Months ago I wrote a success story from a new plateau that I had reached. I think I said I was 98% healed. But what does that even mean? Can we place percentages on how healed we really are? I think we like to say its higher than it actually is because we want to remain positive when we are having moments of freedom and liberation from the hell that we went through. So I may have, in reality, only been 80% healed at the time. And now is more like 98 to 100%. And I truly, I want this to be my last post.

The truth is, I have gotten back to living my life the way it was prior to PFD, CPPS, HF, Prostatitis or whatever name the medical and non medical community wants to call it. I like pelvic floor dysfunction the most. Because for me, that's where my problem originated. Yet, I had all the symptoms for similar disorders. Which is why everything can be so agonizing; you never really know what you are going through with 100% certainty. You end up browsing into oblivion and compare symptoms with everyone you can. it will drive you mad and then of course, things get worse before they get better. It is a true test of strength and willpower. Some end up healing faster than others, while many have it drag on for months and months with no change. So, how did I get here. It was a hell of a journey; one I hope to never go on again.

In my previous post (https://www.reddit.com/r/PelvicFloor/comments/lq9k4h/my_routine_in_beating_pfd_down/) I mentioned many things that had helped me during bad flare ups or to get relief when things are at their worst. I am thankful I do not have to write that all out again! It was a lot. At the end of that story I wrote about "the next step". Well, that next step is where I got a huge chunk of my healing. At least, it was start of getting back something that I had lost. My muscle strength. During the long and painful quarantine, I did a lot of sitting, laying, and basically a whole lot of nothing. Eventually, my muscles started to shorten due to lack of activity. This happens to everyone who stops using their body the way it is intended to. Normally that would be fine for me. But, there was a whole other monster banging on the interior walls of my psyche. Anxiety. Bad bad anxiety. The kind that keeps you from leaving your house and also causing extreme amounts of tension internally on a daily basis. Pure dread. Clenching every muscle in your body without even being aware of it. Nervous tension was my middle name last year. yet, I did not bring it on myself. It was all caused by the harsh lockdowns and being unable to find a job. Stress was at an all time high for me. Bills to pay, no money to pay them. Talk about a crisis. But, complaining about all that is not what I am here for right now. I found a way out.

Combine weak muscles with chronic nervous tension and constant clenching: it spells out PAIN and DYSFUNCTION. Seems logical right? Though, I had no idea about either things when I started my nightmarish journey.

I knew I had to beat anxiety and I couldn't do it alone. I tried everything and only got temporary relief until it came back again and again. The pain anxiety cycle is brutal and so hard to break. So, I got on medication. I resisted doing that for a very long time, but it was a game changer. I got on a very low dose of Lexapro and it helped immensely. I know many of you who are reading this are turning the other cheek. And I would have done the same months ago, telling myself that I can beat it without medication, and that the side effects would be worse or cause me even more anxiety. Well, I was so wrong. Within 3 days, I could feel the tension starting to ease its strong grip on me and by 6 weeks, anxiety disappeared as well as the constant over thinking and fear. I could walk around the block again without feeling that pit in my stomach. And now 2 months later, I am not only anxiety free and living my life again, but I am also pain free with no symptoms of PFD. I only intended to get on medication temporarily. It doesn't have to be forever. Just to get out of the dark.

The other half of my healing came from getting off my ass and walking. Using my 2 feet like they are supposed to be used. We aren't built for playing video games all day on the couch or a chair. The most natural movement as humans is walking. I also did glute bridges, planks, and something called foundation training. But, in the end it was walking 10k steps a day that strengthened the muscles that support the pelvic floor the most. The glutes and transverse abs. Just get out and start moving, even if you are in pain. It will subside with persistence and positivity. There is nothing that can drag you down once you start seeing improvements.

In the end, the answer for me was simple. Beat anxiety and start moving. I still did some of the other stuff from time to time as stated in the previous post, but honestly not a lot. I haven't stretched in a week and I feel fine.

I hope this helps and sheds some light for others.