plz help me find a dr

[miserie]

I have ic

I have painful sex and burning raw feelings in the outside area. It happens very bad after I urinate. It feels like the urethra spasms uncontrollably and I am going to lose my bladder function even though I just went. Where I wipe it feels like raw tissue being ripped at from an open wound. During sex it feels the same inside, it doesn't feel natural... feels "raw". I can't believe people actually have sex for fun when it has alays been painful for me.

So I am having a bad flare and I do not want to discuss this with my internal dr as he has no clue. I looked up gynos (I have never seen one before in my life) and am not coming up with much of anything at all.

Could someone help me find someone knowledgeble in this field that can help me. I want to be normal :( I am in the 97015 zip range (clackamas, oregon)

It has been going on 5 years now and more probably, I am sick of this. btw I also have hashimotos hypothyroidism and I suppose every allergy in the book after getting IC and so I eat nothing with gluten ect. I also can not lose weight no matter what I do so I don't want to go on elavil and have enough emotional problems without being on psycho anti depressant drugs lol

please help me find a GOOD dr.. no more wackos digging around down there :( :help:

[ICNDonna]

I believe there's still a support group in Portland. The ICA site may put you in touch with a support group leader there. The ICA site is http://www.ichelp.org

I'm a bit south of you outside of Eugene.

Donna

[poetgirl]

Hi there,

I am sorry you are suffering so much! I know exactly how you feel -- I went through many of the same symptoms that you are experiencing.

A good gynecologist will definitely go through different treatment methods to help you get your vulvodynia (sounds like it could be vulvar vestibulitis, but a gynecologist would be able to confirm one way or another) under control.

There is some good information on self-care treatments for vulvodynia/VV in the IC Patient Handbook on this site, plus there are several good sites out there that also provide information on medical and self-care treatments:

http://www.vulvodynia.com/

http://www.nva.org/

Many of us with vulvodynia/vv have had relief by taking calcium citrate supplements each day, to reduce oxalate formation that contributes to vulvar soreness and inflammation. You can get calcium citrate (brand name Citracal) at your local pharmacy or supermarket.

Elavil can be a big help to people with vulvodynia/vv and at the low dosages prescribed for vulvodynia, it does not have an antidepressant effect. Weight gain is possible, although I have maintained the same weight over the past 2 1/2 years I've been taking it (25 mg every night.)

I hope this helps and good luck finding a gynecologist who will work with you to improve your situation.

[July]

I'm so sorry to hear you are having so much pain! Low dosage antidepressants prescribed for vulvodynia are for pain. In the low dosage form they are generally not used to treat depression or emotional issues. Your dr. should be able to explain this better. Here are other self-help measures: Use a dye and fragrance free laundry detergent like All or natural detergents from your health store, rinse twice with vinegar, wear cotton white underwear, sleep without underwear, take baking soda sitz baths, consider possibility of pelvic floor dysfunction, take calcium citrate, bath in shower with a soap like Cetaphil or just plain water.