New to the forum, but not new to prostatitis

[LabMonkey333]

Good morning all, I've been browsing the forums a little bit and recognize a few members from another forum. I think this will be a better forum for me to help get over this condition.

I've had CPPS or pelvic floor dysfunction for about 14 months now. I considered myself to be a healthy 30 year old man and have always fairly athletic. I attribute the onset to many different factors over a long period of time. My ex-girlfriend of 10 years had become an alcoholic and caused me a lot of stress & grief, which affected my health. My blood pressure was up and I was not getting much sleep. I made the tough decision to end that relationship and go solo for a while. I was lifting heavy weights on a regular basis and have been on and off since highschool. I work a fairly stressful accounting job and sit way too much. I started doing the online dating thing, met a girl I thought I liked a lot, and had a few dates. We went out on a date one night and had a lot drinks and overall had a great time. Went back to my place and I couldn't get hard that night. I couldn't sleep at all that night and really beat myself up over it for not being able to perform. She performed oral sex on me for less than a minute and still couldn't get hard. I never saw her again and she became serious with another guy she was dating at the same time. It really messed my head up for a while, but I'm 1000% over it now. I've been with an amazing woman for the past 9 months and she's been a blessing to me. Unprotected sex has no negative effect on my symptoms, so don't let prostatitis hold you back from having a sex life! Several times per week helps as long as you aren't over doing it.

Back to my story... A couple days after that encounter, the tip of my penis became very sensitive and painful. Extreme pain when rubbing against my underwear. I couldn't wear jeans for a long time. I had burning urination and reduced urine flow/frequency. Never had any discharge. This went on for a few months and I developed a lot of pain in the perineum. I took all kinds of antibiotics from the beginning on and was tested for all STDs. After many urine tests, 4 glass test, EPS/semen tests, nothing was ever found... I was diagnosed with chronic non-inflammatory prostatitis. The antibiotics never helped in the slightest bit. I even went to Athens, Greece for 6 weeks and tried therapy with a quack named Dr. Georgiadis. Do yourself a favor and never see that guy. Total waste of time and money.

As time has gone by I have gotten a lot better with internal PT and relaxation. My only remaining symptoms are mild discomfort at the tip of my penis and mild rectal/perineal discomfort. Wearing more supportive underwear has helped a ton. Unfortunately I have had to give up the weight training for now as it seems to aggravate the rectal discomfort. I hope to get back into it some day because its a huge stress reliever for me and I like to stay fit. I have no urinary symptoms, my PSA is 0. 8, DRE is normal, and there's no white cells to be found. Initially my urologist said my prostate was "warm & boggy". This has helped me to realize its not a bacterial issue. Reading Headache in the Pelvis also opened up my eyes a lot to what this condition really is. Certain types of seats really aggravate the perineal area and other seats I can sit in for hours. I can sit on a nice firm chair no problem, but when I ride in my bouncy Jeep or sit in a chair that has too much cushion in the prostate area, it becomes very uncomfortable for me. I've been sitting on these Gelco seat cushions at work and while driving for many months now. They help a little bit.

Anyhow, sorry for rambling but a lot of time has gone by and there is a lot to explain. Hopefully my post can help others that are suffering. Given the improvement I've seen over time, I believe it will eventually go away. A few others on the forum seem to have a similar experience to mine. I'm hoping to learn a lot from this forum and its members, and to avoid the toxic forums and websites that obsess over cryptic bacterial infections. This type of thinking only makes the issue worse and slows the rate of recovery. Unfortunately it can take a long time before we realize its mostly a pelvic floor dysfunction issue. I appreciate any tips or recommendations you can give to help me improve! My next step to recovery is selling my Jeep and getting something more comfortable. I sound like an old man and I'm only 31... Lol. Life is truly a test at times.

[webslave]

Unfortunately I have had to give up the weight training for now as it seems to aggravate the rectal discomfort

I know squat exercises (hip flexion) can provoke symptoms, but other weight lifting exercises should not be a problem. Just avoid anything that puts stress on the pelvic area, until you are better.

avoid the toxic forums and websites that obsess over cryptic bacterial infections

I'm amazed those forums are still going. There's apparently always a market for 'stupid'.

I was at my worst at your age. Early 30s is peak incidence age. It only gets better from here on.

[SoraStar]

Welcome to the Forums LabMonkey!

You'll find a lot of info here about this crappy condition and get some good advice too.

I sure have.

[LabMonkey333]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I've learned way more than I ever wanted to know about this condition, believe me lol.

Body weight squats don't seem to bother me at all. For some reason when I do pull-ups and chin-ups my symptoms flare up the worst. It's hard not to use the pelvic floor muscles when strength training. I want to get back into weight lifting but it isn't worth the discomfort it causes. Really stresses me out when the symptoms flare.

I hope you're right Webslave. Ironically my symptoms began the first day after my 30th birthday. Great way to begin this new milestone! Hopefully some day I'll be able to sit again without even having to think about the pain in my ass. It's amazing that my 90 year old grandpa can sit in a chair with no issues, but I can't sit in a chair for any amount of time without wanting to stand up and move around. I gave up playing games on the PC to avoid sitting and try to stand up at my office as much as possible. It's probably for the better. Now I just need to change my vehicle. Hard to find a vehicle with the right seats though. Sitting on a donut cushion doesn't work too well because I have a large upper body. Usually pins my head against the ceiling of the car. So far the Audi S4 is the only car I've driven where I'm comfortable without a donut cushion. First world problems I guess...

[webslave]

Playing PC games can cause flares. Just monitor your pelvic muscles and you'll soon realize that they tense up when playing on the PC.

[LabMonkey333]

I haven't played any PC games for about a year. Since this began really... the only time I'm in front of a computer is when I'm at work.

[SoraStar]

Not being able to game on my PC would drive me crazy. It's one of the few things that actually give me some enjoyment in life. Althought sitting down doesn't really give me any issues even it's for a longer duration, it's still not healthy to do over all so I try to cut back on it. :3

[LabMonkey333]

I used to be a PC gamer heavily in my teens and 20's (counter strike, Diablo, Starcraft, etc) My interests over time have changed and I realize I can't sit there all day playing the PC. Plus I work in an office settting and get tired of looking into the screen. I'd much rather lay back on the couch and play on the big screen these days. Once you own a house you'll find there's less time for gaming. My GF hates video games lol.

[webslave]

Once you own a house you'll find there's less time for gaming.

Word.

[suffering]

Welcome....I joined up about 6 months ago and glad I did. I think this forum saved my life. Read lots of stories and find what's right for you. Try to forget about your dick for a while and get on with your life.

[LabMonkey333]

Thanks suffering... my dick is mostly good now and I'm not concerned over it anymore. The cotton undies that support your junk seem to work wonders. Avoid boxers and lose undies at all costs. Easy fix.

The only thing that bothers me is the sitting discomfort that I feel in the rectum/perineum area. Still trying to figure out how to resolve that one. It's better than it used to be, so I'll consider that progress.

[suffering]

Labmonkey,
I sit at a desk all day too and then take a long drive home. If my ass starts to really bother me I put a frozen water bottle inside the extra seat cushion that I have. I have a seat cushion with a hole in it. It helps me a lot.

[WS1234]

Lab, can you post a link to the exact under wear you use?

[LabMonkey333]

Sure, here's what I use, Hollister Low-Rise Active Trunk:

https://www.hollisterco.com/shop/us/guy ... wRiseTrunk

Keeps everything in place! They are very soft and comfortable.

[SoraStar]

I like the style of thoses.

But I'm not a fan of having underwear pressing against my junk so I wear boxers.