My success to date doing the Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol

[SickofCP]

Just a quick post to give my progress to date doing the Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol. I've been on it for only 3 months now.

For the first time since my symptoms began 2 years ago, I can say that I'm having periods with no pain. I still battle the usual pains at various times throughout the day, but to a lesser degree and for shorter durations. I have windows of being pain free after relaxation sessions in particular.

I often now feel the pelvic muscles relax during the progressive relaxation. When this happens I am pain free after the session, and I can urinate with either no pain at all, or just an ever so slight amount of pain/discomfort. On weekends, when I am not forced to sit for a long period, I have very little pain. During the relaxation sessions I often feel my pelvic muscles begin to tremble and then let go. It feels like the whole area is expanding.

I can often get myself out of flares on the weekend, just by doing the relaxation tapes after a hot bath a couple of times. Flares are not lasting as long. I would even say that what I consider a flare now, was a typical day prior to starting the SP.

I still have far to go in learning the progressive relaxation. I am NOT there yet. I still find myself clenching my pelvic muscles as a day progresses, and can not stop doing it. Stubborn habits are hard to break.

Like many of those reading this, I used to read posts like this and think that there's no way that what I have is from muscle tension. I couldn't seem to relate to the idea of that, even though I didn't dismiss it.

It is nice to have these moments of sanity. It is nice to not be on any medication and still feel like I am improving. The only things I take are:

-ProstaProteq
-Ester C
-Prelief

The best medicine for me is a good relaxation session. It is amazing what the mind can do (both bad and good).

I am committed to keep going. My goal is a full abatement of symptoms. I am far from out of the woods, and I expect to get many more flares along the way, but I have a way to manage myself now. I don't feel as helpless anymore.

I'll keep posting periodically on my progress.

[scotsman]

Superb news and best of luck with your continued progress

[Guest]

Hello SickofCP,

You mention only paradoxical relaxation component of Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol.
Do you also have trigger poin release sessions? If yes, how successful they are? Are there many trigger points found internaly and/or externally? Do they refer pain?

Thanks,
Tomas

[SickofCP]

Hello SickofCP,

You mention only paradoxical relaxation component of Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol.
Do you also have trigger poin release sessions? If yes, how successful they are? Are there many trigger points found internaly and/or externally? Do they refer pain?

Thanks,
Tomas

Yes, I have trigger point release sessions as part of the protocol. It has been a big part of my success so far, but it goes hand in hand with the relaxation. I don't believe that one is helping over another, they are working together.

I have some internal trigger points on the levator ani that cause some referred pain, but mostly intense localized pain. In general, I was so tight in there that any kind of stretching inside helps. I have no external trigger points, but many others do. I do have some tight muscles on my buttocks, from guarding myself against the pain when I sit.

Just an added note: It is now 3:18pm local time, and I would say that I've been 98% symptom free so far today. I would say that I haven't had any pain at all today, but I could still feel a little tension in the muscles. The weekends have been very good over the last couple of months. I wish I didn't have to work!

[SickofCP]

Just a few further notes:

-Had a very minor flare this week that pales in comparison to what a flare used to feel like. It's always discouraging to have what seems like a setback. However, it only lasted 3 days, and really wasn't too bad. It only really bothered me at some periods of the day. And I had ammunition against it, so I'm not helpless. Having a flare and getting out of it quickly actually validates how much the SP is helping me.

-The strength of my urine flow is overall much improved. I often urinate with ease (no straining or pushing). It's the kind of stream that reaches the back of the toilet bowl instead of just falling with gravity.

-I got that shiver yesterday that you get at the end of urination. Do you know what I'm talking about? I realized that I hadn't gotten that since my symptoms began. Don't know or really care if this means anything, but thought it was interesting since I had kind of forgotten about that.

-You don't realize how tight the pelvic muscles are until they let go. Letting them go is the best feeling (ok, maybe second best). I wish I could keep them that relaxed.

[NoMoPain]

Great news ! I am about 7 months into the Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol and my Physical Therapist says I am about ready to be discharged.

I can relate with what you say about the setbacks as they are inevitable. When I was about 3 months into the program I could have a symptom free week and then have a few bad days again. I was told and I can confirm from my experience that this 3 steps forward 2 steps back seems to be typical for this treatment. Now at 7 months I usually do not have any symptoms, and if I do they are very very mild compared to my pre-protocol days. I just continue to try to relax as much as I can and things continue to improve. So I guess my main message to you is "try not to get discouraged when you have a setback". I know this is easier said than done but I would bet a lot of money that in a few months you will have even more progress and on an even more consistent basis.

Take Care and "Keep those Pelvic Muscles Loose".

[chelios]

Hi SickofCP, I'm not completely familiar with what the trigger point release sessions of the Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol are exactly (no need to to explain them - the book's coming in the mail tommorrow), but as it sounds, you need to see some sort of specialist to have them done right? Who are you seeing in the Toronto area? Do you recommend them? (from the sounds of your improving, I'm guessing yes). Just wanted to get some contact info off you while this post is still being read. I'd really appreciate it, thanks,

[SickofCP]

Who are you seeing in the Toronto area? Do you recommend them?

Hi Chelios,

My wife has been taught by Tim Sawyer to do the trigger point release on me. The Stanford group recommends to those who do not live near a competent PT that they bring their partner to the pelvic pain clinic.

Sorry, you can't borrow her. In any case, she has only been taught to treat me specifically.

NoMoPain,

Thanks for the encouragement. Much appreciated. I had another good weekend. Now...if I could win the lottery then I could quit work. That would do wonders for me getting better faster.