Six years after (ppp's case)

[ppp]

Six years ago I used to be on this forum everyday. I used to be in pain, things got worse and I had ED symptoms which made life very desperate. The pain, and the feeling of vulnerability can destroy a young man who was just about to throw himself into the crowd. I was 23.

Today I am in pain, but that is exceptional. Things got much better over time. I now can even go to the gym, I was able to do abdomen, run, carry weights, stress, with no relapse. There is only ONE things that gets to me, that restarts the ugly process and it is ejaculation, and NOT after sex. It works 50/50. I avoid it, and I go long time without it. Sometimes however I am not too careful because now 90% of the time whenever I am in pain, I can solve the issue in about an hour or so of self-massage. however annoying that is, I find better not to postpone dealing with these muscles. It works so fast. It is incredible. Yet, yet, when the pain is very bad, when muscles are too sore or tight, it takes more than that. That's today.

For me it is clear that Stanford has got it right, it is a muscle issue. I am just wondering, is there any technology to identify trigger points through some imaging ?

Also a question for you, those who do internal massage: you hit a rough spot, one that hurts, you massage it gently, you know that most of the pain is coming from there, and then... suddenly this muscles relaxes after few minutes of massage... when it does, something happens at the same time... it sends a signal... anyone knows what I am talking about ? I feel this is too weird... but has been consistently the sign of me getting better.

[webslave]

I am just wondering, is there any technology to identify trigger points through some imaging ?

You may find some answers in these links:

Novel applications of ultrasound technology to visualize and characterize myofascial trigger points and surrounding soft tissue

New techniques for the quantification of fibromyalgia and myofascial pain.

Assessment of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs): a new application of ultrasound imaging and vibration sonoelastography.

New views of myofascial trigger points: etiology and diagnosis.

Review of enigmatic MTrPs as a common cause of enigmatic musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.

Diagnosis and therapy of myofascial trigger points

Prediction of TMJ arthralgia according to clinical diagnosis and MRI findings.

Thermographic imaging of myofascial trigger points: a follow-up study.

Differentiation of active and latent trigger points by thermography.

Thermographic imaging of myofascial trigger points.

Documentation of myofascial trigger points.

Trigger Points have been photomicrographed, measured electrically, imaged by modified MRI, and even tissue biopsy sampled for toxicity. (claimed at http://www.trisoma.com/trigger-point.html).

[gmccormack]

ppp, just out of curiosity, what was the turning point?

[alprost]

Also a question for you, those who do internal massage: you hit a rough spot, one that hurts, you massage it gently, you know that most of the pain is coming from there, and then... suddenly this muscles relaxes after few minutes of massage... when it does, something happens at the same time... it sends a signal... anyone knows what I am talking about ? I feel this is too weird... but has been consistently the sign of me getting better.

I know only too well what you are talking about - this happened for me for both external TrP's (released by me) and internal TrP's (released by my girlfriend).

Since being able to FIND all of my TrP's and treat them, I am now back exercising for 40 minutes 5-6 days a week (albeit only moderately at the moment in terms of intensity) and sitting down at my desk all day (whereas before I stood up for 6 years).

Glad you are doing better!

[ppp]

Thanks for all your answers. Mark, thanks very much for the links. I will read them tomorrow.

It is difficult for me to talk about this, I am quite a private person, and usually keep things to myself.
But I have a story and a question and maybe it is time I share. One PT has sort of saved my life, I saw her 6 years ago. She gave me a small plastic tool, maybe 7inch or more in long and about an inch in diameter. She told me we give this to our female patients. She said you should only massage the area no more than 2 inches inside the rectum. I hesitated and found this uncomfortable but I kept this plastic tool on the side for a while. Then when thing got really bad, I started massaging myself. Long story short this IS what made me better. This IS the only thing I do when I am in pain and it gives results pretty quickly. I wish I knew this earlier, I am confident I would have avoided much of the earlier pain.

Now It's not relieving me 100%. But I really think it is because I am not hitting the right spots. While she said that I shouldn't venture too deep and hurt myself, I did, and never really hurt myself, and that is what really alleviated my pain. Are there negative sides effects of doing this regularly ? When I was in Stanford for a consultation the doctor examined me and told me you seem to have trigger points deep inside. He said it with no hesitation. Dr. Anderson is a great guy, and very honest.

Now that I shared some of my story, that saddened me for long, and impacted my life in every way, I wanted to see if any of you are using a similar tool. I actually think that my spots are way deeper than a finger can get, and even deeper than this 7" tool can get (given that 6" would be inside). So today I was even thinking: since this helped me, and since I feel I am not reaching far enough, maybe I should get something that does. But again, would this be recommended ? Any of you has tried this ? And if you don't mind me asking, are there any recommended tools out there that you use ?

However embarrassing, I thought I would share, since maybe some of the people here MIGHT have the same Trigger points as me, and if so, they would be better off I think to know that there is a relatively easy way to manage pain and live a normal life.

Cheers everyone.

[webslave]

I actually think that my spots are way deeper than a finger can get, and even deeper than this 7" tool can get (given that 6" would be inside). So today I was even thinking: since this helped me, and since I feel I am not reaching far enough, maybe I should get something that does. But again, would this be recommended ? Any of you has tried this ? And if you don't mind me asking, are there any recommended tools out there that you use ?

I've seen the tool Dr Wise is supplying to people at his Clinic, and let me tell you, it's a humdinger!

The only equivalent out there is the Theracane. It's like the Theracane, but better.

[davioj]

Thanks for your success story PPP. Do a search on the forum for the word "wand" and you will find a lot of posts that will interest you. Especially Posts by neue01 and scoobysnacks will answer your questions.

A lot of people try to work with a tool. I do too but have not been very successful so far. can't seem to release trouble spots efficiently so far. Could you enlighten us with your protocol of internal massage? As a matter of interest webslave how long is the Wise wand?

[ppp]

I am not sure why I had this serious relapse though after I would say one good year where the pain would shortly go away after internal massage.
I would like to see a doctor (after so many years without seeing one). Which specialty doctor do you guys recommend ? I am planning to bring the muscle issue/trigger points and I want someone to understand / maybe do some radio ? and also recommend a PT. I am in DC and I know there are no internal PT but I think I would benefit from some external PT. Whenever I run, for example, the first thing that hurts is this muscle in my right abs area, and gives me a weird pain, sometimes I feel I need to go to the restroom. I think this must be due to some trigger points in that area.

[ppp]

Hey guys,

There is always something that gets me, whatever I do, which is the pain, the CPPS pain that comes back home after ejaculation. And here, I have a simple question, is there a real way to avoid that ? I have stopped masturbation (even relaxing while ejaculation doesn't help much in my case) and yesterday I was with a girl, and today I am regretting it. It is hard to say the truth, but really I am a dead man walking, without pleasure without a single simple corner in life where I could lay and rest or work but feel mildly happy or satisfied.

Note that I can't do regular masturbation like once a week or 1*2 weeks because masturbation==> hell afterwards. as for intercourse, I think once a week might be good to me, but how to do that if I am single ? Unlike you married men I can't control these things.

What I was wondering in particular, since abstinence is not good either, have any of you used a wand while masturbating to stretch or relieve these muscles during ejaculation ? I was afraid it might lead to more pain or a new kind of problem, and I have enough.

[Jay]

For me, I've found that masturbation is much more tolerable when I take some precautions. I always have a hot bath waiting while I do it, so that I can get in and allow the heat to ease things immediately after the event. Relaxation during the event is critical, and of course, don't delay ejaculation. It might feel great at the time to prolong things, but you'll pay for it after the fact. It seems helpful for me if I take a minute to squat right after ejaculation.

Pace yourself, too. One or two times a week, if your comfort level allows that. Don't worry about the pain when you decide to ejaculate, because then you'll just tense up in anticipation of what you think's going to happen. Naturally, go easy on your body and don't make it some crazy event. Sorry to be graphic, but a wild jerking session is only going to rile up the nerves down there, which are already sensitive.

[Burner2k]

Not sure if this will help or not, its been close to 3 weeks since I masturbated

May be you can talk this over with your PT and/or doctor about the issue. Also a few of them do take meds prior to sexual activity to help things relax down there. May be you can incorporate Jay's suggestions as well!

[ppp]

Thank you, that sucks. Any of you have seen a success story where one got rid of his post ejaculation pain ?
Do you guys know which muscles in particular this involves ? Maybe a targeted stretching or massage ? Sorry too many questions. Now I am determined to get rid of this. I prefer to go 2-3 weeks without ejac. Or even more. This allows me at least to have 1 good week, almost 90% free of CPPS.

[carld]

2 to 3 times a week is what you can do without post-pain, once you have learned to relax the pelvic floor muscles and release the PC muscle...Key muscle in ejaculation. Once that muscle has healed and isn't in a clenched state all the time...You can enjoy a full sex life...

Masturbation is something I rarely do now and save it for the real thing...

For me evening ejaculation works best because I usually go to bed and get relaxed...Some deep squats after is helpful as well...

[extreme3]

I agree, once your pelvic floor is relaxed and healthy again, ejaculation becomes much less of a problem. I used to dread it, now it doesn't bother me much at all. In fact, the absence or reduction of post ejaculatory pain is a good indicator that you are getting better...

[mach5]

Remember to take it one moment at a time. And deal with it as it comes. I know its easy to say this, and more hard to do, but its true.

Sure, prepare before hand. I always do. I also use a hot bath. Let the gf know its nothing personal (I am leaving bed ASAP). I like some lunge type stretches. I put a leg up on a high table and lean into it. I can sit there for a bit. It reduces the pain a bit for me, but not stops it. Then into a bath too. As hot as I can take it.

As for the stressing over the pain part. Just keep telling yourself, I will take it as it comes, moment by moment, and deal with it then. We CPPSers like to freak out the horrible things that may happen (but never really do come to pass). Always makes the pain worse.

I also premedicate if I know I am going to be having sex. Ie, some codeine or a muscle relaxant. Wish I didn't have to take drugs, but I do, and this is life.

PS: I agree that the loss of a pain free sex life is one of the most distressing parts of this. I am currently single again, and haven't started dating yet, because I hate breaking this kind of news to the new GF. It has always worked out for the most part in the past, but its never fun or easy.