I think I figured out why my PF exercises haven't been working!

[green_the_fish]

I think I figured out why my PF exercises haven't been working! :idea:
Ever since I saw my urologist and his assistant, a pelvic floor dysfunction specialist, I've been doing everything they recommended for the treatment of PFD. This was in late December. I haven't gotten to see them again since due to a lack of insurance, but that's another post (see Resources for Low Income Patients).
The point is that my pelvic pain hasn't decreased, and I haven't been able to figure out why. I did my pelvic exercises three times per day as recommended, have been taking sitz baths, using a heating pad, etc. Well, today a thought occured to me, on the toilet... of all places! :lmao:
The problem might be that I strain when I urinate!
Why? It's because I'm scared of retaining urine. An ultrasound I had during my hospitalization in Septmember showed that I do retain urine, and I've been scared of this phenomenon ever since. However, straining when I urinate has probably been the thing that's been slowing down my progress! Catch-22!
I've gotta stop straining, I get that now. But I'm sooo scared of retaining urine again :( I also instinctively want to lengthen the time between my bathroom trips by getting every last drop out.
How do I stop straining when I urinate?! :help:

[Dixiefireball]

you may be right. that could be the problem i retain so awful but i can't even pee without putting pressure down there i know we don't suppose to do that but if i didn't i couldn't pee at all :( i've talked to the doctor about this and been put on meds for it but the meds he puts me on for retaining stops me from peeing all together. what a mess i am Please someone mend me and fix me.

[lab queen]

I also tend to retain if I am taking Ditropan, Detrol, Vesicare...any of those type of drugs. I am now taking Flomax, which if I understand correctly relaxes the bladder neck and makes it easier to empty completely. Maybe you could discuss Flomax or the others like it with your doctor.

[green_the_fish]

Hey ladies :) I'm glad you relate to how I feel!
Lab Queen, I wish I could talk to my doctor about Flomax, but I have no health insurance right now :( I used to take both Ditropan XL and Detrol LA, but stopped when I had been taking them for months and not noticing any change. I'm not taking any medicines right now that are known to cause retention.

[ICNDonna]

One thing you can do is after you urinate, stand up part way, then sit back down. Sometimes that's all it takes to empty the bladder completely. It's never, ever a good idea to strain!

Donna

[green_the_fish]

Hm, I think you're right, Donna. I'll try the method that you posted. Really, I need to quit straining big time.
The problem lately has been that, if I don't strain, I have to sit on the toilet for a minute or two before I can even get a shaky stream started. This isn't too much trouble at home, but it's hard to do at school when I only have a certain amount of time between classes to go to the bathroom, which I have to do between every class period. Even though I already have permission from most of my teachers to be late, I don't want to be *too* tardy, or I'll miss the start of class and people will give me strange looks for showing up late... it's frustrating :headbang:
Still, I'll have to find a way to stop straining, even if it means wearing Depends :bonk:

[massagedoula]

Thats why dropped out of High School when I was 16...the short breaks between classes were never enough time for me...and my teachers were not understanding, even though I had a Dr. note (at that time is was for "chronic UTIs)
but my Physical Therapist told me that straining is counteractive to the treatments, so I am trying not to do it either.

[kate118]

You are right, straining to urinate will only inflame your PFD. I have been trying to hold my urine for longer periods of time so that I don't go that often to just strain out a few drops at a time...this REALLY helps. It is bothersome to wait until the strong urge passes, but I put it in my mind that "I don't REALLY have to go, it is only a few drops inside of me"...eventually the urge will disappear and I find myself not going every few minutes for nothing. It is much easier to urinate on a full bladder. Urinating a few drops is painful and useless, it only compounds the problem.

[kate118]

Do you know how to self cath? If you can do this, there is no need to go to the hospital when retaining urine. Ask your doctor to teach you how to do this. It is easy.

GOOD LUCK!

[Flarin-up Vicky]

This may sound like a stupid question, but what do you mean by strain?

[lindy lou]

For me, I have to "think" about going and kind of push like I was constipated in the bladder. If I can hold off for at least an hour, it is at least easier and there isn't the long hesitation that usually accompanies my BR trips. I know that straining isn't good 'cuz I can feel the spasms afterward but nothing comes out if I don't.

Linda

[green_the_fish]

Vicky, you have a legitimate question, but it's kind of hard to describe. You know how hen you're constipated, you "push" really hard to try to get the bowel movement out? I've been "pushing" my bladder to urinate every time I use the toilet, in a similiar way.
I've been trying not to do this all day, and it's difficult.
Kate, I really don't tolerate catheters well at all. The last time I was cathed, I had a panic attack. That's not an option right now.
I've found that I can urinate without pushing, but I have to sit on the toilet and massage my bladder for about a minute or two to start the stream. I don't mind doing it when I'm just sitting around the house, but I hate having to do it when I'm out...
Straining hurts, but it's so easy and quick! Yet, I need to stop in order to improve my PFD :headbang:

[hazellin31]

Hey gals. I have something to add on the subject. I used to strain and push a lot. And after I would use the bathroom I was always hurting. Then I read some posts on here about not straining and I told myself I was going to stop. I also take Flomax and I think it's helping. I think that me stopping pushing has helped to decrease my symptoms. I sometimes just sit on the toilet for a while "relaxed" after I finish voiding and some more just trickles out without me having to "push" it. I think IC plays mind tricks and gives you the sensation that you haven't finished sometimes, although I know for some of us, retaining is a real problem. In my case, I always want to push a little more out at the end and I just don't let myself. It's not worth it.

Green I know how you feel about cathing. When I had my first instill I screamed. The next time I went I took a pyridium and 2 advil-type pills (with prelief) and the pain was ALOT LESS. Maybe this would be an option for you.

Wishing you luck.

Lin

[AAF]

Holy cow! Do NOT strain! I do not seem to have IC, but clearly have PFD. Straining makes the problem much, much worse! (Will try Donna's idea...thanks!)