[jtolj]

I had to quit coffee about 7 months ago, after to developing a moderate case of something called chronic prostatitis. Of all the symptoms and things I have to avoid, coffee is still the thing I miss the most.

It's not just the boost, or the taste and smell, although I do miss all of those. Mostly it's the ritual in the morning, and the social experience of "grabbing a cup of coffee" with someone that leaves a big void in my life. Making my rooibos chai or having cup of herbal tea with someone is just not the same.

This condition may not ever go away, so I've sort of come to terms that coffee may have left my life for good, but before I never would have considered cutting it out completely. I didn't find that it impacted my sleep or productivity as long as I didn't drink it too late in the day.

Anecdotally, even after 7 months without caffeine, I find that I'm still much groggier in the morning than I used to be. My sleep at night hasn't improved.

Overall would not recommend ;p.

[fugoogs]

If your prostatitis is still bothering you, look in to pelvic floor physiotherapy. After my experience I am convinced the chronic kind is a muscle condition (although it may first start as an infection).

I am symptom free a good 95% of the time, no longer have a problem with caffeine or spicy foods, and in the words of Krusty the Clown, I can ride a bike again.

[jtolj]

I did recently find a local office that does pelvic floor physiotherapy for men, and I would like to give that a try. I admit I'm skeptical (or perhaps pessimistic is a better word), but I have seen many anecdotes from people who have had some success with physiotherapy (although nobody ever seems to claim to be completely cured).

But thanks, I'm glad to hear that you are doing better.

To be able to have a painfully spicy green curry and a thai iced coffee again one day would be pretty awesome.

[fugoogs]

I don't think it is something you are completely cured from, but in my case I go many months without any symptoms now. When they do occur the level of pain and discomfort is minimal and I am usually able to get over it myself. I do go for more Physio two to three times a year and probably will until I'm dead, but I don't have any hangups about that or consider it a chore.

My other advice would be to eat well. Lots of fruits and vegetables. Avoid constipation. Also you are probably clenching your abdominal muscles throughout the day (I do it when stressed) and you need to stop doing that. Breathe with your diaphgram and not your abs. Try meditation or yoga (I think yin is the best from a meditative and stretching perspective).

Good luck and I'm positive you can at least improve your symptoms.

[jtolj]

Thank you for the advice!

[jacquesm]

You may like this:

https://www.satnam.eu/classic-chai-yogi-tea-organic-1-kg-bul...

But probably better to find a smaller package to find out first ;)

[jtolj]

Looks good thanks! I drink this right now, which is good but usually requires a couple of bags to get a strong enough brew - https://www.google.com/shopping/product/1581702390140103849

[jacquesm]

I figured you were drinking something like that. The other one has a bit more of a kick to it while still being just spices and herbs and does not contain 'rooibos' which I'm really not a fan of.

[jtolj]

Rooibos actually contains something called quercetin which some people have said helps with prostatitis (which I didn't discover until after I'd been drinking it for a while). It adds a little richness and bitterness which I actually like.

[boyaka]

Can you explain your personal symptoms, experiences, and how you happened upon discovering your condition? What made you go to the doctor and get diagnosed? I really dislike looking up medical conditions online.

[fugoogs]

I had the same experience as jtolj. A urinary tract infection that wouldn't go away, even after a couple of months of antibiotics (first one I don't remember, then cipro). Ejaculation would sometimes make it feel better. Sometimes worse. Finally saw a urologist that said he didn't believe it was caused by infection and that I should try pelvic floor Physio therapy. After the first week I felt so much better that I was convinced.

Whenenver I see someone mention it now I try to preach the physio gospel because when I was going through it there were a lot of negative sufferers posting to message boards saying it will never go away, etc.

Also women can suffer from a similar condition - chronic non bacterial urinary tract infections, and most of the pelvic floor physiotherapists are used to dealing with women. Maybe it is more common in women or the option is less known for men, or maybe men are more embarrassed to go see them.

[jtolj]

Not sure this is relevant in a coffee thread, but for me it started with urinary tract infection symptoms (frequent, burning urination) which is what brought me to the doctor. I started antibiotics, which improved it slightly but it didn't go away completely. When it returned and got much worse, the doctor referred me to a urologist who diagnosed it as prostatitis. After months of various antibiotics and a half dozen specialist visits at $200/pop I finally gave up on going to the doctor, as he didn't seem any ideas outside of pumping me full of more antibiotics.

As fugoogs mentions, non-bacterial chronic prostatitis isn't well understood and there isn't an effective standard treatment protocol. There are theories ranging from it being caused by nano-bacteria that do not show up in normal tests to it being a muscular tension issue that can be resolved with physical therapy.

[boyaka]

Ahh, I mistakenly interpreted your quitting of coffee as coffee being part of the potential cause, rather than a requirement as part of treatment of prostatitis (not that coffee absolutely didn't contribute to it, as you say it's not well understood). I still appreciate learning about your experience dealing with the condition! Thank you.