Hey everyone

[NTD]

Hi all, I'm new here. I've been dealing with chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome since fall of 2006, just came out of the blue. I had the feeling like I had to urinate, but didn't have to go..and general internal pain & discomfort in the bladder/prostate area. I went through the standard tests and never found any infection or swollen prostate. I had a CT-Scan and a cystoscopy that both turned up negative. I tried various remedies including supplements, acupuncture, and even did some physical therapy for about 3 months to relax abdominal and pelvic muscles, but nothing helped much. I eventually started taking Ultracet and found it helped calm things down quite a bit, but certainly not always. However, recently (mid-December 2011) I've had the worst stretch of symptoms in over 3-4 years. It started about the same time that my girlfriend and I split, so I think the stress and anxiety of that has spurred this on.

On the plus side, it has made me research the condition more, which led me here. I ordered some any accredited quercetin product and will start taking that soon. I also made an appt. with my primary care doc to discuss taking something like Elavil or Flomax to help me through this rough patch, and hopefully help more than what the Ultracet provides. Anyway, just wanted to say hello, and thank those that run this site and all those that post here and contribute to all the great information.

Regarding my doctor appt this week, if my doc basically leaves it up to me to determine whether I should try Elavil or an alpha-blocker like Flomax, do you guys have any advice as to which I should initially go with? I'm a little leery on trying both simultaneously.

[webslave]

Elavil first. The evidence for a-blockers is not robust. Tricyclic antidepressants are effective for neuropathic pain, which is a component of this condition. Note that the study linked identifies venlafaxine (Effexor) as effective as well, and I presume this will also apply to the similar drug desvenlafaxine (brand name Pristiq). It's interesting that both Effexor and Pristiq are chemically related to the atypical opioids Tramadol (Ultram) and Tapentadol (Nucynta).

[NTD]

Thanks for the info, I printed the abstract and will bring that along.

[bobby]

Welcome NTD, I feel your pain. My symptoms were pretty dormant while I was with my girlfriend for 3 years... once we split though... man they came back with a vengeance and just like you I started doing all kinds of research and was led here by someone named medguy on some different forums. Ever since I have been getting the treatment I require and feeling quite hopeful and progressively better. I do realize this is not by any means a "quick fix" and something I must work hard to accomplish but I can say the best thing about the breakup was that I can now only focus on myself and recovering. Your should find the answers here my friend. Good Luck and relax that pelvic floor muscle!

[NTD]

Ain't love grand...well, while it lasts anyway ;) Thanks, bobby, I appreciate it.

[bobby]

lol Yeah a grand pain in the ass, figuratively and literally speaking. Oh well though, think of it like I do, time for healing, to focus only on yourself... no worrying about woman and their nonsense.

[CMT23]

Elavil first. The evidence for a-blockers is not robust. Tricyclic antidepressants are effective for neuropathic pain, which is a component of this condition. Note that the study linked identifies venlafaxine (Effexor) as effective as well, and I presume this will also apply to the similar drug desvenlafaxine (brand name Pristiq). It's interesting that both Effexor and Pristiq are chemically related to the atypical opioids Tramadol (Ultram) and Tapentadol (Nucynta).

What dosages would you use for desvenlafaxine and venlafaxine? I tried Elavil and felt seriously, seriously depressed after a few days ans so stopped. I am just looking for something to help ease the symptoms as I continue on with the Wise Protocol (About 4 months in so far).

Thanks for any advice!

[webslave]

I think Pristiq is 50mg/day.

[CMT23]

The problem is I read about all the side effects that people have with these kinds of drugs and just dread even trying them. Maybe I have to take some time off work to go through some different meds and see if any offer relief, but screwing with my brain chemistry to dull urological discomfort is not especially appealing. Interested in trying Uroxatral again, but don't know if I can handle the intense fatigue and dizziness that just one dose caused in the past - they say that goes away in time....

[omschiefslr]

Flomax acts profoundly on the internal sphincter of the bladder. If you are not sexually active, you will receive relief! I found it to cause retrograde ejaculation which is also very painful. This would be explained by the ejaculate finding the path of least resistance and moving retrograde into the bladder from the seminal outlet.

Hytrin (terazosin) is an alpha specific adrenergic blocker. It is less effective than Flomax, but for me does the trick. As long as I don't have intercourse within 6 hours of taking it I am usually OK. I take it in the morning and 1 mg seems to do it. My urologist says this is a very small dose.

Good luck!