Painful Bladder Spasms and burning Vagina, Bladder Spasms Options

[shannon4]

Hello, i'm Shannon, i've been away for a while, i hope i'm posting in the correct forum.

I am 54 years old, over the last three years i developed Bladder Spasms, the pressure pain is down at the bottom of my stomache, you know just over my vagina. The pressure pain wakes me during the night and its so bad that i have to hold the bottom of my stomache so that i can walk to the bathroom.

I've had an ultrasound done about a year ago and nothing showed up, i sort of put it down to my IBS because when i take an antispasmodic called Colofac it helps.

It worries me at the same time because sometimes when the pressure is severe i don't pass much urine, maybe i'm not drinking enough water?

I also have a burning and at the same time an itch around the vagina area, it comes and goes, at times it can be very severe.

Can anyone identify with me please, i would appreciate your help on this matter.

Thank you,

Shannon.

[TALLY]

It sounds like you could possibly have either a urinary tract infection and/or a yeast infection. You need to see your gynecologist to rule these out and to find out what is causing your problem. Do not wait to have this checked. You need to find out what is causing the problem.

[joliejacq]

Shannon,

Have you been checked for Interstitial Cystitis? I have this condition, and it can have symptoms as you're describing. Maybe mention it to your urologist?

Also, you could have some Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. People with this condition find that when the pelvic floor muscles are out-of-whack, it's hard to pass urine. This is also something you should mention to your doctor. There are approaches to try for both.

I have BOTH of these conditions, as it's common with I.C. to have the pelvic floor muscles get whacky.

Fun, fun!

[joliejacq]

P.S.

I have found Benedryl cream very helpful for vaginal itching.

Good luck!

[shannon4]

Thank you everyone for the help.

Jolie, i started having these spasms about four years ago, i had an ultrasound done but nothing showed up so my Dr ( who by the way is female about 38 years old ) left it at that and i didnt push any further myself.

After some time i got a break from the spasms but they are back again. I made an appointment with my Dr today but she is on holidays so there was much younger Dr standing in for her, it was a waste of time, i told her i was burning up and around vagina, she didnt examine me and gave me a prescription for Antibacterial Tabs.

If the problem persist i will ask to send me further.

Many thanks for your help.

Shannon.

[jadebear]

For the past 6 or so months,the morning after i have sex it burns really bad when i urinate the first time.It usually goes away after the first time i pee,but that first morning pee has made me cry and scream sometimes.Anyone else experience this?It only happens if i have sex the day(or night) before.

[Meryl]

You are probably tearing slightly and that is causing your pain. I have that too. It's really painful!

[plumeria]

Shannon,

Are you taking any hormones, like a vaginal estrogen cream (vagifem, estring) or an estriol vaginal cream (this is suppose to be the best form of estrogen for
supporting the vaginal mucosa which includes the urethra)?

The vaginal burning could be due to vaginal atrophy (urogenital atrophy) and supplementing with estrogen orally or vaginally might help.

Emma

[Skunky]

Jadebear. This may sound silly and obvious but are you using any lubrication? I use LOTS. We do tend to dry up with peri, even if you don't feel it at the time - it's afterwards that it is sore and painful. When you urinate it would be normal that it would burn. Or do you mean that urinatng itself is painful? Rita

[Garnet]

Dear Shannon4:

What do the bladder spasms feel like??




Jacqui:

What exactly is Interstitial Cystitis?????

Thanks!


Red.

[Garnet]

HI LADIES:

I NEED YOUR HELP ONCE AGAIN

FOR THE PAST WEEK I'VE BEEN FEELING SOME LIGHT PRESSURE ON MY BLADDER AND A SLIGHT URGE TO URINATE. I HAVE NO BURNING UPON URINATION. I WENT TO MY DR. WHO DID A URINE ANALYSIS IN THE OFFICE WHICH SHOWED NOTHING. SHE SENT THE URINE TO THE LAB AND IT SHOWED A VERY LOW GRADE INFECTION. SHE HAD GIVEN ME A PRESCRIPTION FOR ANTIBIOTICS IN CASE I HAD A FULL FLEDGED INFECTION.

WHEN I CALLED HER OFFICE YESTERDAY FRIDAY, HER NURSE CONVEYED A MESSAGE FROM THE DR. THAT IF I WAS FEELING BETTER NOT TO TAKE THE ANIBIOTIC BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY A LOW GRADE INFECTION.

I AM STILL EXPERIENCING THE SLIGHT PRESSURE AND FEELING LIKE I NEED TO URINATE; HOWEVER I AM NOT SURE WHETHER I SHOULD TAKE THE ANTIBIOTIC. I DON'T LIKE TAKING MEDS. UNLESS IT'S ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, ESPECIALLY ANTIBIOTICS.

ANY FEEDBACK/ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APRECIATED.

RED.

[dawn]

Hi Red,

You could go to the drugstore and buy some of those strips and test your own urine to see if it registers an infection. Sometimes in the doctor's office it's hard to get a "clean catch," but at home it's easier.

If I was having symptoms, I'd take the antibiotics. I see a urologist because I tend to have frequent UTI's (not from peri, but I have MS and it's just one of those things that goes along with the MS because of retention problems.)

Anyhoo, she lets me keep a prescription for antibiotics on hand. Her advice, if I am having symptoms, is to test my urine with a strip, and if it shows infection, then to take the antibiotics for 3 days (which if you read on the web is usually enough time to clear up a UTI.)

If I get relief after the first pill or two of antibiotic, then I'm pretty sure the symptoms were from an infection because you get relief pretty quickly. However, if I don't get relief from a couple days of antibiotics, then it's time for a urine culture, because if there is infection, the antibiotic that was prescribed isn't hitting the infection.

You might also want to try cranberry pills or juice to see if that gives you any relief. You can have twinges without having an infection, but even if an infection is low grade, it seems to me that it won't go away without antibiotics (but I'm no doctor.)

[joliejacq]

Hi,

Sorry to be responding to this so late.

Interestitial Cystitis (I.C.) is a condition where there is chronic swelling of the bladder lining, when there is no infection present. Other conditions can mimic it (endometriosis, TB of the bladder, etc.), so the test is to have your bladder over-filled with water (hydrodistention), and then the urologist looks for little "pinprick" hemorhaging in the bladder walls.

It's a relatively rare condition, but not unheard of. I've had it since 1992, and have learned how to deal with the discomfort. There are foods I avoid - anything really acidic, and there are ways to make yourself feel better, always being hydrated, popping a few TUMS when you feel the telltale burning, etc.

I also have Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, which is common with I.C., but some have this condition by itself, with similar symptoms. The pelvic floor muscles "seize up," giving you the sense that you have to urinate. Sometimes you CAN'T pass urine.

Hope you are feeling better, and your situation was indeed simply a low-grade infection. If not, it's always worth seeing a good urologist and asking for more testing.

BTW, I highly advise against ANYONE drinking cranberry juice while having the symptoms of an infection, or I.C. While it can be helpful in staving off infections, once you have symptoms, your bladder lining is rough and raw, and adding cranberry juice, which is very acidic, is going to make you want to hit your head on the ceiling! Save it for when the infection passes, and stick to lots of fresh water.

JJ

[mereb]

Yes, after sex, and there is insuffient lubrication (I found Astroglide as best, KY burns esp. if you already have tears from wiping or sex friction) you will have slight burning. To make sure no bacteria gets in your urethra, make sure you pee right after sex. It will save you a UTI. Your exterior vaginal tissue may be sore or burn if there is friction from no moisture. Shouldn't last more than 2 days.

For those with more lasting burning pain and doctors can't figure it out - look into pelvic floor muscle spasms. Your pelvic muscle that supports your back can go into spasm when there is trauma or stress/anxiety and if spasms for a great amount of time will cause a burning sensation that you think is from your vagina (considering it is right above where you *think* the pain is. If you have tests that don't conclude you have a yeast or bacterial infection ask yourself, is the muscle down there feel like it's in a fist? If so, the muscle is exhausted and the buildup of lactic acid creates the sensation of burning and until the spasm is released, you're in an endless cycle.

I've been to 2 gynos, taken MANY doses of anti-biotics and anti-fungals and a urologist to figure this out. I've had on and off burning since Aug 2008 just to find out it is stress and anxiety related. I'm working on breaking the spasm cycle and try not to focus my attention to the area to not create any more stress. My doctor gave me Valium (a muscle relaxer) for 30 days before going to bed to break this beast. I can't wait for this to all be over with!!!

[lynsi]

Yes, after sex, and there is insuffient lubrication (I found Astroglide as best, KY burns esp. if you already have tears from wiping or sex friction) you will have slight burning. To make sure no bacteria gets in your urethra, make sure you pee right after sex. It will save you a UTI. Your exterior vaginal tissue may be sore or burn if there is friction from no moisture. Shouldn't last more than 2 days.

For those with more lasting burning pain and doctors can't figure it out - look into pelvic floor muscle spasms. Your pelvic muscle that supports your back can go into spasm when there is trauma or stress/anxiety and if spasms for a great amount of time will cause a burning sensation that you think is from your vagina (considering it is right above where you *think* the pain is. If you have tests that don't conclude you have a yeast or bacterial infection ask yourself, is the muscle down there feel like it's in a fist? If so, the muscle is exhausted and the buildup of lactic acid creates the sensation of burning and until the spasm is released, you're in an endless cycle.

I've been to 2 gynos, taken MANY doses of anti-biotics and anti-fungals and a urologist to figure this out. I've had on and off burning since Aug 2008 just to find out it is stress and anxiety related. I'm working on breaking the spasm cycle and try not to focus my attention to the area to not create any more stress. My doctor gave me Valium (a muscle relaxer) for 30 days before going to bed to break this beast. I can't wait for this to all be over with!!!

[lynsi]

Hi Ladies,
I have some questions. I've been on a search since January to find the answer to muscle spasms I seem to be having. I posted elsewhere on the message boards about pain on orgasm.

This is when I first noticed a problem. AI kind of "moving" and throbbing at orgasm. in the front part. Then it starting cramping at the left side. Last time, bad cramp on left side at orgasm, then pain that seems to be left of vagina for 1-2 days. I've had ovaries checked out. Seem to be ok. Could this be interstital cystitis? Sorry, I probly spelled it wrong.


3 doctors seem to think I have pulled pelvic muscle. Sent to chiropractor who is treating with electrical stimulation, massage and manipulation, and adjustment. Relief was coming, but after sex, pain came back. I know yr not doctors, but do you think I should go to urologist?

Thank you!

lynsi

[lynsi]

Hi, me again.

Well, after some great help from a gal on here who shall remain nameless (joliejacq) I confirmed that I am not dealing with bladder spasms but indeed pelvic floor dysfunction, in my case, brought on by an injury. ( I was working too hard on an exercise machine)
Probably already predisposed to trouble, but who knew!
Anyway, I hope all of you find relief and healing for these awful conditions..and thanks for your time and attention.


lynsi

Hi Ladies,
I have some questions. I've been on a search since January to find the answer to muscle spasms I seem to be having. I posted elsewhere on the message boards about pain on orgasm.

This is when I first noticed a problem. AI kind of "moving" and throbbing at orgasm. in the front part. Then it starting cramping at the left side. Last time, bad cramp on left side at orgasm, then pain that seems to be left of vagina for 1-2 days. I've had ovaries checked out. Seem to be ok. Could this be interstital cystitis? Sorry, I probly spelled it wrong.


3 doctors seem to think I have pulled pelvic muscle. Sent to chiropractor who is treating with electrical stimulation, massage and manipulation, and adjustment. Relief was coming, but after sex, pain came back. I know yr not doctors, but do you think I should go to urologist?

Thank you!

lynsi