psycho-somatic pain...?

[Dreamlove15]

Yesterday I went to the Uro/gyn for the first time. They asked a lot of questions, which is pretty normal, but this one sticks out in my mind. When I went to the gyn back in march which is at the same clinic, the gyno had asked me if I had been ever assaulted because this has been a known connection to pelvic pain. I said yes and I guess it was written in my chart somewhere. So when I went to the appointment yesterday, the resident dr asked me about it. She was telling me that a lot of people who have been sexually assaulted in their lives can sometimes create "pseudo" pain. I mean I think that this is completely understandable, in terms of EMOTIONAL pain and this can cause you to be tired, sick to your stomach etc...i'd studied psy for years. So yes, but i sat there thinking. is she trying to say my pain isn't real? I mean I HIGHLY DOUBT that I could cause bladder inflammation on my own...I also know that the last thing on my mind is the assault that occurred many years ago, right now im dealing with REAL pain...and it's not in my head. The doctor went even went on to ask me if i was in counseling? Ummm...OOok. Like in a way I think that kind of crossed the line for me, bceause If I was in need of a shrink, don't you think I'd be at that sort of office. I really don't think I would have put my body through the torture if I wasn't in serious pain, and now im in more pain after the examination. She was nice doctor and she is willing to try everything she possibly can to help me, but i guess I was just caught off guard with that...I felt as though my pain was not being validated in the terms i was speaking in. Anyways I just wanted to know if anyone has been in a similar situation.:confused:

[LuvMaui]

I have experienced a similar situation with my Uro. After my first couple visits he made mention that many women "my age" aka mid 40's and peri menopausal.. have a need for attention, and with that comes many different symptoms of illness. I half way smiled and said... "We'll I wish that was me, but it's not". After that I didn't care much for my Uro and each visit from that point, I determined that I liked him even less.

I hope this new UroGyno can give you some good direction with your IC.

[Dolphjoy]

Yes, I've experienced the same. I went to another doc for a second opinion. That doc asked me if I'd ever been sexually abused. It seemed like after that, all they wanted to talk to me about is counseling.

[crkshnks79]

Ive read alot on treatments for pelvic pain and on EVERY article , website , pamphlet I read it always says that its usually found in women who have been sexually assaulted . I was and I completely agree w you on its creates " emotional pain " but as for the physical pain I think that a serious stretch !!! I understand maybe if it was something that just happened , but like you said it happened to you awhile ago , not recently . Same thing with me my experience was over 10 yrs ago and I highly doubt that it took some 8 yrs to kick in . I went to a new gyno a few years back looking for help w my pelvic pain . They saw in my folder that I listed that I was Bi-Polar and then they asked the magical sexual assault question and then thats was it ! They " had " the answer to my pain and told me thats this is all in my head and what I really need is therapy and how to let go of " past events" . Now excuse me for being harsh in my next statement but I wanted to knick this guy in his n%^s !!! How dare you not even bother to listen to what I had to say after that !!! Im glad that you have seemingly found a good doc and I hope she helps you w everything but at the same time , I understand why that question would upset you !! Im going to see a urogyn for the first time this upcoming thurs and when they ask me "that " question . I plan to say no I wasnt , because my pain is "REAL" and its not from past events ! I wish you luck and hope you feel better soon .

[Claredale]

I have never been assaulted, plus I have only been with one man in my life. I was known to have a very shy bladder during my childhood and teenage years. My mom said that I wouldn't pee in public places unless there was no other choice. I used to go to a pharmacist that happen to have a wife with IC for over 40 years. He said the same thing about her. She was very uncomfortable peeing when she wasn't somewhere she was comfortable with. Even when I got married, I remember on my honeymoon, that I wouldn't pee especially if everything was quiet.

Just another viewpoint.

T83

[ICNDonna]

I was never assaulted and never had a shy bladder. Just once I had a gyn tell me that the pain I was feeling is not unusual after a hysterectomy and that it happens because women sometimes feel less "womanly" --- I left his office and never returned. Pain is pain!

Donna

[Katrina]

I have never been assaulted and I had IC prior loosing my virginity. That said although I don't disbelieve emotions causing some symptoms for a few that isn't very common but was is quite common is that things like PFD can come from the added stress and the the physical aspect of a sexual assault. I do think in your case though that doctors that don't believe in this illness may look into this and I am not thrilled with your story! :grouphug:

[jen74]

Your pain is real, not in your head. I have never been sexually abused or had any kind of abuse at all and I have had IC for the last 2 years. I am afraid alot of doctors like to blame illnesses on being Pshycosomatic( or in your head) when what the real problem is, is that they have no clue what is wrong with you. Instead of telling you they do not know, or maybe even refer you to someone else who may know, they let their pride get in the way and would rather say you are nuts, or it is in your head rather than bruise their ego.
It is sad, but this happend frequently. My own GI doctor told me this. I love my GI doc, he is sooo smart and honest and down to earth. He says it like it is. If he does not know something, he will tell me so. Be careful not to fall into this type of circle, meaning , do not let any doctor try and convince you that your pain is not real. You know your body and you know when you are in pain.
Jen

[VickiB]

What Jen said!

I also had a "in your head" diagnosis. I remember being so mad when I got home, angry because I paid good money to hear that drivel, because I was in such pain and couldn't seem to find a doctor to help me, and mostly angry because I absolutely knew the pain was real and happening in my bladder!

Like Jen, sometimes I think it's an easy answer turned to too quickly when they don't know, or don't want to look further.

Vicki