I can’t afford to be complacent
I’ve really had yet more proof that I can’t just sit back and expect to feel better. Especially when things are going better, I think I can just sit back and stop doing what works to help my symptoms. I think I still have trouble accepting that, for me, this is a chronic condition, not a temporary illness.
I have many of the conditions that lead to pelvic and sexual pain, including irritable bowel syndrome, also called IBS, interstitial cystitis, also called IC, vulvodynia, vestibulitis, just to name a few. In addition, I have fibromyalgia, which also seems to have a connection, and certainly doesn’t help. I am also a food addict/compulsive overeater in recovery for today and lost 55 pounds about nine years ago.
While everyone has their own personal “protocol” that will help them (yes, you can find some relief), I am using some medications, including LidocaineTM topically and ElmironTM (plus magnesium to help with the IBS), I personally have found diet really affects the burning, raw feeling I experience.
As a food addict, I cannot eat flour, sugar, even artificial sweeteners (for many reasons), at all. But, even within the guidelines of what I can eat, many of the healthiest foods trigger severe symptoms for me, in as short a time as a few hours. Among these foods are brown rice (I use Jasmine, which is still a whole grain), nuts & seeds, carrots & green beans. Unfortunately, sometimes I am less vigilant about both the food and using the Lidocaine.
I had been able to have intercourse for a while, with little discomfort, which I counted as a miracle and blessing. My husband and I have accomodated our sex life for my condition, but the ability to have intercourse is something we both want.
However, I stopped using the Lidocaine and began eating the trigger foods. I have been overworking until all hours of the night.
So, the next time we attempted intercourse, I felt as if a hot poker with sharp knives coming out of it ripped through me. To say the least, it didn’t feel good.
Feeling demoralized and angry at myself, I walked around bow-legged for the rest of the day. I have only been on the Elmiron for a few months, so am not quite sure yet how much it helps, but my IC symptoms do appear to be less severe.
The bottom line is that there is help for me, but I must take an active part in my recovery and be consistent if I want to feel better. I don’t know that I’ll ever be cured, but I surely know from the positive experience I have had that I can have a better quality of intimacy if I do what I know works for me.
I would like to hear your comments and hope you will share your story as well.