This is the story of how Jacob overcomes Pelvic Pain Hard Flaccid
Introducing Jacob
The names Jacob, I am a 25 year old engineer covering manufacturing facilities across the UK. On reflection after my journey with the Pelvic Pain Clinic I now recognise I started experiencing Pelvic Pain Hard Flaccid symptoms back in early December 2019.
I didn’t really understand Pelvic Pain at this point, but I now recognise I had onset symptoms of random urination pain, lower back pain, reduced erections and low libido. An anxious visit to my new GP, having recently relocated soon put my worry to rest. The Dr suggested to give it a couple of weeks and all would be ok. I wasn’t too convinced, but I had to respect the experts opinion.
A week later I found myself in excruciating pain having to visit the out of hours doctor, who suggested I take Ibuprofen to reduce the symptoms, but unfortunately I cannot take. I was prescribed a weeks amount of Doxycycline as a precautionary measure with the suggestion it would have an anti-inflammatory effect and kill any infection if I even had one.
Two weeks later the symptoms started to progress to my lower abdomen, which I can only explain was as if somebody was stabbing me repeatedly from my belly button down to my penis. Pain on urination progressed along with the frequency and urgency especially at bedtime. This also increased the pain and feeling as if someone was stabbing me in my backside on sitting. I noticed an increased irritation to my nether region including itching, heat and the odd patch of red inflammation. This worried me and I noticed myself continually checking these symptoms over and over. This was causing me to have night sweats and unsettled nights.
My partner and I started to worry forcing me to arrange a further visit to my GP.
Tests, Assessments & Treatment
I visited my GP once again and explained the symptoms above. They couldn’t quite comprehend my symptoms and progressed Urine Dips/Swabs along with an advanced blood test, which once explained to me made me worry what they could find. I was prescribed a weeks course of precautionary Metronidazole and told to await the results. My test results were negative, which was rather disappointing as I’d hoped they would find something, give me a magic pill and all would be ok.
I revisited two weeks later as my symptoms were increasing, they conducted a physical examination to which everything seemed ok. I was prescribed a trial two week course of Ciprofloxacin as they felt I had comparable symptoms seen with a Prostate infection.
Three weeks later nothing had changed, but my worry had increased. I was finding myself continually googling looking for the answer, I felt hopeless. I fell into a trap of self medicating and continually paying for private clinic tests thinking my original GP investigations were false negative results. It began to effect my motivation at work, I felt like I was performing at lower standards and incapable to physically complete any task.
I contacted my GP again, who kindly arranged for me to be seen the same day. I explained my spiralling situation and that I was exhausting all options to find the solution. He suggested a trial of Alpha Blockers to improve my urinary symptoms in the interim, whilst he also referred me to a Urologist.
Four weeks later I had an appointment with an NHS Urologist. I attended his clinic explaining the above and he conducted another physical examination to find a tender prostate. He recommended not to intervene and simply wait for the symptoms to pass. He suggested this could take many months, something I didn’t want to hear.
Two weeks later I revisited the urologists clinic with increased symptoms that were making me bed bound and exhausted. He repeated the physical examination to find a swollen and sensitive Prostate. I highlighted an increase in physical symptoms such as redness, itching and most worrying a symptom I now understand as Hard Flaccid, which he suggested had no connection. I felt myself increasing the frequency of self checking my body, which increased the mental feeling of the symptoms. He prescribed a 6 week course of Ciprofloxacin, which I felt was simply given to pacify my anxiety. He scheduled for a Cystoscopy, which I was told could be some months away due to the increased waiting list.
The UK then went into Coronavirus lockdown, which I thought was going to put a massive barrier up on my road to finding my solution.
Jacob overcomes Pelvic Pain Hard Flaccid
Three weeks later still googling my symptoms, I stumbled across Karl at The Pelvic Pain Clinic. I felt extremely apprehensive to approach thinking I would have the same result as my previous attempts for help. I sent an email of interest and received a response the next day, including details and the intake requirements. I completed these formalities and enrolled onto Karls patient list. I had four one to one sessions with Karl, which has taken me on a journey of improving my physical health and wellbeing through exercise and mindfulness, which has had a direct impact on reducing my symptoms.
I have learnt a lot about myself and the period of lockdown especially gave me time to focus on myself to heal and recover.
Three months later my symptoms have fully subsided, which has allowed me to return to work in full health alongside enjoying life with my partner.
Karl offers a personal, but proffesional approach connecting with you and your condition as a person rather than a medical patient. I was made to feel at ease from the first consultation, which allowed me to be honest and open around sensitive topics without embarrassment.
The blog post Jacob overcomes Pelvic Pain Hard Flaccid first appears on The Pelvic Pain Clinic’s website
READ A SERIES OF BLOGS FROM MY PATIENTS WHO HAVE RECOVERED FROM PELVIC PAIN:
Read Howard’s successful recovery from Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome here
Check out Adam’s successful recovery from Pelvic Pain here
Follow Robbie’s successful recovery from CPPS here
Learn about Tommy’s successful recovery from Prostatitis here
See Ben’s successful recovery from Pelvic Pain here
Discover Chris’s successful recovery from Prostatitis here
Find out how Jamie got back on his bike again after recovering from Pelvic Pain here
6 months on and Anthony still has no pelvic pain here
Tony is now able to sit pain free. He is back working, driving and travelling here
Mark suffered for over 10 years with pelvic pain here
Read David’s recovery from 8 years of pelvic pain here
Read Ed’s story of recovery in C19 Lockdown here
Karl Monahan is the owner of The Pelvic Pain Clinic, London. He has been successfully treating male pelvic pain since 2009. His depth of knowledge and personal experience on the subject provides his patients with a compassionate approach that is rarely found. His holistic approach to treating male pelvic pain addresses, lifestyle, diet, exercise, stress management and therapeutic movement. The clinics approach is very much aimed at empowering the patient, teaching them the tools and techniques to manage and reduce their own symptoms allowing them to be the driver in their own recovery and not just a passenger. www.thepelvicpainclinic.co.uk
I cannot thank Karl enough for his passion and dedication throughout my road to recovery. The continual email/telephone support gives you the feel you are never alone- thank you!