No Cures??

[Daniel J.Marx, Ph.D.]

I am afraid that I pretty much agree with 'Mr Anon' at this point of
following the NG since 7/96.

The on-going pursuit of active microbial infections as the primary
(if not the only) etiologic agents of CP are not persuasive. The
data do not support it. There are other factors. Name one bug for
which Koch's Postulates have been fulfilled for CP.

Dan Marx, Ph.D.

> Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 06:48:06 PST
> From: Mr Anon <mrs...@HOTMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: Prostatitis Stories from Manila, Philippines

> In reference to the interesting prostatitis treatment stories at
> http://www.focus-asia.com/home/prostatitis/
>
> Firstly, to whoever did all the work, thanks for posting these stories.
>
> May I carp a little, though? None of the stories would persuade me to
> undergo the Manila Protocol. None of the people featured were cured (I
> trust the later follow-ups show at least some of them back to full
> health, otherwise why bother posting these stories at all?). It also
> struck me that the men featured seem to have spent 4+ weeks in Manila,
> whereas I understood Dr ANF to have repeatedly stated that such long
> treatment was highly unusual. Isn't his usual course of treatment 10 to
> 14 days?
>
> The one factor which emerged repeatedly in the stories as a source of
> satisfaction was the fact that Dr ANF is such a good, sympathetic
> listener. The psychological succour he offers seems almost to make up
> for the partial or non-existent physical improvement. This reminds one
> of John James' experience in Tucson, where the poor fellow, after 9
> weeks of unsuccessful, expensive treatment, still didn't have a harsh
> word for Dr Polachek because, and I quote : 'He takes whatever time is
> necessary to explain and reassure.' More recently we see what has
> happened to poor Dave Walker, who kindly posted updates from Tucson and
> now from his home in Colorado. Despite numerous massages and scads of
> ABs he reports: "The PMs [prostate massages] aren't doing the job. This
> is obvious to me as my pain level has, if anything, increased over the
> last ten days or so. I'm barely able to sit in a chair at this point,
> and it's now radiating into my legs and lower back. " This is NOT a
> ringing endorsement for the massage and AB approach to what is probably
> a non-bacterial problem.
>
> Perhaps we need to be a little more rigorous in examining these Manila
> stories. The long, descriptive histories of sufferers, as they delineate
> their maltreatment and abuse at the hands of the medical profession (who
> seem to delight, and profit, in sending them from pillar to post), are
> interesting, but let's get to the heart of the matter: Where Are The
> Cures? The more I read about this protocol and its equivocal outcomes
> the less I think of it. Are you sure that this protocol is the right
> avenue for the PF to be touting as the best direction to channel
> research funds? This does seem to be the implication of your postings,
> Brad.
>
> ------------
>
> Mr Anon (non MD)
>
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>

[George J Grosman]

I'd like to add my voice to Dan's here. It's not that the bacterial etiology
is impossible - or even implausible - it's just that other avenues should be
explored equally thoroughly. There may be auto-immune issues, reflux problems,
scarring, viral infections, hormonal imbalances (mind you, I am not a physician
and this list is just off the top of my head) I guess all I'm saying is: let's keep
an open mind, even though the massage/AB protocol is undoubtedly valid for some,
it should not be the sole focus!

George