Questions for March and April 2014 Patients

[Heather34]

Hi ladies. mlrchi, I am so, so, so happy and excited to hear that your procedure went well! I knew it would and I am so very happy for you. To the ladies who will be treated tomorrow, I just know that everything will go so well for you and you will all completely ROCK. I am so happy that you’ve been able to talk in advance of tomorrow on the Forum and get to know each other.

Dr. Pacik has written the following in an excellent thread:

“The Forum appears to have made a big difference for so many preparing for their treatment. With the amazing support that one can expect, gone are the days of intense fear and anxiety, now replaced with an empowered attitude knowing that so many have conquered their vaginismus. It may feel strange, but I have seen this shift during the past year, and it is all for the better. “Knowledge is power”. I know you will do well.”

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

[kelseroo]

What is the weather normally like in New England at the end of April?

[Heather34]

Hi kelsie. This is a good question as New England weather is so unpredictable. Having lived in Boston since 95, the majority of Aprils are very beautiful. Spring is in full season and the temps reflect this. You will see Bostonians in shorts when it is 60 degrees b/c of the very cold winters we have. LOL. I would pack rain jackets too as sometimes the famous saying “April showers bring May flowers” rings true. Here is the official typical weather in April for Boston:

“In most years, Boston averages a daily maximum temperature for April that’s between 53 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit (11 to 15 degrees Celsius). The minimum temperature usually falls between 39 and 42 °F (4 to 6 °C). The days at Boston warm rapidly during April. By the end of the month, the temperature has climbed around 11 °F (6 °C) above what it was at the start. Daytime temperatures in Boston are always above freezing in April and most days make it over 40 °F (4 °C). The city averages 3 days this month when the thermometer reaches into the 70s °F (over 20 °C). Usually for the first time in the year, one of those days gets as hot as 80 °F (27 °C). At night, the thermometer dips to 32 °F (0 °C) or below on 2 days. April gets as cold as 20 °F (-8 °C) about once a decade.”

I am so excited for you to have your procedure coming up in April and know that it will be go so, so well and be life-changing. Sending hugs. :):):)

[sarah25]

Hi ladies,
My procedure is in two weeks!
I’m not even sure how I am feeling, I am so nervous and at the same time excited that this could be it. I have started getting my things together for the trip and can not believe that the day is nearly here; how I am going to focus at work the next week or so is beyond me.
How is everyone else doing? Anyone else due to have their procedure on the week of the 31st March?

[Heather34]

Hi sarah. Huge Congrats on your upcoming procedure on 3/31. I am so, so, so excited for you and I know it is going to go so well. I felt close to every emotion imaginable prior to my procedure, from extremely nervous to very excited and so many more. I know, again, that this is going to go so well for you and the other gals being treated and it will be life-changing in so many ways.

I also 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 as well as all of the other upcoming March and April gals huge hugs and support. We are all here for you!!!

[mlrchi]

Hi Sarah,

Congratulations on scheduling your procedure! I have mine scheduled as well, but I will be there next Monday. I can’t believe a week from today I will be heading to the airport in NH having completed the procedure and counseling! I am going by myself because my partner has no interest in the clinical aspect of this condition and I thought he would be so uncomfortable there that I would rather just go by myself to concentrate on me.

If you want to email me post-procedure to see how mine went, I have no problem with Dr. Pacik’s office sharing my email address. I am not bringing my personal computer, but I will be available next Wednesday to give you the scoop if you want!

Good luck to the both of us!

mlrchi

[Heather34]

Hi mlrchi! I am so, so, so excited for you to have your procedure next week. I know that it is going to go so well for you and be absolutely life-changing!!! Please keep us updated when you are up in NH and know that we are all here to support you!!! I live close by in Boston and checked the weather forecast for next week in Manchester and it is going to be around 34 on Monday and Tuesday but sunny both days. Sending you hugs!!!!

[mlrchi]

Thanks Heather, you are unbelievably sweet!

[ValentinaD]

Hi Sarah25 and Mlrchi!
My name is Valentina and I will be having my procedure on March 31! I am sharing your nervousness/excitement as well right now! Hard to concentrate on other things, I can’t wait to be “on the other side” (of the procedure 😛 )
Good luck Mlrchi for next week! I know we’re in good hands, so all will be ok 😉 Give us news when you’re done!
Can’t wait to meet you Sarah! it’s nice to know that someone else will be there too on the same day 🙂

[Heather34]

Hi ladies. Mrlchi, I hope you have the chance to read this once you arrive in NH tonight as well as the other gals who will be treated tomorrow! Everything is going to go so, so well for you all and you are in absolutely excellent care with Dr. Pacik, Janet Pacik, Ellen, and all of the staff. Sending you and the others huge hugs. Please know we are all here to support you.

I also wanted to share some excellent words from Dr. Pacik:

“There are a thousand worries that the average patient has as the day of treatment approaches. “What ifs” tend to be all consuming. There comes a point that it helps to simply allow the flow to take you along its course. I often tell (my worried surgical patients) that they should think of their surgery or treatment as a ride in the car. They put their seat belts on (these are the many safety monitors we have throughout the operating and recovery room) and I’ll take them for a safe ride. I know the route and I am a safe driver. For my vaginismus patients where the treatment has a high level of safety, but anxiety rears its ugly head, the same can be true to help stem the normal anxiety that takes place. There is not much more anyone can say. The day comes and goes, much like any other day. Now you are on one side, then you have stepped across and you are on the other side.”

[mlrchi]

Thanks Heather, I am in NH all checked into the hotel and was lucky enough to meet Ellen. Looking forward to meeting everyone else tomorrow and finally being on the other side of this issue :). Thanks again for all of your support!

mlrchi

[Heather34]

This is excellent mlrchi! Welcome to NH!!! Ellen is a wonderful person and so, so knowledgeable about vaginismus. At this time tomorrow, you will be on the other side of vaginismus!!! Yaaaay! Sending huge hugs!!!! :):):):):)

[Heather34]

Good luck to mlrchi and the other ladies who will be treated today! Everything is going to go so, so well for you!!!! Sending up positive thoughts and hugs this morning!!!

[Rachael]

Hi. I’m Rachael. My husband Jim and I will be their Monday the 31st.. I’m very nervous. This has got to work..and I hope I can manage to do my part. Quite a mental hurdle of failed attempts to overcome. More concerned and nervous about the process after the procedure.

[Heather34]

Hi Rachael! Welcome to the Forum. I am so, so excited for you and Sarah and Valentina to have your procedures on Monday. Please, please know we are all here to support you. I was very, very nervous prior to my procedure and also shared the same fears of whether I would be able to do my part and the process post-procedure as well. For me, it took going through it and then doing it with my hubby by my side to know that I could. I was never able to insert a thing prior to my procedure and post-procedure, I was able to dilate pain-free and have pain-free intercourse 7 days following. What helped me so much is the support of my hubby through it all and also so many aspects of the program, including Dr. Pacik’s incredibly caring nature, his follow-up once you are home post-procedure, the help and support of his staff while in NH, bonding with the other girls who will be treated on the same day, and just so many more elements. Please know that you will be so well taken care of while in NH and the procedure and whole experience will go so, so well!!! Sending positive thoughts and hugs your way from Boston!!!