frustrated!

[lilangellyn]

I have just been diganoised with IC this past week. I have had pain for a few months. Had several doctors apointments and test Doctors could not figure it out untill finally was sent to a new doc he knew what it was right away. I was excited now we know the problem so we can fix it but thats not happening and I am scared I do not want to live my life like this.
The pain was mild at first now it is pretty intense. Does it get worse? The pain is the worst when we have intercourse. I am very lucky my boyfriend is very supportive but I am feeling so so frustrated and upset. It really upsets me that I am unable to fullfill he needs. I know there are other ways but its just not the same.
There has been so so many times that we have tried to have intercourse and I just can not I try to untill I can not take the pain any more. I had been taking 4 Ibuprofens before we had sex that seemed to help the painsome of the time but it does not anymore.Recently I have been taking 5 of them which does not touch the pain either. Then if we are able to finish I seem to have pain in a couple differnt places for a day or so. Seems like nothing I do relives me of the pain. Now the past couple weeks I seem to wake up and have pain. I have asked my doctor for something to take for the pain and he had me take the medication anaprox. Which does Nothing! Does anyone know of something else that will help with the pain? I do not know much about IC. I just want it to go away! If anyone has suggestions I sure would appericate it!

[vm]

Don't lose hope yet! :) You just got diagnosed and it takes some time and experimentation to find out what works --- but most people with IC do find treatments that help them feel better most of the time.

Have you told the doc that the med he gave you hasn't helped? Maybe he was trying to start with a lesser med and would bump you up to something stronger?

[Sarojini]

Kim's advice is good... you can try to call your doc and ask for something a bit stronger.

Please know you are not alone...most IC patients have some pain during sex, and we all have to experiment with it before we find out what works for us. We've been through it!!!

Sending encouraging hugs,

[ICNDonna]

The others are correct. It can take time to find which treatment options work best and which foods and drinks to avoid, but most of us do find effective treatments.

I think the most important things in working toward a satisfying sex relationship are open communication and experimenting --- and using added lubrication is a huge help.

Don't lose hope --- you were just diagnosed --- and only a very tiny percentage of IC patients get worse. I have had diagnosed IC for 29 years and, if anything, I am much better than at first.

Sending warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[HillaryD]

:grouphug:
I know exactly what you are going through! My husband and I haven't been able to have sex for over 4 months now, and I am getting so upset about it. He is incredibly understanding and wants to wait until I am ready to try again. Please don't lose hope, I know it's hard. I've heard that taking RX pain killers before help, you might want to give that a try. Good luck to you!
:kiss:
Hillary

[vm]

Also, along with lubrication for the privates, I have found that a full body massage prior to sex really helps me. My husband LOVES to do it, so he benefits, also, but it always relaxes me and gets me more in the modd. We buy massage oils from Bath and Body Works. Kind of pricey, but they smell good and they work better than plain old lotion or baby oil.