Correlation between PN/E and poor prostate health?

[Cade]

I have most of the symptoms of PN, which I understand is often misdiagnosed as prostatitis, but is there any actual correlation? I ask because I went to the ER yeterday in extreme pain (which they did nothing for) and they gave me a rectal exam and said it felt "boggy" and unhealthy. Meeting with a urologist in a week hopefully.

If what I have is prostatitis then I'm not sure how to explain my PN symptoms not associated with prostatitis like muscle spasms.

[Violet M]

I guess one possible correlation I can think of is if your prostate is inflamed or if you have an infection that is causing the surrounding muscles and nerves to be overly sensitive. There is always the chicken and the egg question -- which came first? Did the prostatitis come first, the pelvic floor muscle tension, or the pudendal neuralgia -- or is it none of the above? It can be a real trick to figure out. I'm sorry you had to go through that experience without getting any help. Eventually, if you can get to the right specialists you will be able to figure it out and get the right treatments but it's hard when you are still searching for answers.

Violet

[Cade]

I've had many urinalyses at this point and they've all come out clean. Is it possible to have an infection not show up in those tests? And if my urologist proscribes me antibiotics for it do you think it'd be worth it to go along with it? I'm also going to ask him about a referral to a pelvic floor physical therapist in any case.

[Violet M]

Antibiotics have some anti-inflammatory properties so they might help a little bit temporarily even if you don't have an infection. If you had an acute infection it might show up in a blood test. The downsides to antibiotics are resistant strains of bacteria and messing up the good bacteria in your gut. You can do things to restore the good gut bacteria -- like taking probiotics or eating cultured sauerkraut and yogurt. Some anti-b's also carry a risk of a nasty bug called c-difficile. So I guess you would just need to decide with your doctor if the benefits of the antibiotic out-weigh the risks.