UCPPS - Prostatitis, Interstitial Cystitis Forum

To Heat or Not Heat?

So I have been taking Ibprofen (Aleeve) lately and when I'm on it I'm nearly symptomless. I am thinking its due to the anti inflammatory effects. So should I be applying heat or cold if my muscles are inflamed? The fact that I feel good on Aleeve indicates its swelling and inflammation to me. So wouldn't a cold compress make sense ?

Honestly even my urinary symptoms disappear when I'm on Aleeve.

That's lucky. Not many men respond to anti-inflammatories. Now you have another tool in your toolbox!

Heat is best in my opinion, gets the flood flowing and makes muscles more flexible.

webslave wrote:

So does that mean my chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome issue is a nerve issue or a muscle issue?

It's a :

• muscular issue (hyperirritable, shortened muscles often containing trigger points)
• nerve issue (overused, pathological pathways that crosstalk into adjacent structures)
• immune system issue (pro-inflammatory cytokine profiles in affected areas)
• endocrine issue (cortisol abnormalities; HPA axis)
• CNS issue (central sensitization, windup)
• psychological issue (hypervigilance, anxiety, sometimes OCD)
• genetic issue (predisposing genetics)

If you are trying to understand it all before allowing yourself to start healing, that is not a good idea. It will all come to you as you read more and more here. At this stage, just accept the prescription and implement it. Men who have to understand or they won't stop worrying about it often fail to get better.

This is a great summary by WS which helps provide the 10,000 foot look at the condition. Nice summary!!

I started any accredited quercetin product a few days ago and the benefits have been remarkable. Actually nearly symptomless. My urine stream is so powerful! I've also been committed to daily stretches and external so it's hard to tell what's making the difference. I believe it's the ProstaaQ.

All of my post sex discomfort is gone too.

Is anyone on this forum taking iron supplements to improve blood flow? Will it adversely affect my recovery?

Iron will not "improve blood flow". There's no point in taking it unless you've tested low on iron in a blood panel that looks at serum iron, serum ferritin, and transferrin level.

I have been sitting on a tennis ball lately to release some pressure in the perineum and the penis tip. Are there certain spots I should be wary of apply pressure?

Cloudy - Milky urine?

Never had this symptom before. Is this normal ?

Tennis ball on perineum cannot harm you. Cloudy or milky urine may be a sign of a urinary tract infection, which may also cause a bad smell. You should see your family doctor to check it out

Sorry. I should clarify. It wasn't so much cloudy urine as it was just a small whitish - clear discharge after I had finished urinating. It wasn't painful or anything. Urine is normal looking aside from this. I've been checked for every possible STD / Urinary infection (except trich - men can't get checked for it apparently)

It's not important. Probably excess secretion from prostate, cowper's or seminal vesicles. Ignore it.

A microscopic urinalysis is a method of testing for trich in men if you wanted to get tested.

If you think trichomonas is a possibility, based on your sexual history, it's quicker just to take a course of metronidazole than to test for it. Most MDs will comply. You'll need to treat your sexual partner too.

Persistent urethritis and prostatitis due to Trichomonas vaginalis: A case report

I'd be very surprised if you have trich. Your symptoms are not suggestive (hip pain, testicle pain, made worse by stress, difficulty sitting etc).

Ya I am thinking its just self doubt now at this point. I will mention it to my doctor about the trich just for peace of mind. The little bit of discharge I had freaked me out.

Webslave you've seen everything and seem to know everything chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome related, could you perhaps comment on men who had hip flexion issue related problems with CPPS? Specifically - http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/90993-overview#1

I did a lot repetitive hip flexion exercise - coupled with lots of sitting when studying. I never did weights or things but basically a lot of repetitive motion like jogging. I think these muscles in my hips are chronically shortened and traumtized as a result. I am almost beginning to think my hips are the main offenders (besides my pelvic floor). They seem to constantly hurt and they cause pain in the inner Part of my thigh too. The reason I ask is I would like to know which areas I should be focussing on more. Especially with my PT sessions. In addition if my hips are really causing a lot of problems I'll reduce using them until things heal up. I should also mention I wake up lately with lower back pain.

In terms of symptoms things have been improving. The golf ball feeling has disappeared, sitting is not as uncomfortable and the urethra discomfort has improved. I stretch 3X daily with, some external, had 2 sessions of internal. As well, I've been making dietary changes.

Thanks again for all of the commentary and insights. This forum has been so helpful. I'm very lucky to have come across all of you wonderful people. I'd still be doing antibiotics and exercising like crazy if it were not this forum.