I am considering physical therapy- any advice?

[jjmowen]

At my Uro visit Monday, she suggested physical therapy as the next option. I have (mostly) controlled my pain with monthly DMSO, but the frequency and urgency is still there. If I drink a 20 oz bottle of water, I will have to go 10 times in the next 2 hours. Because of that I find that I am not drinking enough. Only several glasses of water a day and milk with dinner. That concerned the Dr. so she suggested physical therapy. We changed some meds, and if that doesn't work I am supposed to call her in 2 weeks and set up the therapy.

I'm a bit scared of the idea. As if the DMSO is not embarrasing enough. She mentioned a probe and electrical impulses. Is this really uncomfortable? I work full time, and they are really good at letting me take care of my medical problems, but therapy? That would take a lot of time wouldn't it? I just would like to hear some of your experiences with this.

If the therapy doesn't work, she suggested interstim. That sounds even scarier.

Thanks.

Jenel

[October]

Jenel - DON'T be afraid of physical therapy! It may turn out to be the best thing you've ever done. I find that it has helped me tremendously. I am fortunate to go to a therapist who specializes in pelvic floor therapy and uses the machine with the probe and electrical impulses. You insert a cone-shaped device (which you buy from the therapist and then bring to each appointment) into the vagina and then you're hooked up to a machine which sends out electrical impulses. It is not painful. During the process you can see your progress in strengthening your pelvic floor muscles since you do exercises with the guidance of the therapist. I really like the fact that I can see if I am doing my exercises correctly. It has also helped me to learn how to relax my lower extremities - it's amazing how much tension we can hold on to down there! Anyway, if you want any more details, feel free to pm me.

[tigger_gal]

Jenel,
PT may be a great option.. but I have never heard of pt for IC only.. I have gone for pfd, I will restart after the 22nd of march.. You said she mentioned a probe and electrical impulses.. that could be the tens unit, or she might want you to be tested for pfd thru a test called biofeedback.
I have the interstim and thats the best thing I have ever done and would do it again in a heart beat.
hugs
Brat

[scootermom]

I would not be afraid of pt- it is worth a shot. For me, PT is pretty much everything for solving pfd problems, and they found that my pelvis goes out of alignment which causes pfd symptoms and once that gets corrected I feel much better.

That is not the case for everyone but a PT will check your pelvic alignment and assess you for pfd, and if you have that, PT should help you improve your pelvic floor muscles.

[MakinIT]

Some folks have recently mentioned problems with Pelvic floor therapy but it sounds like the practioner was the problem. I underwent 16 sessions of PF therapy (still am in PT BUT it is now for physical endurance)
Anyway....yes...the therapist will insert her finger in your vagina and "look" for trigger points. When she finds them, she massages them out by having you do kind of reverse Kegals. Squeezing your vaginal muscles then completely relaxing, to the point that (she said it, not me) you feel like you are going to pass gas. Then she feels again. Believe me, you'll know when she finds a trigger points...its an owie.

As far as biofeedback goes...it is also embarrasing but helpful...Now, mine didn't do any cone shaped thingy...instead, I GOT a special treatment. little electrodes attached to my anus and then I watched the screen and followed the line rising and falling as I relaxed and contracted eek Wasn't too bad except the electrodes kept coming off and I swear she finally restuck 'em with superglue.

Of all the therapies I've had, this has been the most helpful. It is painful, embarrassing, but you know, this disease ain't exactly dainty. After awhile, most you get used to all sorts of poking and prodding in a very non sexual and medical, but gental way and compassionate way (if you are fortunate enough to get good care.)

PM me if you need to...I've tried just about everything that doesn't require surgery and did try a nerve block but am still recouping from it. I didn't dig that. I will take an anal probe over the block any day. scream

Take care....try not to be afraid and remember to breathe deeply

[Julie Smith]

I experienced the same type of pt treatment for pfd as Mankin and I HIGHLY reccommend. My pt was wonderful and helped ease my embarrassment. Pt was a huge help and I highly recommend for pfd. I experienced a huge relief of pain and tigtness.

If you don't experience the good treatments we're all describing then you need a new pt. Good luck to you.

[icnmgrjill]

jj...

To repeat what others have said.... don't be afraid of PT. I've done it... and it's a breeze compared to other therapies. But, practitioner training is important AND a thorough review of your pelvic floor is also important. For example, if you have muscle weakness... then strengthening exercises will be used. If you have muscle tension, then relaxation and lengthening of the muscle will be your primary goal. They are NOT the same methods.

Check out the guest lectures by Rhonda Kotarinos, David Kaufman, Jerome Weiss and Rodney Anderson for yet more info on the many ways that PT can be done. http://www.ic-network.com/guestlectures/

Jill bunny

[Nicole in ATL]

I also found PT to be helpful. I did biofeedback training (with vaginal probe...sounds scary but really wasn't that bad). It helped me to learn to relax my pelvic muscles. It was uncomfortable at times, but never bad enough where I felt like I had to stop. There were also exercises (kegels) I did on my own.

Good luck in your decision.

Nicole

[Mimi-in-Chicagoland]

The room was quiet and nice...with a woman therapist. I wasn't the worst IC related diginity stripper I had experienced. (I did have to pee into a machine for my doctor) I was able to use the therapy to reduce tension in the pelvis at night and in the car...it was great. Interstim helped me tremendously, but it was a short in my wiring that sent me to therapy to begin with. I did like the therapy and would do it again if I need it. My story is on the interstim board. Hopefully the therapy will help you.

[jjmowen]

Thank you all for your advice. I think I'll give it a try. I suppose if I can have a baby in a room full of people I can handle this.

Thanks again.

Jenel

[MakinIT]

Definately....if you've had a baby...this is easy, comparitively. Just you and one person, who is trained to be gentle and compassionate. I would supposed that would have to be in her heart any to specialize in this.

I also have PT working on endurance with me and that is great. I am finding that I can make it with only 14 hours of sleep each day instead of 18. also, am able to endure longer tasks. I obviously don't work, my doc doesn't want me going back to what I was doing so I'm trying to get into good enough shape to add another endorsement on my teaching cert that will allow me to just consult a few hours each week. So we do Taichi, Yoga, balance training, and stairmaster (5 minutes) and a recumbant bike (10 mins) but it's better than when started.

although I am drugged, (morphine, valium) I was incredibly depressed until PT started working with me...I'm also doing a chiropractic adjustment 2 times a month and am trying accupuncture with a gal who did me when I had migraines. Nothing is a guarentee, but I'mwilling to try. (The accupuncture is a bit uncomfortable...she has to put needles in along my pubic bone...looking for them later is a total joy...I've told her we need to put little orange flags on those! )


Good luck!