Pfd

[humpieumpumkin]

Hello!:hi:

I was wondering if anyone else has overactive pelvic floor muscles-ie always in spasm. I have this but I guess I always mistake it for bladder pain as I have IC too. Well, my question is, what do you guys take/do to treat this. What are my options as its my uneducated opinion :evilsmile that this makes my frequency worse and my urge worse. Thanks!:help:

Erika:bunny:

[SandyRN]

I'm not taking anything specifically for the PFD, but I did ask my pain doc today if his physical therapist did pelvic floor therapy. My problem is the clenching of the muscles so that when I sit to pee, no matter how bad I've got to go, sometimes I just can't. I get some pain in the area sometimes too. I've read neurontin and lyrica are a big help. I'm just not paying for those meds right now as my copays on my meds are already high enough!

[ABliske]

I don't have really bad PDF ( I do have severe IC). I thought I did, but I tested my muscle tension and it was within a normal range. I do however use an electrical stimulator machine that helps. It's not a TENS. My physical therapist is going to try to get my insurance to cover it.

[Katrina]

Yes, My PFD is way worse than my IC is these days. Even things I do for IC are often more for the PFD aspect of it.
On my med list things that are more for the PFD part: Lidocaine gel, cyclobenzapr (a muscle relaxant), and Lidocaine for instills. I guess you could also say that my antispasmodic can also help with some of it.

I do a lot of self helps for my PFD as well and am trying to get in to see the best physical therapist in my state to try some aspects of physical therapy that I haven't yet explored.

Baths with baking soda often....heating pad, getting plenty to drink, topical lotion, learning to relax, a TENS. When things are bad I turn to the muscle relaxant and the lidocaine ....lidocaine that I will put some in my bladder some into my vagina...allowing it to do the job of helping me relax.

I've never considered my anticonvulsants to be extremely helpful for the tightness myself.

Feel free to contact me on this one since I am always trying to learn more and try new things for this problem in me :grouphug:

[CarolinTexas]

I do clockwise abdominal massage with trigger point all around the hips and pelvic bones and bladder area. Valium helps bigtime.

I've also learned how to pee correctly again. Don't strain, just let it happen and relax. Dr Moldwin's book has some good info on PFD.

Pelvic stretches for hamstrings, gluts, piriformis and abs also help along with moist heat before and after.

I just started doing this again a few days ago and I can't believe how much it has helped my pain and frequency. I couldn't do it for a while as I've had two pelvic surgeries 9/06 and 12/06.

I also have IC and PFD - PM me anytime if you need to vent or have questions. Hope you feel better soon!

[dg2901]

I went through PT and it helped immensely. Between exercises and relaxation techniques my PFD has improved greatly.

take care
diana

[sami4]

Does the neurontin help with PFD?
Sammi

[Katrina]

I take Neurontin and many other anticonvulsants and don't really think it does direct help to PFD ...pain in general yes ....so at times if that pain is pfd it can help but if I had burning from PFD I would definatly choose something like muscle relaxant. Considering how many anticonvulsants I take I think my PFD should be better than it is if they helped....but I will admit my pain level is low on them :)

[humpieumpumkin]

Thanks for all the replies! I have been having bad spasms the past few hours. I can feel the "fluttering" around my vagina and urethra. Me and my fiance tried to have sex this morning, but my muscles were so tight he couldn't even penetrate. I tried taking a hot shower since there was no time for a bath. Im at work now. I was wondering if there was anything I can try while im here-I could use the ladies room if there is anything I could do that requires privacy. Thanks for any suggestions/and for you continued support!

Erika:hi:

[humpieumpumkin]

So I just called the doctor....told him it was hard to sit and that I could feel the spasms in my genital area and my lower back was killing me.:rolleyes: He tells me to sit on a heating pad:cussing: Wow...today is going to be a long day at work. He is never like this. He always gives me pain meds as needed. Is it time to seek pain management?

Erika:mad:

[Katrina]

When I can't bathe I will rub topically aloe vera and lidocaine on my pelvis....it may be time for pain management. Are you feeling separate spasms or a constant tightness? To get my doctor to give in and give me a muscle relaxant I told him it was necessary if I was going to ever have sex. The problem is that they make you quite tired so they are better to take at night.....but since it helps me get my muscles relaxed I feel the benefit into the next day.

I do think things like message and physical therapy may be more beneficial for you in the long run. Sitting on a heating pad is a good idea but I understand that it is far from enough.

What I tend to do is put lidocaine and lubrication into my vagina and hold it in there for a few minutes ....it tends to help a lot in getting the muscles to relax. It can be messy though so not sure how you would do that at work.

Sometimes it helps more to ulternate between heat and cold.

If you are feeling the spasms separately you may want a antispasmodic. :grouphug: I hope you can find a way to feel better soon! :grouphug:

[humpieumpumkin]

Thanks Katrina:
Update
I just got back from the doctor. This was my first visit since my cysto. He told me my spasms are from "constantly fighting" my ic pain. The spasms start at my pelvic floor and travel up to about my mid back. I can feel the individual spasms as apposed to constant tightness. My doctor is starting me on 4 scripts tonight! Elmiron, prescription strenght benadryl, flomax and detrol la. Does this seem like alot?

Erika:hi:

[sami4]

Katrina:
Which muscle relaxant do you feel works best?
Sammi