Prostatitis Forum & Social Network

Acute and chronic prostatitis discussion. Arnon Krongrad, MD, moderator.

My symptoms began about 2-3 years ago at the age of 26.

Symptoms including:

Erectile Dysfunction (Difficulty achieving an erection and maintaining one)

After Ejaculation I feel the prostate is more inflamed.

Pain while sitting (I have a job where I am required to sit at a desk for 8 hours a day)

                Feeling like a golf ball is lodged in my butt

Decreased Urine Flow

 

Note: I work at a job that is very stressful and I am experiencing a lot of anxiety.

 

Note 2:  Bloods test came back normal on testosterone levels.

 

Note 3:  My prostate did not appear to be enlarged or out of the ordinary during the urologist's physical exam, however, I have never had a digital rectal exam.

 

When my symptoms first began I went to the Urologist describing a pain in the area of my prostate (almost like a feeling something was lodged somewhere).  Now, I believe this could have been a trigger point causing me a pain, but I really don’t know, I am still very ignorant when it comes to this stuff.  At this point I really didn’t understand what was happening or what the prostate’s purpose was…  The doctor put me on an antibiotic (Cipro) for 2 months (one month at a time, but a total of 2 months) and after the end of the two months I actually started to feel better.  However, after a few weeks, the symptoms returned.  For a while I believed the symptoms were directly related to me sitting all day because at first I would actually start to feel better on the weekend and as soon as I would return to work and sit all day, the symptoms would return.  The doctor decided to place me on a maintenance antibiotic (Trimethoprim 100 MG) and it worked, however, I did not seem like I was making any progress towards getting better and I had to take them everyday for it continue working.  In hindsight, I probably should have stayed on the maintenance antibiotic, however, the Urologist thought it would be a good idea to try Elmiron to see if it had something to do w/ my bladder.  Please note,  I am not sensitive to any foods or drinks and never had a pain in my pelvic area and a cytoscopy came back clear, however, I elected to stop drinking any caffeine.  I took Elmiron for 3-4 months with a very small amount of success.  It decreased the pain in my prostate to some degree, but I could not handle the side effects of the medicine.

 

Very Frustrated, I went back to the Urologist and requested to be placed back on antibiotics (Cipro) and after a month of being on the antibiotics and starting an exercise regimen I was starting to feel  like my self again and actually was symptom free for around 3 weeks.  However, again after sitting at work for long periods of time, the symptoms reared it’s ugly head.  So I went back on antibiotics and the symptoms have gotten better, but I have yet to become symptom free again.

 

Current Symptoms:

 

Erectile Dysfunction (Difficulty achieving an erection and maintaining one)

                Currently not waking up with an erection

After Ejaculation I feel the prostate is more inflamed.

Some pain while sitting (In the area of my prostate)

 

Please note, I do not have any other medical issues like diabetes, depression (that I know of) or spinal injuries.

 

Here are my questions:

 

1)      Do I request the Urologist to perform an Expressed Prostate Secretion to help determine if I have prostatitis and if so, help determine what kind?  Please note, my current Urologist does not believe a EPS is necessary at this point because he believes it has to be bacteria if the antibiotics are working.  In addition, I am very concerned he has no idea what he is doing when it comes to prostatitis or performing a EPS.

2)      Which brings me to my next question, do you know of a good urologist in the OKC area or surrounding area for prostate problems?

3)      My current Urologist believes it is a good idea at this point to perform an Ultrasound on my prostate to rule out anything serious.  I assume this is a good idea?

4)      I haven’t started the maintenance antibiotic (Trimethoprim 100 MG) because I do not know if taking antibiotics long term is a good idea… Your thoughts?

5)      I have been reading about Pelvic Floor Dysfunction versus Prostatitis and I would love to know which one I am dealing with….  I do know the pain I am feeling is coming from the prostate.  Is there a good method to rule out one or the other? 

6)      Could this simply be a lack of blood flow to my prostate due to sitting all day?

7)      Could this all be a result of a high level of anxiety due to my stressful job?

 

Sorry, I understand I do not have a lot of the symptoms most patients with prostatitis endure; however, I do think my problems are somehow connected to my prostate.  I am also a newly wed and I am very very concerned this problem will prevent me from having kids someday.  Any comments or suggestions are welcome.  I am really just looking for some answers or a direction I should take.  Thank you!

Views: 3326

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Thank you, Brandon, for adding detail. You've raised so many facets of prostatitis and illness that we would probably do better to segregate out some of them for individual discussions. If you like, you can start more focused discussions within the appropriate groups as listed on the right. You just go into the group, find the Discussion Forum, scroll down, and click +Start Discussion.

That said, the issues that resonate most clearly in your presentation are that:

1) Your symptoms are pretty common in men with prostatitis

2) Antibiotics are very commonly used and overused and it's not at all clear that they work at all (click here for more on antibiotics for prostatitis; also here)

3) You seem to have identified social factors that may relate to your situation, e.g. stressful work and new marriage. You may want to read a bit more about alternative prostatitis treatments, including some mind-body interventions such as exercise, tai chi, and physical therapy. Did your symptoms begin before or after your wedding? Honeymoon? How are you getting along with your wife?

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Groups

Off Site Posts

GENERAL DISCLAIMER

The Prostatitis social network is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services.

Any person who appears to knowingly solicit and/or render medical advice or promote a professional or commercial service on this site may be removed by the administrators without notice.

Information provided on this site should not be used for diagnosing or treating acute or chronic prostatitis or any other health problem or disease.

The Prostatitis social network is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, please consult your health care provider.

© 2024   Created by Arnon Krongrad, MD.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service