Pt not always the cure but helpfull

[willemine]

Lots of people suggest phisical therapy as cure for the pain problems but its nassecerry to know if your pain is muscular or nerve related. When its muscular you can train tension off or on your pelvic. They can measure that with a test by the uroloog or geneacoloog . When its not you only can take PT for preventing cramps because of the nerve pain and because ' keep on moving soft ' is a good remedy to not escalate with the pain. I myself have PN and some support of PT. It also helps me to relax afterworths , fill the week in fulfilling and keeps depressions away because of the movement. Keep your expectations low about PT then it helps you a lot.

[Rehab45]

Totally agree. My vestibular vulvodynia is definitely nerve rather than muscle. I don't have spasms anymore and my pelvic floor has never been tight. No problems with intercourse. Pt did not really help me very much but found the stretches some what helpful.

[Skye22]

Interesting view. I can wholeheartedly say my specialist physio has changed my life for the better!!

I was referred within the NHS (UK) due to bladder and bowel conditions and was supported with various diagnostic tests. It was due to the thorough diligence of my physio that I was diagnosed with levator-ani syndrome, painful bladder syndrome and adhesions on bowel, bladder, pelvis and abdomen after 13 surgeries.

I now have a team of health care professionals working together with a comprehensive understanding of what treatments would be beneficial for me. I would like to think that you would have some sort of diagnosis before any physiotherapy and treatment would start!!!!!

My qualified women's physio identified vaginal trigger points which were causing severe spasms and horrendous debilitating pain. I was not promised a "cure" but was promised a way of managing my conditions and treatments and with help and support to accept realistic outcomes.

Physio has not "cured" my pain but at the most has lessened the intensity of pain that comes with the painful flare ups. physio treatment is done in conjunction with pelvic botox and bladder injections.

Their is a lot of various treatments and medications out there, the hardest part is finding out the combinations that works for each individual.

I wish you all good health and don't give up hope!!!

[kalecolbe12 in reply to Skye22]

I was wondering if you have had Botox it n Levator muscles.... it seems so by your post.... I was wondering how many times you have had it and where they put the injections for Levator Ani which is what I have.... I go to PT and I am on muscle relaxants and Valium suppositories which all both helped a lot as needed... Botox seems to help some people and not others so I'm leaving that as my last option.. I am trying gabapentin also and I was wondering if you are on any medications too?

[Skye22 in reply to kalecolbe12]

Botox was my last option as any surgical procedures is ruled out for me. I am also limited to medications as I have allergies to paracetamol and codene.

I take slow release tramadol (100mg) in the morning and night and have the option of 4 /50mg tramadol when my pain escalates. I tend to undermedicate as I wouldn't be able to function on full dose.

I also take 50mg Amitriptyline in morning and 75mg at night. This is effective as a pain block and aids sleep.

Alverine and colofac are taken for spasm releif. It has taken me 4yrs to manage my meds with the the support of consultants and GP, especially monitoring my tramadol . It has horrible side effects which are closely monitored.

I have had 2rounds of botox into pubirectalis muscle, the injections sites are identified by the surgeon locating vaginal trigger points a bit like x marks the spot! I'm not sure of dosage but I get 6 injections. Initially it escalates pain for a wk or so but then for about 2mths I get a moderate reduction in intensity of pain.

You also have to take Into account that myself and others will all react differently to the same meds and like myself have more than 1 condition.

I have been battling ill health for about 30yrs and if I could give people 1 piece of advice is be aware of realistic outcomes. My conditions are all interrelated and there is no cure. It's all about pain management and finding meds and treatments that work for you. I now truly value the days when I can feel the sun on my face and even being able to sit on my bottom for short intervals.

Wish you good luck with your treatments and I would recommend botox that small reduction in pain for me is truly worth it.

Forgot to add that botox injections are supported with physio trigger point manipulation with my specialist pelvic physio.

[kalecolbe12 in reply to Skye22]

Thanks...cyclobenzaprine and rectal suppositories are still working for me so I am keeping Botox as a last thing in case it escalates....just wanted to know who has had it and I have heard some peoples spasms go away almost completely after a few Botox treatments..but since we are managing it pretty well d spite occasional flares I want to keep on this path.... I'm trying to figure out how some people have it worse and if it escalates despite treatment sore treatment keep it under control my doctor gave me neurontin instead of an amitriptyline for now so I will try that and let you know how it goes...thanks again