Sitting at work causing major flareups- help!

[carjet]

Hello-

I just wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for pain caused my sitting. I have IC, Pelvic Floor dysfuntion, Vulvodynia and now I am starting to wonder if I have IBS because I am having problems with diarrhea and constipation. I work 4 days a week/ 10 hours a day and sitting is causing me major flares in the vulva area and in my rear. I am trying to get up and walk around as much as possible, I am doing yoga and stretches at home, try to stick to the IC diet as much as possible and taking several meds- Elavil, elmiron, hydroxyzine and Levora. I also went through a year of physical therapy. And of course wear comfortable clothing. Does anyone have any suggestions for creams or anything else that may help with this?

Feeling hopeless...

[mare mare]

I KNOW THE PAIN!

Although it's not a cure, I bought a special cushion to sit on. It's not as bad when I use my cushion. Don't drink. My bladder filling up makes mine worse when sitting. Take breaks often. Get up and move around. They sell some great cushions on this website!

Hugs, Mare Mare

[dg2901]

This might come across as sounding strange, however it works for me therefore I'll pass it on. I find doing Kegels helps me when the discomfort from sitting starts acting up. I cant explain why this helps me--it just does. Perhaps its because it helps keep the pelvic floor in a more relaxed position.

Hopefully you'll find something that helps you real soon!
take care
diana

[ICNDonna]

I was going to suggest the IC pillow available in the ICN Shop. I have two --- one for my computer, the other in the car. They really help me to sit more comfortably.

Donna

[mare mare]

2 pillows are a good idea! I only have 1 and I'm always either leaving mine in the car or in the house!

[carjet]

I work in an office with many employees. I am afraid the pillow offered in the ICN Shop may be embarresing because of the strip down the middle for the crotch area. Any advise on this or do you recommend any other pillows?

Thanks!

[Sarojini]

The pillow looks like a plain blue square pillow, so basically, only you will know there is a strip there. I have two of them as well, and so far, nobody's even noticed, because a lot of people have pillows... the chairs here stink!!

[carjet]

The picture made it look like you could see the strip! I will definately get one!

[charlialexander]

Hope this helps someone, my physician insisted on a pelvic exam when I went to her about IC complaints. I had a very bad pelvic inflamation even after being treated with several rounds of Cipro for what we thought was a bladder/kidney infection. My uterus was very badly swollen and infected, more than likely from the tampons and these continuous menstrual cycles. One size with these meds apparently does not fit all, and one that works one time may not work the next.

She treated the infection with doxycycline. After the first round of meds there was some relief, but not all the frequency urges were gone, so I went back and got a follow up exam, which I have never done before. I still had a lot of infection and swelling, so round two of doxycycline. All the symptoms are gone, can actually feel the difference in my tummy, vulva area, etc., no pressure or swelling, no urgency or frequency, no pain, and I'm flat as a pancake again. I have been running and hiking, skating and working out like crazy, even a few extra pounds seems to make the pressure unbearable in my pelvic area.

I hope the info helps someone, we've marked my chart with what works and what doesn't, as we all know it's very individual. Although I still believe there is something wrong with my bladder, I can't argue about the results of the doxycycline, it eradicated the pain, swelling, urgency and frequency, I don't believe it was a coincidence. My only hold up for not feeling fully joyful is knowing that others are in pain today, the memories of the pain are too fresh, the fear that they will return are there as well....my thoughts and prayers are with each of you.

[Freckles]

Carjet,
I don't know how you do it. Sitting is the hardest for me. It's torture. I'm not sure how I worked as long as I did. I think the actiq lolipops and demoral helped but it was soooooo hard. I'm not working now so only sit at my computer occasionally. When I do I sometimes sit on one of my ice packs, can't do it for long but it does help.

[charlialexander]

when I was having flare ups the most comfortable seat in the house was the commode, worst was my office chair, perhaps a cushion shaped like a toilet seat, hole in the middle so your sensitive areas won't be compressed against anything? not sure if that would work or not, but anything is worth trying. and sitting up straight helped, took the pressure off my lower section.