Heightened Arousal?

[Magrone]

Hi there,
It's been too long since I was here, and will have to update. But for now a quick question: I know people with IC have experienced pain during sex or even from arousal (I was one of them), but what about the opposite? Has anyone heard of or experienced heightened and constant arousal? I'm "suffering" through this right now. It sounds like a good thing right? But when it doesn't go away it's kind of annoying...esp. when you're at work. Relieving the "problem" doesn't work either. The arousal is still there. I'm wondering if it's somehow related to the IC or pelvic muscle changes...or medication? I take Ditropan XL and an anti-histamine for the IC (had the cysto in Sept). I also had endometriosis excised in Sept, and am wondering if it's related to that and/or the IC. It's not hormonal as far as I can tell (happens at diff. points in my cycle)
Feel free to email me at r_wallwork@hotmail.com if you'd prefer that to posting back here.
thanks!
M

[Katrina]

Yes! Arousal as a symptom of IC is not too unusual...just not talked of much.

"One of the "dark secrets" of IC is that some patients experience this very odd sensation of arousal that can come and go. It can be very uncomfortable and painful. Because it's embarrassing, patients often don't tell their doctors about it. Have you seen anything similar to this??

Dr. Kahn - must admit that I don't ask specifically about this, though I do always ask about pain women have during and/or after intercourse and have seen a lot of women with this problem. Pain associated with sexual activity can range from arousal pain to flares of pain that last several days after intercourse. I think that this is probably part of IC, but sometimes there are discrete trigger points in the vulvar area that can be treated…

[snowbear83]

I am kinda embarrassed to talk about this but i have the same problem every month 2 weeks or so after i get my period it last about 3 days.. i don't knwo if it is normal

[walton54]

I might know what you mean. My first symptoms of IC were sort of similar to what you're explaining, and I still have that symptom occasionally. It feels like I'm very aroused, which at first I thought was a good thing. After realizing that the feeling doesn't go away after sexual gratification, though, it became really annoying and it seriously interfered with things, esspecially when it happened at work. It usually happened for me after urinating, and I've found that drinking A LOT of water can usually make the feeling desist. Even though I've been able to manage this symptom, it has been a major contributor to my diminished sex drive, because now I associate arousal with that very umcofortable feeling of 'arousal' (if that makes sense). I discussed this with my family doctor, urologist and gynecologist, all of whom had aparently never heard of such a symptom. I did, however, find some support on these message boards to assure me that I wasn't the only one with such a weird symptom. Hope this helps! :)

[Sarojini]

Yes, this is pretty common in IC patients -- it has happened to me as well, and it is certainly annoying!!!

I think it happens because all of the nerves in the pelvic region are active in IC -- and sometimes the signals they send to your brain get "confused." This is why some IC patients experience the phenomenon of referred pain in their legs and lower back... and it can also contribute to that arousal feeling. It's almost a referred pain to the clitoris, and just is an error in your brain's interpretation of things.

If you can, talk to your doc -- sometimes a med change can help. Sometimes a light pain medication for a few days until the sensation subsides can help end the crazy nerve cycle. In addition, you may want to ask about drugs like Elmiron -- it takes a while to work, but it rebuilds the lining of your bladder and can significantly reduce symptoms in many people.

Good luck and I hope it goes away!!!

[ICNDonna]

The others are right --- what you are experiencing is not unusual in an IC patient. Pain medications or antispasmodics sometimes help get rid of the feeling. When the bladder muscles go into spasm, it definitely can effect the surrounding areas.

Donna

[Magrone]

Thanks everyone. It's a relief to at least know it's not such an uncommon symptom after all. Will bring it up with my doctor/s when I see them next.
M