After years of miss diagnosis from the age of 17 through to 35, I was eventually diagnosed as having “Chronic Non Bacterial Prostatitis” following admission into hospital and the application of various tests including a cystoscopy. This was 20 years or so ago.

During this time I have had good periods, bad periods and down right desperate ones. Sometimes this awful complaint will go away for up to 2 years, then for no apparent reason will return, at first mildly, and then it builds to a crescendo and eventually fades away.

Sometimes it will last for 2/3 weeks, but at worst it can last for up to none months.

My symptoms appear to be classic manifestations of the complaint. i.e. low back ache on the right side (ALWAYS) affecting the right side. Dull pain / ache in the inner upper thigh between the testicle and leg in the groin area, radiating to the outer pelvis and sometimes radiating further down the leg almost like sciatic pain, low and frequent volume when passing water to varying degrees.

I have recently been back in hospital (August) after a very acute attack which I am still suffering with – hence my joining this forum to get things off my chest.

My medication review includes Tamulosin Hydrochloride 400 mg once a day. Naproxen 500 mg twice a day Omeprazole 20 mg once a day, and, following very high doses of Ciprofloxacin while I was in hospital, daily maintenance doses of 250mg.

This is a very debilitating complaint; there are times when I just can’t face the day and the thought of having to do all the chores necessary. I am a registered carer looking after an aged uncle who lives some distance away, and the strain really gets to me especially like as now when I am going through a very bad episode and I still need to see to his chores as well as my own. Having  said that, giving up and spreading out on the sofa with a hot water bottle is I find counter productive as the mind runs riot with negative thoughts   and fears as to how long and how sever the episode will be.

People have very little patience with a chronic condition that you find yourself going on about all the time, explaining why you are so low and depressed and tired… For tired this complaint does make you. All my energy seems to be eaten up with just coping at times. Then when you go visiting and you are back and forth to the toilet which is not only embarrassing, but which results in enquiry from people.

During my time with the awful complaint I have found a few patterns. 1) being nervous and stressed FOR SURE makes the symptoms worse. If my Bowel is irritable then this does aggravate the prostititis 2) Drinking alcohol is an aggressive trigger for me…. It was after a drinking binge (whisky) back in August after a particularly traumatic event in my life that I ended up in hospital 3) Rest does seem to help the pain. For example, first thing in the morning when I wake up the pelvic pain is quite mild, then as the day progresses it deteriorates. 4) The use of a hot water bottle on the lower back is soothing 5) Finding a comfortable position with the leg stretched out can help the pelvic ache 6) Concentrating on relaxing the lower muscles can assist with a better urine flow – This is hard work because if like me you get uptight and panic stricken because you need to go somewhere and you fear you cant empty your bladder, and will be caught short somewhere were there is no toilet; then it just will not come, bringing about a downward physiological spiral and tightening of the muscles making it even harder. 7) I also find that regulating what you drink can help. i.e. I don’t drink coffee / fruit juices acid drinks, and NEVER spirits after my last jaunt!! - only weak tea, and warm water; and to get a good nights sleep I don’t drink after 9 PM.

Drinking is one area that I would like advice on and I have some confusing personal data on. Does anybody recommend drinking a lot of fluids when possible? (ie when you do not have to go on a long journey ) I am in the habit of drinking little and often. If I do not drink much, if for example I have to go some place, then I do not obviously have the need to pass water as often, but find my Urine can burn a little but – and this is a little strange and I would appreciate some input - the urine tends to flow much better the less I need to pass water.

Thanks for reading

John