Flippy - I Rant, You Read
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Could it be Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and not IC?
After I went to bed last night (there’s was no point staying up, I couldn’t sit for more than ten minutes at a time), Leigh-Ann did some more research into my problem. I think she’s on to something. It’s called “Pelvic Floor Dysfunction” and some of the major reasons it fits when Interstitial Cystitis doesn’t are:
* Usually patients who have just PFD and no significant IC do not have nighttime frequency - I’m generally fine when I’m laying down...and standing it. It’s sitting that does me in.
* Many patients with PFD start with a urinary tract infection. They are voiding so much because of the infection. After treatment with an antibiotic, the burning may go away, but the sensation of incomplete emptying and the constant frequency of urination continue. There may be another course of antibiotics, with no results. Now it is not a problem of the infection any longer. For some reason during the infection, the patient started to void in a dysfunctional way. The same thing occurs with IC. There is a primary bladder problem; the patient is voiding a lot and they try to push out the urine to empty their bladder. There is a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying, urgency and frequency, and the patient strains with urination. This can cause more tightening of the pelvic floor. This can cause more symptoms, which provokes you to push and strain over and over. You have to break out of this cycle. - This started with a bladder infection seven years ago. Although, I didn’t have any pain then either. The only reason the infection was suspected was because of the frequency. It was bad for quite a while, although how long for sure, I don’t know. Damn, I wish I’d had a blog then. It would’ve been easy to track things like it was for my herniated disc. I’ve never felt like I was “straining” to urinate, but I can see how that would’ve been the case when I had my bladder infection and was going 60+ times a day. I wanted as much out as possible, because I figure that would mean one less trip to the bathroom. Clearly, that isn’t so.
* There are other therapies that can be used for PFD. Relaxation techniques are important. I work with a social worker and we make relaxation tapes for patients. Self-hypnosis can be helpful also. Stress seems to be one of the major initiating factors for worsening of pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms. The muscles tighten, much like a tension headache. Yoga and Tai Chi are helpful strategies. I have never had a patient who has taken a Yoga class who said it made them worse. You should always tell the instructor about your particular problem. Stretching is great, but you don’t want to put too much tension on those muscles at any given time. - Financial stress is really just about the only thing that stresses me out, and naturally, when it happens, it makes up for all of the other stressors I don’t react to in my life. I’m a fairly calm person, except when I’m poor. Honestly, I’d be the best lottery winner, because otherwise, I’m really happy with my life. Anyway, right now things aren’t especially great, which stresses me out, which makes my bladder worse, which makes it so I can’t do anything. I’ve discovered that Ativan can help because I was prescribed Pyridium Plus when I went to the urologist seven years ago. It was the ONLY medication that help me, but it made me super sleepy. Apparently, it relaxed me. 
Anyway, both Ativan and Valium do the same thing, without the annoying orange junk that I think is mostly for the pain anyway, which I never had. Not once.
We bought “The Journey to the Wild Divine” biofeedback program with some Amazon gift certificates and I’m guessing that this is what I need to spend my time doing for a period of time each day. I’m clearly really crappy at handling stress, maybe because I grew up with so very little of it, I don’t know. I’ve only used the program a couple of times, but it’s pretty cool. I guess I’ll be able to tell if it’s working if I can spend more time sitting and doing it. 
I’d be more than happy to hear how other people have coped - either publicly or in email. By the way, I understand if this is TMI for some people (like, uh, my dad), but I really need to figure out how to make this stop. It’s impossible to live a normal life when you fear driving a few blocks away from home. And the fear makes the problem worse, which makes me worry more, which makes it even worse, blah, blah, blah. I also just found out that my urologist moved from the fairly convenient Summerlin location where he was before to Maryland Pwy. Ugh. That’ll be a fun trip if I can’t take the freeway.
Next entry: One of the Best Xmas Gifts Ever Previous entry: Plop, Plop...Oh, What a Prelief It Is (well, not yet)
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This does sound more likely to me. Regardless, I hope you find a solution soon!
Georg on 12/31 at 06:18 AM -
Drat, you’ve had bad luck with the medical concerns. Wish I had some advice or ideas, but I don’t. I hope you find a solution soon.
Kari on 12/31 at 10:43 AM -
You can find information on pelvic floor therapy at happypelvis.com. You should look for a physiotherapist trained in pelvic floor therapy. Advise from someone who’s been there.
on 12/31 at 11:20 AM -
Georg & Kari, yeah, it’s been a pretty sucky health year. Maybe 2007 will be much better.
Anne, happypelvis.com doesn’t seem to exist. Could it be called something else?
on 12/31 at 03:42 PM -
Okay, found it. It’s a Yahoo Group - http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/happypelvis/
on 01/01 at 12:47 AM -
Man, that’s rough. I think my mom had similar issues; I’ll let you know if she has any tips. As for TMI, I’m seconds away from discussing my genetic legacy of ass problems on my blog. So, you know . . . brace yourself.
roro on 01/01 at 08:33 PM
