Pfd??

[GriffsMommy]

Okay,
I don't even know if I should post this here because I have never been diagnoised with PFD and no doctors have actually even mentioned it to me. I have of course read some info about it here though and I have a question for people who know they have it.

After you have sex are you able to urinate w/o pushing to get it started. I usually don't have to push to urinate but we just had sex and I had to pee really really bad afterwards but could not get it to start unless I pushed kinda hard and had to keep on pushing until I was done, it was almost like I was kind of numb if that makes any sense. Is this a sign of PFD?
Thanks

[tigger_gal]

I sometimes have that problem, but it is not only after sex. (yes it made a lot of since, I completely understood) The test to see if you have PFD is called biofeed back. When you go back to the doctors ask him about it..

[sami4]

Pfd

Dr. Robert Moldwin considered to be an authority on IC as well as writing, The Interstitial Cystitis survival Guide, states that pelvic floor disorder almost always is found along with IC. PFD can also cause the urethral problems so many ICers complain about.
Your problem with peeing is from the pelvic floor muscles going one way and the bladder muscles trying to contract. He covers this in his book. One of the worst things you can do for it is to force the pee out. That it happened after sex is not surprising as if the penis hits a trigger point in the pelvic floor it can cause pain and set of the muscle reaction I am referring to.
Sammi

[GriffsMommy]

Cindy and Sammi,
Thanks for the replies. Sammi, if you're not supposed to force it out then what in the world do you do when you have to go so bad and you can't get the flow to start? I'm going to have to mention this to the new uro when I go back for my in office cyto.

[sami4]

Christine

Christine:
If you have the book, check out pages 50-60. If not, his usual advice in the book was: Relax and let the anus fall down slightly, if you still cant pee, stand up and move around, then pee again. You may have to double void meaning pee the best you can, then go back and pee again in a few minutes.
He recommends heat, muscle relaxants such as Valium 2mg a couple times a day, hot baths, pelvic floor manipulation such as in physical therapy.
It appears the only med you are on is Elmiron, if that is the case, then ask for a muscle relaxant and see if it helps. Main point is with IC peeing can be painful, so we tense up even when we dont realize it, try to be aware of the feelings in your thighs, anus, vagina and relax them, then try to pee.
Sammi

[topcop229]

Christine,

Sammi is right, pushing to void is not good at all. I have a very similar problem, I have IC and severe PFD. My pelvic muscles are so tight that it's difficult to get a finger in there! Anyway, like Sammi said, sometimes muscle relaxers help, and there is also physical therapy for PFD. It usually involves biofeedback as well as internal massage to try and relax some of the pelvic muscles.

If you continue to have these issues with voiding, whether it's just after sex or if it becomes more often, you may have to learn how to self cath. To prevent damaging your muscles more, self cathing is sometimes a better option than either pushing or retaining.

I have just had the first stage interstim surgery and I have already noticed a dramatic decrease in the pushing I had to do before and I have not had to self cath since the surgery either. However, you are definitely a LONG way from something like that! Right now, just get in to see your doctor as soon as you can, talk to him/her about the PFD (some can diagnose you without the biofeedback) and if s/he believes you do have it, get started on some meds and PT to help relax those muscles.

Good luck!
Claudia

[izazen]

There is, also, a huge problem in having bowel movements. It isn't painful - it just seems like the muscles down there are totally weird and when you sit down to "go" - everything closes up.

I read an article once where a specialist confirmed that "difficulty initiating bowel movements" is one of the main symptoms of pfd.

[GriffsMommy]

I don't seem to have any problems w/ bowel movements, just being able to start peeing sometimes like after sex. I'll have to check w/ the new uro when I go back for the in office cyto.

[Annie2]

Definitely talk to your doctor about this. I don't have trouble getting a stream started, but have both IC and colitis and developed pretty severe PFD. Physical therapy is helping me a great deal. The key, if you do have PFD, is to find a qualified physical therapist who specializes in PFD or at least is trained and experienced in treating it.