What can we do?

Hehe. First, know nothing. No one tells us anything so we know nothing. Then a few weeks later we realize how big the problem can be and we start panicking. Then we start doing research, asking every doctor and physio about it, trying to find solutions, trying to heal as quickly as possible, like crazy. This period is long and it should take at least a few months to even 1-2 years. Then we decide to give up, and to live with it, very carefully.

I guess everyone will have to go through this whole process. It's natural.

Some could be as lucky as me, can live almost like normal, although have to be still careful every day, after 2.5 years (or even better!). Some (only a few) may be disabled for the rest of their lives.

In fact, these are what we can do.

What can physios do?

From what I gather, physios can give you some advice, such as what you need to note in your daily life, and how to live with PSD. This is mostly included in my other blog entry: Tips on PSD, compiled 15/03/2007.

Other than that, physios may introduce some gentle exercises, mostly about 'core strength'. But I've found it's best for me to do no exercises at all. Of course pelvic floor exercises are a must to do, and it doesn't normally affect the pubic symphysis. I don't find any other exercises have done any help. As matter of fact they actually can make things worse. I don't even walk much. I find when it's severe I'd better limit activities to minimum. When mild, I can increase my activities just to keep my body and mind alive and fit and functional.

Conclution: physios can only tell us how to live with PSD for the rest of our lives. I don't think they can cure it.

What can doctors do?

From my own experience, research and what I've heard, doctors can only do about two things about PSD:

1. Almost always, they encourage 'conservative treatment', which means rest, be careful and wait for the natural healing. Most of the time (from statistics and research) it DOES heal naturally, or at least heal till it doesn't affect our lives too much (I belong to this category).

2. In extreme cases they might mention 'surgery', which means putting stuff like nails to bind the pubic bones, which is said to have very low successful rate, and takes a long time to heal and involves a lot of pain as well. So doctors would never recommend a surgery, as sometimes you might heal naturally faster than having a surgery done. So a surgery is the last resort. If you can still bear with PSD, it's best to keep conservative treatments (even if it means for the rest of your life).

Sometimes doctors make you feel they're indifferent on this matter. I think it's natural. From their point of view, if there's nothing they can do, they don't want to worry about it. They have things that they can help to worry about. So in these cases they usually use only a few words to 'get rid of' us.

So personnaly I don't think there's need to make further queries to the doctors once they've made an conclusion.