Diagnosing PFD?

[janelle77362]

I have had IC for five years and when I was rereading the IC survival guide, it occurred to me that I have never been tested for PFD. How is PFD diagnosed and which doctor should I see to make the diagnosis? Should I see my uro, gyno, or GCP?
Thanks!

[SandyRN]

My uro dx'd me with it. He did it by symptoms, and when he examined me he could just tell by my muscles down there. My main PFD symptom is not being able to start my urine stream. I sit, squat, change positions, run water, put my hands on the wall to take the weight off that area.....it's really awful. Takes me 10 minutes to pee sometimes...sometimes even longer.

Hope this helps.

[topcop229]

My uro diagnosed me as well. He felt I had it based on symptoms, and during the exam, he did the "finger test" and could tell by how tense and tender the muscles were.

[janelle77362]

Thanks for the advice. I will make an appointment with my gyno.

[izazen]

Also there is often difficulty having bowel movements.

[janelle77362]

I have that problem and I also feel a sense of incomplete emptying of the bowels. Is that also a symptom of PFD?

[CarolinTexas]

Read this Dr. Moldwin Conference transcript on PFD. It makes it very clear.

http://www.bio-medical.com/news_display.cfm?newsid=47

[janelle77362]

Thanks so much for the information. I had a uroflow about 4 years ago and my uro told me that I was straining really hard and that I was having retention problems. I wonder why he never suggested that I be tested for PFD. I will definitely schedule an appointment with my gyno.

[CarolinTexas]

I'm glad it helped; it is a fantastic article and helped me more than his book.

When my back broke in early 2005 I had nerve damage from the waist down. Boy did I strain (to urinate) for six months until surgery and even after surgery. I think that may have been one of the big contributors to my PFD/IC problem also.