hitting the bladder area

[laurahallie]

ok, i belong here. :lmao:
ive posted a couple of other places on the forums and mentioned the sex problems im having with ic, so people probably think im sex-crazed, haha. but it's just that this is one of only two symptoms ic is causing for me right now, so i guess im just focused. :)

ive read all of the posts and i've noticed that some of you are experiencing the same particular feelings that i have. the only problem i seem to have is the feeling of my bladder being hit. it's extremely painful. no problems with orgasms or entry or anything though. i appreciate the suggestions ive already seen - different positions, using pillows - but is there anything else i should know? would lubrication make a difference in my particular case? i know i read somewhere about pills that would numb the bladder, or something? if there is such a thing, that would just be heaven.

thanksss.

-laura

[traceann]

Hi Laura, yep that seems to be a common problem with us Icers, lol. I would try all of the above that you mentioned. Lubrication is a huge must - whether you think you need it or not, lol ;) It makes things much easier on us. And you could try some over-the-counter Pyridium - the bladder analgesic/number. I used to by either AZO Standard or Uristat, just depended on which one was in stock at the time or who had the better price, lol. You can get them at drugstores, Walmart, Kmart - usually in the feminine protection isle. I always tried to take them about a half hour before intercourse so that things would be numbed up, lol. But, one thing we discovered is it's not only your urine that it turns orange, lol.... ;)

[SandyRN]

Tracey, you mean his _____ turned orange????? laura, also, walmart, eckerd and walgreens have their own brand of pyridium pills, they always have the same ingredients as the uristat or azo pills, and come in larger boxes of 32, for less money than the name brand.

I love them, they help me a lot and I use them a couple hours before sex, and a couple hours afterward, or the next morning to help with the bladder spasms I get from sex...

I hope things straighten out for you...I know that's a frustrating problem!

Hugs, Sandy

[pixienohio]

I thought I was the only person that felt like my bladder was being abused during sex. I have totally lost interest in sex because of the fact it's so painful. My other half doesn't understand why or how I could just lose interest in sex! Umm HELLO the pain! He just doesn't get it. He seems to think I'm getting it else where!:cussing: Any suggestions on how to get him to realize it?

[laurahallie]

thanks to all of you for replying. the analgesic sounds great; almost too good to be true. because i dont get flares, spasms, the 'ring of pain upon entry', or anything, if i could get the painful, um, 'poking' feeling solved, i would be good to go. a question or two: so it numbs only the bladder? i certainly dont want everything to be numb. ha. and does it work, like, 100%? from pain to none, just like that?

i also have been on elmiron for about a month and will wait to see if that helps also.

again, thanks. this is a delicate issue for when new people come into one's life. :) i brought it up to him, and he actually has been quite good about it...hasnt stopped talking to me or anything, haha. but still, i worry...

[Briza]

Good advice from everyone, so I'll keep mine brief and to the point.
GET ON TOP and TAKE CONTROL OF THINGS :biglaugh:
You can control the bumping the bladder thing that way.

[Julie B]

There are a couple of things that can help......the pyridium before and the next day, taking a bath before and after (I use epsom salts, it is wonderful), a massage both before and after. Also Tylenol or an NSAID taken before can stop some of the discomfort before it begin.

I also make sure things are timed. Basically, if I don't have at least 2 days to recover (if I need it) intercourse just doesn't happen. I amy not always need that time, but if I do, I have "scheduled" for it.

Not too romantic, I guess.

[Sarilou81]

Pyridium only numbs your bladder and nothing else, so you'll still be able to enjoy sex. The orange has been mentioned before, but don't forget to wear a liner or dud undies b/c it has staining ability (and boy is it ever perminant). Staying on top works for me most of the time, but don't be afraid to move your pelvis around to find a good spot if you're on your back, then get in a pillow or two to keep it there. There are other positions that are not as rough that are good too.
For really sore days, try an X position where you are on your side with the feet pointing towards eachothers heads. When in the position, your combined legs will form an X. It won't get anyone hot and heavy, but it feels good and allows for hand play.

[laurahallie]

you know, now that i think of it, i believe i've been given pyridium before - for a uti - and it worked wonders. if all else fails, i will use it.

yeah for some reason the last time i had sex being on top didnt really make the problem go away, but that was awhile ago, i wasnt on any medication, and things might be different now.

part of me just wants to wait until the elmiron takes effect, if it ever does. but i guess ill see what happens.

thanks ladies.

[Briza]

I think we all feel that way, sometimes!
You're not on any other meds...Elavil, atarax, pain meds, etc? These are often prescribed right at the beginning and can give you great relief while waiting for the Elmiron to kick in, if it ever does. I've been there, and I can say that while it is difficult, abstaining is sometimes the best thing to do until your symptoms are under control. Best of luck to you on this adventure. It can take you for a ride, but most of us do get better when we find the right combo of meds, that's why I ask if you're on any other meds...
Best wishes:)
B

[laurahallie]

no im not on other meds...my uro never even mentioned any of those; i learned about them from the boards. however i definately have considered some of them, such as antihistamines and the other meds that are believed to work in a similar way as elmiron (the msm supplement, cystoprotek?). as for elavil, ive heard good things about lessening frequency but im worried about the possible sugar cravings --> weight gain and dont want to go that route unless other things fail.

the thing is, because i dont really NEED relief at the moment (while my symptoms (frequency mainly) are annoying, i dont experience anything intolerable like pain, really, except in the context of this thread) i want to find out what works and what doesnt. if elmiron will work for me, i want to know that it is actually the elmiron working and not some other med that im taking at the same time. i know sometimes we ic patiends need combinations of meds, and if the time comes that i think i need to try doing that, i will. but i would rather take less meds than more if i can help it in order to be cost-efficient and just because i dont like medications. i guess im just trying to make things easier on myself in the long run, but that means potentially making them harder on myself now. yet im seeing a urogynecologist in two days and if she tells me im crazy for doing this, ill gladly take her advice and get on whatever she thinks i should be on.

anyway, thanks for replying! an 'adventure' certainly is an optimistic way of looking at it...i like that :D

[Berkshire Road]

I've just more or less given up on intercourse, it is just too painful and has sent me into flares more than once.

BUT, my husband and I enjoy a physical relationship. To be blunt, I bought us a book on fellatio and we've had a lot of fun practicing :wink:

And for valentine's day, I've ordered him a sex toy that I found on one or another IC site -- basically a rubber vagina. Has gotten very good reviews (you need lots of lubricant, though) and can be placed in the exact spot and you can manipulate it with your hands.

As far as what he does for me, he is very accomodating but I just have so much pain I really don't want much most of the time. We get a lot of pleasure out of "necking" and "petting" -- stuff we used to do when we were first dating and had more or less forgotten about. It's like having a boyfriend again :)

To be truthful, for several years we just didn't have sex because I was in pain so much of the time. But when we both found the courage to talk it out and try to find alternatives, it was well worth it. Communication is key.

I can't believe I just shared all that information with -- I was going to say a bunch of total strangers -- but no, we are all friends here and I'm going to do my part to help anyone I can. So, I'm posting. Couldn't find a smilie for "blushing," but imagine it inserted here!