I feel i'm the only itchy/irritated v on here

so, about a year and a half ago i used a baby wipe instead of toilet paper because there wasnt any..Since then my V has been inflamed and irritated. I have been using clobetasol for about a year now 3 times a week and it has helped VERY SLIGHTLY. I see a specialist in Boston working for Elizabeth Stewart and she has been trying different oral medications on me but nothing seems to be working.

I recently had an appointment with Elizabeth Stewart to get a second opinion besides my Dr. in her office and she said that with inflammation and irritation the Oral meds don't really help and the topical creams work better. But I've been trying diff meds for a year now and i've been using clobetasol and thats not helping either:( She is suppose to be the best and she's even written a book and I just dont know what their next step will be to help me:(

I am currently trying this new vulvar soothing cream called Neogyn and it says it takes about 6-8 weeks to work but if this doesn't work I feel like theres no more options to choose from the help me get better:(

My doctor hasn't even really diagnosed me with anything except for calling it "vulvitis" (inflammation of the vulva). I just don't understand why nothing is helping my skin. Shouldn't something be working to stop the inflammation and irritation? Lidocaine is the only thing that gives me relief and i feel 100% better when I use it..but when I shower and don't put it on right away I can feel the irritation and if i put underwear on (100% cotton) without the lidocaine its unbearable! -___- and I use scent free everything.

Does anyone on here have similar symptoms?? I feel as if I'm the only one.

ilovebaxter1,

I used to have the same symptoms. I was always feeling a hot, burning sensation. Also I felt sharp knife like pains along with it. It was pretty much like one long amplified yeast infection. I would just try an distract myself from feeling it for the longest time, but eventually it got unbearable. I had seen a hand full of doctors before I found the right ones. I was seeing 3 doctors in one unit. They had never had someone like me before so I was like a lab rat for them. I tried almost every medication that I felt comfortable taking to no avail. I was considering pelvic floor therapy, but my gyno said it probably wouldn't help me since they have to use their fingers in there and I couldn't even handle a Q tip. I had no other options left, but surgery...which I had done in July. It worked out well for me, but like some others on this forum will tell you it isn't for everyone.

I would suggest you to buy this book:
http://www.amazon.com/When-Sex-Hurts-Womans-Banishing/dp/0738213985

It's by a man name Dr. Andrew Goldstein. He also did my surgery. He is a miracle worker! If there is anyway you could see him you should. I'm on the east coast and he's talked up in my area. He does more than surgeries, like he could be a regular gyno. Also I'd suggest joining the NVA if you haven't already. It allows you to find doctors, surgeons, and they send you discrete news letters in the mail with information towards research on vulvodynia. It was very helpful.

-Jen

Hello, Ilovebaxter! (and others I think you and I have similar stories. My primary symptoms are irritation, rawness, inflammation on the outside, pin-prick feelings and occasional itchiness. The extent of inflammation varies. I also go to Dr. Stewarts clinic in Boston. I've had symptoms for almost 5 years now. The nurse practitioners have prescribed all kinds of topical steroids. I don't use much of the now but I do use lidocaine. I truly thought I had vulvar lichen planus all this time. My first nurse practitioner eluded to this and I went with it. The symptoms just fit. I finally saw Dr. Margesson, a dermatologist in Dr. Stewarts clinic a few weeks ago. 3 Doctors looking at my hoohoo at the same time. Although I am now, unfortunately, used to people with medical licenses looking at me....this experience was very overwhelming. I was tearful and so nervous. Anyway, they ultimately think that I am allergic to something causing my issues. I am scheduled to have a series of allergy testing done in September and I see the doctors again in October. Imagine if all of this is an allergy? 5 years of symptoms. I have done it all....loose clothes, cotton underwear, hypoallergenic detergents. I sometimes wonder if I am having a reaction to Dove sensitive soap. I switched to this 5 years ago when I began symptoms after my son's birth and a lot of antibiotic use. I have recently stopped using in on my vulva and use mostly water or cetaphil gentle cleanser. I feel I am a bit better. Tihis has robbed me of some of my spirit for sure but I am determined to get it back. I am writing this quickly ( I am at work) and apologize for the disorganization. I wanted to get my message to you because we sound very similar in symptoms. I have no pain with q-tip test; I can wear tampons although sometimes they irritate my skin more. I have experienced some burning sensations when my skin is flaring really bad (I have wondered if this is muscle tension related). I had become horribly anxious about all of this which I am learning to control. The anxiety seems to be a major trigger for me. I hope all of you out there find the answers you are looking for. No woman should suffer this way. Keep searching, I will post my results of allergy testing. I had a positive yeast test in office at the start of all this 5 years ago.....but they send a yeast culture with each office visit and its always negative. I never had issues prior to having my 1st baby and it was C-section. Again symptoms started about 3-4 months after birth (?from nursing). Then symptoms went away, then antibiotics, then yeast infection, then symptoms never went away.
I tried homeopathy and still do take it (thinking it was lichen planus). Drs do not think lichen planus now at all. It's actually difficult to get that out of my head....it's been my thought for soooooo long. OK, now I am rambling and need to sign off!
Sending you ALL healing energy out there.......stay positive and light as much as possible.....it helps. <3 Write back ilovebaxter and let me know how you are!

You definitely aren't alone! My primary symptom is burning, but I also get a lovely itching, hot aching sensation at certain times of the month. I'm pretty sure it's hormonal but I have no idea what to do about it at this point. Any time I start to itch I freak out and use anti-yeast stuff, which I think is what put me in this vicious cycle to begging with

I avoid any anti yeast creams as I think they also irritate the skin, maybe try going completely cream free except when you need the lidocaine for bad days. I also take a bath in just salt every so often and that doesn't irritate me. I use only white toilet roll and avoid any bubble baths. When in the shower I bend over to rinse my hair to avoid any shampoo flowing to my vulva. I also spray my vulva with just cool water after every bath/shower and that seems to soothe. Go knicker free as often as possible and just wear a long skirt. I tend to do this when I get in from work in case it's a windy day! Don't wear knickers in bed. Get some air to it! I'm all for the very natural approach with the least chemicals down there the better.