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View Full Version : I'm Finally Feeling Better***


Plush
01-13-2006, 09:16 PM
Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to post that my urethra is finally beginning to behave. I've been in a great deal of pain since October and am now feeling better. My urogynos keep telling me I have "Urethral Syndrome" and cystoscopy always show a red and inflamed urethra. My latest urogyn is fabulous but she's joining a practice in Virginia in March so will again have to search for a star doctor. (BIG SIGH....)
She noticed that my urethra is slightly prolapsed and I have a Grade 1 cystocele and uterine prolapse (also Grade 1) most likely due to three challenging vaginal deliveries. In retrospect I should have gone the celebrity route - c sections. She suggested a teeny dab of Estrace cream on the urethral opening. I've used it a couple of times and I already feel a difference. However, I was on my way to feeling better before I used the cream. My pattern has been: 3-5 months of extreme urethral pain and then a few years of remission. I used a lot of vitamin therapy this time as well as two Ativan (.5mg) a day for the past month. I also used 1/2 of a Tylenol 3 as needed. I used: Grape Seed Extract, Acidophilus, Oil of Oregano, CoEnzyme Q10, Garlic, Evening Primrose Oil, multi-vitamin, Coromega (fish oil), Calcium Citrate, occasional use of Vistaril or Claritin. I also used Zantac because I had tremendous heartburn as a result of all the "stuff" I was taking. I also dabbed a one percent hydrocortisone cream directly on urethral opening. My husband burst out laughing when he caught me doing this one evening. I looked like a contortionist trying to find my urethral opening and then applying the ointment to exactly the right spot - definitely not my sexiest moment. I always feel like a self centered hypo when I have these "flares" going on for months and then fill baskets full of medications, vitamins, etc. However, I get so frustrated because nothing works and I want to go back to the person I was before the flare. I become a maniac only because I love life and want to "fix" myself. Anyway, I'm hoping maybe this info will help in some little way. I've tested this "remission" by drinking Diet Coke, eating chocolate, coffee, etc. My pain is now about a 2 instead of an 8. I now urinate about 9-10 times a day (2 at night) instead of about 30-40 times a day. Yes, there is hope and I pray that each and every one of you gets better. Will keep you posted. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being there.

Love and hugs,
Plush

rosesitty
01-13-2006, 09:37 PM
Hi Plush - I've seen your posts around the site and I've always gotten a kick out of how funny you can be. Lemonade out of lemons I guess! Is the estrace cream a prescription item? I've had a two month flare myself - not debilitating, but uncomfortable and frustrating. The doctor prescribed Elmiron, but it is really upsetting my stomach. So...I'm trying anything and everything else. ICer's must be the most proactive people on earth! Anyway, glad you are feeling better - and keep that sense of humor!
Rose

jaime15
01-14-2006, 03:12 AM
Plush,
I hope you continue to feel better...........take care......... :)

emilyrose197377
01-14-2006, 03:22 AM
I glad you feel better . I hope it continues.

Plush
01-14-2006, 03:33 AM
Thanks so much everyone! Yes, Estrace cream is a prescription drug - it's a form of estrogen so please discuss its use with your doctor before using. I'm using an extremely small amount of the cream and applying it to the urethral opening only. I only plan to use the cream during a flare and not every day. Hormone therapy is still very controversial so please read about Estrace before using it. My doctor feels its very safe if used in small amounts over a short period of time.

I'm a bit whacky about challenging situations and use humor as a defense. Thanks so much for your gracious comments about that.

Again, will keep you posted about progress. Everyone, please have hope re: better days ahead.

Love,
Plush

ICNDonna
01-14-2006, 04:04 AM
I'm glad you're feeling better.

Even when I'm feeling my best, I still avoid foods and drinks I know are a problem for me, especially sodas --- which I absolutely know will cause me pain.

Warm hugs,
Donna

sweetangel2080
01-14-2006, 05:16 AM
That is great news - hope you stay as symptom free!

marisa
01-14-2006, 05:31 AM
Ok, I'm still trying to figure out if my emails are going out. I'm new to the group and my name is Marisa. I was dignosed with IC a month ago by my gyno which in return she sent me to a urogolist. Yesterday was my appointment. Needless to say she didn't give me much hope. The only way we can see for sure if its IC is by doing cytoscopy with hydrodistention with installation of DMSO. All that jazz that made no sense to me. My biggest concern is could all of this make IC worse. Does anyone know that?? Just wondering. Also, I have been rebuilding my thigh muscles for almost 3 months. Some of the exercises I do involve the inner thigh muscles. Could this have triggered all of this? Just wondering. Please, help this is driving crazy. I don't even feel like leaving the house.

Thanks, Marisa

Plush
01-14-2006, 06:43 PM
Thanks Donna! Of course, your common sense is worth a million dollars - was just thinking that I was tempting fate. I skipped caffeine today and was feeling wonderful.

SweetAngel-your name says it all***

Hugs, hugs, hugs,
Plush

Cheries
01-14-2006, 06:49 PM
One thing about estrogen creams, they do not get absorbed systemically, so there is not the same risk that one gets with patches or pills of estrogen. Vaginal estrogen is very safe from what I have been told by doctors etc.

sami4
01-14-2006, 07:53 PM
I swear by my estrogen cream. I tried Vagifem but something in the tablet irritated me. Estrace vaginal cream really seems to calm down a sore urethra. I like the slight discharge of the cream as it coats the vulvar area with a slight film that seems to be protective and soothing.
Sammie

Plush
01-15-2006, 08:40 PM
Thanks for the info Cheries and Sammie re: Estrace. It's working nicely so feel very comfortable about using it. I've decided to apply it every other day. I love my urogyn and she's given me 11 refills so I feel confident that it's not going to harm me. However, I am extremely cautious (read that as neurotic) about drugs in general so tend to use lowest dose for lowest period of time. So far, I'm pretty impressed with the way it's calmed down the urethral opening.

Hugs,
Plush
Plush

Plush
01-15-2006, 08:42 PM
I meant to say "shortest" not "lowest". Boy, do I need some sleep!!****
Plush

violet
01-25-2006, 04:46 PM
I have a question about the Estrace cream. Does it calm the burning? You keep saying pain does that include burning. I have alot of burning. Thank you.

Cheries
01-25-2006, 04:54 PM
What Estrogen cream are you using Sami? I had one compounded without propolyn glycol, but it still irritated me like the vagifem. I also get a burning with white around the vulva when I change my patch (every 3-4 days). I don't know if it is yeast or not or what. I always test neg for yeast, but haven't tested in a long time. Usually I get this around the beginning of my cycle. I think my hormones are still not right and I am not on a vaginal estrogen, which is also my problem I believe. I want to take some info to my gyno so whatever info regarding topical creams you can give me would be awesome. Thanks!

Plush
01-25-2006, 08:06 PM
The Estrace cream definitely helped the sensation of burning as well as the need to urinate within a few seconds of just having done so. All I did was dab a small amount of the cream right onto the urethral opening.

Hope this answers your questions.
Hugs,
Plush