my mind strays, the holding resumes!

I'd think those muscles will one day relax (and it will probably be beneficial if relaxants are useful to you), but you'll probably have to keep working them. If you have a habit of holding/tension like I do, that will no doubt hinder your progress. This is one of those things where moment-to-moment relaxation has been very important.

[rysocal]

I can relate to you calguy. When I push on triggers on the abs, sometimes I can feel a electric shock sensation go down to the pelvic floor. My problems are specifically on the psoas and rectus abdominis (the area below the belly button). Try going in a yoga bridge position and bring one hand up to work on your abs. I can really feel the abdominal triggerpoints mega intensified in this position or on a decline weight bench. It feels like the pleasure/pain sensation similar when you have knots in your shoulder to me when you press on them.Sometimes I use my TV remote on my abs, havent really found anything better to use. One day I will get a Theracane. . .

Are you still seeing Crissie Morgan (PT)? I saw Crissie for around 8 months. She gave up on me and told me that she would be just taking my money if she continued. I can recommend another PT in Irvine that I have been seeing with some success.

Also maybe try Bihkram(HOT) yoga. Even though i think its the moast boaring type of yoga , the heat helps loosen up the muscles tremendously.Give it atleast 5 sessions.

[calguy]

I'm surprised she couldn't help you. She has been huge help for me. She put me on monthly tune ups and said I should stick to my routine. I was feeling good but last few days my pelvis just blew up. Hard to sit, pain in testicles and a little frequency. I never had this before and kinda freaks me out. Going to try and calm things down this week but may need to run back and see if Crissy can straighten me out. I will try that stretch but I think the yoga caused me more problems than it helped.

[calguy]

I know this topic been dicussed before but had a question about why alcohol helps my pain and frequency the next day, especially if I drank a lot. Is it because it makes me relax and maybe calms anxiety? If so then if I take something to calm me down and relax me then it should do the same thing right? Is there something I could take that may help? Would Elavil do the same thing or is there something else I could take? Dont want to turn into alcoholic but it does help>

[Jay]

Hi calguy,

If your problems are predominantly muscular, then alcohol helps because it is a natural muscle relaxant. Used in moderation, it's a good way to relieve both pain and stress. I know some fellows drink a glass of wine every night, or maybe enjoy some beer. I can't do either since I'm allergic to both!

There are drugs which can also act as muscle relaxants. One example would be Valium. That said, they all have addictive potential, and they do lose their potency with frequent use. Many sufferers keep muscle relaxants on hand strictly to break flares.

Elavil can keep you mentally relaxed, which would help with your anxiety. It is also beneficial for neuropathic pain (burning, shooting, sharp, etc), if you have pain of that type. It's an anticholinergic, however, which means that it might cause constipation and urine retention. Not a good idea if you already have difficulties/pain going to the bathroom, which is why I stopped taking it. On the other hand, if you have frequency and could afford to go less, then it might be a nice perk for you.

One example of a natural, non-alcoholic muscle relaxant is Valerian Root. There are others you could get at herbal shops and maybe health food stores.

[scoobysnacks]

I use Phenibut powder, great for pelvic tension, at least mine....

[neue01]

I have noticed that if I drink large amounts of alcohol in an evening I feel better by the end of the night. It's really strange. Because on the other hand if I drink only a little and do not get very buzzed or drunk it makes my symptoms worse by the end of the night. I have no idea what the deal is with this?