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Pelvic pain and occasional pneumaturia

Posted by ferguson23 @ferguson23, Feb 27, 2023

Hello, I had a complete hysterectomy in 2009 for ovarian cancer. Over the last year or so, I have had pelvic pain (constantly now) and have had mixed messages from health care providers as to the cause. One suggested a cystocele, while another said no sign of prolapse. Have seen many specialists all to no avail. Am currently awaiting another appointment with yet another pelvic physiotherapist. Urology has been unhelpful, and can only say that it is likely an over active bladder. But I don't think so, due to the pain involved. I also have lymphocytic colitis, but that seems to be in remission. Your thoughts or suggestions most welcome.

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l73 | @l73 | 1 day ago

Hello, I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I have had chronic pelvic pain for five years now, and also saw more specialists than I could either name or count during Covid. I have a very complicated medical history from the belly button down, including low grade recurrent bladder cancer for twenty years. Lots of surgeries and procedures. Many doctors are not well versed/trained in this area, but your pain is Not in your head! The most helpful things I have found were finding a very competent pelvic floor therapist (!!!), and psychological help in the form of CBT therapy. It seems that once something gets chronic ("they" say over three months), a lot of things can change neurologically, including the way your brain and body experience and process pain. As my PT has told me many times, with body and brain, "it's all connected". If you've had gut issues, that can impact pelvic pain too. (I had 18" of small bowel removed many years ago). When the pain cycle persists, it's hard not to have anxiety about it, which can make it worse. And truthfully, sometimes they just can't n pinpoint an exact cause for your pain. All the doctoring is a hallmark of this condition and I know how exhausting that can be. So I hope the PT appointment goes well (perhaps ask about trying a pelvic wand at some point- great for at home to help relax a tight pelvic floor) and ponder some psychological help. I also find mindfulness to be extremely helpful, and there is a free app called Insight Timer with tons of free guided meditations. Best wishes to you on this (confusing) journey and I hope you find the help that you deserve.

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1 reply
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lmprap | @lmprap | 21 hours ago
In reply to @l73 "Hello, I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I have had chronic pelvic pain for..." + (show)
Profile picture for l73 @l73

Hello, I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I have had chronic pelvic pain for five years now, and also saw more specialists than I could either name or count during Covid. I have a very complicated medical history from the belly button down, including low grade recurrent bladder cancer for twenty years. Lots of surgeries and procedures. Many doctors are not well versed/trained in this area, but your pain is Not in your head! The most helpful things I have found were finding a very competent pelvic floor therapist (!!!), and psychological help in the form of CBT therapy. It seems that once something gets chronic ("they" say over three months), a lot of things can change neurologically, including the way your brain and body experience and process pain. As my PT has told me many times, with body and brain, "it's all connected". If you've had gut issues, that can impact pelvic pain too. (I had 18" of small bowel removed many years ago). When the pain cycle persists, it's hard not to have anxiety about it, which can make it worse. And truthfully, sometimes they just can't n pinpoint an exact cause for your pain. All the doctoring is a hallmark of this condition and I know how exhausting that can be. So I hope the PT appointment goes well (perhaps ask about trying a pelvic wand at some point- great for at home to help relax a tight pelvic floor) and ponder some psychological help. I also find mindfulness to be extremely helpful, and there is a free app called Insight Timer with tons of free guided meditations. Best wishes to you on this (confusing) journey and I hope you find the help that you deserve.

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@l73 My pelvic pain journey has been dehabilitating .
Back pain, three pelvic surgeries, trying to figure out hormones, constipation .
I’m trying hypnotherapy, pelvic floor and hormones. I need to find a very good “person” to help with the emotional
Side of everything. My life feels like it’s falling apart.
But I’m trying.

REPLY
1 reply
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l73 | @l73 | 20 hours ago
In reply to @lmprap "@l73 My pelvic pain journey has been dehabilitating . Back pain, three pelvic surgeries, trying to..." + (show)
Profile picture for lmprap @lmprap

@l73 My pelvic pain journey has been dehabilitating .
Back pain, three pelvic surgeries, trying to figure out hormones, constipation .
I’m trying hypnotherapy, pelvic floor and hormones. I need to find a very good “person” to help with the emotional
Side of everything. My life feels like it’s falling apart.
But I’m trying.

Jump to this post

There are pain psychologists out there - not always easy to find but they have unique insights. Also, in my experience ( long term therapy twice), a psychologist rather than a person with a social work background is usually a better fit for help in dealing with chronic pain. A lot of us have had trauma at some point in our lives, plus pain is traumatic! Both my psychotherapists were psychologists, and they were very, very helpful. It gives you a safe space to unload your frustrations and fears plus methods to cope. ❤️

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