PFD is Better!

[Sarojini]

Yesterday at PT I got the good news that my PFD is about 30-50% better than when I started PT about 6 weeks ago :) When we hooked up to the biofeedback, my resting tone was much lower, and I have improved strength. I also have improved endurance with the long contractions of the pelvic floor! I guess my commitment to practicing all the stretches and exercises at home has really paid off. I do notice an improvement in voiding symptoms, and I do have less muscular pain in the pelvic area; however, I still deal with the true bladder pain which can be really intense still. Well, at least I'm better in some respects!!

However, I'm still loaded with trigger points from my myofascial pain syndrome & fibro, so we are not done yet... next week I go for more trigger point injections and things, and I can definitely tell it's time. I'm sore!!!

Just wanted to share that PFD does get better if you work at it :)

[XoChelsey03Xo]

I'm glad that your pt has been going really well. I have pt today. We are working on my pelvic floor resting rate. It is too high although it isn't too bad. Hopefully I should be able to get my resting rates lower. Chelsey

[Iris]

Hi Jen, glad to read that you are improving with your PFD, I am starting mine on the 11th November, so it was good to read that yours is definitely improving. I do not know anything at all, except what I have been reading, and was curious about the biofeedback. Anything you can tell me about what to expect would be very helpful at this stage for me. Glad that you are seeing improvement, that is wonderful, Iris. :help: :flower:

[Sarojini]

Hey Iris,

The biofeedback is no big deal. They will attach electrodes, similar to those used during an EKG, to your pelvic area (usually I get a few down by my vaginal/anal area, one on my hip, and one on my abdomen). These electrodes are connected to a computer, and you will be able to see your pelvic muscle tone displayed as a graph on the screen. They'll first just measure your resting tone by having you sit still. Then, they'll likely ask you to do some quick, squeeze&release Kegel type contractions, and you'll see these as spikes on the graph -- they look for how hard you squeeze and how quickly you return to resting tone. After this, they generally have me do some longer, "squeeze and hold" contractions... this is to check your endurance to see if your pelvic muscles can respond to a sustained signal. They may ask you to repeat this series of exercises laying down, sitting up, and then finally standing.

It's definitely not painful when it happens, but it's tiring...and, if Kegels make you flare you may have some pain later in the day or the next day.

That's about all the biofeedback is -- any other questions, just let me know and I'll share my experience with you. :)

[Katrina]

Heh Jen great news!!! I hope you stay improved! :kiss:

[Iris]

Hi Jen thanks a lot for letting me know about the biofeedback part of my therapy, it was very helpful, at least I know now what to expect. I know my urogynecologist had me do some pushing type movement when she first examined me, and then releasing, laying down, and then almost like a sit up with the same pushing movement. I know I have been doing kegels for a while with my nurse practitioner, so curious as to what exercises I may have to do with the PFD. She also did some testing on my nerves in the whole vaginal/rectal area to see how I was reacting. I am in a way looking forward to starting PT, especially after reading your message and you are really feeling the benefits. I know she explained to me at this stage, if I do not do the therapy, the whole situation will get worse, so I am determined to get going, and do anything that will help with my pelvic area. Thanks for the heads up also on maybe getting a flare from the PT, and feeling tired, that also was very helpful to know. Thanks a lot Jen, you have certainly put my mind at ease, and will certainly get back to you, if any more questions pop into my mind, take care, and hugs Iris. :hi: :kissing: :flower:

[ibtracy]

:woohoo: Hi. I'm so glad things are improving for you. As you know I too am going to physical therapy and next week will be my biofeedback visit so I'm less nervous now that I've talk with you and read your post. You're an inspiration to keep me going as you're having such positive effects from your therapy. My PFD was diagnosed as being very severe because I have little or no strength, muscle tone and I'm constantly clenching those muscles and don't even realized I'm doing it.

I'm so happy that things are improving, but then you already know that I feel that way from our talk the other day. Keep up the good work! ;)

Tracy K.

PS
And you didn't think I'd reply, HA!

[Miki]

I had the biofeedback work done on me for 4 times about 4 yrs ago. I got such rotten flares after the work, I gave up. I never knew what the whole thing was about. The least the nurse could have done was to tell me why we were doing these things.
I was very tight, and the level did not go down. It was worse the next time.
Mainly because I just flared so much. I would have to go home and take break through meds. I gave up, since there was no explaination of what was going on.
It is good to hear you folks know what and why things are being done. At least that way you can say, "in 6 weeks I should get to such and such a level." or I am lower in level than I was. etc.

I wish I had more information when I was doing this stuff so long ago.
miki