What is this pain?

[JenAZ07]

Hi all....I am not quite diagnosed yet...still going through the diagnostic process, but have a new symptom that just appeared and I have no idea if it is the IC or something else pfd, vv?

My main complaint is pain (I have freq/urg but not as bad as pain) which I usually feel in the front of the abdomen ranging from really bad menstrual pain to labor pain. I think I am in a flare right now (possibly due to ovulation) and last night I noticed a different pain. It really hurt to sit down or get up, but once I got up and was walking around, the pain was a little better. But for those first few mins of sitting, the pain was enough to take my breath away—and I was already on pain meds. The pain was inside, felt like between my uterus and colon and shot down into that area between vagina/anus. Kinda felt like a pulled muscle.

Not sure what that is and I will have to talk to my dr about it at my next appt, but was hoping someone had a clue as to what it is and what I could do to make it go away if it happens again. I try to stick to the IC diet, and usually try heat when I am flaring, but last night heat to the bladder area didn’t help this pain and I ended up eating dinner standing up. Makes me really scared since my job require me to sit in front of computer all day and I really don’t want to have that pain every day. This morning seems to be better.

Thanks in advance for all your responses,
Jen

[traceann]

Hi Jen! Glad to hear that you will have a chance to chat with you doc about it - any time something new pops up it's always a good idea ;)

I used to get what I called "stabbing" pains - felt like someone was stabbing me in the perineum, anal area and vagina. Ugh, I know all the "areas" are close together but it was definitely in all three that I had felt it. It was enough to make me catch my breath, lol, try explaining to the person standing next to you why you just squeaked, lol :)They'd come out of the blue, I never quite knew when to expect them, I can just remember talking to them "go away go away", lol. Hope this helps a little bit! ;)

[sickofmybladder]

Jen -

Has your doctor mentioned PFD (pelvic floor dysfunction) to you? Alot of us have this as well as the i.c. - in my case the muscles are extremely too tight and bound up - due to them trying to protect my bladder for so long - I have pains very similiar to what you are describing -- you should mention to your doctor at your next visit -

I hope you feel better soon.

[glassd18]

Yup I've had that pain too. It usually happens when I'm flaring. It feels like someone stuck a knife up into my privates, but it usually only last a few minutes then goes away. Try to relax your pelvic muscles somehow. I ly on the floor with my eyes closed breathing deeply. I also use a cold magic bag or hot magic bag (a bag with beans in it that you can keep in the fridge or put in the microwave). Of course always talk with your uro about new symptoms.

[JenAZ07]

Thanks!!

Tracey—Yep, my husband was right next to me and kept asking…what is it? What’s wrong? I have also had those situations where you are just there and then – BAM! – pain that feels like you are in labor (contractions) and you have to hunch over – that was kinda hard to explain to my boss when it happened during court one time (I am a lawyer). Oh well.

Sickofmybladder—Nope dr hasn’t mentioned that at all. Thanks for the info, I have an appt next week and I will have to bring it up. Does that also make it hurt while trying to empty your bladder? That just started—usually feel better as I am emptying, but not the past couple of days have been lots of burning/pickly pain while going. Do IC symptoms change over time?

Glassd18—I am in a flare right now—for no apparent reason, I can’t think of anything I ate or did to make this one appear. All I can think of is that I must have ovulated and that caused this one—usually the pain gets worse around O time and subsides a little after the 2nd day of my period. It felt like a pulled muscle and then like pricking/stabbing down there. How do you relax those muscles? Kegels?

Thanks for the info. It is so scary to have such weird pains and not know what causes them or how to get rid of them. Hopefully the dr will finally put me on the IC meds after my in-office cysto next week and they will help. Currently just try to stick to the IC diet, pain meds, and heat…lots of heat.

Jen

[sickofmybladder]

Jen -

Don't do Kegals - at least that is what my doctor told me - Kegals are to "tighten muscles" - if anything you want to loosen your muscles - I am waiting on a referral for physical therapy and some people have obtained rx's from their doctors for muscle relaxers or valium (my doctor won't prescribe anything - but I'm working on a change). You should definately discuss with your doctor.

I'm not sure about the pain when emptying - I often get a hard cramp towards the end of voiding and sometimes I experience retention (if I have done alot of walking, had sex etc.).

One thing that might make you feel better until your appt. is soaking in the bath - I am trying to soak for 20 minutes once a day (and on the weekends twice a day - which is what is recommended) - but don't bathe - just soak - this does help me (at least temporarily) -

I hope you feel better soon.

[Claredale]

That's right, kegals are not the answer. I very well know the pain you are describing. The warm baths, heating bad and deep slow breathing helps me at times, because I tend to start breathing faster when I am hurting and my PT taught me how to breathe in slowly through your nose and slowly blow it out your mouth. Pretty much like what you do when you are in labor.

Hope you find something that works!

Tracey

[traceann]

It is a tough one to explain, lol. I mean, was I supposed to say "oh it's nothing, just feels like someone is stabbing me in the vagina, it'll go away in a few", lol. ;) I can just see the horrified look on someone's face that answer! ;)