Question New Sufferer

[d_man]

Basically I am lying down. I slowly contract my anus/pelvic region, then release slowly, then as if I am pulling my penis towards the sky upwards. But gently (she warned me). You don't tug the thing. Slowly pull it up. It doesn't have to be much. If you feel underneath your testicles (left or right side) while you do this, you will feel the fibers/muscles stretch inside. Sometimes I don't even do the contractions because I am uncomfortable about the whole clenching but either way when I feel under my testes, while doing it, I notice a stretch.

[webslave]

Those are called Kegel exercises. They are not recommended. The "pulling on the penis" thing I've never heard of before.

[d_man]

I know about Kegel, that's why i just gently pull and usually don't constrict. My PT knows how I feel about Kegel so we don't do them. But when you get internal, from what I read in the book HITP about trigger points, that the patient voluntarily clenches, releases before pressing firmly on the trigger point. Right? I think that is similar to the penis pull technique. Anyway, she did mention she does use some "European methods" also. Being in Montreal we are heavily Euro influenced. She says best of both worlds. Who knows? All I know since Thursday, I haven't had any burning sensations but I have had this weird feeling like something is in my penis at times. Like an earring. But I'll take that over the burn. :)

[DMcU]

Hi,
I was faced with the same scenario with my PT, telling me to do Kegel's, and also, the top Uro in Ireland told me, when I mentioned them, that they were 'good'! That's all! Good! I do have post-void drip and I massage the residual urine out by pressing the perineum and massaging outwards instead of clenching the last drop. When my PT went internal she only really checked the anal sphincter so I said I'm going to give her AHIP to read. This 'pulling on the penis' is interesting, I find that I feel as if I have pressure in the penis, particularly if I'm drinking alcohol. I will definitely give it a go anyway as anything is worth trying!

[d_man]

I must tell you to be very gentle on the pull and you don't need to stretch it all the way up (you can hurt yourself, words from my PT). I do five reps twice a day. If you feel just below the base of your penis on the sides of testes, you will feel the muscle stretch while doing it.

[DMcU]

Brilliant, thanks for the idea and advice. I find that the pressure feeling is horrible and I think that the urethra is surrounded by soft muscle tissue, if that's the case, this could well be something to incorporate into our own personal protocols. Thanks and I'll reply after I give this a go and a chance to act on symptoms or the general condition.

[d_man]

I believe there are two points in me when my PT hits causes the burning. But she told me today was much better and it went much smoother. She also worked me much harder this time. I am noticing the more I do PT, the more involved I get and the better I am at understanding it. I am now starting to tell her where to hit. It's quite interesting. These last few days seem like I am beginning to get a handle of what is going on with me. And I am doing much more external physio on myself at home. Under the testes there is tenderness at times and I pretty much try to do what she does and it might be working. Bottom line, now that I know there is relief, I am feeling more in control of the situation. Only thing now, is to start my CBT/pain management sessions, which I should have done CBT years ago. I was going to but just never did it. But it has helped one of my friends with severe panick attacks and two years later, he does pretty much anything (kind of a wild guy now) and has been symptom free. Very promising. I am positive that this is 70% mental. Sure I worry about going back to the hell I was in a few weeks ago, but whatever. It can't get much worse.

[DMcU]

I think you could be right about this being very much mental. My PT always says that I'm not too bad but that I need to 'loosen up' mentally - i.e. to stop talking fast, to think before I speak and to slow down. Lately as soon as I think about things I feel the perineum muscles tensing and that flush of anxiety coming up to my stomach which in turn makes me urgently need to urinate. It gets worse in the evening time. Even as I write this I have 15 mins left before work ends and I'm very anxious, for no reason! It's a gorgeous evening out, I can't wait to go for a walk, I have nothing pressing to do, just to focus on myself and my beautiful surroundings.

Out of interest, where did your PT find trigger points that caused burning in urethra?

True - things can't get worse! My PT is also trying to talk me into going for pain management I may consider it. Ridding the pain can help to relax and to stop caging this monster in!

[Jay]

I went into (and still remain with) pain management a couple of years ago, on the advice of my physical therapist. It was a good decision.

Assuming the pain center you are sent to is multidisciplinary, they should also have psychological aide, likely in the form of a pain management psychologist and/or cognitive behavioral therapist. You would likely derive benefit there. That consistent 'flush of anxiety' sensation is a sure sign that you have some anxiety issues which need to be taken care of.

[d_man]

I believe the burning is in two spots, but it was pretty much up and an inch or two deep. She hit two spots there. The other spots are deeper, I think closer to the prostate on each side. Now I don't know for sure cause I haven't yet tried it on myself.

In terms of pain management/CBT, I've been fortunate to go to one with 5 or 6 other people with Male Pelvic Pain that McGill University offers. 10 week course. You should check at some schools if they offer this around u. I start next week. Since this started and since I am slowly feeling better (I by no means am celebrating), I am doing a complete lifestyle makeover. Biggest wake up call ever.

I truly believe if you put the mind in the right environment, your body can fully heal itself fully. I'm sticking by that! I just know there is a long road ahead.

[DMcU]

Very good! Well it definitely sounds like you are getting somewhere anyway. Pain management is a very new concept for me but I will look into it. Ireland is very lacking of appropriate facilities in this field.
I have completely changed my lifestyle as well. I think that it's essential to do that but at the same time not to let it change it for you. A change for the better is what I consider it.
The road to recovery is rocky and bumpy but no-one will have this condition for life, and if they do, they haven't been doing enough! I'm not going to be amongst those.

Your PT has found two classic examples of TP's that refer the burning pain so! That must be a load of your mind!

[d_man]

Definitely, but she is off in two weeks, which causes some anxiety. I know it shouldn't but since I can't do it on myself at this point( external only), the mind starts racing. This is why CBT I think is so important for me now. I don't think it's the answer, but I think it's a step in becoming a better me. And that's the goal.

Last night, I started to have a small flare while jamming. Nothing major, but near the end it took the focus off my playing and more on my penis. Was minor, I went home and slept it off. As well, I have a lunch date this afternoon. Back in the day I'd just have a few shots before or during to calm nerves but this time, I won't be drinking. Gulp! But hey, got to live life again as normal as possible. Baby steps... Worst thing that can happen, my penis can start burning

BTW, DMCU, just got back from physio and the place it hurts me the most, is called the traverse muscle I believe. It's located like an inch in and up (anus). I feel those TPs the most. I believe it's close to the uthera (not sure), but it creates the closest sensation to my symptons so far. Hope this helps.

[DMcU]

Hi again,

The transverse perineal muscle - Ah yes, mine hurt aswell, they are as tight as guitar strings. I started doing internal PT on myself as my PT don't seem very informed on this. I have found some areas of pain and will just focus on treating them every second day and do it easy as I'm sure massaging to roughly will only flare things, and God knows 'flare' is the bad 'f-word' on this site!!
You do have to live it up and live like you intend to live. It's very true that the worst thing that could happen is the burning feeling and sure we are well able to live with that!
Anxiety seems to be what is winding everything up in my case, and I rarely would have been anxious as a person before. I concentrate my anxiety on my pelvic region and now it has become a vulnerable place.
You taking anything for the anxiety?

[d_man]

I'm not taking any anxiety meds. I've been taking l-theanine daily and recently started passionflower with chamomile tea only as needed. It makes you a little sleeping but it does calm you down. I'm not against meds, but unless there is a pill that is able to erase my memory from the last 4 months. I don't don't how much of an effect it will have. Man, I wish they could create a drug for that:P

Anyway, I noticed something yesterday before, during, and after my date. Before I had limited symptoms due to PT earlier but was anxious but I mean that is normal when going on a date. I meditated 30 minutes before to calm me down and it helped a bit. During, only the first 5 min my symptoms were apparent, but once I settled down non-existent, gone!! After date, and night just minor irritation.And this morning same as last night. This is starting to make me believe that I am creating most of these sensations in my head now. Sure I feel something but I wonder if i would have felt that before this mess? I guess like dr. wise told me, don't try to figure it out, but at times it's hard not to.

[DMcU]

That's great to hear about the symptoms and the date!

Camomile tea is wonderful and I find it's easy on the bladder and urethra. Peppermint is also good, particularly for those with IBS, like me. It relaxes the intestines and stomach. And I feel these play a huge part in this condition, as I know I tense my ab muscles when anxious.
We need that memory eraser pen from 'Men in Black'!!
Did you take alcohol on your date? I find this actually calms my muscles and I'm going to experiment having a hot whiskey before bedtime for a week and see if that helps or not.
I find it's extremely hard to meditate when I have something pressing on, for example, last Saturday I said I'd go and see my girlfriend. The bus was to leave at 4pm and would take 1 hour and a half. Fine, she wouldn't be finished work until 6.30pm and I would always relish the chance to have a walk around anyway, especially as I was to get a bus to a lovely Irish country town I never set foot in before. So I had no reason to be anxious, if the bus was late it didn't matter. But I got so worked up, and I had no need to, and I wouldn't normally be like this, only lately. It got me wanting to urinate and everything! Horrible!
Sure we all get worked up but I don't think we dwelled or stressed upon it before this condition. I guess the most important thing is that there is nothing wrong with us, and the sooner we get on with our lives the better. Ok our muscles are tense and the nerves excited - but they still work!