Newcomer to this forum, questions about avoiding depression

Beanz · Post by **Beanz** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 2:49 am

I've been reading this forum voraciously for the last two days, as I just visited a well-respected Uro (chair of a reputable teaching hospital in Virginia) who gave me a second opinion, in concurrence with my local Uro's diagnosis of CPPR.

For the record, my symptoms are exclusively frequent and urgent needs to urinate. When I say "frequent", I mean almost constant. It started rather suddenly about 11 weeks ago, I'm 48, and it has turned my life upside down for the moment. On good days I tolerate and manage, on bad ones I slip in and out of despair.

Also for the record, I'm on Flomax ( 6 weeks) and Levaquin (6 days), and struggling with stopping alcohol (long time wine drinker and lover), as well as Ibuprofin and Saw Palmetto. No real improvement I can notice yet.

I'm sorting through all the wonderful information and getting many ideas treatment ideas, but for the short term I am most worried about slipping into a clinical depression. I suffered one in my early 20's, and I know what I'm facing.

I saw mentioned low doses of anti-depressants as one course of treatment. My question is: would I be unwise to explore beginning some type of anti-depressant as a means to prevent it's onset, and to allow me to keep my mood in check while seeking the best course of continuing treatment for CPPS? Any thoughts as to the best choice for one?

Thanks,

Beanz

Post by **webslave** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 5:15 am

Best antidepressant, in my opinion (non-medical), is Lexapro. It's an isomer of Celexa, least side-effects, twice as potent as the rest.

Beanz · Post by **Beanz** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 3:41 pm

Thanks, Webslave. I have a good friend who is a psychiatric social worker, and she says that Lexapro is currently the doctor's favorite. I think I am going to be pro-active in the treatment of the mood end of this ordeal and start taking Lexapro soon. I'm going to need as much room to manuver as possible while getting my brain wrapped around the possiblilty of a long term battle with this problem.

Are there other sites such as this one, with active conversation about this subject? I find some comfort in being able to chat with people with similar problems.

Great site, thanks for the efforts to keep it going. Beanz

Paso · Post by **Paso** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 4:01 pm

Beanz,

Check out the "Headache in the pelvis" success stories here. Look at pelvic floor treatments. Do you have bladder problems? Meaning food problems? Also what did the URO say? What diagnose did he give you.

/Paso

Beanz · Post by **Beanz** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 4:36 pm

Paso wrote:Beanz,

Check out the "Headache in the pelvis" success stories here. Look at pelvic floor treatments. Do you have bladder problems? Meaning food problems? Also what did the URO say? What diagnose did he give you.

/Paso

Thanks, Paso.
I've read some of them, and I'm, of course, hopeful that I will be in the percentage of those who get better, even completely well. I'm going the antidepressant route because of my history. Been there done that, came out alive and well, don't wanna go back. I'm hoping the meds are SO much better now, they weren't ideal when I was fighting my depression 25 years ago and I basically just endured until it ran it's course (18 months).

My original urologist diagonsed me as having prostatitis. He said he wasn't going to lable it "chronic" yet, because it has to run more than 3 months to receive that label, and I'm just about at 3 months now. My symptoms came on very suddenly, I was normal one week and hovering near a toilet the next. I was given the full course of bladder tests, xrays, cystoscopy, flow study, and cancer cell test from bladder washing. Also had a PSA test and full physical exam. What remained was labeled prostatitis.

Got a second opinion 2 days ago as mentioned above, he said he had the same conclusion, only named it Male Pelvic Pain Syndrome. There you have it.

I havn't noticed any relationship between food and symptoms, but I definitely suffer that night and through the next day if I drink any significant amount of alcohol.

So, for at least the time being, I'm kissing by beloved wine goodby, along with my favorite avocation, scuba diving (requires significant hydration to dive safely). Not sleeping much without help (ambien), and work is hell although gratefully I am self employed and can usually dodge the worst situations.

On my worst days, of which there have been about 4, I have to urinate absolutely all the time, even immediately after voiding. No sleep, no relief. I believe I can learn to tolerate this if I can reach the point when those days are few and far between. Meanwhile, I'm going to take help in any form.

Sorry, got rambling there. If anybody has any suggestions or links or words of encouragement of any kind, they are welcome. From what I have read here, I feel fortunate that my affliction is more in the from of discomfort that true pain, and my heart goes out to those who cannot find relief from that pain.

Regards,

Beanz

Paso · Post by **Paso** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 4:43 pm

If I were you I would visit a PT trained in Pelvic floor dysfunction asap. Also buy the book " A headache in the pelvis" if you dont have it already.

Also test relaxation and strecthes, has helped me a lot.

/Paso

Post by **webslave** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 7:57 pm

Beanz wrote:Got a second opinion 2 days ago as mentioned above, he said he had the same conclusion, only named it Male Pelvic Pain Syndrome.

You have no pain, yet they have diagnosed you with a pain syndrome

MS · Post by MS » Thu Nov 06, 2003 1:05 am

Beanz:

my symptoms are exclusively frequent and urgent needs to urinate. When I say "frequent", I mean almost constant.

Do you actually have to urinate immediately after urinating, or do you just "feel" like you have to? Did the cystoscopy show any inflammation in the bladder or prostate? Has your doctor recommended an anticholinergic, such as Detrol, for frequency? Also, Atarax (Hydroxyzine) has helped me sleep, and stopped night-time waking to urinate.

Also, if you do have inflammation, you may want to ask your doctor about Anaprox (naproxen sodium) or Vioxx if the Ibuprofen does not help.

Hopefully, the Levaquin will help, but read some of the info on why abx may not really be helping nonbacterial prostatitis sufferers: https://ucpps.men/antibiotics-are-anti-inflammatory-agents

You are certainly taking the right steps by actively researching your condition -- there is indeed a lot of information on this Board.

If you are interested in meditation and relaxation, take a look at some of JD's posts: viewtopic.php?t=1141 -- relaxation has helped me reduce a lot of stress which, in turn, helped reduce frequency.

Matt

Beanz · Post by **Beanz** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 1:53 am

Hi Matt. Thanks for the response.

MS · Post by MS » Thu Nov 06, 2003 2:56 am

Beanz:

I'm a little concerned about Detrol,

I have heard many success stories with Detrol/Ditropan as a treatment for overactive bladder, which is generally beyond the scope of this Discussion Forum. Try http://www.oabrelief.com/

Personally, I have had BAD experiences with Detrol and Uripas -- they caused me increased difficulty urinating, but did not control the urgency (and yes, it did cause dry mouth).

Good luck.

Richard.N · Post by **Richard.N** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 5:40 pm

Best antidepressant, in my opinion (non-medical), is Lexapro. It's an isomer of Celexa, least side-effects, twice as potent as the rest.

I've tried a few antidepressants and I find Mirtazipine (Zispin/Remerol) suits me best. Also regulates stress hormones (cortisol etc) apparently.