Pfd?

[born2swim]

What does PFD feel like for you guys? What kinds of things help it?

[leelee88]

Maybe this will help you..

What is pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD)? This is non-neurogenic, uncoordinated behavior of the pelvic floor musculature. This is not like Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis. This is a person who has no obvious neurological disease and the muscle function is uncoordinated. normally the bladder sits in a funnel of muscle. When one voids, the muscle of the bladder contracts, thereby forcing out urine. At the same time, the muscles of the pelvic floor, the levator muscles, and the muscles of the GU diaphragm have to relax. That is the normal process of voiding; it is a complex neurological mechanism. When this happens, there is a good stream of urine. In a patient with PFD, the bladder contracts and the muscles open up, but they are in spasm. They are not working properly. They open and urine does come out, but this can lead to disruptive symptoms.

The symptoms of PFD are similar to IC. A patient with IC typically has pelvic pain, the pain often worsens with bladder filling. They usually have day and nighttime urination, and their symptoms are affected by foods, in many instances. The patients who have PFD have similar complaints with a subtle difference (keep in mind that PFD can coexist with IC): IC should not normally result in a poor urinary flow rate. One exception is that if you are urinating tiny volumes each time, you will never be able to generate a good force of the urine stream. If you still have a poor urinary flow rate, that is suggestive of something else going on. In a male, you have to consider the presence of the prostate gland, which can also be causing problems. The first focus of attention in a male is typically on the prostate as a cause of blockage.

Constipation can also exist in a patient with PFD. Constipation occurs for the same reasons a patient will have problems with urination; the patient tries to push out the bowel movement, but the muscles around the anus and the pelvic floor muscles are contracting at the same time. The stool sits in the rectal vault.

There are two different types of complaints regarding intercourse: either there is terrible pain during intercourse because the penis is coming directly into the rigid muscles, or there is discomfort the day later. This is commonly seen in both IC and PFD patients.

Many patients have the sense of incomplete bladder emptying. They feel like they have to void again as soon as they are finished. Some patients cannot empty their bladder. Usually patients who have just PFD and no significant IC do not have nighttime frequency. They just have frequency during the day. There is also a typical history of straining with urination. It is interesting to see the number of patients who say they don’t strain, yet during testing that is performed, they are straining quite a bit.
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[born2swim]

I have read this before and it really describes me, except I do have trouble with nighttime frequency and during the day. I just wonder what people feel with PFD. I do have a bad urine stream (trickle with breaks usually) and I generally have to wait for it to start.

I have no diagnosis yet, but am waiting on a cystoscope that I have in a week. A doctor gave me some Valium to try and relax my muscles.

I'm just so frustrated. I want them to diagnose me. I am tired of them wondering if there is a "mental" issue. How could my brain wish this on me?

[leelee88]

Well I know I have PFD ..
I have not been dg with it but I have a very slow and weak urine flow and sometime the only way I can pee is to strain, but since my hubby has been messaging the area down there under my buttcheeks I am able to pee without straining... I do know hot baths helps.. I wish I knew more but I dont.. Hopefully someone else will chime in and tell you how it feels for them

[soccermom32]

I have severe PFD. We think my PFD is causing my IC symptoms. What does it feel like......okay, here is an example. My PFD is so bad I can't hold a tampon in - it literally falls out as soon as there is anything on it. My urine stream is only affected when I've had a rescue instill. Other than that, I feel like its normal...however....when I "empty" my bladder, the nurse that does the instill gets much more urine out when she puts the catheder in. Obviously, I'm not emptying my bladder!

Sex doesn't hurt - but I am uncomfortable after or the next day. This has been all my life but I never knew that wasn't "normal" until they told me it wasn't "normal" LOL.

The muscles in my vagina are in SUCH a spasm that they are actually in a knot. This is the Psoas muscle actually that gives me trouble. My PT does internal massage once a week. Its hurts SO bad while she is doing it, but I feel SO great after. She said its literally like having a knot in your neck that you need massaged....mine however is in my vagina. Nice, huh?

I have chronic pelvic pain. Now that I have some biofeedback, I know its my psoas muscle and NOT my bladder. However, my bladder still flares every now and then - my urethra too. Who knows what is causing what though.....I tend to think that my PFD is causing my IC symptoms. At least now I can differentiate what hurts exactly. Before all this treatment it was a blur and I was convinced I had ovarian cancer. Thank God I don't have that.


If you have any other questions feel free to ask. PFD is more of a problem for me right now then the IC.

[soccermom32]

I should also mention I don't have urgency/frequency. The only time I get up to pee at night is if my 3 year old wakes me up b/c she has to pee. I figure while I'm there I might as well. If she sleeps all night, so do I. It also doesn't hurt me to have a full bladder. From the time I "know" I have to pee...I can hold it for hours.