It's been awhile, I have an update (good stuff!)

[BrettP]

OKay guys, it's been almost a couple months since my last post, and throughout these two months I have been feeling MUCH better. First I will explain the symptom I was having and then give you an update and what helped me out...

1. Pain in the tip of the penis:

This has been gone (or mostly gone) for two months. It comes back OCCASIONALLY, but not for more than one day. I have however found that I'm most susceptible to this pain when I need to have a bowel movement. The two are definitely inter-related and taking care of one can help the other. However, I think the main and lasting component to getting this pain to go away (or at least resolve itself by 90%) was getting rid of my boxers, in favor of boxer briefs!! As simple as it sounds, I had a bunch of boxers which were kind of rough on the inside without support, and this would irritate the tip of my penis, causing the feeling of scratching, pain, etc. One day, I took all the boxers, crumpled them up and threw them in the trash can! SINCE THAT DAY I HAVE FELT BETTER! Pretty amazing. I find boxer briefs to be much more supportive and softer on the tip.

2. Redness in the tip:

This persists, however it is not as pronounced as it once was. I don't understand yet why it doesn't go away, however, I've just come to accept the right side tip is red, and it really doesn't cause me too many problems. So, no use in worrying about it. It does get better when I'm overall less symptomatic, definitely worse when the muscles are like guitar strings...

3. Rectal pain:

This is gone completely, and I can say with certainty I don't think its coming back. I will occasionally have some discomfort, but it usually passes, and was nothing compared to what it was. I think by just being relaxed and trying to be more positive I stopped clenching and tensing these muscles, and the pain has thus gone away.

4. Urination:

This is still an issue for me, if this was to go away, I would consider myself close to 90% healed. I'm not sure if the uroxatral is causing the symptoms or not. It relaxes the prostate so at times I feel like the odd urination symptoms I get are a side effect of this medication working. I can urinate easily, however, its still not the same. I also go around 1/hr or so, which I don't really mind. I'm thinking about stopping the uroxatral for one week and seeing if I can get the old "normal" feeling I used to have. The therapist says that she is pretty sure the urination issue is coming from the muscles attached to my prostate. As when I do the PT, the muscles HURT and are usually tight. Also, as the stress increases, I notice that the frequency and severity of the urination increases as well... But, it still better than it was.

5. Bowel issues

I also am still having bowel issues, and I am 100% certain the two issues are interrelated. The correlation is impossible to ignore. These come and go like a kona wind, so I don't really mind them, for the most part, when I'm regular, the urination issues are better. Just another something I notice. Maybe you guys have this as well.

6. Medications:

I'm still taking the valium 2. 5mg-5mg, or if I feel a flare, a little more, depending on the situation. And I'm also taking the uroxatral still, which I want to stop taking as I think it is causing some unwanted side effects by making my prostate too lose and hence creating strange urinary symptoms. On Monday, I'm going to stop taking this, and test the waters. I havent had much pain so I really havent needed the Aleve (naproxen) anymore, but do occasionally take it.

7. Therapy:

Still going twice a month, however there are still really tight trigger points, which I just have to get the courage to resolve myself... I'm also still doing my home regime, but have been slacking lately, I need to step up the game on that note.

8. Mental work:

I have been seeing a shrink for about two months as well, and to me, this has been eye opening as I'm starting to see a correlation between my mind and the symptoms, I definitely feel this disease (at least on some people) is aggravated by mental problems. For instance, something in my past which I will leave out had made me feel trapped, and in high school, feeling trapped and hopeless was the main reason for my IBS at the time. And as I went to college I wasn't trapped anymore, and the issues went away. Flash forward, I'm now married, trapped in job, and I truly do feel trapped, and these are issues that I need to deal with and I think is the number 1 cause for the symptoms I have had. I would suggest that seeing a shrink be done as soon as you can, especially if you have anxiety issues, as they really can help you deal with them and get you to deal with the underlying issues, its also good to talk to someone who listens about your issues and doesn't think your crazy.

Overall, thats an update, I hope it helps someone and that the rest of you are getting better as well.

If anyone has any suggestions on the urinary issues, I'm all ears, but overall I'm doing pretty good. Hope you guys are well too.

[webslave]

Thanks for the update, Brett. You're moving in the right direction, that's for sure. :thumbup:

[BrettP]

Thanks webslave. I forgot another extremely important thing I wanted to mention to everyone. This is something I have found important in my case, as it stops me from feeling so trapped and kills my anxiety. . . GET OUT AND KICK IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, ETC. BE ACTIVE!!!!

I went on vacation, I did a 1500mile road trip. I was worried as all the sitting I was sure was going to flare me up, it didn't, I felt alive, on the road, driving, relaxing. . . I felt so much better. We then ended our trip in Vegas, and we were at the Luxor, A LONG WALK FROM ANYTHING!!! So we walked everywhere, and I mean, everywhere, once again, I just KNEW a flare was coming. I felt tightness, but NO FLARE!!! Also at the grand canyon we hiked, and once again NO FLARE!!! Being in the moment and doing enjoyable things is so important and I feel can help many people here. I proved to myself that being a recluse was not helping me in any way. . . Just something I forgot to mention! I also ventured into the spa and pool, the spa was a good gift, I just felt great.

[carld]

I have said this many times....Vacations often settle symptoms down because of the joy doing things you love..

[mpozatek]

Can't tell you how great it is to read a success post.

[BrettP]

Feels good to write one. Really the only thing bothering me know is the urinary symptoms, if I could find a way to resolve that man, I'd be good. However, for some reason, the urinary dysfunction proves difficult to get rid of. I tried stopping the uroxatral for a couple days, and I noticed some increase tension in the prostate, so I just decided, better to be on them and I restarted. I definitely have tension in my lower abs too, which I feel exacerbates the prostate somehow. Also, I will keep up with the PT, that usually helps the urinary issues, finally got the guts to try it on myself, but I didn't feel it was effective. . . Just hate to keep dolling out the cash for PT, but, all things considered, its better than feeling like garbage.

You will get better, you just have to allow yourself to avoid the dangerous trap this disease sets for you.

[BrettP]

Hola chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome peeps. Had some questions for everyone here. So here I go:

1. I know smoking is bad, obviously. But does smoking have a direct effect on the pelvic floor? I know that I have been smoking more as it has seemed to produce more regular bowel movements. But I'm wondering if this is hurting my chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome more than helping me. I have also heard theories on nicotine, for some it relaxes them, for some its a stimulant. To me, it seems to relax me, but not every time. So I'm just really curious about this as I'm going to go on the patch to quit. . But I'll still be getting nicotine.

2. Also, I finally understand the "golf ball in the rectum" symptom. My main driver of chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome as of late has been what seems to be bowel problems. I just have not been regular, in fact, as my bowels fill or a BM is imminent, my urinary symptoms often worsen. I know there is a direct correlation between the two. I feel like I have not quite been emptying my bowels, and I get that feeling that something is in there, hence the golf ball in the rectum. Anyone have any tips on this? Aside from whats been written in HITP.

3. Also, I have started seeing a shrink to help me with my anxiety and depression issues. They seem to push the anti-depressants. So I was wondering, has there been any bad side effects of these medicines with CPPS?

4. Also, there is a supplement my uncle has been taking for his issues, not CPPS, but prostate issues (enlarged). Its called "healthy prostate" and he gets it from CVS, etc. Is this similar to something like Quercetin? I think its just vitamins and herbs and the such, but he says that it has helped him dramatically to the point where he is very close to normal, this is after about 4 months of using it. I'm wondering if this might help me. Any insight would be appreciated. . .

Well, thats all I'm wondering at this point. I have started my new job, and although there is stress with the job, overall the place is pretty quiet and it seems like a good place to work, where I will be busy and working harder, and not worrying about the CPPS, which I think is KEY. My mind can only be on one problem at a time. . . . However, its a large office where I still may be dealing with uncertainty about job security, but I'm not going to worry about that now. Maybe in the future.

In any event, feedback is appreciated.

[garyholc]

I can answer one question and that is on the smoking. In the Clare Davies TP workbook it does talk about smoking and says it can prevent TP's releasing and infact cause more of them to occur in the body as smoking robs the muscles of oxygen, and eventually blood supply by narrowing the arteries. Add onto this it makes your fitness level worse, overall, smoking every day isn't good for resolving CPPS.

Saying that, I will occasionally have a smoke, but, by occasional I mean one or two cigarettes a WEEK at the most. Usually if I am out with friends drinking I will have one, I agree it can relax you, but I wouldn't like to smoke 20-30-40 a day. I've done this occasional smoking for years and years and find by having such a small number I don't develop an addiction. I never feel like I "need" a smoke. Infact, sometimes, I may have only one or two a MONTH if at all. I don't believe in living life totally t-total and being a saint, but I think as with alcohol, things done in moderation are better enjoyed, and perhaps better tolerated by the body.... just my thought!!!

[BrettP]

Yea, I think I'm def going to shoot for the full blown quit. I have been feeling ok lately, not too bad. But then today, I get another bowel flare up, musta been from something I ate, so I'm trying to link the two common items from my last blow up and this one, and figure out the linked causative agent. Also, smoking, makes me go #2, which relieves my rectal problems sometimes, but overall, its def. gotta be kicked out. I was viewing some anatomy of vessels and muscles, etc. And I can see know with my eyes how robbing the body of oxygen and putting pollutants in it can cause things healing to take longer. Starting tomorrow at 5PM, I'm going cold turkey for one week, and see how I feel. . . .

One thing I eat a lot of, and I notice were similar in each meal was a lot of onions. . . Not sure if that's of any significance but I do consume an enormous load of raw onions. much more than other people I know. They also give me major gas which causes issues with IBS. I may try to cut back on those and see if there is improvement.

It was embarrassing today being in a meeting and having to take a major piss every 15 minutes. . . lol

[webslave]

I do consume an enormous load of raw onions. much more than other people I know. They also give me major gas which causes issues with IBS. I may try to cut back on those and see if there is improvement.

Any food that you feel unusually drawn to is probably a candidate for food intolerance. Onion commonly causes intolerance. Cut onion from your diet (and also the related foods: garlic, chives etc).

[superuse]

Just for grins, take an unlit cigarette and take some drags from it until it would be gone. If you suck in, it strains the abs where they connect to the pelvis along with the pelvic floor and chest diaphram and may cause the symptoms you describe. I get the same symptoms sometimes when repairing scuba regulators (the part in your mouth), and sucking in to adjust the diaphram resistance.

Actually, the people smoking just now and then at a bar or something are more in tune with the original purpose of tobacco. (Native americans imbibing thru pipes at infrequent ceremonial or political occasions.) Most people I know can't do this and wind up going desk to mouth thru 2- 3 packs in a day at work, because the stuff is addictive. Those who can smoke 5-10 or so cigs in a month or two obviously are lucky enough to have the ol nico gene turned off.

[garyholc]

While I applaud your idea of going totally cold turkey, I would say use caution as this method usually fails. The best way to stop smoking is to cut down gradually, until eventually you go through a day and even forget about having one. I don't know, but if you smoke say, 20 a day, try reducing it to 17 a day, then down to 15 the next week etc. Maybe try and smoke 3 less a day for a week - space it out more, then cut down a bit more the next. How about patches and gum as well to help you?

I think if you cut it out totally the craving will eventually get you and you won't be successful. I might be wrong, but good luck to you anyway!!!

[BrettP]

Gary,

Youre right, got bit by the nico bug bad today, BAD. HAD to have one, that turned into 3. I smoke no more than 10 a day, but i have successfully cut down over the last few months, but its been a slow process. Mostly do to a new job with less time for smoke breaks...lol Cutting it cold turkey was not a good idea. Will try the patch here in the next few weeks.

Well, i have cut out onions and can say that the next day i was markedly improved in the IBS realm, also the prostatitis was calmed down much more. However, still getting symptoms when my bowels fill and get gas, not sure if there is much i can do about it at this point besides stretching, etc, etc. Might go back in for some PT at some point. Damn insurance quit covering me, so I got a new carrier at my new work, will use them to pay....

[superuse]

By all means don't go cold turkey, but with only 10 a day you don't have too developed a habit. I have a friend who can't use the patch because of blood pressure problems so you may want to have that checked. Otherwise patch , gum and try to cut out one every few weeks. Some places i have seen sell fake cigarettes, others cutting soda straws down to imitate the hand mouth action or just to have something simulating a cigarette to chomp on. This may be more for the 2+ pack a day folks. One of my employees smokes 4+ packs a day and his wife another 3. Since he's from Kentucky he only spends $17/day. They also have the fire retardant in them that puts them out to relight after a few minutes of disuse so almost all the 4 packs are going into him.

One employee in his 50's was asked recently how he quit cold turkey after smoking many decades. He stated that after the DR. informed him in the E.R. the chunks of red stuff he coughed up were part of his lungs his enthusiasm for the leaf faded drastically. Seems like that is what it takes sometimes. Time will tell if we see him sneaking any, I've seen far too many oldsters on oxygen getting their smoke (away sometimes from the tank). Amazing what the human body can take well into the late 70's.

Put your best efforts into dumping the stuff. Especially pot which with the carcinogens,filterless and all are much worse than cigs.

Good luck
--jjf

[BrettP]

Yea, didn't go to well, was craving a nico hit the first day. I'm getting the patch ASAP. Screw it, ill cut the patch up so as not to get too much nico in my system. I dont want to cough up any of my lungs thats sick. I want to go see that thing called "bodies", supposedly it shows lungs of a smoker who died, and I have heard many people who go there and see it in real life, crumple up their cigs walk out and quit. reality check. Its just I know its bad, I just can't stop the damned things. Most addictive thing I have ever taken. Even stopping valium for two weeks was simple, just got alittle hyper, this nicotine I tell ya, is something else.