His and Her Health

I had severe pain in 2003 with vaginal, rectal bleeding, abdominal, back pain resulting in 2 years of being bedridden, gall bladder surgery with the result of there being nothing wrong with my gall bladder. I had severe pain, and was bedridden most of the time. My muscles in my entire body were clenched in pain. Multiple doctors and ER visits with no results. Was told it was in my head and treated horribly by the medical community. In 2005 had hysterectomy after doctor saw I had cystocele. It was then discovered that my perineal tissue had ripped away. I continue in chronic spasm throughout my body and horrible pelvic pain.I continue to be tight everywhere with chronic pelvic holding/tension. My abdominals are so tight and won't relax causing difficulty breathing. Tend to hyperventilate which adds to my pain symptoms. No one in Connecticut to help. Last PT had me doing kegels. I continue to be tight everywhere with chronic pelvic holding/tension. I work on relaxation, trigger points but feel huge pain 24/7. Where should I go for help. Amy Stein is far away and I don't think insurance covers. The doctors in my area have NO clue. Please give some suggestions.

Here is a link to some information that may help.

http://www.ourgyn.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=138&Itemid=78

domingel1
Sorry you are dealing with these issues. I know there are not tons of PTs in connecticut that deal with pelvic pain, but there are some great ones. You can try to look on www.womenshealthapta.org
then click on consumersPT locator. You will find a list.
In the meantime, continue the good self releases with breathing and working on relaxation, stretching. Work on the relaxing of the pelvic contraction.
If you have out of network coverage with your insurance, they will reimburse; it is still PT.
Good luck

Thank you. I checked on the PT sight - they are still pretty far away but is a start. I live near Rhode Island. Is it common to clench the way I do? My shoulders continuously hunch up and I find myself holding the pelvis rigid, and holding my breath. Is this "muscle memory?' I cannot relay to you how much pain I was in for those two years. Postural contortions, clenching, rigidity- as though I was trying to hold myself together, literally. My sacrolliac is messed up and I believe my psoas were contracting. Breathing muscles were incredible pain but recently have been better. Last PT is asking me about fibromyalgia. I don't believe in that diagnosis and feel that it is trigger points, habitual behavior. This has affected every muscle in my body although the pelvic area is primary. I am a perfect example of a domino effect. A urogynecologist told me that the muscles were doing what they were supposed to do = protect themselves from injury. Well, enough already.

It sounds like there is a lot of myofascial restrictions too. When our bosy senses pain it is common to guard, but once it is repetitive, habitual, continuous, the muscles and tissue remember these new, not so great positions. That is muscle memory (and muscle memory can be a good or bad thing).
Try also to release through awareness. Let your mind know where the pain is located (shoulder, pelvis, `wherever; then focus on releasing it (while using like a small ball such as tennis or raquet ball).
Did you look on the Rhode Island list, is someone nearby on that list. What about Massachusettes? Boston too has great PTs. In the meantime, perhaps you can look for a trained myofascial release therapist...
hope this helps
best
niva

Thank you. I checked on the PT sight - they are still pretty far away but is a start. I live near Rhode Island. Is it common to clench the way I do? My shoulders continuously hunch up and I find myself holding the pelvis rigid, and holding my breath. Is this "muscle memory?' I cannot relay to you how much pain I was in for those two years. Postural contortions, clenching, rigidity- as though I was trying to hold myself together, literally. My sacrolliac is messed up and I believe my psoas were contracting. Breathing muscles were incredible pain but recently have been better. Last PT is asking me about fibromyalgia. I don't believe in that diagnosis and feel that it is trigger points, habitual behavior. This has affected every muscle in my body although the pelvic area is primary. I am a perfect example of a domino effect. A urogynecologist told me that the muscles were doing what they were supposed to do = protect themselves from injury. Well, enough already.

Believe it or not, I cannot even find a myofascial therapist in reasonable distance. A big problem is that I am seeing no doctors now at all. This is my fault as I have lost all trust and have a bit of PTSD due to their denial of my problems during those two years. I felt like punching my gynocologist when after the surgery he said "I guess you really were in pain." He then could not understand why I was in pain even after the surgery. I guess I have issues now. I'm working on them.

Oh yeah, last year I summoned up the courage to see a colon, rectal doctor who the urogynecologist said would do botox as a last resort. I spent 2 hours with her as she explained she had not much success with pelvic pain. On further discussion, she gives botox rectally with one injection and it is coded for anal fissure. I told her that is probably why she is not having much success as I thought for pelvic floor pain there should be a few strategically placed injections. Of course, she wasn't thrilled with my giving her advice. See what I mean.