CPPS is taking my life from me (Brett's Case)

[boulder]

I've really been asserting myself at work lately and refusing to do things that are out of my classification or just ethically wrong or dangerous.

Good for you! I've also found that great stress comes from doing work that conflicts with one's core values. If you can somehow alter your work to put it in line with your personal values and health needs (not wants, but needs), that's great and commendable, but if you can't- (quoting Brettp above) SCREW 'EM! Never let work steal who you are, bodily or ethically.

[Spasman]

There is no such thing as a bad job.There is just bad co-worker(s). :laugh:

[carld]

http://www.cnvc.org/

"Get money and do what you love, but never work for MONEY!!!" That's from Marshall Rosenberg who founded the Center for Non-Violent Communication.


Peace

[chath]

Errrr yeppers stress is a big problem. Not many people can avoid it without dying or becoming a recluse. I have to travel for work, and when I come back my symptoms are always a little worse. It's all due to the stress of flying (not really the flying part being scary, just the whole BS that comes with flying), the stress of being on your own, the stress of face to face meetings with clients, etc., etc.....but, I think it's good to go through these stressful situations and focus on relaxing and teaching yourself how to cope. What else are you going to do? Stop living?

[boulder]

Yeah, gotta work to live, and we definitely need to learn how to manage stress, but there really are some work situations that are just untenable. A 100% chamomile tea kinda guy and a 100% whisky kinda job are not going to be a good match. People do need to step back sometimes, whether it's moment-to-moment relaxation, vacation, sick leave, or changing careers/lifestyles. I definitely wouldn't want anyone to stop living in any sense, but I support someone making a choice and an effort to live differently in a way that benefits them.

[kpbos]

I'm in the same boat as Scoobysnacks. In fact, in the past year or so, I've had occasions when I'm about to sneeze and my body will tense up enough to prevent the sneeze from even occurring.

[BrettP]

Well, it was a good solid two weeks of pretty much symptom free living, and alas, my old friend has come back to say hello. Mostly urination problems are back, not so much the rectal pain and penile pain I was having, its more urination/urethra. Interestingly enough, before, in my good two weeks, the redness on the tip went away, and now it is back! lol What a pain in the ass, seriously.

I'm not sure what triggered it, i have been trying to keep unstressed, but there have been a few things that hit me these last few days.

It could just be a temporary flare from one of the treatments I just had, but well see, time will tell. Its amazing how you can feel so good and then all of a sudden be dealt a blow to the groin (literally).

I know this may be a stupid question, but I just need some reassurance, if my flares are coming further apart, would that suggest I truly am getting better? I really am trying to reduce my stress, but some things that have happened have pushed that limit. I'm trying to remain positive, but it can get tough when you think your out of the woods and you see a patch of trees.

[webslave]

You have to have a longer term view of this, Brett, even though at age 24 that can be difficult. Durable improvements will come with time. Waxing and waning always happens when you are healing, with a 2-step forward, 1-step back kind of thing. Just stay positive and keep calm.

[BrettP]

Update, it feels like things are going in the wrong direction today. I actually woke up feeling better, but I had to make a two hour drive to do a deal I'm working on the side of my normal job (gotta make them ends). So, it comes down to me getting the deposit check on time to escrow, to bind the deal, I was hauling ass, a bit stressed and a bit apprehensive, as I want my deals to be perfect, from start to finish (anal retentive about paper trails, money, etc). AND WE HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING THIS FORECLOSURE FOR THREE WEEKS WITH THE BANK!!!! SO, I'm high stressed, and then while I'm driving, I start to feel a pain in my tailbone. Surely this is a combination of an uncomfortable car seat, and the clenching of my pelvic floor, I shrug it off my shoulders think as such -- the pain then goes away...

By the time I get back to my normal job, I started to feel my urinary symptoms acting up. But by this time, I'm not stressed anymore, the deal is done, I'm not stressed, no big deal, time to relax and have fun with my co-workers. But, the irritation keeps coming back, even though I'm not stressed. So we had plans today to play some over the line baseball at the park. I was hesitant, as I didn't want to hurt myself, but at the same time, I said to myself, "screw it, dont let this stop you from having fun!" ...

After the fourth inning and two home runs, I could feel a definite tightening of the muscles surrounding my prostate, and I know have even worse urinary symptoms -- not so much as pain, but definite urinary symptoms.

I am trying so hard to be positive, and am having better mental thoughts. I'm not negative anymore like I was, realizing, just as before the symptoms will come and go. but I guess I have one question for all the sufferers:

What is your average time from chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome stressor to the beginning of your symptoms, and when the stressor leaves, what is the average time for your symptoms to go away?

I know for me, its usually a few days to onset, and a week or so till it goes away (granted my stress level falls) .. and this is the cycle for me.

In any event, I hope everyone is feeling better and making progress, I know we will all get better over time, lets just all try and stay up and not let this thing get the best of us. Have a good weekend ya'll.

Brett

[webslave]

What is your average time from chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome stressor to the beginning of your symptoms, and when the stressor leaves, what is the average time for your symptoms to go away? I know for me, its usually a few days to onset, and a week or so till it goes away (granted my stress level falls) .. and this is the cycle for me.

But you just said above that you started to get symptoms immediately after stressing, now you say it takes a few days..

I would discourage this kind of obsessing about symptoms. If you get stressed out, symptoms will worsen, that is the experience with most people. If you stress enough, you'll have a full-on flare, and that can take weeks or months to clear up. These are all documented hundreds of times on this forum.

[BrettP]

Well, I can immediately sense that it is starting, however, it generally takes some time to go full blown on me. So maybe I have a day with some light symptoms, but not too bad, and then a day or so, maybe two, it turns into a full blown flare (the past couple days have been precursors). I'm thinking that maybe the symptoms start, and they are magnified by my stress over them which could explain the lapse between being lightly symptomatic and full blown. Your right though, I'll try not to obsess over them, and continue my relaxation and stretching protocol.

It is strange though, you're right, I did contradict myself above, but I'm just so confused myself. Every flare is different in intensity, symptoms are similar though, although the progression can change in duration as well. I'll just keep up the good fight, thanks for the support on here.

[BrettP]

Alright, good and bad news folks. Here's the good news, TODAY WAS A FANTASTIC DAY. No symptoms, pissing like a god darned firehose, actually feeling relief! AHHH. Interestingly enough, I stopped taking uroxatral again, as I ran out of my prescription and my mail order supply has not come in. Strangely enough, I thought the symptoms would get worse, guess not. I also did not eat much today, not sure what that has to do with it, if anything.

So then TONIGHT, for no apparent reason, I'm flared up again... lol My oh my, what an interesting condition. However, I noticed the symptoms getting worse as I had some bowel problems tonight, hard stool, etc. I'm thinking about having them take a look for my own piece of mind. What does it matter right, I've already been probed by so many things already, I doubt a scope will phase me. But, I think today was PROGRESS. I felt good, mind and body, I felt fluid, like everything was working correctly, not pent up, resigned, depressed or anxious! I feel happy today, even though some symptoms are coming back, that progress is coming forth. So everyone, lets keep up the good fight and try and have a good weekend.

[elitynski]

Sounds like a good attitude Brett. I am king of the obsessors and I'm learning to be more consistent. I am having a better day today, but not a perfect day.

I need to keep walking and stretching as I've planned. I took some meds this a.m. that I didn't want - especially a diuretic.

I got good sleep so I know that it is aiding in the healing, but it just takes a long time. I asked myself - why did this come out of the blue last June - why did I start peeing frequently for (in my mind) no apparent reason. I don't know and neither will a Dr. ever really know. Was it weight, post infection, a fluke, etc? The point is I have it now and need to use it to move myself forward.

I see myself in your anxiety and questions and wanting to figure it all out so you can figure out how to treat it and determine when it will all be over. Unfortunately this thing is not a #1 at the McDonald's drive through. Where we can get an instant answer and solution to the whole thing.

It's waxing and waning - daily care - working on stress and anxiety - learning to relax - finding triggers and still living your life.

Keep moving forward and you will find better health. I know I am.

Best.

[BrettP]

I have a strange symptom that seems to come and go. My heels are cracked, dry, and very painful to walk on. This usually happens in the summer when the sandals come out, and the weather gets hotter and my heels get dryer. The funny thing is that when i get this sharp heel pain, I seem to feel it in the tip of my penis. Is it possible that the pain can travel up my leg from my heel and through my penis? It seems that it shouldnt, but I guess I'm just curious if anyone has had this happen to them or if it is at all normal, or if its just in my head...

[webslave]

That's a great example of how nerves work. A sensation can "arc" across nerves, and cause sensations in unrelated areas. That's why some men have thigh pain from CPPS. More in this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=353

BTW, your example also shows that you have allodynia, IMO.