Vulvodynia Support
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» Hope to all my suffering ladies
Introducing myself :) EmptyFri Oct 23, 2020 12:04 am by ringostarr26

» Please tell me this can get better
Introducing myself :) EmptySat Jul 18, 2020 7:38 pm by sammykramer

» By no means cured, but doing much better!
Introducing myself :) EmptyMon Mar 16, 2020 1:26 pm by tinkerbelle2

» How I cured my Vulvodynia!
Introducing myself :) EmptySat Dec 07, 2019 11:54 am by Millie

» 7 months since the diagnosis
Introducing myself :) EmptyWed Aug 14, 2019 2:38 am by agtoronto

» Gabapentin Gel. or other topical creams
Introducing myself :) EmptySat Jun 15, 2019 5:22 pm by mary jane

» IMPORTANT FOR UK SUFFERERS
Introducing myself :) EmptySat Jun 15, 2019 5:21 pm by mary jane

» Help New Diagnosis
Introducing myself :) EmptySat Jun 15, 2019 5:07 pm by mary jane

» 6 days post Vestibulectomy - Is this normal?? please tell me about your postop healing process!
Introducing myself :) EmptyTue Jun 11, 2019 12:56 am by VVSSufferer

Gabapentin Gel. or other topical creams

Thu May 10, 2018 9:43 am by Rosie21

Hi I have been suffering for some years with this abominable pain. I have tried most of the systemic drugs , I asked specialists and Doctors if I could at least try a topical treatment but because this requires a special prescription have been refused Has anybody had a chance of trying these? Thank you I will try to put a link on to some of the research into Gabapentin Gel. Thanks.

Comments: 2

Putnams 'bony parts' cushion or Putnams 'Dr Huff' cushion - which is best?

Sat Aug 01, 2015 4:17 pm by Fielder

Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie.  I live in the UK.  

I'm trying to work out the best cushion to get for my vulvodynia.  I suspect that I could have pudendal nerve involvement (the aching and burning pain is from vagina to clitoris) and I have rectocele and some tailbone pain too.

I have seen some good reports on older threads regarding the Putnams pressure relief cushions....with some ladies …

Comments: 11

An absolute success story- please read!

Fri Mar 08, 2019 10:57 pm by Persevere1990

Dear All,

I posted on here back in March 2017 having just got a diagnosis of vulvodynia after a few months of relentless and acute pain. I was desperate, I was hurting, I was scared I would never know life without pain there again.

I tried creams, acupuncture, numbing gels, frozen pads, baths with various internet recommended concoctions- convinced myself I had lichen sclerosus, herpes, thrush- …

Comments: 0

I'm sorry im rambling

Thu Feb 21, 2019 5:49 am by Jet227

hey, im 19, ive been struggling with this almost a year. The first week I became itchy I went in to check about a yeast infection another week later. I have been to 10 different doctors a total of about 15 appointments for this problem for the past 11 months. I have been tested for everything including having a biopsy. I was first told basically to just go home and use hydrocortazone, then I went …

Comments: 1

New member need advice please

Thu Feb 28, 2019 11:33 pm by PANDORA123

Hello, I have just been diagnosed with unprovoked vulvodynia. Im really scared and worried. It burns a lot and it hurts to sit down. I have been prescribed amitriptyle 10mg. Can anyone give me some hope that I can get better from this condition. Feeling low and depressed.

Thanks

Comments: 5

MonaLisa Touch

Fri Feb 08, 2019 7:35 pm by rl2091

Hi All,

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the MonaLisa Touch treatment for Vulvodynia? My pain started when I went on HRT(pill) for anxiety mainly and my pain abruntly stopped when I stopped HRT. However, when I started on the HRT patch (at my dr's suggestion), the pain returned and has never left. That was 7 years ago. I found MonaLisa Touch on the internet purely by accident …

Comments: 3

Diagnosed Recently

Tue Jan 08, 2019 3:55 pm by flissyg

Hi All,

I’m so glad I’ve found a place where there are others who understand how I feel!

So this is my story:-

I’m 36,  and 4 months ago, whilst innocently sitting in bed reading I experienced a very sharp stabbing pain in my clitoris. It last only a few minutes and then subsided as quickly as it came on. It put it down to “one of those things”.  The following morning I woke up …

Comments: 4

New and need advice and help

Wed Dec 05, 2018 3:26 pm by Cin124

Hi everyone,

About three months ago, I started having vaginal and vulval itching. Then, about two months ago, my vulva started to feel painful and look swollen, so I went to the doctor. I was tested for herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea which all came back negative. I also had to do a vaginal swab test and the only thing that came back positive was yeast infection. I was prescribed hydrozole …

Comments: 6

New here would very much appreciate advice at the end of my rope

Wed Jan 09, 2019 9:09 pm by Jma990o

This might be a little long but it's been such a long time I've even been able to talk about my problems openly thank you in advance for any helpful advice.
So ok I'm 24 I've been having this problem for over two years seen quite a few doctors and obgyns alike and nobody will take me seriously I have had a few utis and yeast infections and even bv once and this all started after one of the utis …

Comments: 3


Introducing myself :)

+2
Leslieg
neverlosehope
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Post  neverlosehope Fri May 30, 2014 9:24 am

Hi Ladies,

I don't even know where to start with my story. It's so long and involved. I'll try my best though. Perhaps it will be therapeutic?.. Forgive me if my wording is a bit free. I'm just having a chat to you and getting things off my chest. I just don't know anybody with this condition and feel so alone in the world...

However, throughout this whole ordeal i've never given up hope. I try to stay positive and count my blessings. I surround myself with people who fill my heart with joy. I've quit my office job and am currently back at uni studying music, following my passion. In short, I try to make every day count and not let this motherfucker get me down (excuse the french but surely you agree the name fits).

Now, my story -
I'm 33 years old. I live in Brisbane Australia. I started getting pain on my vulva in 2006 and have been to hell and back for 8 years now.
I've seen 5 Gynacologists, 3 dermatologists, countless GP's, Physio's, Chyro's, Naturopaths etc etc...

After trying many different avenues, I eventually opted for surgery in 2009, as I just wanted it over and thought cutting the painful area away would surely work. Back then it was provoked vestibulodynia. There was no generalised constant pain.
I had a full vestibulectomy in January 2009. The particular area which was the source of the pain (6 o'clock, bottom of vaginal opening) did stop hurting and I was almost pain free for about 3 months. Afterwhich a new pain arose, this time at the left side, near the opening to the vestibular gland (3 oclock).
This is the area that still hurts the most today. In addition to that, I now have a constant mild burning, sometimes itching sensation all over the inner skin of the labia. So it's now both provoked and un provoked vulvo/vestibulodynia.

I am blessed in that my pain is not so debilitating that I can't sit or sleep. And am able to have sex if I'm well lubricated, though it's never completely pain free and after a while friction takes it's tole and I have to stop.
Luckily for me my boyfriend is still satisfied, and we find other ways to have a fulfilling sex life. He has not been part of my journey for this whole time. We met a couple of years ago. To be honest, he doesn't know the extent of my history and suffering, as i'm afraid it will affect our relationship, as it has all of my previous ones.
I even had a lesbian relationship for a year, hoping that not having to have penetrative sex will be the answer, but of course at the end of the day we can't control who we are attracted to on the most basic and animalistic level. So That didn't work out...

Back to the facts though, medications i've been on:
Amytriptaline - 10mg a night with some success but in tolerable side effects. I could not function. Was on them for 3 months and stopped.
Nortryptaline - was on 25mg for the past 2 years, now cut back to 10mg as I want to see if they were actually making a difference.
Definitely having withdrawl's, trouble sleeping and the blues... thought they weren't meant to act as anti depressants but perhaps they were taking the edge of a bit.
Lyrica - 50mg a day for 3 months . Some pain relief, however, again, felt like a complete zombie and side effects did not subside. Also gained weight very rapidly. Would consider these again but i'm trying to get my body healthy for pregnancy and these are apparently dangerous if you get pregnant.

I am very sensitive to meds and obviously even very small dosages affect me significantly.

Topicals- Phew, where to start?...
Cortisone creams - all sorts, in all different bases and strengths. Never worked for me. If anything they made things worse.
Estrogen cream - caused severe thrush like irritation. tried those little tablets you pop up in the vagina with an applicator. Same reaction.
Testosterone cream (compound) - tried this to thicken my skin as it was very fragile after the surgery (and still is). It worked for that, but I freaked out and stopped because my clitoris became enlarged. It increased my sex drive immensely too. Now I know how men feel all the time haha... that was the good part.
Anaesthetice - various strengths. Emla burned like hell. Gels don't work for me because of the irritating ingredients in the base. I'm now trying a 5% Xylocaine ointment. It burns slightly on application but that's all. I'm going to try using this once a day for a few days and see if it causes irritation. I'll keep you posted. Would definitely be good for pre sex though I haven't tried yet.
can any of you tell me in their experience if it would numb my partners penis? I would only use a small amount and try to remove any excess. I would use a condom but can't as they pull on my skin and hurt Sad
Over the counter -
Zinc oxide (nappy rash cream), my skin didn't like it. Too thick and caused mild irritation
Bepanthen ointment - same story. Good as a barrier though.
1% cortisone ointment - irritating
Vitamin A cream - same
Lanolin - Bad!
vaseline - was fine as a barrier but I don't like the idea of petrolium down there.
Pawpaw ointment - realised that was mostly petrolium anyway so same story
I'm sure there where others but can't remember at the moment. basically my skin doesn't like anything cream based or thick.

Oils -
Emu oil - very thick and smells strong. made my labia feel sticky
Olive oil - pretty good. Soothing for those itchy days. Make you smell like salad dressing though.

COCNUT OIL - Now ladies, this is where it's at. I love love love it. Make sure it's organic. I use it to soothe and moisturise my skin. It's amazing. It smells divine. AND it's the best lubricant i've ever used. I usually use a bit of 'silk' lubricant as well to make things a bit more slippery. Coconut oil is light, it washes off in the shower, it's edible and really soothing. I highly recommend it for symptomatic relief.

Everyday life - I use nothing with fragrance, only wash with water or sometimes cetapyhl if i'm on my period, My laundry detergent is hypoallergenic and fragrance free, I only wear cotton underwear.


I've been seeing a physio in Brisbane who specialises in pelvic floor dysfunction. She is amazing. If any of you live here i'd be happy to give you her details.
Definitely make sure you address the muscular issues before going for surgery or any invasive procedures. I didn't and I now believe that was my first mistake. I have very tight muscles at the opening of my vagina, within the first 3 cm or so. I try to do stretch whenever possible as that really helps with the pain also and makes you prepared for sex (as much as you can be).
And also mentally remember to let the muscles go. I am constantly pulling up my vaginal muscles so have to consciously let go.

I am now seeing a new gyno who seems to know what he's talking about. he has a special interest in vulvar pain management.
The last procedure i had was an anaesthetic injection into the area behind my most painful spot. It numbed the area for an hour or so but that's all. Enough to know that if that particular area is healed (by some miracle...), i could be close to pain free. With only the mild constant irritation persisting. With everything i've been through i could deal with that.

Now.. He's scheduled me in for another procedure on the 18th of june. Another injection, this time a longer lasting anaesthetic plus cortisone to reduce inflammation.

Which brings me to my question for you - has anyone had this. NOT to the pudendal nerve but to the flesh surrounding the vulva. If so, have you had success? or the opposite, did it make you flare up? I'm really scared it will make things worse. Your advise would be so appreciated.

My gyno says if this doesn't work we may need to look at surgery again. He believes the sore area is a result of scar tissue or a puckered stitch from my vestibulectomy. It would be a very small incision but again, i'm petrified it will make things worse.

Thank you to all you brave women for sharing your stories and for listening to mine. I already feel better having purged on the page.
I'd love to start a little support group in Brisbane if anyone's from here. It would be so great to be able to talk freely about this.

Please stay positive and maintain your fighting spirit. Never give up hope. I know things will get better.

Love and strength to you all
xxx
Netta







neverlosehope

Posts : 2
Join date : 2014-05-30
Location : Brisbane Australia

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Post  Leslieg Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:09 pm

Thank you so much for sharing your story!!!!!
Let us know if the treatment is successful!
Smile

Leslieg

Posts : 86
Join date : 2013-08-09

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Post  Alana3 Mon Jun 02, 2014 6:10 pm

I've had a vestibulectomy it worked really well for me!

Alana3

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Post  neverlosehope Tue Jun 03, 2014 4:34 am

Will do Leslieg. Alana - so glad the op worked for you. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to go in for a correction. mainly because I was not instructed correctly regarding post op care. I wasn't given laxatives after my op so when i went to do a number 2 my stitches ripped. I had a fentons repair as well as a vestibulectomy as my vaginal opening was tiny. my stitches ripped on my perineum and my doctor told me it would heal the same way anyway and not to worry. I believe it changed the tension on the rest of my stitches and surrounding skin, causing it to be very delicate and prone to tearing.

Lesson - If any of you do go for the op. A. make sure you're given laxatives immediately post op, and physio to massage the scar tissue away once healed. I would consider the op a very last resort. I regret having done it as it's changed the appearance of my vagina which i'm now self conscious about, and I believe mine started off as a hormonal/skin issue as a result of going off the pill after many years.

In short my dr whom I trusted was an idiot.

So infuriating...

Has anything worked for you so far leslieg?

Love love, NLH

neverlosehope

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Join date : 2014-05-30
Location : Brisbane Australia

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Post  Alana3 Tue Jun 03, 2014 4:14 pm

Ouch yeah my stitches ripped too!

Alana3

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Post  lavrose Fri Jun 06, 2014 3:19 pm

GIRL!! Coconut Oil!!! Holla!!!! Razz 
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Post  Sebby (Admin) Mon Jun 09, 2014 11:11 am

Welcome to the forum, hope you do find the right treatment for you soon, it's often a long road but it's good to see your not giving up hope x
Sebby (Admin)
Sebby (Admin)
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Post  tinkerbelle2 Wed Jun 18, 2014 9:31 am

Welcome to the forum Smile cheers xx
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