My Story (Etaoinshrdlu's case)

[etaoinshrdlu]

Alpha Blockers and reflux:

When I tried Flomax, the next day I had a brutal case of acid reflux that lasted for three or four days. My gastroenterologist claims that what relaxes one sphincter relaxes the others. However, my urologist claims that he's never had a patient complain of reflux caused by these medicines. I think I really do need one if I can tolerate it. SInce GERD (or at least IBS) and chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome are so frequently comorbid, I'd expect that more people would have this side effect. Anyone have any experiences?

Dating:

So I've been casually dating this girl for a little more than a month. I've managed to see her on nights when I haven't been in the middle of particularly bad flares. However, we're starting to progress towards an actual relationship. At some point I'm going to have to tell her that I'm not always feeling top-notch and maybe even that I have a lot of trouble peeing these days when I'm not in a comfort zone. Even more worryingly, I don't anticipate (due to my shy bladder) being able to pee around her for quite some time. Probably shouldn't be getting into a relationship but she's just so amazing and I've been lonely for a year. Anyone have experiences with new relationships and this? Like what to say and when to say it? For a long time I was feeling great most of the time, but I see to have regressed significantly.

[carld]

Your 25...Have a good time. Stay away from serious relationships not because of UCPPS but because your 25!!!

On the serious side...There is no right or wrong here...If you are comfortable enough to tell this woman your personal issues, go ahead....Before you do however...throw caution to the wind. Woman want a man that can be a provider and make things happen. If you sit there and tell her this issue all the time, it will be long over before you know it. So be careful...explain it once, then move on.

It's different if you have been in a relationship for a long time or are married...

Best

[etaoinshrdlu]

I'm 33. My symptoms started at 25. I was almost married at 22, hah! I've been in basically two long-term relationships (5 years each). The chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome started shortly after the second one started, I talked about it, and everything was okay. But we'd already been very serious for a couple of months. This time it's almost like I feel like the girl deserves a caveat. Because I'm sort of being avoidant right now. The giant snowstorm we're getting is a good excuse, but I feel like if I weren't flaring like crazy I would be crawling through the snow to see her. And she might be wondering why I'm not up for spending more time with her than I am...

That is true, though -- if you dwell on anything negative no one's going to want to be around you.

Relationships are not bad things!

[etaoinshrdlu]

Ever since the day afterward, I've had perineal pain that mimics the urgent need to urinate. It disappears right after urination and comes back a few minutes later, whether I'm able to urinate or not. Seems to be based in the shaft of the penis. This is a new symptom. I'm seriously wondering now if I hurt myself.

[webslave]

You may have damaged the membranous urethra. See https://ucpps.men/prostate-massage

See a urologist, who may be able to diagnose this correctly.

This is why I caution people about doing internal work themselves.

[etaoinshrdlu]

Oh no. But the Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol is based on doing internal work yourself, and the attitude of Tim and Dr. Wise seems to be, "experiment and learn from your mistakes."

This doesn't sound like a mistake that will be easily recovered from, though...

[webslave]

Were you applying pressure to the prostate itself, and/or just below it? That's a delicate area. And as I said, you may have hurt yourself, given your description. You may need a cystoscopy or imaging of the urinary tract.

[etaoinshrdlu]

I was just applying pressure to what I thought was a trigger point in a muscle. Probably around that area, though, yeah. :/ Will call uro tomorrow. What's encouraging me is that this discomfort isn't there when I wake up or after a BM -- which is just like all of my other chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptoms -- so maybe it's all just a flare.

[etaoinshrdlu]

The uro, after seeing me, thinks I might have bruised my prostate. He says it should heal in time. Ugh.

[carld]

Relationships are not bad things!

I never suggested that...So lets focus on the point...

1. Alpha blockers are of no use for our condition once it is confirmed by a doctor you have UCPPS...Period...They don't work to stop any of the discomfort associated with the burning type pain of this syndrome. I have years of experience wasted on those Fu#$%^^ drugs...

2. Dating any chick in the early stages and telling her your problem is going to likely be a mistake...It's a natural thing. She's looking for a mate to bare her children and set the nest up...If you can't perform because of this condition, you have to give yourself the space to deal with it and heal so you can perform. New relationships are solidified with the hot times that slow down as the emotional side takes over...

Heal before you get serious...I had already been with the same woman for a over a decade and had two children before my onset...and believe me...My wife suffered as much as I did...

Good luck...

Best

[etaoinshrdlu]

On top of my chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptoms, which often include frequency, I suffer from an intensely shy bladder. Anytime I'm paid attention to, urination is just not happening. If I'm playing a gig and can get away, I usually have to walk down the street to a fast-food restaurant or gas station. If I'm out with a girl, eh, there's nothing I can do. Around old friends it's not as big a deal. But my urinary hesitancy means that I take a long time and never completely empty my bladder anyway.

I'm considering trying intermittent self-catheterization. It would free me up to live a mostly normal life, whereas now I stay home more than I should and dehydrate myself beforehand if I'm going to be in a situation where I'm going to find it hard to pee.

Anyone have any experience with this? I'm talking to my doctor tomorrow, but she knows nothing about CPPS. Is it easy to hurt one's self? Does the extra sensitivity people with our condition experience make it more painful during or afterwards? How long does it take to learn to do quickly?

[webslave]

Intermittent self-catheterization may well help you; simply follow the instructions on the internet (better yet, ask your MD).

[etaoinshrdlu]

Did, and she agreed! (except recommends that it be VERY intermittent). However, she just said it was easy to learn rather than telling me the process. I've read quite a bit about it, though. Here's hoping I don't injure myself more! :)

[etaoinshrdlu]

So I'm still in rough shape, but not every day. Every other day I seem to feel fine and my urinary tract is a-ok, with no pain. But every *other* day, especially but not just after drinking or getting "blue balls," the intense pain and frequency but near inability to urinate are back. Ejaculation seems to ensure that the next day will be relatively symptom-free. This is very different than how I spent the last seven years. I saw a urologist who specializes in chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome and he admitted that no one knows anything (but that physical therapy and relaxation are the best cures). He also had no idea why I was experiencing this sort of pain. Does this sound to anyone like a possibly bruised prostate? Or a nerve upregulation thing? Either way, anyone know any angle I can approach this new problem from? I'd try Pyridium, but there are situations where orange bodily fluids that stain everything are just not appropriate. Plus I wear contacts.

I'd give absolutely anything to be back where I was a couple of months ago, as bad as that was, before I tried doing internal work on myself...

I'm now in a serious relationship and have gigs coming up and I can't deal with this much longer.

[webslave]

Hmmm. I think you need to get to see someone who is an expert in this field. Sorry if I missed it, but where are you located again?