I started getting irritation when urinating early last year. I seemed to be able to eliminate it with enough water and cranberry supplements. The doctor checked for urine infections and sent me home (!). It got worse. The doc suspected prostatitis, gave me some antibiotics (not quinolones) and nothing happened. It got to the point where it was unbearably painful to urinate, and generally uncomfortable, so I went to a different doctor. He agreed with the diagnosis, but looked up the recommended antibiotics, and I started them this morning.
I'm still able to massively reduce the symptoms purely through extra water intake - but it has the downside of not being able to commit to doing anything for more than an hour without needing to urinate (the cinema, for example, is out!).
None of the doctors said anything about this being a potentially lifelong problem. So, having looked around, I'm terrified.
Since it seemed to be getting worse, will it get worse still, or do I stand a good chance of knocking it back now, and keeping it back?
All these dietary considerations - if I follow them - are we talking getting back to a normal life again? When someone says 95% remission, do they mean a very mild irritation, all the time, or nothing for 95% of the time?
Can I do the broccoli thing at the same time as the antibiotics?
I've had a huge amount of stress recently (daughters off the rails, wife and I splitting up, out of work, savings down the pan, nowhere to live). Is it reasonable to hope that as I improve my quality of life, I might improve my condition?
Sex is my biggest fear. I've posted separately on that.
Newbie FUD
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Carlton Higgins
jonners,
I'm not a doctor, but this sounds more like Interstitial Cystitis. Generally, the pain associated with prostatitis is not involved with urination. One will have pain in the pelvic region at odd times, along with frequency and urgency. IC, on the other hand, tends to be more "burning" in nature, and directly tied in with urination. Keep in mind that some doctors and researchers think CP and IC are directly related. You may want to try the new antibiotics just to make sure this isn't an infection, and if that doesn't work, look into seeing a specialist that knows a great deal about IC (as well as CP).
My sister suffered from IC for years, and one drug that helped her was the antihistamine Vistaril. There is another drug out there called Elmiron as well, but I don't know much about it. See how it goes in the next couple weeks and then start asking questions.
I'm not a doctor, but this sounds more like Interstitial Cystitis. Generally, the pain associated with prostatitis is not involved with urination. One will have pain in the pelvic region at odd times, along with frequency and urgency. IC, on the other hand, tends to be more "burning" in nature, and directly tied in with urination. Keep in mind that some doctors and researchers think CP and IC are directly related. You may want to try the new antibiotics just to make sure this isn't an infection, and if that doesn't work, look into seeing a specialist that knows a great deal about IC (as well as CP).
My sister suffered from IC for years, and one drug that helped her was the antihistamine Vistaril. There is another drug out there called Elmiron as well, but I don't know much about it. See how it goes in the next couple weeks and then start asking questions.
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jonners
Pain at odd times
Thanks for that Carlton. Although I gather the IC thing is pretty long term too isn't it? My mother has it apparently.
I would describe my pain as being a bit like taking the "I need to go" sensation and turning it into pain. So it can come on any time, not just at the time I am urinating, and sometimes occurs at the time I take a drink.
However, I have got, right now for example, some other discomforts, like (as my doctor described it) "between my balls and my anus", which I assume is prostate related.
Jonners
I would describe my pain as being a bit like taking the "I need to go" sensation and turning it into pain. So it can come on any time, not just at the time I am urinating, and sometimes occurs at the time I take a drink.
However, I have got, right now for example, some other discomforts, like (as my doctor described it) "between my balls and my anus", which I assume is prostate related.
Jonners
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gunde
Re: Pain at odd times
When my CP/CPPS/ic was at its worst due to lack of sleep and lots of stress I had that pain constantly and it was so intence I couldnt tell when I actually needed to go or not.jonners wrote: I would describe my pain as being a bit like taking the "I need to go" sensation and turning it into pain.
Abxses reduced some of the pain but didn't cure me.
At the moment I feel much better so don't give up hope. I suggest that you read the info on this website and try out different "remedies" and keep those that makes you feel better.
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Carlton Higgins
jonners,
generally, IC is not only characterized by pain during urination and bladder discomfort, but also a great deal of urgency and frequency. How often are you going to the bathroom?
I am firmly convinced that there is a genetic componant to IC/CPPS, perhaps an autoimmune disorder. My sister and myself developed this condition at the exact same age -go figure. My condition is more like traditional CP, but I also believe IC and CP to be related. I don't believe CP/CPPS is caused by bacteria. Urinalysis will come up negative, etc. Antibiotics are rarely effective, and only work from the standpoint of serving as an anti-inflammatory. One is better off taking Advil.
Keep in mind also that people often see a reduction or disappearance of IC symptoms. My sister no longer suffers from the disorder, even though she was miserable for 2 years. My CP is very much under control now (thank God!), due to dietary changes, Flomax, Quercetin, Algonot, and a whole lot of exercise. So don't assume you are stuck for life.
generally, IC is not only characterized by pain during urination and bladder discomfort, but also a great deal of urgency and frequency. How often are you going to the bathroom?
I am firmly convinced that there is a genetic componant to IC/CPPS, perhaps an autoimmune disorder. My sister and myself developed this condition at the exact same age -go figure. My condition is more like traditional CP, but I also believe IC and CP to be related. I don't believe CP/CPPS is caused by bacteria. Urinalysis will come up negative, etc. Antibiotics are rarely effective, and only work from the standpoint of serving as an anti-inflammatory. One is better off taking Advil.
Keep in mind also that people often see a reduction or disappearance of IC symptoms. My sister no longer suffers from the disorder, even though she was miserable for 2 years. My CP is very much under control now (thank God!), due to dietary changes, Flomax, Quercetin, Algonot, and a whole lot of exercise. So don't assume you are stuck for life.