Cardnal16: surviving PGAD

[Cardnal16]

I'm new to this site and method of communication. I've always just talked to a counselor or a friend, but the topic of PGAD is so mortifying, I can't bring myself to say the words. It's one of those issues that make me hide my face in shame, even if I'm alone. 

I tried to tell a trusted friend, but their laughter and jokes only shamed me more. 

I came off Effexor, Xanax & pain meds all at once due to insurance coverage. I was diagnosed with a panic disorder years ago, but never faced THIS issue until 6 months ago. 

Please, somebody tell me this will go away!

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Cardnal.

 

When was the last time you took Effexor, Xanax & pain meds? When did the PGAD start? Did you have any other symptoms when you came off the drugs?

 

We have seen that PGAD very gradually goes away, as do other withdrawal symptoms. Please use search in the Symptoms and Self-Care forum to find our discussions of PGAD.

[nz11]

Welcome Cardnal

When we first join we are all asked to do a drug signature ....are you able to do one also.

 

To set up a signature:

 

Please add a signature.  Include drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements in the last 12-24 months. Also include supplements. This will help us give you the most accurate advice we can. 

• Any drugs and supplements prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years. 
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago) 
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016. 
• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses. 
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 
• This is a direct link to your signature:  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

[cathyfrench]

Hi Cardnal,

 

I have PGAD since withdrawing too fast from Sertraline 9 months ago (I also withdrew from Xanax cold turkey at the same time). There is no shame in having PGAD, it is a rare but known SSRI withdrawal side effects,we are many on this site who got it and a lot of us recovered but it takes time. 

There are a lot of things we can do to help with PGAD, there are also a lot of very good specialists in the US who know PGAD and know how to treat it. PGAD is also a symptom of Pudendal Neuralgia and urologists usually know PGAD, they can send you to a physiotherapist specialised in pelvic floor therapy and this can really help. 

 

A good definition of PGAD to print and to show to your doctor :

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/249594.php

 

Pelvic floor therapy, Homeopathy, Tens units, diet changes ( I follow the non acidic diet against interstitial cystitis because some women with IC also have PGAD) helps. 

 

See below a link to the PGAD Facebook support group (they will provide you with help and a list of specialists who can help). It is mainly for PGAD female sufferers. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/980353255348348/

 

You can also have a look at the pudendalhope site and there are a lot of people on this site who have a PGAD caused by pudendal neuralgia and they can direct you towards a good specialist. 

http://www.pudendalhope.info/forum/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=9ff107662e3db121ae0ef5e7ab7afc79

 

And read the story of a lot of us on this site (Hopefull, Martina and Jonhson stories etc) and you will see that a lot of the PGAD sufferers recovered but it took a long time.

 

Take good care 

 

Cathy

 

PS : I hope the moderators and administrators don't mind that I put these PGAD support group contacts on the SA site.