This forum is a godsend! (davyboy)

[davyboy]

Nevermind.. Saw my PT today and I am thinking I will receive a lot of help from her. She is VERY knowledgeable!

[davyboy]

Here is a bit of a little update:

So I have read through AHIP and Heal Pelvic Pain. I finally feel like I am armed with the knowledge to allow myself to heal. I have adopted a "healing" attitude towards the condition. We have become so accustomed to getting better fast over night with Antibiotics and our medical system essentially being like a convenience store. I am trying to be patient and now I wake up everyday and just try to be happy that my symptoms aren't worse. I am so lucky I found out about AHIP only a few months into my diagnosis. I can't imagine battling with this condition for years like some men.

My doctor yesterday finally acknowledged that I have a muscle tension problem and it's not bacterial prostatitis. I'm off to have a few ultrasounds next week though just for clarity of mind.

I stretch three times a day. I am on the Magnesium-Citrate relaxation drink. A few supplements like fish oil, Quercetin, vitamin B, L- Theanine. I have also been doing yoga and I have cut back on the strenuous exercise. I am confident my extreme fitness regime played a role in causing this.

I have gone to my PT twice and she is very helpful. I am going to request she check internally for trigger points. I am thinking that perhaps some nerves internally are irritated because of the nature of my exercise (tons of squats-putting stress on the pelvic floor) and one day I felt like I was being electrocuted down there-apparently that's what nerve irritation can feel like.

I have also committed to external work myself. I rolled on a tennis ball yesterday on my abs for the first time and WOW I had no idea I had so many knots there. It caused a lot of referred pain later in the day unfortunately. I am just trying to remember that trigger points can cause pain after working on them.

I've also made a few dietary changes - at least until I heal. Nothing inflammatory or irritating for me.

Thanks again for all the valuable information and support. I truly appreciate it.

[davyboy]

Also a few other things:

I adopted a "I don't give a sh*t anymore approach to the condition. If I'm in pain so what at least I'm not dying." I try not to let it bother me or bring me down. My girlfriend was in town this weekend and we had sex twice and afterwards I had a flare up but it was worth it. Life is too short to just be worrying about pain.

Also I have tried to keep busy. It takes my mind off things. Keeping your eyes forward and not dwelling. I had 2 job interviews this week (one might see me moving from Edmonton to Vancouver - exciting!) and I began studying for my Law exam rewrite. I am trying to lower expectations about outcomes in life - that causes a lot of stress.

Hope that helps some other men struggling. Keep busy!

[bobby]

Glad to hear your on the right path davyboy, just keep at it and I have no doubt you will see noticeable results soon enough my friend.

[davyboy]

Just had my first internal PT session. Was interesting...

My PT said that people who do internal at home (who don't know what they're doing or are unfamiliar with anatomy) run the risk of stretching or damaging the sphincter. Apparently this is worsened when people use tools as opposed to their own fingers. Could someone please explain what is meant by this? Does it mean pulling too far in one direction ?

[bobby]

hmm my PT said something different, in any case, do some more PT sessions, study what he or she does and then recreate it in the safety of your own home. Honestly I imagine you'd have to be doing some pretty rough therapy to damage anything, but like I said, just pay attention when your PT is doing it then just do what they do.

[davyboy]

Yea! I am not ready to investigate on my own yet. I will learn proper techniques first through observing her a few more times. I was slightly off put by her comment though. I just don't wanna run the risk of doing damage to the sphincter. It seemed pretty straight forward. She was rotating like a clock with her finger bent. I really felt the stretch. It hurt but in a good way, ha.

[davyboy]

Could someone please help clarify or provide some insights into trigger point release?

I've been working on my own with trigger point release for a few weeks. Generally, I just lay on a tennis ball until I find a spot that is tight/tense to press on. I apply pressure (using my body weight) for 30-90 seconds then release. Occasionally I will rock back and forth slowly, just massaging basically.

Is this the right technique?

[davyboy]

Also, I'm beginning to notice other symptoms that really weren't around before. Typically a burning in the penis / discomfort at the tip.

I notice this is very common with CPPS. Is it possible that all of my stretching / (first course of internal PT) / all of my own trigger point therapy is causing flare ups in other spots ?

Thank you again, for all of the help. I appreciate it SO much.

[webslave]

When you begin treatment, it can often cause a flare. The technique you are using sounds right.

[davyboy]

Thanks for always responding webslave. You always provide me with piece of mind. Its not easy, people get sick of hearing about these problems day in day out. So I usually resort to this forum.

Does anyone know what can help with the burning at the tip of the penis? I've never really had it before, it just began recently. I had my first session of internal a few days ago. Also I should mention I had my first beer in like 3 months 2 days ago. Maybe that has caused the flare up ?

Thanks again!

[webslave]

Penis tip pain relates to trigger points in the upper front levator ani insertions (alongside the prostate). Alcohol is best avoided: viewtopic.php?f=13&t=7741

[davyboy]

Thanks again Webslave. I just have returned from my followup with the urologist. What a great guy he is. My bladder is normal (lining is good), prostate a good size and when I empty my bladder, apparently it empties all the way. Even my thyroid and cortisol levels were checked. Everything is good, according to him. He said that he believes I definitely do not have any dysfunction of the urinary system. He said its a muscle problem and that family doctors typically misdiagnosis this as a prostate gland dysfunction. He is a young guy and I'm happy to know the medical world is opening up to this.

I had my second session of internal PT yesterday and it was MUCH better. Less discomfort and pain. Things seem to be stretching out down there.

Has there been any connection found between cold hands/feet and chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome ? I believe I have poor circulation as I always have cold hands and feet (thyroid irregularities ruled out). Is it possible that I just have poor circulation and that is exacerbating my symptoms because blood isn't flowing properly to my pelvis ?

[webslave]

No, no connection, but there is a connection between chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome and CFS, and cold extremities are mentioned in CFS, eg http://www.supportme.co.uk/definitions.htm

[davyboy]

I don't really have any of those symptoms aside from cold extremities and restless sleep.