Feeling overwhelmed & don't know what to do next. (venting a little)

I'm at the very beginning of my sexual pain investigation.  As some of you know, I don't yet have a diagnosis.  About 2 weeks ago I was recommended by my doctor to try 0.5% hydrocortisone cream and a dilator set.  So, I've been using the hydro and I just received my set earlier this week and I've begun using the dilators.  Maybe it's too early to tell and maybe I'm being impatient but - I'm feeling really discouraged!
I saw no results when I was using the hydro by itself before getting my dilators.  I apply hydro after using dilators now and still I don't think there's any noticeable effect.  I have that dilator set by Dr. Berman which is a set with 4 different sizes.  I have noticed some interesting things however:
-I'm noticing that I have no issues with inserting them besides the pain!  I can go up to the 2nd largest one and it inserts easily - no resistance.  I do feel a burning, raw pain however.  I can't say for sure that it's excruciating & I can probably carry on a conversation with it but it is nonetheless very uncomfortable and this is just on insertion and keeping the dilator stationary - don't even want to think about what the motion of sex would feel like!
I'm not sure if this is common when using the dilators, but I notice when i use second smallest and second largest, I get that burning raw sensation....and I just try to wait it out and in about 30 minutes, it has gradually dissipated and is gone.  I just feel warm around the outside of my vagina.  Is this a good sign?  Is this progress?

I haven't dared to try the very largest one yet.  I still need to muster up the courage.  The second largest one hurts slightly more than second smallest.  But what do you do when the pain has dissipated?  Do you try to move up the next size?  I'm feeling really horribly ignorant of the proper use of dilators to be honest (my kit didn't come with detailed instructions).  I was wondering if someone could give some insight.

Not really sure where I'm with this post anymore.  I apologize.  I'm supposed to be focusing on things like homework for a course I'm taking right now but I feel so scatter-brained and distracted by this.  Some days, it's like all I can think about is that I can't have sex, why and what should I do?  I'm thinking I should keep going as I am with the hydro and dilators and try the largest at least once just to see what happens for the next 2 weeks.  If nothing else works, I'm going to go back to the doctor and see if something can be done.  Just feeling overwhelmed...I guess I'm just venting...

I would say the pain ebbing away after a period of time is good progress. In fact that somewhat describes how sec is for me. Initially its hurts when inserting, I am tense I must admit but who isn't when facing the pain head on! Then after a few minutes (I'm not sure how many) with only little movement which I am in control of, it ebbs away and I can feel nice feelings instead!
I think once the vagina muscles relax and the nerve endings and our minds have time to calm down it eases the pain.

Sebby

Did your doctor really give you a set of dilators with no instructions? That is unbelievable!

I am no stranger to the burning; however, I also have pelvic floor dysfunction which makes dilator insertion painful on so many levels! I'm no doctor nor do I know what your dilator set looks like, but if you've progressed through 3 dilators in one week, I am impressed! I currently have 7 dilators and it took me over a year of physical therapy to progress through them. I was released from PT a year ago and am back again and am currently on 4 of 7 and think it's going to take a while to return to where I was when I first finished PT. If you have inserted the second to largest one with ease, I would think you're ready for the largest; however, I would contact your health care provider first with all of your questions and concerns. It really infuriates me that so many doctors give no guidance on these sorts of things! How are we supposed to take control of our condition when we are not given the proper information? Sorry for the rant, but I have wasted too much time with doctors who do not understand vulvadynia and have given me bad advice!