How long will it take for my pain to stop?

There are rarely simple answers in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain (CPP). It can often take many months or even years to produce lasting relief of CPP. Because treatment is a long-term project, you and your doctor should discuss what strategies might be possible to reduce your pain now, until a more long-term approach can take effect. Medications and nerve blocks are probably the two most common short-term strategies.

Is it possible that my pain started in one place and moved somewhere else?

Yes. This is a very common pattern among women with CPP. If your pain has moved over time from one part of your abdomen to another, this does not mean that your pain is "all in your head" or "not real." Pain caused by endometriosis, for example, might cause you to constantly tense the muscles in your abdomen. Over time, the endometriosis might be treated or the pain might subside, while the pain caused by muscle tensing becomes more intense. In this case, it may appear that the pain has moved from where it was originally, when really more than one part of the body is involved. If your pain seems to have moved from one place to another, it is important to tell your doctor where the pain was before, as well as where it is now.

No one understands what I am going through. How do I find support? Are there groups for people with my problem?

If your doctor is experienced at treating people with CPP, your doctor or the members of his/her staff may be able to help you find support services. If they are not familiar with such services, the Chronic Pain Association of Canada can help you find a support group in your area or link you up with a "pen pal" who has had similar experiences.

The Self-Help Resource Centre collects information about support groups across Canada. To find a group in your area, call 1-888-283-8806 or 416-487-4355 in the Toronto area.