Diagnosed about three months ago

[PhxRedHead]

Hello, everyone! Well, I was diagnosed with IC about three months ago, and have been taking Elmiron since then. I am 22, and have had feelings of urgency since I was a little girl. However, about two years ago, things got much much worse, when my boyfriend and I tried to have sex and I had excruciating pain every time. I have no other major symptoms, except for feelings of urgency and the feeling that I have to pee right after I empty my bladder, but the pain during sex was enough to make me scared. I am so glad that I finally went to a doctor who knew what was going on, because my first two doctors had no idea what was wrong with me.

On a happy note, I think the Elmiron is working! We had sex for the first time in six months yesterday, and even though there was still some pain, it was manageable with me on top.

Also, my boyfriend is actually now my fiancee! What a great guy to stick with me through the inability to have sex for so long, and now he is reaping the rewards of his patience. And we are getting married next year! That is a huge positive thing in my life right now, and helps me manage the pain and the urgency.

I was wondering -- for anyone else whose major symptom is pain during intercourse, is there anything you take or apply that helps with the deep pain of penetration? I have read about the anti-spasmodic medications, and am wondering if I should talk to my doctor about getting on one of those for the deep seated pain. What do you guys think?

Thanks for letting me share my story! I hope this will be a great place for me to find support and resources!!

[lonely sole]

Hey, that's great news all 'round! I do think this board is an awesome resource. :)

If you don't mind me asking, how long were you on Elmiron before you saw a significant improvement?

I was on some anti spasm stuff myself (Vesicare), and I found it to be useful for bladder spasms, which for me manifested themselves as a feeling of extreme urgency. I personally didn't find it did anything for the pain - but if your pain is caused by spasms ( I could almost feel by bladder pulsate, or contract repeatedly), it just might help you out!

[PhxRedHead]

Hi there, lonely sole! :hi:

I don't mind at all! I have only been on it about four months, and though my improvement is not 100% there yet, I am now able to have intercourse (not too often, though) when I wasn't before. For me, I don't have the chronic pain that can be associated with IC, so there is really no way for me to tell if I am improving other than by having sex. So last night was actually the first time I saw an improvement at all! Up till then, I wasn't sure it was working at all. I got diagnosed in late May, and started taking Elmiron right away, so for me to see improvement it has taken four months.

I have an appointment with my OBGYN soon, so I will probably ask her about an anti-spasmodic and see if it helps at all with the deep pain. Thanks for sharing your experience with them! :)