Ibuprofen Treatment for Prostatitis?

[yorkere]

List:

I acquired what has been stated as a "mild" case of Prostatitis after a bladder infection caused by a catheter insertion for a bladder test after laser prostate surgery for BPH. The surgery went well, but after 3 months of antibiotic treatment for the bladder infection had finally cleared me up (the first was Cipro, then it was discovered by another uro that there were traces of Staph, so another antibiotic effective against Staph was applied), the prostatitis then reared up as a consequence of sexual activity (apparently it can be triggered by that). My first uro was useless; my regular doctor prescribed 800 mg tabs of Ibuprofen, 3 times a day for a week. Of course during that week, there were no discernable symptoms (to be expected). For ~2 weeks afterward, there was still no return of symptoms (again, to be expected).

The symptoms gradually returned over ~2 weeks, but have stayed rather subdued (no sexual triggers as yet). It's as if the thing very slowly and gradually may be resolving (wishful thinking?), but I'm not sure as yet...My first uro, when I told him about this, agreed that maybe repeat bouts of the Ibuprofen would continue to be helpful (but he wasn't the one to recommend this in the first place! My regular Dr. was the one who prescribed this.), and that it's possible that the heavy doses of Ibuprofen for a week at a time could affect a resolution.

I'd GREATLY appreciate any commentary on this

[webslave]

Please fix up your signature (your age etc).

If you have no sexual triggers, it's unlikely you have much more than the aftermath of the Photo-Selective Vaporization treatment and catheterization.

[yorkere]

Yes, the condition WAS triggered by a sexual episode, it's just that I have carefully not allowed any more such episodes since, to avoid a worsening of the condition..I'm convinced that I risk worsening this thing with any more such triggers..my uro suggested that I use Ibuprofen prior to sex to possibly avoid such worsening.....Has anyone tried this approach?

Can anyone provide any helpful comments?

TIA!

[webslave]

It's likely that the surgery and infection set you up for the muscle+nerve problems that you have now, but I'd expect them to fade of their own accord. Take Quercetin (I recommend Quercetin) to subdue inflammation, get the Headache in the Pelvis book and do the stretches, try not to worry and avoid anything that seems to set it off. Give it a little time and it will probably resolve completely. The ibuprofen may be helping by acting against inflammation, keep that up.

[yorkere]

Thank you for this quick reply!

I've been taking any accredited quercetin product vice any accredited quercetin product (It was advertised as better by the same maker, I think)for awhile; the recommended dose on the bottles is 1-2 tabs in the morning and evening. I haven't been as rigorous with that regimen as I should have, but thanks to your recommendation, I will now. I know that some have reported these products as being helpful, but I don't know the success (or failure) rate. But it's certainly worth my continuing with it.

The key question for me is will the very large doses of 800 mg tabs of Ibuprofen for a week at a time be expected to hasten the resolution of this, or would more moderate intake of the usual 200 mg tab at night be appropriate? The current level and location of discomfort seems to be localized to the anal area at this time, with no (as yet) re-occurrence of lower abdominal pressure or discomfort during or immediately after (currently, sometimes a feeling of pressure at the cessation of stream) voiding. So far I'm thankful that the heavy Ibuprofen dose for a week seems to have been responsible for this moderation.

And I DO intend buying the book!

Thanks again for your attempt to help me; I hope others may also provide some help with this.

[webslave]

Unless you get stomach pain, continue with the Ibuprofen at the higher dose. Make sure your doc agrees!

[yorkere]

Webslave:

Please excuse my delay in replying; I've made an appointment with a Uro at Loma Linda University Medical School's Faculty (out here in SoCal) to get a second opinion regarding another bout of high dose ibuprofen. Can't get in to see him 'till 14 July!!

After lurking on this site for several months, I will openly confess I am terrified that I will never rid myself of this thing; many others who have posted to this forum have and are suffering apparently a hell of a lot more and a lot longer than I have. But I will admit that that's small comfort to me....

I've read about use of Lyrica, and Methadone for this condition, but it appears the risk of serious problems with that stuff is ominously high...

[webslave]

I wouldn't be too concerned. Firstly, most posters get well and disappear. They'd be back, all of them, if still in pain. You tend to see the few who don't get well here, for one reason or another. Secondly, you're 73 and post-operative, a real outlier in several ways. I would expect you to improve steadily over the next months and years.

[yorkere]

Webslave:

My condition has remained mild, compared to what others have described. I have avoided climax since I'm now convinced it would worsen the condition. The symptoms seem to remain in the anal region, with some shifting to the anterior perineum from time to time. It becomes most apparent when relaxing almost to the point of urination.

I intend calling the same PT that calguy has been going to (He was kind enough to provide this contact). This was the only recommended source for possible help that I've been able to find in the near-to-me SoCal area.

[webslave]

Yorkere, before doing that, you may want to see another uro to have a cystoscopy to check what that laser has done in there. Do that 6 months post-op IF the symptoms do not seem to be abating. If they are slowly abating, give it another 6 months and reassess.

[yorkere]

Webslave:

I DO have an appointment on 14 July with a faculty Uro at Loma Linda University's medical school....The PVP surgery was done last 23 January, so it's been 6 months now.

And I WOULD like to AVOID a cystoscopy, if at all possible! I'd like to try another bout of ibuprofen (800 mg tabs, 3 times a day, for a week) to see if that would help the same as it did the first time, but I've been holding off 'till I consult with this Loma Linda Urologist. That's a hell of a lot of ibuprofen, and a repeat has me a bit nervous about it.

I believe I'll take your advice, and kinda hold off on contacting the PT that calguy had recommended. I've noticed that defecation tends to relieve the discomfort that is localised to the anal area region. As a matter of fact, I've just gotten off my toilet and now ALL symptoms are gone (temporarily, I think)!

This is an edit; I've noticed all day that the symptoms have been considerably reduced compared to what I've been feeling in prior days. I suspect that my giving in to a desire for "Popeye's" spicy fried chicken and drinking decaf coffee may have been adverse events for this. Since I've gotten OFF ANY coffee and NO spicy food intake, I'm feeling much better with this, although a slight perception of presence remains when relaxing the area. I hope this keeps up!! Sorry to go on and on about this; I seem to be creating a damned li'l diary here...

And thank you for your responses; you've been very helpful! I do hope you'll continue to try to help...