anyone have success with urethra pain?

I was just wondering if anyone out there has had success in ridding themselves of constant urethra pain. My urologist says I have urethra atrophy. I have been using Premarin cream in that area for 3 months now. The bladder spasms are better-hardly ever have them now. However, the urethra issue is always there. Some days I can handle the pain, but some days I can not. It is a raw burning (like having a urinary tract infection). I have tried almond milk, pyridium, and valium. the valium seems to help the most, but I hate to take that all the time. I also have been careful about diet, no coffee, tea, chocolate, acidic foods. My urologist insists that he has seen hundreds of women with this same issue, so I know there has to be someone out there who has a success story. He says I will have to use the cream all my life, but that the pain should subside. It is frustrating to have a few good days and think-yea! I am finally over this and then to go back to severe pain the next day and not know the cause. My urologist has checked my bladder and says it looks fine, but that my urethra is very irritated. Anyone out there have a cure or success or painfree after these symptoms?
donna

Hi domwa - so sorry to hear that you are still having troubles.I know exactly what you mean....

I am actually a lot better since I switched to Vagifem. It does seem that my previous vaginal cream was adding to my soreness and after 2 weeks on Vagifem, I am actually beginning to notice an improvement..... I daren't say it too loudly!!! I am so grateful that I am not reacting to the vagifem - again I hope I am not speaking too soon.

I may have asked you this before, but could it be that you could do with a change of cream?

hi scriv,

Good to hear from you. Yes, I asked my urologist about the cream being an irritant and he looked at me like I was crazy. He said "no way" Before I went to him I did try a compounded Estriol cream.. It burned worse than the premarin, but maybe that meant it was doing it's job. I don't know. I will ask my Gyn about Vagifem on Monday and see what he thinks. Is Vagifem a systemic or a local estrogen?

So glad to hear you are doing better. It gives me hope. The last two days have been unbearable. I took a Valium today and so far it has been better. I just don't want to get hooked on it so I try to not take it unless I am just dying. When my urologist did my cystoscopy and said my bladder was fine I was so happy that I did not have IC. That was what I was most afraid of. I guess it just takes time to build those tissues back up. I just don't understand why some days are pretty good and others are horrible. It seems like once it has healed it would be good all the time.

Anyway, good to hear from you. Is it turning Spring in your part of the world? We are beginning to get some green here and we are loving it.
Donna

Vagifem is a local vaginal estradiol estrogen and comes in a tiny vaginal tablet. Each tablet is in its own tiny applicator which you throw away after use.

I still think that the estriol cream upset me, as I had all the symptoms of pregnancy and it is the pregnancy hormone.I have a few signs that Vagifem is getting into the system, but I seem to be able to tolerate it well. I was on an estradiol patch for 12 years, so maybe my body is used to it. Anyway, I don't seem to be reacting to it and it does seem to soothe sometimes. I have actually slept through the night for the last two nights and was able to go from 09. 30 to 5 30 pm without a wee on Monday!!!
I think it does take a long time for these tissues to build up again, but I do ask how long do we have to suffer???

Yes, it is spring here and the trees are starting to blossom and the daffodils flowering - but we are due some snow on Monday!!!

I have interstitial cystitis and one of my main symptoms was burning, stinging urethral pain after a pee. I found that 10 mg of Elavil at bedtime which is a muscle relaxant (Valium is also) was the best thing for it along with a good systemic estrogen load.
Urethral pain is usually due to nerve damage, and can even be referred pain from the pelvic floor or lower back. After a Hyster depending on the type and skill of the physician some nerve damage is bound to occur.
I rarely have urethral pain now, but I think the Elavil 10 mg (a tiny dose) was the most help.
Sammi

Dear Sami4,
I didn't realize I could have IC with just urethra pain. Since my urologist said my bladder looked good and he didnt think it was IC. I am hoping that is not what it is.
I am not sure my gyn will prescribe me Elavil, but I am going to ask on Monday during my appt. The pain has been so bad this week, I have been in bed most of the time. I know my hormones are probably low which isn't helping any.
Thanks for your reply. Hopefully, I can give Elavil a try. Maybe that will help with the depression also.
Donna

What does he mean by "your bladder looks good?" Did he do a cystoscopy and hydrodistention or did he do an in office cystoscopy? An in office cystoscopy usually will not show up any bladder irregularities and that is done under anesthesia as an outpatient.
You may not have IC, urethral pain can also be referred from the pelvic floor and lower back nerves.
During any gyno surgery nerves are cut and sometimes the blood supply is never the same and they can get caught in a pain loop.
Yes, if you can get them to give you 10 mg Elavil RX just try it for two weeks and see if it helps? They use that for nerve pain of Shingles also, weather its coming from IC, pelvic floor or nerve damage, the Elavil will help.
Best of luck,
Sammi

Sammi,
How long did it take for you to get relief once you started on the Estrogen therapy and the Elavil?

Elavil takes about 5-10 days to build up in your system, every day is a little better. Estrogen, depending on the manner in which you absorb and how it is administered can take about 4 weeks to get a systemic blood level, but each day is better also.
Sammi

Hi,
I have been experiencing terrible urethra burning for over a month (have IC but have been symptom free for years.) I just found out my estrogen is very low. Estrace cream burned terribly my gyno said not to try it again because of the urethra pain. I just started the patch and I think we may be on to something - no burning all day. Maybe ask your dr for a patch instead of the cream??

P.s.
Hi Sami, I guess we frequent the same boards!!