Embracing Advocacy Through Pain
Hi, I’m Michelle Milheiras, a peer health navigator and pelvic health advocate residing in Mississauga, Canada and the voice behind The Happy Pelvis—a platform dedicated to spreading awareness about pelvic health.
Thank you Amanda and Veronica for the incredible opportunity to be a guest on your podcast and blog, sharing my personal journey navigating pelvic pain. Your platform provides a vital space for these conversations and I’m grateful for your dedication to sharing and amplifying diverse stories. Thank you for allowing me to contribute to your mission of empowerment and education.
Cheers to fostering greater understanding and support for individuals on their pelvic pain journey!
Listen to my chat with Amanda and Veronica on the Periods in Pain Podcast here. (link to our episode)
The Onset of My Chronic Pain Journey
Pelvic pain has been a non stop companion throughout my life, dictating every step and igniting my passion for advocacy.
Since childhood, chronic illness has been a defining aspect of my life. I am a chronic pain patient striving for a better quality of life while advocating for pelvic health. The onset of excruciating flare-ups led to a leave from my career. Little did I know, these pains were rooted in a complex network of conditions (also known as comorbidities): Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, IC/Bladder Pain Syndrome, Endometriosis, Fibromyalgia and Lupus.
Describing the Unrelenting Pain
Describing the pain felt is like envisioning a UTI on steroids, interlaced with razor-blade sensations and relentless cramping. The interplay of my conditions manifests uniquely:
Endometriosis: Debilitating pain and cramping leading up to and during menstruation, sharp pain with bowel movements, sciatic pain, kidney/flank pain. Also occurs during ovulation.
Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: Lower abdominal ache, burning sensation during urination and constant urinary frequency.
Vulvodynia and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Intermittent burning, stinging, aching and even itching pain felt on the vulva or around the pelvis, exacerbated by movement and/or touch.
Fibromyalgia + Lupus: Joint pain, fatigue, body aches, stiffness and mouth sores added to the complexity of my conditions.
Connecting the Dots: Clinical Links Amidst Chaos
It all began in childhood after a tobogganing incident, leading to chronic pelvic pain. By 16, I navigated through painful periods, chronic UTIs and Vulvodynia. Misdiagnoses and an adverse reaction to the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin which propelled me to explore alternatives but it just was not enough. I eventually started to accumulate conclusive diagnoses by 2018.
Clinical Insights and Links between Conditions
My specialists unveiled correlations; Endometriosis often accompanies IC/BPS and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. Surgery confirmed Endometriosis as a distinct condition, while IC/BPS management involves medical interventions and lifestyle changes.
Navigating Modern Therapies and Alternatives
While my quest for effective treatments remains an ongoing battle, a combination of compound suppositories with muscle relaxers and nerve medications and pelvic floor physical therapy stands as a tentative measure to manage my pain. My intro with alternative therapies started after an adverse reaction to antibiotics, leading me to seek help from Naturopaths. I also attended multiple Pelvic Pain Programs, which offered attainable approaches to pain management.
Embracing Alternative Therapies
I advocate for exploring alternative therapies such as Pelvic floor physical therapy, myofascial massage and even acupuncture. Pelvic floor physical therapy and myofascial massage play pivotal roles in addressing chronic pelvic pain by targeting muscle tightness and trigger points that develop from us being in chronic pain all the time.
Our muscles aren’t meant to be tight all the time and after a while, they start to develop trigger points in these muscles. These trigger points then cause pain. Trigger points, muscle tightness, and inflammation can irritate the large amount of nerves in the pelvis, which can cause pain to continue throughout the pelvis and surrounding areas.
Reflections on Pain Management
If I could have a conversation with my younger self, I would emphasize the importance of speaking up about my pelvic pain, shattering the silence and stigma surrounding it. Acknowledging the pain and advocating for better care earlier in my journey could have potentially altered my trajectory.
Words of Encouragement
To all experiencing pelvic pain, remember: you are not alone. There’s hope, help and potential for improvement. Embrace self-compassion and resilience—it’s a journey and you can come out stronger on the other side.
About the Author
Michelle Milheiras is a peer health navigator and pelvic health advocate residing in Mississauga, Canada and the voice behind The Happy Pelvis—a platform dedicated to spreading awareness about pelvic health.
Through the various initiatives and projects at The Happy Pelvis, her commitment lies in empowering patients who may be struggling with chronic pelvic pain to become their best advocate. Michelle strives to provide resources and support that enable individuals to navigate their diagnosis, communicate effectively with their healthcare providers and make informed decisions about their treatment options.
Get in touch
Instagram: @the.happy.pelvis
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Resource Guide:
For more insights and information that could help you on your pelvic pain journey, explore “The Ultimate Vulvodynia and Pelvic Pain Resource Guide” available here.
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