Pre-procedure Fears?

[Kimberly]

I’d love to hear from anyone who has already successfully had this procedure, did you have any irrational fears going into it?
Because I know I do. Things like “What if something goes wrong and I end up worse than I was before?” “What if they start doing the procedure and realize its something else besides vaginismus that’s causing the problem, and cant help me?” “What if Im the one case where it doesn’t work?”

I finally booked my appointment for August 26th today. And if all goes well with the financing I will finally be able to solve this 😀 But I think I am just having some pre-procedure anxiety.

[Heather34]

Hi Kimberly. Huge Congrats on your recent procedure. So sorry that I was unable to reply to this post in July as I had taken a break from the Forum following the birth of our son. Please know that pre-procedure fears and anxiety are so, so common and I felt like I experienced close to every single emotion prior to my own procedure, from extremely nervous to very excited and so many more.

As Dr. Pacik is now referring women to an excellent group in New York who also will provide the Botox treatment program, I wanted to share with you and the ladies a wonderful story and thread that was posted in January of 2012, the very beginning of this Forum. Lou, a patient from England, wrote the following:

Lou: Excerpt – “Hi, I’m Lou and I’m 32 years old. I’ve had vaginismus for as long as I can remember. I’ve tried lots of different “treatments” and have seen therapists, doctors, nurses and so called specialists but no one has been able to really help and I’ve never felt like any of them truly understood. It’s been really humiliating & frustrating. I’m booked in for the Botox treatment next week and I’m getting more and more nervous about it. What if it doesn’t work? I’m also nervous of the actual procedure itself. To help my nerves, I’m trying to get myself as prepared as possible. I live in the uk so me & my husband are flying across on Saturday. Ellen has sent me a list of a few items to bring such as pillow, tight shorts, etc.”

Thereafter, she received the following replies from previously treated patients:

Tabia: Excerpt – “I’m Tabia, a 37 year old former Vaginismus sufferer. I was treated in July. Lou, I thought the same thing but I tell you IT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE! Having had the same feeling that you did, I don’t think anyone can actually prepare you for what’s about to happen but trust me after suffering for 22 years, I began operating like I have been having sex for years after 2 weeks. Best of luck to you on your new journey!”

Alyx: Excerpt – “I’m Alyx and I had the procedure done in September. I’ve been able to dilate up to big blue in 3 months what I couldn’t do in 6 years… I was molested as a child and never realized I had vaginismus until I was married. Could never insert a tampon, have a gyn exam, or any type of penetration whatsoever. Researched by myself and found vaginismus, brought this to my doc and then received a diagnosis. I’ve been through 1 primary care, 1 gyn, 2 physical therapists, craniosacral therapy, 2 talk therapists, 1 psychologist (they said I’d become depressed), and 2 marriage counselors… I truly felt as though having this procedure was my last stand, so to speak. I’m currently working on transitioning with my hubby. I know how some of you feel. I was absolutely petrified to have the procedure, but as someone told me the initial fear is the worst part. Just know, this procedure works, I promise. I feel like if its working for me, it can work for anyone.”

Orangemocha: Excerpt – “I found Dr. Pacik’s website after countless hours of web-searching. I did extensive research into his facility and the procedure, and its non-invasive nature and strong focus on dilation training and sex counseling sounded very promising. My doctors were completely unfamiliar with the relatively new Botox procedure, and were convinced that the PT sessions would work if I just “gave it more time.” Unfortunately, as a Lamont level 5, I could barely tolerate even the smallest of dilators – home dilation exercises were next to impossible. After the initial consultation, thorough research on the procedure, and thorough one-on-one communication with Dr. Pacik, I was thrilled to give this a shot. So in June 2011, my fiance and I spent two days in New Hampshire as I underwent the Botox procedure. On the first day, I talked with Dr. Pacik and his staff before the procedure, and everyone was so kind and reassuring. The anesthesiologist even personally introduced himself! I also especially remember Ellen as being so cheerful and calming every step of the way. They encouraged my fiance to hold my hand as they put me under, and he was there throughout the whole procedure. Dr. Pacik explained the entire procedure to him as it was occurring, and he was able to see my muscle spasms first-hand. When I woke up about 30 minutes later with the blue dilator (largest size!) inside me with no pain, I burst into tears because I was so happy. The second day was extensive dilation training, sex counseling… I went home feeling so empowered and hopeful. It’s been about six months since I had the procedure done, and I am virtually pain free!! Life without vaginismus IS possible, and you are NOT alone. =)”

Diana: Excerpt – “Happy Sunday ladies! I just want to let everybody pre-procedure know that there is nothing to worry about. I had the procedure done 4 months ago, I was so excited the night before that could barely had some sleep. I remember picturing myself post-procedure and being able to dilate and have intercourse, I think that helped lowering any anxiety. Please do try that, I know it will help you. My husband Nicholas and I spent 7 years trying to figure out the reason I was not able to have any kind of penetration, we went to at least 15 different doctors in 3 different states and 2 countries. Nothing helped. When we first found out about Dr. Pacik, we felt that there was hope again! However we kept giving other therapies the chance to help and let another year go by with very little improvement. It was then that we knew we had to try botox. Everything went so smoothly that we just wish we had done this earlier. Good luck to everyone!”

2 weeks following her procedure, Lou posted the following: “I had the procedure just over two weeks ago and it has been a success! We managed intercourse on day 11 which is something we never imagined! We have to keep on practicing & dilating to get used to it and make it more natural but this has just been amazing! I’ve made more progress in 2 weeks than I had in 10+ years!”

In November of 2013, Lou and her husband welcomed a beautiful baby boy.

Sending you all hugs and support always!!! :):):):)