What do you live for?

I keep up some of my old hobbies (writing and art), but I still feel empty. I've tried living for the hope that I'll figure out the answers, which just makes setbacks even worse. I've tried having my various physical therapies, yoga and pilates give me purpose, but the plodding progress is crazy making. I'm very limited in how much I can walk, so most days are spent indoors, and most hours are spent in bed. I'm at a loss.

What do you live for?

I read your post and felt that I needed to comment. There are days when I feel that way. I've had V for about 5yrs.
I got so very depressed when this first came on. At least I now know what the problem is. I went to the doc many times trying different things. Everytime I was let down. It took me awhile to get in a better frame of mind. I haven't had sex since I got V. I'm sure it would hurt real bad. I would like to have a relationship again one day. Just hoping to find someone understanding.
I will have to say, I think my V has gotton better over the years. I only notice pain sometimes when I'm sitting and that is when I'm having a flare up. Like I said, I haven't had sex since then, but I assume that would hurt. That's how I orig found out I had this. I tried to have sex but it hurt so bad. I had never had any problem like this until 5 yrs ago.
I'm am 50 yrs old and don't know how going thru menopause will effect this.
Anyway, I'm rambling.
Please try to stay positive. I know that's hard to do. I'm glad there is the forum to talk to others that can relate.
Maybe one day the V will just go away. Wouldn't that be the greatest gift.

It's true though, having a positive attitude helps! There is so much negatibity, which OK I get, but at the same time you and the v live in the same body, don't let the v win. I don't think I have it half as bad as other people on this board do, but I concentrate on what I can do not on what I cant. The only thing I really struggle with is sex, but I have had it before (during v) so I'm sure it'll happen for me again! But seriously, if you think of all the negative things (and yes I know there are plenty) you will not have any sort of life. I live for everyday. There is something good about everyday if you just look around. Live in the moment and not what will happen tomorrow or next year, because you will make yourself miserable. I understand you're limited unfortunately we all are in some way- but have you tried anything to help your v become better? PT or meds or anything?

That seems like a rather odd thing to ask, as it says in my post what im doing. I do yoga and pilates. I do breathing exercises and reverse kegels. I use natural muscle relaxers, that help to some extent, but dont really treat the problem. I dont have insurance and i dont have a job so money is tight. I cant afford to visit an actual physical therapist. Ive done lots of research and i do exercise every day.


I guess if the answer is just "stay positive," I regret asking the question. I hate not being able to have sex. I hate that I can rarely leave my home. Focusing on today means pain and frustration and intense sadness. Do I do it anyway? Yes. Does it give my life meaning or hope? No.

I mean to me yoga and pilates are great, but they are probably not going to cure vulvodynia it will make you more relaxed, but is it treating it? Probably not. Exercise is important tho! and maybe can get you to relax, but to make it go away? I wish! I'm at the gym and do my PT exercises everyday AND I just had the surgery, it's a long haul, but I think it will be ok. I meant are you doing anything medical to help your vulvodynia? But if money is tight, I guess you cant. Unfortunately, all of us have the same same or similar problems, yeah it sucks, but I guess maybe I just channel my frustrations differently. I can't exactly have sex either, do I do it? yes. Does it feel good? No. But I'm hopeful that one day it will. Having a positive attitude though will help the more you sit and dwell, (which believe me I have!) the worse it will become. At least for me when I changed my attitude it was a better outlook and I could help myself better. You asked what we lived for, and I was giving you my opinion, sorry if it wasn't what you wanted to hear. This is a "disease" that isn't just going to go away one day (well maybe there are a few cases like that, but I don't think that's the norm), I was at the doctor 50 times last year, took 17 prescriptions, was told I had HERPES and all the while I considered myself to be dirty until I found someone who was willing to help me. Trust me I'm aware of how horrible this is, but sometimes it's hit or miss until you find something that can help. Again, sorry if it's not what you want to hear, but it was my opinion and what I did to help myself.

I agree with Alana. It really does take a lot of positive thinking to keep spirits up through out this "journey". Keeping an open and positive out look on life has really gotten me through these hard times. This is an invisible disease and none of us deserve to have it, but we do. All we can do is try to think positively and hope that one day we'll all be rid of this pain. I have also had surgery and it has been a complete success. It was very expensive, but 100% worth it. It completely changed my life for the better. I finally feel normal again.

-Jen