Sharing my pelvic floor experience

[tailbone]

Hello,

I have been dealing with pelvic floor issues for over a year now. Initially, I was mistreated for a UTI, which led down a rabbit hole of being over-prescribed multiple antibiotics, repeated swabs, invasive exams, etc. I saw a urologist who ran urinalysis and cystoscopy tests on me, very uncomfortable and embarrassing tests! After 6 months of having so many invasive exams, we discovered it was a muscular issue (no stricture or anything like that), and I asked about PT.

I live in the US where healthcare costs a ton, and pelvic floor PT is not covered by insurance. I put off physiotherapy because of the expense and trauma of having so many uncomfortable and intimate exams.

A year later and my pelvic pain is worse than ever, and I haven't been able to exercise the way I normally would. I am finally seeking PT and I am lucky to have a wonderful therapist, but I feel tired and dispirited by the pain and decreased function. And did you know that if you have a tight pelvic floor, wearing tight/high-waisted pants, even yoga leggings, can add to your pain? The only type of pants I own!

I was heartened to find this support group. I am hoping that sharing my experience can help me heal, and also hoping that maybe my experience can help shed a light for people with similar problems.

xo

tailbone

[Konagirl60]

Have you had any pelvic surgeries? Are there any metal clips in your pelvis? What about mesh? It erodes over time and causes terrible injury and pain.

I ask because the clips can migrate and cause severe tissue damage to pelvic floor muscles, the bladder, embed in the intestines and peritoneal areas. If you have had any pelvic surgery where they used metal, I’d get an X-Ray done stat.

Sorry your pain is worsening. Have you seen a neurologist?

[tailbone in reply to Konagirl60]

No, thank goodness no surgeries or metal to worry about! My problem seems to be a hypertonic pelvic floor. I injured myself at the gym and it all kind of spiraled into a bad flare up of pelvic pain

[Konagirl60 in reply to tailbone]

Try taking Turmeric pills, magnesium bisglycinate and Passionflower. They might help and they are natural.

[edythe]

Hi Tailbone,

Sorry to hear you've been suffering for so long already. I'm sure you will find that the physiotherapy is helpful, especially as you will get some real support as well, but you will probably need to be patient. Buy some trousers that give you plenty of room and keep warm as that will help to keep the muscles as relaxed as possible - a hot water bottle may come in useful. Gentle exercise is needed. I do Qigong.

And have a look at other people's suggestions so you can choose what suits you best - perhaps by searching for a particular topic e.g. diet, exercise, medication or whatever. I'm sure you'll find some good tips.

[Desperateforrelief]

I have had terrible pelvic floor pain. I wore skirts and dresses for several years because clothing touching me set off pain. I know you are just reacting from overdoing it at the gym. Not transvaginal mesh complications like I had. Make sure your therapist is very knowledgeable, there is a huge difference in those who know what they're doing vs those who are just therapists. They can make you worse. I tell everyone to look up their symptoms and learn their anatomy. It is sad we have to do this, but there is so much incompetence in the medical fields these days. It wouldn't hurt to read medical reports/studies from PT's that deal with your condition. It also helps you help them to help you. Good luck with your healing!

[Granny-sitless in reply to Desperateforrelief]

I'm sorry to hear of your bad experiences. I noticed particularly that you mentioned that you had to wear skirts and dresses for several years. I have been diagnosed with pudendal neuralgia, which has similarly affected my sartorial elegance for 5 years! I was wondering if you managed to find any undergarments that were bearable. I am too nervous to go out in skirts alone, so have to wear my current best worse knickers.... inside out, as that's less irritating. 🤭

[Desperateforrelief in reply to Granny-sitless]

Yeah, I have pudendal neuralgia too. I am now back to wearing whatever I want, but while that was real bad - YIKES! I actually wore the boxer shorts underware as underware (I think knickers in your vocabulary). They were loose in the sore area and hugged my thighs. I think they make them for women too, though I wore mens small because they weren't tight where I needed them to be loose - if you catch what I mean. Hope this helps!

[Granny-sitless]

Thank you. What you found sounds really good. I did try men's boxers in various styles with no luck but that was a while ago. The women's ones looked too close fitting. I'll have another look around to see if I can find some that don't have seams in the wrong place for me, & don't cling.