How worse Pelvic floor dysfunction can become. Need help !!

[julie2011]

My husband has IC but his biggest concern is PFD, which is worsening despite everything. For like more than a year he used irregular cushions (sitting on hump like shape) making his bladder & pelvic floor symptoms too bad

Now his pelvic floor is so weak that he can't sit on any hard surface for even 10 mins (it sorts of creates pressure/dull pain at bottom & around pubic bone, which also starts urine leakage). PT is not suggesting any exercises like kegals etc as they can worsen IC/PFD I think

1. Usually how worse can PFD go if you have both IBS & IC (as at times even doing diet control, IBS etc can worsens his IC) ?
2. Can IC patients rehabilitate or relax pelvic floor upto a point where they don't need cushions anymore (can they sit like normal people) ?
3. Anything that can help with PFD and also if at times he can't avoid meetings (sitting too long on hard surface), what he can do next 1-2 days to neurtralize the strain ?

Thanks

[greeneyes]

Julie I too have PFD and IBS, I've read about an IC cushion that I think you can buy in the IC store on this web site. As for his PT, my therapist got my Uro to prescribe a tens unit for home and it's been great the last few days. Hopefully someone else can chime in and help. Hope he feels better soon.

[ICNDonna]

I was going to suggest the IC pillow. It's available in the ICN Shop.

Donna

[julie2011]

Difference between siting on hard or with space

Hi

Thanks a lot for all prompt responses. What are chances that he can leave using cushion at some point of time & return to normal sitting ?. He doesn't have any specific pain in crotch area, just that he can't sit on hard surface. Is it same what most people experience ?. Anything that can help with PFD and also if at times he can't avoid meetings (sitting too long on hard surface), what he can do next 1-2 days to neurtralize the strain ?

[Justaluckyguy]

I've run into part of the problem your husband has as well. It sounds like my pain is not as much as your husbands but likely just as frustrating. I'm fairly new to the IC world but I have found that with yoga and light stretching I am able to sit for longer periods of time on hard chairs. I am convinced that the gently lengthening of my groin, leg, core muscles has enabled me to sit for longer than I was before. Slow and steady progress but still better than it was.

I can't remember all the names of the poses but the main ones I remember that definitely helped are the warrior 1 and 2. Just remind him not to do too many or go for too deep a stretch right away!

I hope this helps.

[earthlady]

I can sit like a normal person now without cushions. I was diagnosed with pelvic floor hypertonicity (spasms) and also PBS/IC. I was in pt for pelvic floor spasms for two months and continued the pelvic floor stretches at home every day. The yoga child's pose helped me the most. Epsom salts baths and moist heat also. I wasn't able to sit at all for very long or else everything would go into spasms and muscle cramps. I'm sure it depends though on what type of PFD is diagnosed.