New to CPPS. Weird journey so far.

[Cs1992]

Hello all.

I am 50, happily married and suffering from what I believe is CPPS for 2.5 months (I'm otherwise healthy. PSA IS 1.0). My saga began one day when I noticed that my scrotum seemed "swollen and heavy with minor tenderness". I waited 2 weeks and visited the GP who said everything felt normal except my prostate seemed somewhat enlarged. All bloodwork was normal and no signs of infection. They sent me for a scrotal ultrasound b/c I thought I had a hydrocele or cyst and it checked out all clear (but for a few small cysts and tiny hydrocele & spermatocele). I returned 2 weeks later complaining of the same issue and they sent me to the urologist.

The urologist said everything looked good, urine was clear and my prostate was indeed enlarged. The DRE was not not noticeably uncomfortable or tender. However, I have (THANKFULLY) not had the typical issues regarding urgency, incomplete voiding or volume. Some perineum pain has developed in this time as well. He gave me the choice to go on Levaquin or wait a few weeks and return to possibly start PT... I chose the Levaquin for 3 weeks and believe it may have been a mistake. The Levaquin has left me in a fog, somewhat achy, nervous and just not myself.

During the 17 days I've been on Levaquin, the "swollen feeling has subsided and my scrotum does not seem as tender as before. However, the perineum pain is present (when stretching, bending over) and urethral tip burning has developed. These pains are intermittent and I am highly suspicious that they developed about 4 days into the Levaquin treatment. The physical/sexual side effects of this medicine sort of remind me of the SSRI meds I took years ago (I experienced a lower sex drive, difficulty with erection, strange sensation on glans, sensitive urethra tip with minor burning). I think Levaquin plays with some of the same receptors as meds like Zoloft or Effexor.

Another major issue is I think I've developed a fungal infection in the rectal area (intertrigo between buttocks) that I initially thought was hemorrhoid's. I just started applying Lotrimin. A lot of burning and soreness down there. Antibiotic side effect?

Regardless, I gave up the Levaquin today. I hope it was the culprit regarding some of the later developing issues. I am now taking saw palmetto, Quercetin and Ibuprofen. I've also added a stretching routine based on info in the posts on the site. I will call the urologist back this week, but don't have any idea as to what to expect.

I guess everybody's journey is different.

[webslave]

At 50 with an enlarged prostate, you may have some BPH going on. Clearly Levaquin is not helping, so stopping is the right move. Intertrigo can be combatted with powder to dry the skin. If overweight, try to lose a few pounds. Bacterial or fungal infections can occur on the inflamed skin areas, so those should be treated if they develop.

[Cs1992]

Thanks. BPH is probably correct. My biggest issue is that I am starting to think that Levaquin caused some of the issues that now bother me most, especially the rash and burning urethra sensation. Hopefully things ease up soon

[Cs1992]

Update

1 week off the Levaquin and I am feeling like:
"the mental fog" has significantly lifted
the body aches are far fewer
urethral/tip burning has abated (somewhat noticeable while urinating, but much better)
the rash with its soreness are greatly improved.

What remains:
Perineum soreness, especially noticeable when when driving. This is odd because it does not hurt to touch or push on it directly. It seems to occur when the area gets stretched as in the uncomfortable car seat or even when bending over to touch my toes. However, this seems to be getting somewhat better as days go by. :
Still a general feeling of "discomfort" in the scrotum, but much better than when I first noticed this issue 2.5 months ago.
Also, all pain that remains is most noticeable at the end of the day or in high stress situations... this really seems to be a mental as well as physical condition.

Concern that has arisen: Digestive issue! I have developed an on/off stomach ache that causes mild gut pain. The pain feels like mild gas pain similar to a nervous stomach without the other symptoms like diarrhea or excess gas. I am thinking that there are 2 possible causes of this: 1. 17 days of Levaquin wreaked havoc on my digestive flora 2. Nerves/Anxiety.

As others have posted, what I've noticed is that CPPS symptoms seem to wax & wane as well as "migrate" from one area to another. One day it can be urethral pain and the next its a testicular sensitivity/discomfort. I have stopped all supplements since my digestive issues kicked in and hope to resume once I feel confident again.

Question: I do plan on calling the Urologist back. However, I have not idea of what to tell him other than that the Levaquin gave me side effects and that I do feel noticeably improved but not 100%. He did offer PT, so that may be the next step.

I'll keep in touch.

[Cs1992]

Hello folks.

I've been Fighting this condition for 10 weeks and gave up on the antibiotics about 10 days ago. I was on Levaquin for 17 days but the side effects were too much; I also developed burning urethral symptoms while on the antibiotic so figured it was probably not helping.

Since dropping the Levaquin, there's been frequent urination and my symptoms wax and wane. One day it's burning urethra, the next it's perineum pain, pain in the shaft, anal pain (although I have a hemorrhoid and I think it's pain sometimes radiates throughout the perineum), then it's scrotal discomfort, etc.

Is this normal? I am really scared that this condition is permanent. I go to the GP for a general checkup tomorrow but don't expect much.

[webslave]

No, it's not permanent, and even quite severe symptoms will one day be gone. It's good that you stopped the toxic Levaquin, but it may take your body some time to get over the damage those drugs cause. Be patient.

[Cs1992]

Thanks.

This issue has started to mentally consume me. Everyday I wake up, it is the first thing I think about and it's with me the entire day. Little things like bending over, getting up from a chair and monitoring how much I drink are now consciously thought about. Ugh.

I'll continue my stretching routines and try my best to relax. I am thinking of ordering Quercetin.

[Cs1992]

It's been a little over 2 weeks and here is where I am.

1. I feel a bit better as the burning urethra and perineal pain are less than before. The perineum is definitely still an issue but now it feels like I "overstretched" the area and have a slight tearing sensation; especially when bending over. Sitting and standing up are still a conscious effort. Tightness still exists and sitting with pressure on the perineum still produces discomfort.
2. Urgency has improved but is not back to normal. BTW, the volume of my voids is a healthy level every time I urinate. I wonder if I am drinking too much water. Remember, the doctor said my prostate felt enlarged.
3. Scrotal discomfort has improved but still persists. Sometimes it feels swollen (it's not, as far as I can tell) but I can bring my legs together now without too much issue.
4. Thankfully, no testicular pain like when the issue started. I wonder if that was caused by over manipulation as I was inspecting them 20x a day.
5. Ejaculation feels better and semen color is a healthy white. It was slight yellowish at the beginning while I was on Levaquin and not ejaculating all that often.

Only meds I take currently are occasional aspirin or ibuprofen, vitamin, krill oil and a muscle relaxer as needed. I stretch the perineal area regularly but not as much as when I started. I believe I was stretching too much as the soreness was an issue. I am trying to decrease coffee intake to 1. 5 cups a day and walk for 30min each evening.

[Cs1992]

2 more weeks have passed and...

1. Perineal pain continues to improve. Some tightness and pain occurs when bending over especially when making contact with pants or sitting but is definitely better than before.
2. Scrotal discomfort has improved as well but not back to normal. Feeling of fullness and some "twinge-like" pain occurs especially when cremaster is in relaxed state when getting up from a chair or walking. However, I noticed this morning that the general area is not as overly sensitive as it once was.
3. As for urgency, I'm happy to say that I am averaging about 7 trips to the Restroom each day... including my once a night visit while sleeping. This was my "normal" before my issues started.
4. I'm down to about 1 cup of coffee a day. Definitely taking its toll on my energy levels but it's only been 5 days. Plan to taper off completely within a month.

I am doing stretches but only every other day. I hurt my back which is limiting my exercise routine but will resume asap. Taking ibuprofen as needed.

Mentally, this issue still bothers me but I'm not as worried as before. I return to urologist March 5.

[Cs1992]

One thing about my perineal pain, it definitely gets worse as the day progresses. I imagine that it's a result of irritation from sitting.

Has anyone else experienced this symptom?

My pain is certainly better than before, but it's still stubbornly hanging on in the taint area. It's a sore/stinging like pain that is most noticeable when sitting in my car.

[webslave]

Pain worse at end of day is very typical, which should be reassuring. Did you order the Quercetin?

[Cs1992]

Have not ordered any accredited quercetin product yet. I am slowly feeling better but the perineal pain lingers. Maybe I am fooling myself but I am hoping I'll continue to progress. I am not as "down on myself" as I was the first 3 months as any pain is not as limiting (both physically and mentally). I will probably give it 2 more weeks before I place any orders.

The perineum pain almost feels superficial, like it's in the top fleshy layers of skin and not deep in towards the prostate. Sometimes bit feels like the pain related to an ingrown hair but that's definitely not the problem.

Admin comment: bottom line is that you're making progress, as per "the graph"

[Cs1992]

It's been another month and I continue to have some symptoms. Mostly, it's the perineum pain that is noticeable when moving certain ways and a feeling of fullness in the scrotal area. The perineal pain is a slight soreness. Some urethral burning with a fuller bladder as well, but not when I actually void. I'm starting to wonder if this is prostate related at all. I almost feel it's a pelvic pain issue either brought on by physical activity or intense stress last Fall. The feeling of scrotal fullness makes me think it's a nerve issue.

I have reduced caffeine to 1 cup of coffee a day and am exercising regularly. I just started a new brand of Quercetin and Bromelain.

I really don't know where to go at this point. My urology appointment is in early March but I'm not sure what path to pursue...is it prostate or pelvic pain? Should I get a prostate ultrasound?

[webslave]

Stop the caffeine completely. Prostate ultrasound and a cystoscopy would be useful to rule out cancer, and maybe spot areas of inflammation. Avoid stress and too much sitting, exercise moderately. Let's see what the uro says. Keep calm and carry on.

[Cs1992]

Eyedrop question:
Is the eye drop solution naphazoline hydrochloride considered safe for the prostate?

I frequently use a this eyedrop without the phenaramine component.