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[kp64]

Hi Everyone,
Haven’t posted for a while. Just a question, wondered if anyone can help me.  So I was on Sertraline for 11 months for health anxiety. I decided to taper of them and I’ve started to have lower pelvic pain. I’m also having a bad flare up of VA again, loads of weeing, sore the usual. Does anyone suffer from lower pain in the pelvic area with VA? I feel a bit like I’m going mad here. I’ve also got a bit of a bad back which I suffer from, could it be the back pain radiating? Any help would be so appreciated. Thanks ladies

[Joaniepat]

Yes, the pain and discomfort of VA or a UTI can cause tightening of the pelvic floor. It is a guarding reaction. A tightened pelvic floor vey often results in lower back pain (been there and done that). A specialist women's health physio can help with learning to relax and release the PF. Are you doing anything to help the flare, such as increasing local oestrogen dose?

JP x

[kp64]

Thank you for replying I didn’t know it could affect the pelvic floor. No I don’t use oestrogen creams just moisturisers for inside. I don’t think I have a UTI, health anxiety makes you think all sorts. I go for a wee and then have to go again shortly afterwards there is also a heavy feeling underneath.

[Mrs Bennet]

Hi kp54.......i am in a similar situation
feeling like a uti  but not.....pelvic pain etc......have had 2 urine samples tested....both negative.....I am awaiting an appointment with a womens health physio but with  the coronavirus malarkey i doubt whether i will get one any time soon....in the interim doctor has now suggested Vagifem every other  night.......have been doing that for past week......hoping it will help have been using Ovestin and yes products.....if you have VA you will definitely need some help......hope you get some relief soon xx

[CLKD]

You need to get some appropriate vaginal atrophy treatment kp64.  Have you read the threads here .......... keep on with the moisturiser until you get either 'vagifem' or 'ovestin' to use regularly.  As oestrogen levels drop so the body may become dry, including the vaginal area.  Let us know how you get on.  If you have the need2pee feeling, take pain relief for a few days which eases those symptoms.

[kp64]

Thank you both for your replies. I am a terrible worrier and it’s good to
Know I’m not alone.  I’ve just changed doctors and things being so awkward at the moment it’s hard to get appointments.  I’ve never had the pelvic pain before I have been on Anxiety medication which does upset the stomach at the start. I’ve now weaned if it and and it also then can cause some stomach issues so wasn’t sure if it was that. Thank you ladies so appreciate you taking time out to reply x

[Joaniepat]

You should be able to get Vagifem or Ovestin with a telephone appointment.
JP x

[kp64]

Thank you all xx

[CLKD]

I agree with Joaniepat - ring your Practice Nurse on Monday and ask for a prescription.  You don't need any examination or blood tests especially as we are in lockdown.

Lay it on a bit 

[CherrySG]

Maybe the symptoms are a sertraline withdrawal side-effect?

I've been on and off citalopram for the past 7 years and have had uti symptoms/urinary frequency on both start - up and withdrawal.

[CLKD]

Nope.  Should not be any connection with ADs etc. and VA. 

[CherrySG]

Nope.  Should not be any connection with ADs etc. and VA.

Urinary frequency and urinary retention symptoms can both be ssri related though. Maybe not for you, but are listed as an Ssri onset/wd effect.

In fact, I didn't know what VA was, until I quit citalopram for a year. But this is about the OP, not me. Just thought my experience with this might be of help to her. 

"Bladder and Bowel Problems After Antidepressants | RxISK" https://rxisk.org/bladder-and-bowel-problems-after-antidepressants/

[CLKD]

Tnx - I do wonder if these problems were present prior 2 being prescribed SSRIs but not sited in the 'research'?  Also I wonder who funded the 'research', good article overall.  Taught me a few things ..........

[CherrySG]

That was just the first article a Google search brought up, there are plenty of other papers and articles referring to urinary issues with ssris but not VA specifically. Not convinced ssris cause VA per se.

I only know about this as I've had to spend time researching this over the years to try to understand this specific problem and it's been rather grim.   
Having been on and off ssris a fair few times and experienced the same issues as the Op, saw fit to comment.

I wonder how many of us with VA symptoms actually have an embedded infection that shows up clear in the NHS cultures anyway, as discussed in Maryjane'S recent video on the subject. But that's another discussion.

[shrosphirelass]

This may not apply, but when I had issues with VA I had a feeling of dropping and was worried about prolapse. I had an appt with a women's health physio, (which was really helpful and I would recommend) and I discovered that a lot of my discomfort arose from bowel issues. She explained how all the sytems are interconnected and can therefore impact on each other.