Everything the doctor gives me makes it worse.

I remember the days, those beautiful days I took for granted not even 6 months ago, when I was wearing tight pants to work, taking bubbles baths almost every day, and having sex with little to no pain every other day. Back then I'd never had a yeast infection or even heard of BV. And then I started the Depo shot. BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE. The second biggest mistake was blindly trusting these doctors who just throw medicine and ointments at me without taking the time to think about what they're doing. I've been to so many doctors, and this last doctor has been the worst. I had hope- she knew what vulvodynia is, but I'm beginning to believe she's the reason my pain is so high right now.
1) lidocaine with hydrocortisone -- NO NO NO BAD BAD BAD
seriously... Worst thing ever. So much irritation. My pain went from 5/10 to 8/10, even irritating my bladder.
2) a lubricant with propylene glycol in it
seriously again... Now that I'm more educated I know better. Never again.
3) then to top it off, she gives me a cream usually used for jock itch and yeast to "help inflammation," when she tells me never to use yeast medicine because I don't have yeast. Wtf?!

I think these creams and ointments have made things 100% worse. I feel best when I'm not using anything, not normal but better. So here's what Im going to do-- try to use nothing for one month and see what happens. Wish me luck!

Ps- has anyone taken Evening Primrose capsules? I just ordered some hoping it would help balance my hormones and reduce inflammation...

I too ended up on cream after cream when my pain became constant. My pain prior to that had been provoked by touch, chemicals ie bubble baths. Eventually I did just go cream free and only have an occasional salt bath. The less chemicals down there the better for me!
I have just got myself a bottle of evening primrose oil 500mg as my pmt has been hell lately and the pain around my period time is much worse. I didn't know it could reduce inflammation though!

Hi Sebby! It sounds like we have some things in common. My periods are a little wonky right now (I've only had one in the last probably 8 months), but it was horrifically painful, and every month around the time I should be having one, I experience more burning, not to mention cramping, etc. Have you started taking the Primrose Oil? I bought it to take orally but I've read it works topically. I'm afraid to put anything down there because of 1) causing more irritation or 2) causing infections. I've read that Primrose Oil not only works to balance hormones, but that it is a mild anti-inflammatory and can help dry eyes!

By the way, do you ever take baking soda baths?

Thank you,
Cupcake

Hi Cupcake,
How did the primrose oil work out?
I am about to try coconut oil except I'm not sure what I'm meant to do with it!?
I know what you mean about the creams and moisturisers not doing anything or making things much worse. When I went a month without putting anything down there things weren't really better but weren't worse.
For some reason this lidocaine gel stuff I had to insert with syringes burned like hell and the pain didn't wear off for ages, plus it didnt seem to numb me at all, but this Xylocaine spray gives me about an hour of I'd say. .75% relief, it stings at first but then does numb me. The only thing that hasn't made things sorer is Aqeuos which I use as a shower creme.

cupcake 25, you have to change your doctor ASAP

Hi Tinkerbelle! I was taking primrose oil tablets, but unfortunately I was struggling with bad tummy troubles (constipation, bloating) at the time. I'm not sure if it had anything to do with the primrose oil (I doubt that it did), but I stopped taking it just in case and have been too afraid to try it again lol.

I entertained the idea of using coconut oil as a moisturizer, but I've heard it can upset the ph, so if you do apply it topically proceed with caution.

Lidocaine was one of the things making me most miserable. My skin was already dry and irritated and the lidocaine was like acid. When I stopped using it I improved dramatically. Dryness is still an issue, so I've been using Luvena prebiotic moisturizer. It not only moisturizers but has probiotics in it, balancing the ph and preventing yeast and bacterial infections. It's the only thing that's made me feel better.