[Hanna]

Hi 23years,

Yes, it was a burning type of pain for me too. At first I thought it was just because there was so much activity down there now, but then I realised I could feel the stretching sensation too. It really only lasted a couple of days, and in week 2 I felt it a couple more times but no where near the same level.

To any other ladies reading this that are about to start, or have just started, their dilating journey, there are a couple of things to note from my experience as I would hate to think that discussing pain while dilating would put anyone off from going through with this procedure: –

1) It was nothing I couldn’t handle! I pushed my body to the limit I knew it could go to. It was only temporary discomfort, it progressively got better, – and quite quickly too.

2) Have something ready to be a distraction for you. We had loaded some TV shows that I like onto our laptop, so I could lay on the bed in the hotel while dilating and get lost in TV land. It totally helped take my mind off any pain.

3) I had read that it was good to take Ibuprofen to keep on top of any pain for those first few days. I kept forgetting to do this, and so would take it once I had already started feeling pain! It probably would have made a difference if I had taken a dose a bit before dilating.

4) I got my period 6 days post procedure and I definitely felt a difference the day before – it was a different kind of tenderness.

5) I also had a little extra surgery – my hymenal band had to be snipped as it was very tight, so that may have contributed to the discomfort.

6) Most importantly – It never got me down! Even during dilation on day 3, which was the worst for me, I was sooooo happy! It is impossible to put into words that overwhelming feeling of elation, I was doing something that I never thought I would be able to do, and nothing was going to get me down! It gets so much easier too, now it is so comfortable that I often forget that I am dilating……

[Hanna]

Hi Cherryblossom123. That is so nice – your Mum is just lovely! I often wonder how you and Alice14 are doing, we are just in the process of sorting through the photo’s from the trip, so we will have to send you both the group photo. We had a fantastic holiday, dilating is going really good, and now we are home settling in to winter :/ and no matter how warm and cozy our house is – the dilators and lube are FREEZING cold! Haha.

[Hanna]

Hi cherryblossom123. Thanks for sharing your story, I really identify with you feeling like this was going to be your burden that you had to bear. It’s so nice to hear you are doing so good!! How I wish I could have found Dr Pacik when I was 22! You have it all ahead of you now, and you deserve every wonderful thing that comes your way. Say Hi to your Mum too xx

[Hanna]

Hi there, I am just over 4 weeks post procedure at the moment. I had quite some pain while dilating on days 3-5 post procedure. For me the pain wasn’t during the insertion, but it was while they were in. We holidayed in NY after the procedure, and I just remember coming out of the bathroom after inserting, walking all funny from the discomfort. Every part of my being just wanted to rip that dilator out – but instead I spent the first 15 mins kneeling on the floor of the hotel with my forehead resting on the bed, just concentrating on my breathing. Thereafter I watched a TV show to keep my mind off the discomfort. For me, I definitely found the first 15 mins with each dilator during those few days the hardest part, so if I could distract myself with something it was a lot easier. I also remember telling my husband from my position on the hotel floor “The ladies on the forum said there could be bad days – this must just be one of those, so it will pass”. Those experiences I had read really helped me to focus on the big picture, and not the temporary pain I was experiencing. And it did pass too. Now I am dilating with very little discomfort. I am over the moon with my progress so far, I have to pinch myself everyday – I can’t believe I am doing this!

[Hanna]

Just want to wish KatieG07 and heather123, and the third lady (if there are 3), all the best for tomorrow. Be prepared to be amazed! You are in great hands – Dr Pacik and his staff are incredible! The first day is just full of emotion and euphoria, and what really impressed me the second day is that Dr Pacik gave all 3 of us ladies different dilation schedules to follow for that day. He knew how each of us were coping, what we were capable of and tailored a process for us individually that we could each accomplish. He really is amazing. I know it is going to go great for you all, and look forward to reading an update!

[Hanna]

Hi Ladies – had my procedure today, and it all went great. I was soooo nervous about needles and about being put to sleep, but there was nothing to worry about! I actually woke up feeling like I had just had a great sleep! My husband was there for the whole thing so he filled me in on what the spasms were like etc.. I had a really tight hymenal band – which had to be snipped, so there was a bit more blood than I expected when I took out the dilator to use the bathroom, which gave me a fright, but apparently that is normal if you have to have that done. I am still so amazed that it worked – it’s hard to put into words how life changing this is! I know it’s a long road ahead still, but I now have proof that I am ‘normal’.

[Hanna]

Hi Cherryblossom123. Wow! We really are going to be the United Nations of Vaginismusmd! Look forward to meeting you. Just over a week to go…eeeeeee! Safe travels.

[Hanna]

@sandy @hopeful57 – Wishing you all the best for Monday! Look forward to hearing how it all goes.

[Hanna]

@Heather34 Thanks so much for your reply – the experiences from yourself and the other ladies on the forum have really helped to calm my nerves, reading all the first hand stories of the whole process, struggles, victories etc have been so helpful, and also to realise that everything I feel leading up to the procedure is quite normal! I am really looking forward to being able to post a success story too!

[Hanna]

Hi Alice!

It’s so nice to hear from another 6/2-er! Can you believe that in only 5 weeks the procedure will be done?! I’m so excited and nervous all at the same time.

The anesthesia fear is not silly at all – I feel exactly the same. I have never been put under anesthesia before either, and I worry that I will be semi aware of what is happening. I don’t like the thought of being completely out of control so I feel like I might instinctively fight it? I was getting quite stressed about it (also have huge fear of needles!), but somehow I have come to terms with it. I just keep thinking about how cool it is going to be to wake up after the procedure. This is going to be life changing!

Look forward to meeting you soon!

[Hanna]

Hi there, I am another June patient (6/2). I am at the polar extreme to Katie in that we are travelling a long way from overseas to have this procedure done – 3 flights, 29 hours total – just to get to New York! Then we are driving to Boston for the weekend, before making our way to Manchester on Sunday night. All very exciting!

My biggest fear is that I don’t wake up with the dilator in place. Like I am going to be the one person it won’t work for. I guess that is a common worry, since we are used to being disappointed!

Anyways, would love to hear if anyone else has 6/2 as their procedure date…

[Author]

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