TMI inside

[mrsjrd23]

PDQ and I may DD....

After 2 kids, my body has been annihilated. Horrible diastasis recti with a seemingly permanent pooch.  Stuck at a 3 finger separation and leaving me look 5 months pregnant. Being asked continuously when the baby is due except I'm 5 month pp. 

Hemorrhoids from hell. After DS, I even had a fissure which was the worst pain and the worse experience to heal from in my life. Rearing their ugly heads postpartum with DD. Severe pain when using the bathroom and after, blood occasionally. Occasional severe urgency to go to the bathroom. I live in fear of having to go to the bathroom.  I'm increasing water intake, fiber intake, stool softeners, hemorrhoid cream, presciption lidocaine gel, going to begin probiotics again, using the squatty potty for the "correct posture" to poop,  and reach out to the colorectal specialist I saw following my issues with DS.

And ever since DS was born, I have experienced horrific pain with intercourse and diagnosed with vulvodynia/vulvar vestibulitis. I've had to use prescription lidocaine gel to numb the area to allow me to tolerate sex.  Since being pregnant with DD, the lidocaine gel no longer works and I can't tolerate sex at all.  It's like being branded with a hot iron rod.  The one time DH and I have tried sex since DD was born in June ended with me in tears.  I went to PT after my son was born and it helped a little, I'm scheduled to start PT again on 12/24.  My DH has been understanding, but I fear the long term repercussions on our marriage.

And Postpartum anxiety on top of it all. Medicated for that.

Does anyone have any other suggestions to help deal with these issues? or even have some experience with them? Please PM me if you would prefer.

I feel so broken. :^)

[sjh722]

Oh man you've got a rough go of it! Sex here after DD2 has been pretty much non-existent too.

I really like my Lindsay Brin Post-Natal Slimdown DVD. She has a diastasis recti test before you start and modifies all the exercises for DR. The core workouts begin super, super slow and I think there were a ton of comments in the reviews about it helping to heal DR.

[water*drop]

Ygpm. Hugs.

[Deleted]

TMI follow up.
Can you tolerate oral sex? That might help with intimacy? And no branding iron.
Or just be present for your husband - perform on him. It does help with feeling more together. Might make you more sad.

[laurenh]

I just finished pelvic floor PT for intercourse issues and found it really helpful. I didn't have the same diagnosis as you but I'd describe the pain similarly. Did you see a specialist, or did your GYN diagnose? If you haven't already I'd definitely look for a women's/pelvic floor PT. Feel free to PM if you have any questions.

[Deleted]

What kind of doctor did you go to originally?

I'd definitely recommend going back to the doctor to a urogynecologist to be re-evaluated and have them discuss options with you.

Pelvic floor PT is also great, so hopefully you have success with that also.

[mrsjrd23]

Thank you all for your responses.

I am seeing a pelvic floor PT like I did after DS. They didn't have an appointment until 12/24.

I've seen my OB who diagnosed me and referred me to PT initially. And a colorectal surgeon regarding the fissure I had with my son. I'm going to make an appointment to go back to him. I'm not familiar with a urogynecologist @wandering. I will look into that option. My OB has mentioned surgical options for the future if needed. A lot of the pain with this condition can be caused by hormone levels that are higher in pregnancy and breastfeeding which I have either been pregnant or nursing since DS was born in dec 2012.

[preppy]

Nov 29, 2015 12:16:20 GMT -5 mrsjrd23 said:

Thank you all for your responses.

I am seeing a pelvic floor PT like I did after DS. They didn't have an appointment until 12/24.

I've seen my OB who diagnosed me and referred me to PT initially. And a colorectal surgeon regarding the fissure I had with my son. I'm going to make an appointment to go back to him. I'm not familiar with a urogynecologist @wandering. I will look into that option. My OB has mentioned surgical options for the future if needed. A lot of the pain with this condition can be caused by hormone levels that are higher in pregnancy and breastfeeding which I have either been pregnant or nursing since DS was born in dec 2012.

My mom had surgery by a urogynecologist after similar issues she lived with for 20 years. She said she wished she had done it decades sooner. I would def look into getting a referal once you are done nursing and can see if the hormones are a main factor or not.

[lolo]

I'm here to offer hugs. That's completely overwhelming and frustrating to deal with in so many ways.

[degal99]

I had pretty severe idiopathic vulvar vestibulitis prior to having my daughter (idiopathic but I blame estrogen in HBC). I did PT and had a partial vestibulectomy. I was offered other non-surgical options but I had been trying things for a year prior so I was ready to pull out the big guns.

I'm glad you've got so many resources already but one more you might want to look into is a pelvic pain specialist.

I also sought therapy because the pain, relationship issues, and broken feelings needed to be dealt with professionally for me and recommend it highly as a coping mechanism. What was important was finding a sex therapist since then I didn't have to explain what I was dealing with in addition to how I was dealing with it if that makes sense.

If you have any specific questions let me know, I'm happy to answer pretty much anything.

I wish you the best of luck in figuring everything out!