I recently discovered that pelvis floor muscle tightness can cause symptoms similar to that of BPH, namely urinary frequency, urgency, hesitancy, difficulty in starting, stop and go, as well as retention, and even ED. This problem occurs in men as well as women. I can't help but wondering if it's one of the reasons why some people underwent otherwise successful prostate surgery without significant results?
Does anyone out there have experiences with pelvis floor muscle relaxation exercises ? These exercises are sometimes referred as 'reverse kegels', as they are supposed to relax the pelvic floor muscles, to help one peeing better, while kegels will do the opposite, to strengthen the muscles. Kegels are used mainly to control incontinence, and can make peeing more difficult. What exercises did you use ? Any results ? Hank
Hank,
I have been doing the stretching exercises for two months with no effect. It might work for some people, but for me the rate of flow remains unchanged: 3ml/sec during the day and 1-2ml/sec at night. Normal is about 20ml/sec.
Tom
Good afternoon Hank That is what I was told by my doctor in November I was suppose to go for exercises but never did because of running back and forth to Georgia to watch my grand kids. I was told also that I have a very tight external sphincter so my doctor put me on a muscle relaxer for that and my bladder. I take Vesicare 10 MG and Cyclobenzapr 10 MG.. I take 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening. They work well Take care Ken
Hank: I can't help but wondering if it's one of the reasons why some people underwent otherwise successful prostate surgery without significant results?
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Or how many people underwent unnecessary prostate surgery because their doctor's did not do thorough enough work up including urodynamics.
I would be put kegels more in the category of do-it-yourself-lifestyle techniques/habits such as adequate exercise, diet, not 'holding it in", and being regular -- all of which can impact LUTS and your IPSS score.
That said, at a certain point, and after a solid workup, it should become apparent to a good clinician where these lifetstyle techniques and habits will not overcome the biggie in the equation which is the prostate/bladder paradyne. This paradyne explains why some men even with obstructive prostates can void well (yours truly here is an example) and why some men with less obstructive prostates can't. But at some point, even a very well functioning bladder may succumb to a very obstructive prostate, or not.
Going back to kegels, they are frequently recommended for OAB and incontinence but there is less published on benefits for BPH/LUTS and I have read at least one warning against kegels if you have prostatitis. I''m all for experimenting but don't do it blindly. Ideally, work with someone who knows your diagnosis and can work with you. If you are going to do it alone, monitor carefully and accept feedback over wishful thinking.
Interesting topic.
Jim
Their are many questions that need answering to help find out whats going on here..Have you seen a uro yet? It may be helpful to know if you have an enlarged prostate. If the medium lobe is large then it could be hindering flow.. I always felt that the Only way to get this info is to have a radiologist do a Ultrasound. Size and configuration will be able to be determined. Could be something in your diet may have to be changed..take a close look at that..HOPEFULLY YOU CAN STEER AWAY FROM THE MEDS. Finally, you may have contracted a UTI and not know it.? Get a 3 day culture test done, don't rely on the test strips.
Hi Tom, are the stretching you are doing designed to relax the PFMs ? Otherwise, it won't do any good, or may even makes it worse. Hank you
Hi Ken. It seems your situation fits this well. Did the doctor recommend any specific exercises to loosen your external sphincter ? Hank
Hi Jim, I agree that there are many other reasons that successful prostate surgeries failed to improve the situation. I am hoping that this discussion will help some people, in some cases, from unnecessary surgeries or meds. Hank
Hello there ! This discussion is not about me. I am not in need of any help at the moment. However, I am planning to try out some exercises, to see if I can find any improvements to my current very acceptable position, perhaps to get off or lower meds. Thanks. Hank
I saw 2 uros one year apart. They both wanted to do surgeries, one TURP, the other Urolift, without any tests whatsoever. All they know before hand was I had urinary retention, and it was not that bad, comparing to others here. Hank
I was suppose to go see someone. He sent me to the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center But I have not been in town long enough to go.. Going back to Georgia and will be back July 4. I will be in town for 8 week when I come back I may set up something then. The muscle relaxer are working okay..I can't take them together they make me tired Right now I"m waiting for my Urologist I think I had a kidney infection I turned in a sample on Thursday. I only peed a couple of time very little saw some blood and I have had the runs for 3 days. Lost 7 pounds. Talk to my brother he said to go to the hospital. Don't want to . He was a nurse many years ago. He's 75 He said that the bladdern infection may be hitting the colon. I was in the hospital to many time. I'm going to stay away. The last time I went it was clearer so not to worried I will see what he tell me on Monday. They did say it may take a few days. I am going to lay down in a little while to see if I can get some rest. Been up from 3 AM. Take care Ken
Hope you get better soon. You should have someone looking into this. It maybe recurring. Hank
Bravo to that! Right now it's too often cut first, diagnose after (it fails). Uro's can take some advice from carpenter's, "measure twice, cut once". And when the uro's don't do the proper "measures" it's up to us, the patients to tell them.
Jim
Yes that does happen. That is why you have to do your research. I remember 1 guy had back surgery and when he came out of it he was in retention. The doctor told him he needed a Turp and told him I can to it the next day and he let him. That doctor did not let him recover from the one surgery and who know if he would have pee if he would have had a chance. I know you can have a problem with the anesthesia when you have surgery. That is most likely what happen to him Who does that. I know I only had a problem once when they put in a stent put in . They gave me a twilight and I could not pee to save my soul. But who can pee laying down on a bed where you only can move one leg. They told me that they would have to catheter me in 6 hours because they did not want trouble. Will I did not pee for 8 hours when they let me out of bed. We have to get more me to do more research. And just because a doctor tell you that you need this procedure make sure you have all the test first. It is your right. Ken
Yes it had something to do with the last thing I went through in the hospital. Don't know what is causing it. Maybe my stricture. I know my prostate is still wide open. It's just the rest is felling apart. When I come back in July I am going to make appointment to see I have to have a scope done to check the stricture. He will be able to look at all the other stuff. Ken
Sorry I can't help myself
As long as his Doc didn't recommend anal sex or a big dildo he should have tried the loosening exercises
HERE HERE I wish we could something get this started. But some doctor have there heads you know where. Take care all Ken
Jim, I remember way back when you mentioned that one if the easiest way to pee was into a bottle, sitting on a recliner chair. You never explained how it works, but now I think it is because that position relaxes the PFMs. Hank
Maybe I am just plain unlucky, but I get practically zero help from my uros. I learnt most what I know from the internet, especially this forum. I am fortunate to be able to manage my problems so far. Hank
My uro sent me to PT and the therapist has me doing various stretching movements, and in two sessions did massage internally on the pelvic floor muscles. Didn't do anything. My conclusion from all of this is that my prostate is squeezing on my urethra and making it difficult and slow when I try to urinate. The flow isn't blocked, says my uro, but I am being squeezed (that's my take on all of this). I had a PAE last year and it only helped a little bit. Before moving forward with a second PAE or something more aggressive, I am trying this PT. Glad you introduced this topic here.