Stubborn trigger points (Ramana's Case)

[ramana]

I was having repeated flares and it was somewhat apparent that there were some trigger points on the abdomen. A doctor suggested intramuscular stimulation and trigger point injections. I did that and now I am in worse shape. I have pain in the abdomen suprapubic and rectal pain. Can't keep my left foot down because it pains in the abdomen. Any pointers what to do? I am quite stuck. It seems I have been set back by 2 years now

[ramana]

It seems that I am going to lose my job the second time due to pain. Anyone having any inputs on what jobs can be done from home while mostly bedridden or meeting doctors. Telecalling is probably one such vocation. I have looked at flexjobs and craigslist but I am not finding much response there.

[ramana]

I received some relief after being on an inversion machine plus traction (master care) that stretched out the abdominal muscles (and possibly the pelvic too as rectal pain reduced). I couldn't go to the hospital again because it was far. Wondering if I should purchase one and whether it is ok to be on inversion machine every day. Has anyone ever tried one?

[ramana]

I am back to do rectal therapy on myself since I no longer have access to physical therapists. I have seen Tim, Liz and another therapist and continued until I lost health insurance. This is my regimen and I need to know what else I can do:

I am using EZ magic at www.icrelief.com. I do this squatting. On insertion, I do not have any Trps on the sphincter but when I go deeper, I have excruciating pain near the left side of tailbone. On pressing for 8 - 12 seconds, the sensation does not change. Then I try to move the tissues a little bit back and forth and leave it. Backing up to the sphincter, I try to stretch the inner walls outside for up to a minute and release. Then I squeeze the muscles as hard as I can twice and then release. Followed by breathing for a few minutes. After every session, I get residual pain on the points that I press but it goes away after a few hours. What else can I do to deactivate the Trps?

My major problem during this episode was abdominal pain that further worsened by trigger point injections but largely under control if I don't move around much.
Thanks for any inputs

[webslave]

Then I squeeze the muscles as hard as I can twice and then release.

What does that mean? Squeeze with tool or tense muscle?

[ramana]

Thanks webslave. One of the therapists had told me to put the finger inside the sphincter and squeeze as hard as I can and then release but not do it more than 3 - 4 times. So I squeeze the tense muscle. Can you or anyone else provide inputs on if the regimen is ok or if I need to do something else. The problem remains that I cannot deactivate the trigger points.

[webslave]

The key to deactivating extremely stubborn trigger points is most likely a complete change of lifestyle, and then time. I have trpts in my shoulders from computer work, and although I can massage them out with a Theracane, they keep coming back, because I keep going back to work for hours on the computer. See what I mean?

[ramana]

Well I am already on bed doing the stretches a lot. Plus I try to be as mobile as possible despite the pain. I am not sure what else to do. Earlier, I had done magnesium (natural calm) + vitamin D 400 IU + multivitamin but not sure if it had a direct effect. I can do that again if needed. Three years ago, I had also done testing of minerals etc and apart from vitamin D everything else was ok. Nutritional deficiencies is probably the only source that I can think of right now.

[ramana]

If it is of any use...I had severe neck pain (secondary issue that starts up because of restricted mobility etc) but went away in a few days. That pain is myofascial too but the trigger points go away. Why is it the pelvic / abdominal won't go away.

[ramana]

I have been found to be anemic several times over the past 5 years during routine blood tests. The doc advise was on take more iron etc. The current doc says that this is not related to iron or b12 since Hb 11.8 g/dl but MCV normal and MCH normal and MCHC - 35.5. He does not have any idea why I am anemic though. Any one knows of any relation of this with CPPS?

[webslave]

No, not related, but may point to some other, undiscovered condition. Low serum iron sometimes relates to a chronic inflammatory condition. Have you had a full iron study (ferritin etc?)

[ramana]

My baseline pain has increased after a stressful month at work. I started taking Baclofen (up to 30 mg) and am noticing new symptoms. I have sudden increased heart rate (since chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome set in I moved from 60 - 90 and it goes up to 110). Plus I feel unable to stand up. Even lying down is a problem as the bed seems to be swaying. This has happened multiple times now. I don't think it is anxiety (but open to suggestions). Sometimes, when I have food, it goes away in a few minutes.

Routine blood tests have revealed that I have anemia but not clear why. I will go to a doctor but with the complex history, I don't know if he is going to understand this. I searched with the keyword palpitations on the forum but nothing jumped out.

[webslave]

The most common symptoms of anemia are tiredness lethargy (lack of energy), shortness of breath (dyspnoea), and palpitations. Dizziness is another classic symptom of anemia.

Treat the anemia.

[ramana]

Thanks webslave for prompt response. Well I got the result of ferritin studies + vit B12 + hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is slightly low but for me it has always been low. Rest all is ok. I haven't got the real values yet but I guess it does not matter. So now is the only diagnosis is that it is stress related. Doctor obviously thinks so given my past medical history. I am not sure - there was definitely stress a month ago but not any longer.

The only thing that I can do right now is to take leave OR hunt for a part time job. We should probably talk about part time jobs in the forum. It may be helpful for other members also.

[ramana]

I have mostly abdominal pain now. If I wear an abdominal band like http://www.exmed.net/p-2355-dale-4-pane ... ntID=21830, the pain reduces. I have been wearing it for almost one year now. I was told by the doctor that the abdominal muscles will become weak and so I try to wear it for half a day. With the pain increasing now, I am wearing it for the entire day. If I remove it, the pain returns. I was talking to a physiotherapist who said that this is just psychological relief and that nothing happens if you wear it all the time. Then I talk to the PT associate who said that it does cause the abdominal muscles to become further weak. So now I am confused. Any inputs will be useful