Redness- any clue to cause? (Che123's case)

[che123]

Hi, the first symptom in this for me was a red area at the base of my penis and the top of my scrotum. Its not a rash really, just red, kind of 'greasy' looking, and has not gone away for 3 months. I am constantly sweating down there and the area seems almost hot to the touch. The base of the penis and the top of my perineum are sensitive at and near this area, and it seems that gently massaging this area, and trying to relax the muscles there help a little. My main pain is now mostly in the penis with some down the sides of the legs. Whenever I get an erection it feels uncomfortable. Has anyone else had redness like this? Does anyone know what causes the redness if this is a common occurrence? Thanks for the help...

[webslave]

Red patches of skin on or around the genitals is a frequently mentioned symptom on these forums, but no study has mentioned them as typical of CP/CPPS.

The only comment I can make it that I had such a patch too, and it faded as I recovered. That may be a coincidence. It is also worth noting that the skin may become reddened and discolored in the condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). There is no known relationship between chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome and CRPS other than that both conditions involve regional nerves and pain.

[snoopy]

I've had redness, but not of this nature. What your describing sounds like psoriasis or something of that nature, but I'm no doc. Do you have red patches like this anywhere els on your body?

[che123]

Hello all... I'm now at over four months of dealing with some strange things that my urologist believes to be prostate inflammation. I've been tested for every STD I can think of, all with negative results, so my doctor and I feel that this should not be STD related (it was a huge stress however to think that I may have passed on an STD to someone). I'm going in for a cystoscopy in two weeks, and if that's normal then I will have a CT scan done. Over the course of this my symptoms have mostly been in the genitals, with some pain radiating down the insides of my legs, and some 'tightness' and soreness in my upper leg and groin muscles. The last month or so all the pain really seems to be in the genitals. It's kind of an itching, aching in my testicles, and pain in my penis and perineum areas. Are these symptoms along the lines with others on this forum? Has anyone had a cystoscopy and found something else going on that could be causing these symptoms? The doctor is going to put me under for the cystoscopy so I'm hoping it won't hurt too badly. Thanks for any advice or insight anyone may have...

[snoopy]

I have those identical symptoms, but unfortunately I also have had every test in the book with no answers. I have very tender areas in the pelvic floor and i imagine you do as well. I am an amateur musician and music although very fun can be a tension building event for me. Let me know if I can do anything for you.

Snoop

[che123]

I have only dabbled in self internal PT. There is no internal PT in my area and no urologist I have found that will even acknowledge the 'pelvic floor muscle' theory that this board is so set on. When I have done internal PT the only discomfort I can notice is the general discomfort of having my finger searching around in my rectum. I have not been able to recreate any symptoms by feeling around inside. Has anyone with this localized genital pain had a history of compulsive masturbation or molestation as a child?

[webslave]

I'm going in for a cystoscopy in two weeks, and if that's normal then I will have a CT scan done.

Borders on overtreatment. I'd have the cystoscopy without the anesthetic. The only reason for the anesthetic is so he can take a biopsy, IMO. I'd avoid a CT scan and if you want further tests, get a TRUS instead.

[webslave]

I have only dabbled in self internal PT.

If you don't know what to look for, this can be pretty futile.

no urologist I have found that will even acknowledge the 'pelvic floor muscle' theory that this board is so set on.

It's not "this board", it's modern urology. If your uros will not acknowledge the latest research, dump 'em and get thee to someone smart.

Has anyone with this localized genital pain had a history of compulsive masturbation or molestation as a child?

Those are both common precipitants.

[Jay]

Hi,

My symptoms are primarily related to the genitals and perineum. Some of them closely mirror your own. This is not uncommon. While I do not have a history of compulsive masturbation or molestation, as Webslave says, both are known to be precursors to CPPS/PFD.

I would also point out that our forums are not 'stuck' on pelvic floor dysfunction. We have many sections for a variety of different treatment approaches. However, we do have a preference toward the muscular approach, one which is growing within the medical community. My physical therapist is an instructor/professor in the University of Miami Medical System, and my pain management doctor is also a professor at the same location. Both very much believe in pelvic floor dysfunction as a cause of CPPS. In the case of my PT, she specializes in it, as well as other issues of the pelvis. Most people with doctorates don't waste their time on quackery.

Having said all of that, if you choose to seriously pursue pelvic floor treatment, you may need to travel in order to get a competent examination. My PT is a bit over two hours away, but adequate treatment makes it all worthwhile. It would be an option for you to consider, at least, and one I believe could be viable for you. Palpating the pelvic floor should produce no discomfort at all, yet you seem to be experiencing that.

As a side note, I haven't had a CT scan, but I've had other testing done. This includes two very good MRIs of my lumbar spine and pelvis. I don't mean to discourage you from such testing, but my PM doctor said nothing would be found, and he was right. He prescribed them for me only at my request.

[snoopy]

I concur with jay. I had all kinds of imaging that showed nothing at all. That doesn't mean you shouldn't get the imaging, but don't expect too much. Unless there is an obvious organic problem, the reports won't show much. The fact that Uros continue to give Abiotics to people with zero signs of infection is a pretty good indication of what most Uros know about this problem.

Best of luck

[che123]

So one weird thing that I notice is that I have pain when I move my right leg certain ways. This makes me think that either the movement is affecting a muscle that is having problems, or that there is something 'structural' going on inside. I am going to go through with the cystoscopy just to be sure there is nothing there. So what are the real advantages of me finding a urologist who understands/believes in the pelvic floor dysfunction as a cause. Would he not just advise me to find a PT and try relaxation techniques? I mean it seems from my reading that these are the two main ways people are dealing with this as a pelvic floor dysfunction situation.... thanks

[che123]

Oh, and Snoopy, since I can't private message you I am hoping you will see this. I am in South Carolina. Do you know of any PT's in the southeast other than all the way down in Miami? Or anyone else who may see this, if you know of a PT in SC, NC, or GA please let me know- thanks

[Dimdem]

Is the CT scan to check for kidney stones? I had one of those done (negative), although that was largely due to the fact that two of many urine samples showed trace blood.

[Jay]

Che,

Check out this link for a list of physicians and physical therapists. That list in particular is for people with IC/PBS (a related condition), but also includes people who may have an interest in treating pelvic floor dysfunction.

In particular, I noted a Sarah Bolden in Woodstock, GA on that list. Her description sounds promising.

[snoopy]

Che,

As I see it, going to a PT is an initial evaluation of your problem. Ultimately the protocol is something you need to practice on your own. I have thought for a while that my pain was way up inside my pelvic floor, but just the other day I found a very sore spot (TP) right on the sphincter muscle that corresponds well with some of my perineum pain when walking and moving my leg certain ways. That pain where you move your leg a certain way sounds exactly like something I have experienced, and the brushing off odd pains for years sounds familiar too. I'd be surprised if a PT didn't find some dysfunction there for you.

Best of luck