Does it get better or worse? And, numbing gels?

[walton54]

Hello everyone. I recently got engaged and have been having a lot of trouble with sex. Ever since I started having my IC symptoms (about 9 months ago), it's been slighlty painful to have sex due to the pressure on my bladder. I used to describe it as not being "pain," but instead, discomfort. It's been getting worse recently and due to my fear of having sex (because of the discomfort) my fiance and I hardly ever do, so I'm much tighter to begin with (which makes it hurt) and it seems like there is a lot of friction even when we use a lot of lubrication. The positions that used to be okay aren't as comfortable and my sex drive is basically gone. My fiance wants me to be more optimistic about it, he says we'll eventually get it worked out as I continue to see the urologist, try different diets and medications, and etc. I'm not as confident -- my sex drive is gone and the pain has increased, making it so difficult for me to want to try different positions, lubes, etc. I just want to stop altogether, but I know that would be terrible for our relationship and esspecially as we are starting a marriage soon. My fiance is very understanding and gentle about this, but I can't help but feel like he's going to regret wanting to marry me if we never have sex. I'm getting really desperate, I've tried the suggestions listed on this site and on other posts, and nothing has really worked so far. It seems like my situation with IC and sex is only getting worse. Does this seem to be the case for most people, with mild symptoms at first that eventually get stronger? Also, I've heard of people using numbing gels to numb the vagina during sex -- Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it availalbe over-the-counter or by prescription only? Thank you!!! :)

[Katrina]

My IC got very bad right after marriage....and caused PFD which made entrance hurt...not just pain at my urethra and bladder for sex.....but I have found help in using Lidocaine in my vagina. If it is the pushing on your bladder is still a problem....I recommend trying other possitions and treating the pain that comes from sex before you do it.

I went through years where sex was mostly impossible or too painful...but good days have come. I am adding what a wrote in a post recently.

My husband and I were actually able to both enjoy "it" last night. This is the first time in years PFD has allowed him to enter me but lastnight Lidocaine helped bring back something that I wasn't sure could ever happen again. After IC pain, Endo pain, and then PFD keeping me from being able to really have intercourse and enjoy it really was seeming like a mirracle was needed. Well thank the Lord one came!!!!!!!

I put in a lot of effort to have my pelvic musscles as relaxed as possible....heat, moisture, rest, and a topical analgesic that I started about an hour previous. I took my pain meds and AZO standard (since IC isn't gone just improved). Than we put lidocaine on me and on him. SUCCESS! I couldn't believe it (and neither could he). It was the first time in a long time I didn't scream let alone enjoy it! (go ahead laugh)

Well my husband's birthday is the 9th and he thinks he will have good one. Oh I want to have a party or fly or something to express what a huge improvement and how thankful I am.

Man, why didn't my doctor recommend this when my PFD was first diangosed??



http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=Lidocaine+gel&hl=en&lr=&domains=http://www.ic-network.com&sitesearch=http://www.ic-network.com&sa=N&tab=ff&oi=froogler This is a link to some different links where lidocaine is sold.

http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7562 this link is a pain managment post.
The second page has 4 attachments...the last one is a list of ideas for IC pain.....take a look if pain is problem for you. The more you treat your pain the easier it can be....but avoid pushing on the bladder.....you don't need a flare later on.