Success Stories
Find support and treatment options from participants and Maze Women’s Health staff.
Home › Forums › Vaginismus Support Group › Vaginismus Success Stories › Success Stories
-
AuthorPosts
-
January 15, 2012 at 5:45 pm #9548Heather34Participant
@ Rebecca, welcome to the forum and CONGRATULATIONS on your tremendous success!!!! Woooooh – 150!!!! You wrote, “I decided to ask a different gynecologist about using botox to treat vaginismus and he thought it was too drastic and that I should see a psychologist, but he knew nothing about the procedure and seemed to be very close minded about it.” I’m so sorry that this happened to you. It is, unfortunately, common to have happen with physicians and clinicians who don’t understand the condition and inspires me to want to do more to advocate and educate regarding the condition as a whole and this treatment. I wrote an earlier post today under the Vaginismus Advocacy category regarding the need to educate physicians and clinicians on the condition of vaginismus and this treatment. You also wrote “I had never been under anesthesia before, but once it was over, I realized I was worrying over nothing.” This is a very, very common fear. I remember being terrified about it and, too, later realized that this was solely anticipatory-anxiety. Also, the anesthesiologist is so nice and makes you feel comfortable as well. Finally, you wrote “after about twenty minutes of trying, it worked!” Woooooooh … this is EXCELLENT and I congratulate you on this huge step!!! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us and it was very educational to read as you have so recently had the procedure! I look forward to reading more of your posts.
January 16, 2012 at 1:44 pm #9559MayflowerParticipantHi Rebecca,
Congratulations! This treatment was a savior for us too. My only regret was why didn’t we know about this sooner. I’m glad that you found about it early and were able to overcome at the age of 19. Me and my husband had struggled with vag for 7 years before we overcame it. But, better late than never 🙂
January 16, 2012 at 7:00 pm #9561Rebecca227Participant@ Heather, thank you! And it really is ridiculous how little doctors know about it. I hope vaginismus becomes a lot more well known because no one should have to go through years of trying to figure out what’s wrong and what to do about it, and I’m glad to help 🙂
@ Mayflower, yes it definitely is 🙂 I can’t imagine 7 years, I thought a year and a half was long. It was a huge relief to find this treatment though 🙂
January 17, 2012 at 8:39 pm #9566Heather34Participant@ Mayflower, welcome to the forum and I loved reading your post. My sincere CONGRATULATIONS on your tremendous success!!!!
January 30, 2012 at 10:44 pm #9628monyoh45ParticipantMy name is Monic from Tesxas and as most of you, I’ve suffered from vaginismus as long as I can remember. My doctor told me that my only option was a dilator which I tried and failed many times. I have been married to my wonderful husband for two years. it is so encouraging to hear your success stories. I have my appointment with Dr. Pacik in Feb 7th. My fingers are crossed and am so exited to meet Dr Pacik and the stuff. Hopefully next time I post something it will be my success stories. Wish me luck!!
January 30, 2012 at 11:48 pm #9629Heather34ParticipantHi Monic and welcome to the forum! Congratulations on being booked for 2/7! You are in excellent hands with Dr. Pacik and his amazing staff and the procedure truly is life-changing!!! I just had mine in June and would be happy to answer any questions that you may have prior to the procedure. You wrote about failing with dilators. Prior to the procedure, I too tried so many different times to dilate on my own and each and every time failed at this. I honestly couldn’t even insert a q-tip without extreme pain and anxiety. I never thought that I could do the dilating. Then, you literally wake up with the dilator already in place and are just so, so surprised at how you are able to take it out and re-insert it pain-free. You will do GREAT and we are all here for you!!! Please ask any questions at all that you may have prior to the procedure.
February 5, 2012 at 12:49 pm #9649emilylrParticipantMy name is Emily, I am 43 years old and I have had vaginismus since I was 19. I have experienced 24 years of pain, guilt, embarrassment and sadness due to vaginismus. My story is as follows…I became sexually active at age 17 without any pain or problems. Vaginismus settled in 6 months after I began dating my current husband. We started our relationship with a pain free sex life, but an emotional reaction on my end to an extended separation lead to the onset of vaginismus. It felt like I just woke up one day and intercourse became unbearably painful. I experienced a burning, searing, intense pain that took my breath away and made me so fearful of intimacy. Intercourse became a dreaded experience that became less and less frequent. Thankfully for me, this wonderful man I was dating (now my husband) was so understanding, patient and loving. I have a very close relationship with my sisters and my parents as well and over the years, everyone has helped me research vaginismus, identify treatments that may help and have been incredibly supportive. I have been able to use tampons all along with just a little discomfort. Gyn exams were possible, but I broke out in a cold sweat and had to do deep breathing due to the pain of being examined. I feel like I have tried everything out there as far as treatments go. I have seen numerous gyn doctors & specialists, psychiatrists and psychologists over the years. I have tried bio-feedback, hypnosis, acupuncture, numbing products and dilation using the wrong dilators (the dilators I was given in the past were not graduated in size and were made of rigid materials). I had an unsuccessful experience with Botox injections because the gyn I saw in Seattle, WA put the injections in the wrong locations. 10 days after the Botox injections, I began having bladder and urethra pain. Many visits later to one Urologist after another, and to a physical therapist, the belief is that the Botox was injected too close to my bladder. When some of the muscles were effected by Botox, it put a strain on the other muscles surrounding the bladder and urethra. It took months to figure out how to relieve this new daily pain sensation in my bladder (it was not caused by any infections). Finally I found that a low dose of Valium helped relieve the pain. I am still on Valium today, 3 years later because when I ease myself off, the bladder pain returns. The Botox did nothing to ease the Vaginismus pain…so if you are thinking of trying a Botox treatment, certainly go to Dr. Pacik.
I was only able to tolerate intercourse if I completely numbed the internal vaginal muscles with Lidocaine. That had its own side effects and problems. Using the Lidocaine products over time hyper-sensitized the vaginal skin and then I began having allergic reactions to the different lubrications I tried. Many doctors told me that the pain I was experiencing would go away after I had a child. I gave birth to our son (a vaginal delivery) when I was 30 years old. He was an 8 pound baby…so plenty of stretching happened. Sadly, the pain was still there after I recovered from the delivery. As the years went by and the pain was still as intense, I became more and more discouraged that I would never be able to have pain free intercourse again. Thankfully, I have not given up and that thin thread of determination lead me to Dr. Pacik. I knew from the moment I saw his website and started reading all the posted information that I had finally found the right person to help me. Dr. Pacik’s knowledge of vaginismus and all the emotional baggage that accompanies it is truly amazing. I was so impressed by his level of personal communication as soon as I contacted his office. Through phone calls, Skype conversations and emails, we agreed upon a course of treatment. I was not able to fly to N.H. to have the Botox treatment, so we committed to a long distance treatment relationship that focused on dilation only. I knew in my heart that I would have success with the dilators and Dr. Pacik believed in me 100%. While I was waiting to receive the “Pure Romance” dilators he recommended, Dr. Pacik suggested I read his book and other publications on vaginismus, which were extremely informative and liberating. Knowledge is power! Once I received the dilators, Dr. Pacik instructed me on how to begin and asked me to email him daily about my progress. I started out with dilating in the morning and evening using the smaller dilators. I slept with a dilator inserted every other night. Dr. Pacik was very supportive and helped me not get discouraged when I would feel any burning sensations after dilations. I am 8 months into my dilation treatment with Dr. Pacik and I have progressed up to using the largest 2 dilators without pain. With proper dilation beforehand, I have even achieved pain free intercourse a few times! I know daily dilation will be in my future for awhile since like all muscles, the vaginal wall muscles need to be stretched so they can stay flexible. I truly can not express my gratitude to Dr. Pacik and all the wonderful people who work with him. I whole-heartedly recommend working with Dr. Pacik in whatever capacity can be arranged.
February 6, 2012 at 3:47 pm #9652Heather34ParticipantHi Emily and welcome to the forum. Thank you so, so much for sharing your story with us. You wrote “I have experienced 24 years of pain, guilt, embarrassment, and sadness due to vaginismus.” I’m so very sorry that you had to experience this. I, too, spent several years of my life suffering with this condition in silence and telling absolutely nobody how truly horrible I felt about it. This is exactly why I feel so strongly about advocating and doing whatever I can do to spread the word about vaginismus and Dr. Pacik’s treatment program. I would love for it to become so well known that women no longer have to go to numerous different doctors and clinicians as we had to.
You also wrote about the birth of your son. One of the most common vaginismus myths that I have heard of is that it would simply disappear with childbirth. This, again, is just that – a myth created by uninformed doctors and clinicians who truly do not understand the condition of vaginismus.
You also wrote “thankfully, I had not given up and that thin thread of determination lead me to Dr. Pacik.” This is so, so touching and so wonderful to read. Your determination paid off in the ultimate way!!!
You further described the progressive dilation treatment program and wrote “I knew in my heart that I would have success with the dilators and Dr. Pacik believed in me 100% … Dr. Pacik was very supportive and helped me not get discouraged when I would feel any burning sensations after dilations … I am 8 months into my dilation treatment and have progressed to using the largest 2 dilators without pain … I have even achieved pain free intercourse a few times!” This is so, so wonderful to read and my sincere CONGRATULATIONS on your tremendous success! You have overcome so much and, again, your story is very, very inspirational and touching. I look very forward to reading more of your posts!
February 6, 2012 at 10:48 pm #9657Dr. PacikParticipantEmily has been great to work with and moved right along with all my suggestions. I asked her to comment on the complications she experienced with the Botox because nothing should be left unsaid. She did have a complication, and I have no idea where or how the Botox was injected. In my own series of 150 patients I have had two cases of minor stress incontinence (loss of a few drops of urine with straining) both of which resolved after four months. I have had NO major complications from the Botox, and my patients continue to be successful in well over 90% of those treated. The Botox treatment program for vaginismus takes into account many facets to help overcome vaginismus. These include well placed Botox injections into the spastic muscles, progressive dilation under anesthesia, supervised dilation in the recovery area, post procedure counseling, and careful follow up and support for as long as possible after the treatment. When any of these elements are omitted, there is less likelihood for success. Read Julisa’s story.
http://www.vaginismusmd.com/stories/success-in-51-days/ She was treated twice with Botox, both times without any post procedure support.February 10, 2012 at 9:18 pm #9670monyoh45ParticipantThank you very much for the good luck Heather it did work. And what a wonderful story Emily.
After struggling with vaginismus for 18 years with no answer for it finally I was able to see Dr. Pacik and get the botox treatment on Feb 7th. It was so amaizing and beyound my capacity to control my joy when Dr. Pacik came and told me that I have the blue dilator inside me. I thought it was a joke but it was for real. It feels like I am still dreaming. I am able to dilate with pink without no problem and with a little discomfort the blue.
I have no words to express my gratitude to Dr. Pacik and his staff. The most wonderful and supportive people in the whole wide world. You all will remain in my heart. Thank you so much.February 11, 2012 at 7:08 am #9671Dr. PacikParticipantIt was so wonderful treating you and your two roomies. What a joy for me also!! and you did just great!
February 11, 2012 at 10:16 am #9672Heather34ParticipantWhat a wonderful story Monic! Wooooooooh! HUGE CONGRATS to you!!! You wrote “It was so amazing and beyond my capacity to control my joy when Dr. Pacik came and told me that I have the blue dilator inside me.” This is so, so wonderful to read and I just knew you would have tremendous success with Dr. P and this program!!!!! I’m so happy for you!!!!
February 13, 2012 at 9:06 pm #9678Heather34Participant“Thank you very much for the good luck Heather it did work.” Congrats again Monic! Can you believe it’s only been a week tomorrow since your procedure? It’s truly amazing how much life changes after having this procedure ladies. Monic, as you just had it done last week, what tips do you have for future patients who have their procedure scheduled later in February and early March???
February 15, 2012 at 10:00 pm #9684Dr. PacikParticipantValentine’s Day Successes
Another wonderful week at the clinic. Three ladies and their mates from diverse backgrounds, and from around the US, celebrated Valentine’s Day (one of whom also celebrated her birthday) were treated for their vaginismus. All made astounding progress and two of the patients inserted their own GYN speculums during a mock GYN exam, something they never thought they could do.
This week marked another success, the delivery of our glass dilators to make dilation more comfortable. Three sizes identical to the Pure Romance purple #4, pink #5 and blue #6 are now available through our office. Because they are 1/2 the length of the pink dilator they are much more comfortable. It is easy to walk around with these in place and sleeping is more comfortable. Two of our women tested them overnight, and they were a hit. Gone is the disc which rubs against the inner thighs, replaced with a flange that looks like the brim of a hat. These are now available through the office. They are made of tempered glass and can withstand 2000 pounds per square inch, therefore do not break even if they fall on a floor. They are very smooth and easy to insert.
The dilators are the result of a collaboration between Shellie form Crystal Delights, Ellen and myself , designing what we felt was needed and was missing from other designs. These dilators are made in New Hampshire by a local glass blower. More can be read http://www.vaginismusmd.com/?s=crystalFebruary 27, 2012 at 1:04 pm #9704LifiParticipantHi everyone! I just wanted to add my real success story 🙂 This weekend, my husband and I had intercourse for the first time!!!!!!!! It was the first time in my life! I mostly just stared at my husband in pure shock thinking ‘this is really happening!!!’ He must have been weirded out a little, but was nice enough not to tell me 🙂
It happened 2 months after i started the treatment via the internet!!! I just wanted to tell you about it in case any of this can help someone else 🙂
I dilated all night, then again while we warmed each other up.. then I was ready for him. He went in smoothly!!! At times, it did hurt a little, but that is when he liked it most.. and other times, I actually enjoyed it!!! (but those times, he wasn’t as erect), but the amazing thing is that it actually felt really nice!!! It was our first attempt, but not our last! I imagine it will take some time before we both can be satisfied at the same time. Neither of us climaxed, but we were on a high of actually being able to have sex!
THANK YOU DR PACIK! You have changed our lives!
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.