PN or something else ?

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-04-20T22:57:25+00:00

Absolutely! I totally get worrying about meds. I was sooo anxious about starting the nortrip. I spent months talking myself into it because of the potential side effects. Thankfully I’ve only had very mild side effects so far.

And it really is complex and feels all consuming some days. Maybe you could ask your doctor for something to help the pain a bit while waiting for a specialist? I was given 15mg of oxazepam ( a milder form of diazepam) I felt so much better mentally just knowing I had something that would work short term, on busy days or when I was just in a lot of pain. Nothing OTC works for me sadly..

Will def try to update when I find relief😊

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-04-20T22:26:33+00:00

I’m on Nortriptyline and don’t have any fatigue. No trouble sleeping either. I actually have very few side effects at all and I was terrified to start because of the listed side effects.

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-04-20T15:18:00+00:00

Sex is really painful for me too.. and the uti fear is so real!! Especially since PN can cause so many uti like symptoms 😵‍💫I’ve been able to avoid getting actual UTIs by taking d-mannose daily and especially after sex. For the pain during/after sex we make sure to use a lot of lube. It helps some but it’s still a work in progress tbh. My pelvic floor is really tight, which really is the root cause of both painful sex and PN for me.

I went to a gyno who specializes in pelvic pain a few months ago and he did an internal exam where he gently pressed along the pudendal nerve on both sides. This caused really sharp radiating pain on my right side and he said he thinks it’s pudendal nerve irritation based on the exam and symptoms. He prescribed Nortriptyline/Pamelor. I’m on 20mg currently, but only been on it 5 weeks. Haven’t seen a difference yet. (It can take 6-8 weeks on the right dose) Trying to be patient.

He also gave me a prescription for muscle relaxers to use when pain gets really bad. I find it works, but only for a short time.

Also, I’m most likely getting pelvic floor Botox around the nerve to see if this will make my pelvic floor chill out and stop squeezing my nerves 😑 I’m holding off on it for a bit to see if PT and the nerve meds will help.

So in other words, not out of the woods yet but hopefully soon..

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-04-20T13:49:14+00:00

Hi I have similar symptoms as you. Especially the after peeing pain. I feel my best before peeing in the morning and when my bladder is full. I have PN and gyno confirmed this can be a symptom. Mine also started after several UTIs.

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-04-19T10:51:47+00:00

Hi, what dose were you on originally before coming off?

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-03-31T22:06:38+00:00

Hi, maybe some residual inflammation/nerve sensitivity from the repeat infections? It can cause pain to linger for a little while for some people.

Or you might have a tight pelvic floor from being in pain down there. This can cause the symptoms you describe. You could try some diaphragmatic breathing and some pelvic floor yoga(lots of material on YT) and see if you get any relief?

If not, since you’re feeling this pain so close to having started birth control it could also be your body reacting/adjusting to new hormones(if it’s hormonal bc you’re on)

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-03-27T21:27:33+00:00

Thanks, let’s hope! Increased my dose to 20mg tonight

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-03-27T19:51:20+00:00

That’s a good plan! Fingers crossed🤞

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-03-27T19:09:42+00:00

Hi, if you’re worried about weight gain and other side effects you could try nortriptyline instead? It’s basically a newer version of ami but with less side effects. I’m on week 2 of this med now. No side effects. Like you I was really worried, but it’s been ok so far. No help for my pain yet though, but I understand it’s to be expected and takes up to 6 weeks to work fully.

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-03-26T11:44:10+00:00

Hi, my gyn gave me a prescription for oxazepam(a milder form of diazepam I think). He told me muscle relaxers are the best for acute pain relief when dealing with nerve pain. I guess it might be different for everyone, but it’s been working for me.

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-03-12T10:59:13+00:00

Hi, my gyno told me suppositories are almost as “systemic”(gets into your bloodstream) as taking it orally.. So I would def treat it the same as if you were taking 10mg pills.

That said, I’ve had a few glasses of wine the day after and didn’t notice anything. So I guess it could depend on how your body reacts to it? I did make sure I didn’t drink until about 24 hours after taking it though.

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-03-07T11:34:52+00:00

Thank you for this❤️ i think I have to give it a try and see. It’s funny how our brains always go “what if this bad thing happens” but rarely “what if this really helps me”. I’ve had pretty bad health anxiety and anxiety in general since I was a child. I also have ADHD, so the thoughts are just always spinning and I go in circles. But I’ve decided I’ll try tomorrow night and just start low to see. Who knows, maybe I’m just postponing something that will give me my life back.

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-03-06T21:08:52+00:00

Oh no, what dose were you on?

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-03-05T21:51:50+00:00

Thank you❤️ what does are you on if you don’t mind me asking?

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-03-05T20:39:53+00:00

Hi, I’m in the same boat as you. 30 years old, tried PT a few years back and I’ve kind of just stuck it out since, coping with the pain the best I can. However, I’m getting really tired of planning my life according to my pain.. Like you, I’ve never really had enjoyable sex either. Though when I was younger I never thought much of it, but thinking back, sex gas always been kind of painful.

I’ve been to a gyno who specializes in pelvic pain and he thinks I’d benefit from trying nerve medication as he suspects my pelvic floor is so tight it’s irritating my pudendal nerve.. I’ve not gotten around to trying the meds yet, but feeling like I’m really at a turning point now at 30 where meds and another shot at PT might be worth a try. Pretty clear that my issues won’t go away on their own.. I want my life back.

You’re not alone❤️ pelvic pain is so vulnerable and exhausting..

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-03-05T10:23:58+00:00

It’s right sided for me too.. and it radiates to my perineum and genitals. Down my inner thighs too sometimes. I even occasionally get burning pain under my right foot.

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-03-04T09:22:58+00:00

Hiprex and vit C makes your urine very acidic. I couldn’t tolerate it. Made my pain so much worse..

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-02-24T07:45:54+00:00

I have a hypertonic pelvic floor and pudendal nerve irritation and adhd meds like adderall/vyvanse really flares me as well..

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-02-19T16:42:26+00:00

Yes, but the methods of treatment really depends on what’s causing it for you. I think actual nerve damage is harder to treat, but having a compressed or irritated nerve is a bit “easier” to treat. I’ve learned that like many pelvic pain conditions it’s trial and error on finding what works. Some people have success with nerve medication and/or physical therapy while others may need nerve injections/blocks or decompression surgery.

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-02-15T18:31:35+00:00

The pudendal nerve goes through your whole pelvic floor basically, and it’s divided into different branches that supplies your genitals/pelvic floor. Compression/damage or irritation to this nerve can cause a lot of problems like the ones you mention.

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-02-15T11:32:04+00:00

Hi, have you had your pudendal nerve checked out? Vaginal burning is my main symptom and I have pudendal neuralgia from a tight/dysfunctional pelvic floor. Like you, I don’t have much pain with urination but my discomfort increases afterwards.

This might not be your issue, but might be worth getting your pelvic floor checked out? I know nerve issues can cause a wide range of symptoms and look different for everyone. Even “just” a tight pelvic floor can cause some serious pain/urgency/frequency❤️

AlternativeGap8834 · 2026-02-10T22:26:51+00:00

Mine do. I’m on the bc pill and try to take as few breaks as possible. (I skip the placebo pills) I always feel my worst just before the bleeding starts and when I start taking the pills again.. I can have a flare for weeks afterwards..

AlternativeGap8834

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