Hi all,
Just want to say thanks again for you guys posting your stories. I'm at 9 months with this thing - the pain on sitting can be pretty bad, sometimes like a knife jabbing me, other times just a general throbbing in the pelvis. Usually, I can get up at work whenever I need to, so I lessen the pain throughout the day by hopping up and walking to the printer/bathroom/cafeteria, etc every half hour or so. But in a couple of weeks, I'm going to a three-day, all-day conference, and look upon it with dread. I haven't been on medications since I stopped the antibiotics some months ago (not counting Quercetin, which did nothing for me), but think I'll need some to get through those days. Is valium the best to stave off the pain? Does Aleve (naproxen) work?
Thanks again for your time.
Michael
meds question
meds question
Age: | Onset Age: | Symptoms: | Helped By: | Worsened By:
Valium works well for muscle/tension related chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome pain but can have some pretty significant cognitive effects along with other side effects- using Valium (1mg) during the daytime I became significantly groggy, tired and generally my thoughts were more clouded. Aleve (naproxen), on the other hand, is a non-narcotic NSAID which I have used to great effect (400-500 mgs 1x or 2x a day with food) for eliminating my chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome pain, the only drawback for me with Aleve (naproxen)- Naproxen is the active ingredient- is that it is harsh on my stomach, so I have to take it with milk and food and beyond that still sometimes get stomach pain while taking more than one consecutive dose. Before you go to narcotics- Valium, Ultram, etc, you should talk to your doctor about using Aleve (naproxen) which I have found to be as effective as any many narcotics. It should be noted also that Valium is not a pain reliever perse, but rather a muscle relexant and general sedative- so its efficacy will depend on the causes of your symptoms. Of course the right thing to do is to talk with a doctor, because this isn't medical advice.
Age:22 | Onset Age:16.5 | Symptoms: Pain with extended sitting, Pain shortly folllowing urination, mostly above pubic bone, Pain after defecation mostly around external sphincter, Pain after ejaculation mostly in Urethra | Helped By: Progressive and Moment to Moment Relaxation, Stretching, Bed Rest (laying down and relaxing muscles), Hot Baths, Hot Showers, | Worsened By: Alcohol (variably), Ejaculation, Urination, Defecation, Stress, Extended Sitting, Sleeping in the wrong position, tensing my muscles while writing or doing anything else stressful/intense, Progress: 65%, basically only dealing with post-ejaculatory pain, onset after about an hour, peaks for 3-6 hours and then remains sore for a day.
Without a doubt, your anxiety about the conference will make your pain worse. I've had the same dread when looking forward to long car trips or vacations planned when I was in pain. But usually things ended up better than I feared.
Here's a few thoughts:
1. Knowing that your anxiety is going to make things worse, you have time now to start practicing some congnitive techniques to reduce your anxiety about the whole situation.
2. I've never been to a conference that didn't allow me to get up when I wanted, take breaks when I wanted, and basically DO what I wanted. I guess if you are presenting something (like a paper, for instance), you'll have some time-limited periods when you have little freedom. But overall, I think the conference should be easy to deal with (you probably won't be sitting that much). And if you have a hotel at or near the conference, you can probably take a break here and there can soak up a warm bath or hot tub to relax things.
3. Also, a conference will probably distract you significantly. There's a lot to do and see, and you'll probably forget about you troubles at various times during the day.
4. I agree about the narcotics. If you can avoid them, do so. If you NEED to take them, then take them. But if you aren't taking them today, don't take them tomorrow just because you think you will need them. If you haven't tried the over the counter stuff yet, then go for it. It sounds like your anxiety may be a bigger problem than your pain with regards to the conference - valium isn't the best medication to take for anxiety (mostly because that's not what it's designed for), but I might look into some anti-anxiety meds before pain meds (or even anti-anxiety foods like camommile(sp) tea).
5. I think things will probably not be nearly as bad as you fear. Your dread is making things into a much bigger problem. Keep telling yourself this, and hopefully that will help with the negative thoughts right up front.
Mike
Here's a few thoughts:
1. Knowing that your anxiety is going to make things worse, you have time now to start practicing some congnitive techniques to reduce your anxiety about the whole situation.
2. I've never been to a conference that didn't allow me to get up when I wanted, take breaks when I wanted, and basically DO what I wanted. I guess if you are presenting something (like a paper, for instance), you'll have some time-limited periods when you have little freedom. But overall, I think the conference should be easy to deal with (you probably won't be sitting that much). And if you have a hotel at or near the conference, you can probably take a break here and there can soak up a warm bath or hot tub to relax things.
3. Also, a conference will probably distract you significantly. There's a lot to do and see, and you'll probably forget about you troubles at various times during the day.
4. I agree about the narcotics. If you can avoid them, do so. If you NEED to take them, then take them. But if you aren't taking them today, don't take them tomorrow just because you think you will need them. If you haven't tried the over the counter stuff yet, then go for it. It sounds like your anxiety may be a bigger problem than your pain with regards to the conference - valium isn't the best medication to take for anxiety (mostly because that's not what it's designed for), but I might look into some anti-anxiety meds before pain meds (or even anti-anxiety foods like camommile(sp) tea).
5. I think things will probably not be nearly as bad as you fear. Your dread is making things into a much bigger problem. Keep telling yourself this, and hopefully that will help with the negative thoughts right up front.
Mike
This is NOT medical advice. I am NOT a doctor.
Age: 43 CPPS: 10+ Yrs Recovery Status: 80-85% Symptoms: Pain in testicles, scrotum, rectum, prostate, perineum Makes Worse: Anxiety, Tension, too much Nookie Makes Better: Stretching, Abdominal Massage (Go Theracane!), Relaxation
Age: 43 CPPS: 10+ Yrs Recovery Status: 80-85% Symptoms: Pain in testicles, scrotum, rectum, prostate, perineum Makes Worse: Anxiety, Tension, too much Nookie Makes Better: Stretching, Abdominal Massage (Go Theracane!), Relaxation
Anxiety makes things worse. Try valium, or better yet, relaxation technique. Try to do relaxation whenever you have a break.
Age:37 | Onset Age: 34 | Symptoms: Pain on Right Leg, Fireball, Urethral and Testicular Pain, Urgency, Bladder lost control, Lower and Upper abdominal Pain, Perineum Pain, Nausea, ED, Pain during arousal, Ejaculation Pain, Lower Back Pain , Fatigue, Short term memory loss, anxiety, bowel pseudo-obstruction/IBS, bloating, unable to pass gas, intestinal burning sensations. | Helped By: Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol, Elavil, Valium, Stretching, Skin Rolls, Donut Cushion, External Trigger point | Worsened By: Sit for more than an hour, Caffiene, Sex, Bowel movement, Symptoms come without warning.
-
LightningTree
- Sage
- Posts: 623
- Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2004 6:50 pm
- Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
- Contact:
I've often found that I can stand up at the back of conference rooms. There are usually other guys (with back problems) back there, so it is a little club. Not sure what type of conference you are going to be stuck at, though.
Also, went not doing the all important schmoozing, take a break in your hotel room to take an extra hot shower, to relax the muscles.
Do stretching about half-way through the day.
Muscle relaxants like valium are a good crutch to have available. You may not even need one, but just knowing you have relief available can provide some relief in and of itself. I carry a bottle of such pills with me, but I rarely use them.
Also, went not doing the all important schmoozing, take a break in your hotel room to take an extra hot shower, to relax the muscles.
Do stretching about half-way through the day.
Muscle relaxants like valium are a good crutch to have available. You may not even need one, but just knowing you have relief available can provide some relief in and of itself. I carry a bottle of such pills with me, but I rarely use them.
This is not medical advice, and I am NOT a doctor of medicine or a related field.
* Age:33 Onset: February 2004.
* 99.9% IMPROVEMENT in 2.5 Years with the first year being the really hard part
* Current Symptoms: Mild irritation of perineal muscles on occasion. Relieved for days at a time by a specific stretch (see below).
* Initial Symptoms: Terrible penile, urethral, rectal, and perineal burning/aching with addition afferent sensations.
* Current Treatments: Deep stretching of the legs and pelvis. Most effective: Deep psoas and levitar ani stretch using the first phase of the "pigeon pose" from Yoga. When a deep pulling is felt in the middle of the pelvis next to the upper rectum, symptoms are completely alleviated for several days.
* Past Treatments Hyperprotection of the perineum for 1.7 years, Walking, Rectal biofeedback, Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol, Conditioned deep relaxation practice, Men's Multi-Vitamin and an Extra B-complex pill, all seemed to help.
I've found sitting straight, feet flat on the floor and hands on both thighs really helps, rather than getting caught in fidget mode, switching from cheek to cheek.
As you sit there imagine your butt cheeks spreading sideways every time you breath out and feel your body sink lower into the chair.
Helps you to embrace the situation and actually feel better from it rather than being constantly distracted and uncomfortable.
As you sit there imagine your butt cheeks spreading sideways every time you breath out and feel your body sink lower into the chair.
Helps you to embrace the situation and actually feel better from it rather than being constantly distracted and uncomfortable.
Age: 29 | Onset Age: 18 | Symptoms: burning thighs, lower back, increased urination, cloudy urine | Helped By: sorting my head out (Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)), forgetting about it | Worsened By: wheat, stress/anxiety
Good tip GintyGinty wrote:I've found sitting straight, feet flat on the floor and hands on both thighs really helps, rather than getting caught in fidget mode, switching from cheek to cheek.
As you sit there imagine your butt cheeks spreading sideways every time you breath out and feel your body sink lower into the chair.
Helps you to embrace the situation and actually feel better from it rather than being constantly distracted and uncomfortable.
Not medical advice: Read my progress to date : Read about my W-A clinic visit
Age: 54 CPPS: 20 Yrs Recovery Status: 95% Symptoms: Pain around perineum Makes Worse: Tension, sitting Makes Better: Stretching, triggerpoint therapy, relaxation
Age: 54 CPPS: 20 Yrs Recovery Status: 95% Symptoms: Pain around perineum Makes Worse: Tension, sitting Makes Better: Stretching, triggerpoint therapy, relaxation
Funny I never had thought of that. great idea.Ginty wrote:I've found sitting straight, feet flat on the floor and hands on both thighs really helps, rather than getting caught in fidget mode, switching from cheek to cheek.
As you sit there imagine your butt cheeks spreading sideways every time you breath out and feel your body sink lower into the chair.
Helps you to embrace the situation and actually feel better from it rather than being constantly distracted and uncomfortable.
Age:37 | Onset Age: 34 | Symptoms: Pain on Right Leg, Fireball, Urethral and Testicular Pain, Urgency, Bladder lost control, Lower and Upper abdominal Pain, Perineum Pain, Nausea, ED, Pain during arousal, Ejaculation Pain, Lower Back Pain , Fatigue, Short term memory loss, anxiety, bowel pseudo-obstruction/IBS, bloating, unable to pass gas, intestinal burning sensations. | Helped By: Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol, Elavil, Valium, Stretching, Skin Rolls, Donut Cushion, External Trigger point | Worsened By: Sit for more than an hour, Caffiene, Sex, Bowel movement, Symptoms come without warning.
I've skipped stuff before too. I'm definitely guilty in that regard. But I will say this. Every time I have skipped something due to my anxiety and fear about it, doing that same thing that NEXT time was TWICE as hard. So if you can make it through, that is a great step. For me, getting through the hard stuff was a confidence builder, and I was always proud of myself for getting through it at the end, even if I had to take some medications to help me.I was inclined to skip the conference, but not really a possibility.
Give yourself a reward for getting through it. The reward should be on par with the event (i.e., a reward for going to work while in pain should probably be less than a reward for making it through a conference you were incredibly anxious about). Buy yourself something nice when it's over, something you've been holding off on. And try to make the conference FUN in some way (bring a good book for relaxation time, or rent a few movies and bring them with you on your computer). And hang in there. It's going to be OK.
Just out of curiousity. What kind of conference is it? (if you don't mind me asking).
Mike
This is NOT medical advice. I am NOT a doctor.
Age: 43 CPPS: 10+ Yrs Recovery Status: 80-85% Symptoms: Pain in testicles, scrotum, rectum, prostate, perineum Makes Worse: Anxiety, Tension, too much Nookie Makes Better: Stretching, Abdominal Massage (Go Theracane!), Relaxation
Age: 43 CPPS: 10+ Yrs Recovery Status: 80-85% Symptoms: Pain in testicles, scrotum, rectum, prostate, perineum Makes Worse: Anxiety, Tension, too much Nookie Makes Better: Stretching, Abdominal Massage (Go Theracane!), Relaxation
Good ideas, Mike. I'm planning on checking out the club scene in the area the night before we're going to leave.. wish I could put sex in that category too but the on and off ED and lack of feeling when I do have it doesn't really make that an incentive. Luckily the girl I'm seeing is kind off to humor me that she doesn't care.
Michael
Michael
Age: | Onset Age: | Symptoms: | Helped By: | Worsened By:
Ok then, you definitely have to be providing your own fun. Just kidding!Oh sorry, it's a foreign policy conference.
I hope your talk goes well. I'm sure it will be enjoyable right after you get into it. I can understand your anxiety about the event though. Hopefully, after you arrive, your anxiety will lessen a bit, and the talk won't be as hard.I'm speaking too, which would ordinarily be my favorite thing to do
Mike
This is NOT medical advice. I am NOT a doctor.
Age: 43 CPPS: 10+ Yrs Recovery Status: 80-85% Symptoms: Pain in testicles, scrotum, rectum, prostate, perineum Makes Worse: Anxiety, Tension, too much Nookie Makes Better: Stretching, Abdominal Massage (Go Theracane!), Relaxation
Age: 43 CPPS: 10+ Yrs Recovery Status: 80-85% Symptoms: Pain in testicles, scrotum, rectum, prostate, perineum Makes Worse: Anxiety, Tension, too much Nookie Makes Better: Stretching, Abdominal Massage (Go Theracane!), Relaxation
-
LightningTree
- Sage
- Posts: 623
- Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2004 6:50 pm
- Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
- Contact:
Hye Mike. I enjoy speaking too. But since I developed CPPS, I find that I am aware of tension while speaking. When you are done speaking, see if you can take a bit of time to really relax.
This is not medical advice, and I am NOT a doctor of medicine or a related field.
* Age:33 Onset: February 2004.
* 99.9% IMPROVEMENT in 2.5 Years with the first year being the really hard part
* Current Symptoms: Mild irritation of perineal muscles on occasion. Relieved for days at a time by a specific stretch (see below).
* Initial Symptoms: Terrible penile, urethral, rectal, and perineal burning/aching with addition afferent sensations.
* Current Treatments: Deep stretching of the legs and pelvis. Most effective: Deep psoas and levitar ani stretch using the first phase of the "pigeon pose" from Yoga. When a deep pulling is felt in the middle of the pelvis next to the upper rectum, symptoms are completely alleviated for several days.
* Past Treatments Hyperprotection of the perineum for 1.7 years, Walking, Rectal biofeedback, Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol, Conditioned deep relaxation practice, Men's Multi-Vitamin and an Extra B-complex pill, all seemed to help.