How do I know? Pelvic floor vs. Bladder

[WhitneyWonders]

For the first time in several months I have had a terrible night of no sleeping and pressure/pain in my bladder or pelvic region. I felt it pretty much immediately after working out. I've stopped exercising the way I used to...(loved pilates and kickboxing) and now just do the elliptical, yoga, and some weights. I did abs yesterday for about 10 minutes no more and I got this heavy feeling probably within an hour of being home. Later I made some Swiss Miss hot chocolate which I'm sure didn't help but chocolate isn't that bad of a trigger for me. But looking back it probably irritated me more if I was already starting to feel uncomfortable. I tried to sleep with a heating pad but the heavy pressure was so strong and even w/ sleep aide I couldnt sleep. I now am missing work and miserable. I don't know what to do to make this feeling go away. I am in graduate school and intern full time at hospital and I just dont have time for this again (as I'm sure you all feel the same way...no one has time for chronic pain in their life!). My big question for you all though is how do I tell if this is a pelvic floor flare or a bladder flare and what can I do right now to help ease the flare? Any insight would be appreciated.

Thank you so much,
Whitney

[duana]

Hi,I don't have answers but I know how you feel.I too have been exercising for the past several weeks using the stepper and doing sit ups.My IC flare hit me hard.Never had this vaginal pressure before except around my period.Now, it's not only the vaginal area pressure but the perineal and rectal areas as well.It feels like a basketball is falling out.I do not feel any prolapses but it feels like it.My burning and frequency is worse and that is when all this pressure began.My urethra burns and burns to sit down.I feel for ya!You are not alone.

Fell better soon!
Duana

[sailawaygrl]

My Dr instructed me not to do any exercises that directly involved my pelvic region. Like overhead presses and such. If you really think about it, every exercise involves our core muscles. One thing I know for sure would throw me into a lot of pain is sit ups. I just feel like that direct pulling would be awful for me. My PT for my pelvic floor problems told me not to use the elliptical but I don't see why not, it has less impact on me that walking on the treadmill does.
I want to go to the gym so badly! I have been in a lot of direct bladder pain, no referred, just totally bladder. I don't want to rock the boat and make it worse.
Good luck to you, I would stop the sit ups and keep in mind that the elliptical does engage your core muscles so it will help them. (be sure you stand upright and don't slouch or hang on the machine like some people tend to do, doesn't help their core at all)