This is Paolo’s journey of recovery from prostatitis. I met Paolo in November 2018. He was a 45 year old HR Manager and Psychotherapist. He had been experiencing pelvic pain, including a heaviness in the lower abdomen and increased urinary frequency (going every hour) since September 2015. In October that year he was diagnosed with Bacterial Prostatitis even though the blood tests and ultrasound proved that there was no infection and no inflammation present! After multiple rounds of antibiotics over the next 2 months his symptoms disappeared for a few weeks only to return more intense than before.
In January 2016 Paolo saw a different Urologist who though that he had a Steno-sclerosis of the bladder neck. After a cystoscopy and cisto-mapping he was catheterised for 24 hours. The Urologists next suggestion was surgery to the bladder neck. Paolo refused to have this procedure and instead saw another Urologist. He was given a different opinion and told there was nothing wrong and he should just get used to it!
In November 2017 Paolo saw a fourth Urologist in Rome who diagnosed him with CPPS, saying his pelvic floor was too toned and he should see a pelvic floor physiotherapist. He was told he must avoid ALL forms of exercise or activity that might make his pelvic floor more toned. Paolo continued to return to Rome every 3-4 months for intense physio until he came to the Pelvic Pain Clinic
In November 2018 we started our treatment together. We helped reframe Paolo’s understanding of what happens with the pelvic floor and the relationship/tone of the pelvic floor to anxiety, stress and pain. I taught Paolo relaxation techniques, taping into his interest for Yoga and Pilates. I encouraged him to become more and more active to help healthily condition his pelvic floor. We used graded exposure here to minimise threat and to encourage confidence. Over time he became more and more confident in his ability to engage with life again and enjoy many of the things he had been told to avoid.
It was a pleasure working with Paolo and I am very pleased with his recovery and journey of self discovery
Recovery is Possible and Paolo’s journey of recovery from Prostatitis proves this
“Working with Karl has been a very important part of my journey towards recovery. I was diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain syndrome by an enlightened urologist who finally gave a name to my pain, after seeing so many practitioners who scared me to death with many different diagnoses. This diagnosis gave me the opportunity to find Karl. Since our first session, Karl has been very supportive and empathetic. He gave me useful tips and taught me effective strategies to manage my pain. But above all he inspired me to get my life back. I’ve become more active and I started exercising again after a couple of years of inactivity. I haven’t had major symptoms for 7 months, but I’ve also learned also that symptoms can come and go. Now I know that symptoms don’t define me as a person and they are transient. With this new awareness, I can live a fuller and freer life now”
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