Sexual problems with PTSD

Hi everyone,

I have also posted this question in the fibromyalgia board, but I am now thinking that it is more relevant to my anxiety than it is to my fibromyalgia. So I would like your ideas too, please

I would appreciate some advice on a sensitive matter.

I was married a few weeks ago and I have not yet been able to have sex with my husband. Pain at his touch is an issue, where sometimes I can enjoy foreplay and other times I cannot. He is very loving and does not continue unless I am enjoying myself, so unfortunately we have rarely gotten far in any of our attempts. On the few occasions that we have reached the point of penetration, it seems that I have vaginismus and I experience extreme pain. (I believe this is partially because I was sexually abused as a child and have PTSD, and partially because the fibromyalgia increases my sensation of pain.) We have been using a hypoallergenic lubricant. I was wondering if anyone would have any advice for me on how to decrease the pain and increase the pleasure with sex.

Thank you in advance.

Hi Scaredy Cat,

Thank you for your response. I am feeling very lonely today so a response from someone means a lot.

I was seeing a clinical psychologist earlier this year, particularly in regard to the PTSD. We have been working through quite a few of the traumatic experiences that I have had, and are still in the process of dealing with the sexual abuse trauma. It certainly will take time to heal. I haven't seen him for over 3 months because he took a break from work, then I took a break from therapy sessions in the lead up to the wedding and the honeymoon period. I will start the psychology sessions again soon.

I tend to have bad reactions to medications. Even at the moment, I am taking several medications which contain lactose as a filler, which is causing me digestive problems and malabsorption of nutrients. But I don't know how to get by without the medications. I will be very cautious about all the non-active ingredients in any new medications I am prescribed. Of course we always make sure the meds don't contain gluten.

I will be talking to the gynacologist about this issue, but my appointment isn't for another fortnight.

Thank you for the advice regarding finding other ways for mutual pleasure

Thanks

Lilianna

Hi Snoopy,

Thank you for your thoughts.

A previous doctor I was seeing (not the better doctor I see now) prescribed diazepam, which I have the tablets of. However, I have never tried them because I keep waking throughout the night, gasping for breath (I am seeing a dentist to see if I have a dental cause of sleep apnea and TMJ in a few weeks, because of the dental pain and grinding evidence I already have), and I read in the Diazepam booklet online that you're not supposed to take it if you have sleep apnea or breathing problems. I do have other breathing problems as well - I've been tested for asthma, which apparently I don't have, but not in the presence of any allergens or exertion, which I feel are what trigger the breathing problems.

Also I am wary of trying a new medication as some medications I have tried in the past have triggered very bad side effects. Lyrica and Cymbalta triggered hallucinations, and Lyrica also triggered 24/7 nausea, complete inability to eat anything without vomiting and complete sleeplessness. (I tried it for 3 weeks straight and the side effects would not stop! I basically ended up having a mental breakdown and becoming underweight.) Anyway, the hallucinations were a concerning reaction, and you may notice in my signature that I am starting to wonder if I have Bipolar Type II, particularly as my siblings and I all think that our mother probably has Bipolar (Type I or Type II), not that she will ever see a doctor, and I know there is a genetic link. Additionally, one study showed that people with fibromyalgia are 153 times more likely to have bipolar than people without fibromyalgia. In short, I am very wary of medications because of these and other bad reactions I've had (reactions to other drugs have not included hallucinations, but still bad side effects). In addition, I haven't found any antidepressants to actually make any difference to me, so it makes me wonder if an anti-anxiety medication would.

Anyway, I tend to stick to non-medication therapies, such as psychology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, mindfulness meditation, Pilates (which I have to do a modified version of, otherwise it triggers a flare-up), hydrotherapy, music, drawing, etc. I need to get back into bushwalking, actually. I just struggle with anxiety regarding going for a walk by myself.

Thanks Snoopy

No, I plan to get tested. At this stage, I only suspect sleep apnea.

Thank you for the info. It may be the case with me as well, as my breathing problems have been worsening along with my PTSD.