Happened So Suddenly

Hello... I am becoming desperate. I dont know how much more I can take. This all started back in May. I was having an IBS flare up and found it easier at work to use baby wipes. This had been happening for a few weeks. It was a friday night and I had sex with my guy. Over the weekend I felt irritated but assumed it was from sex. I was also not feeling well so I didnt pay too much attention. It continued on for a while but so did my illness and I was put on some meds for it. I saw a gyno and was tested for STDs, all negative. I was trying to explain to the gyno that it was a weird sensation, almost like my vag had pins and needles. No answers. I went to another gyno in the group and again, no answers. I tried an allergist even. No allergies that they can find. I was referred to a vaginal specialist. It is now August. He told me I had vulvo-vaginitis and some yeast but not common yeast, another type which likely came from the antibiotics and predinisone I had to take when I was sick. The problem is that the meds that kill this yeast also cause a vaginitis flare up. Whatever at this point, so I just took the meds. And boy did I flare up. but again, whatever at this point b/c it is now August and im getting fed up. Went back for my follow up and it seemed to have gotten worse. The swab test felt like he was dragging sand paper on my vag. I had been eliminating all fragrances and stopped using soap down there, basically everything that the doc told me to do. I had to go back again on November 5th and my assignment for this follow up was to eliminate every possible thing I could think of that could irritate me. If I have eliminated everything and still have not gotten relief then I have vulvodynia. Since my last visit I have not used soap down there, I have even covered my vag with a clean facecloth so that excess soap, shampoo and conditioner doesnt drip down, worn cotton undies, used vaseline to protect the skin, switched to Seventh Generation detergent and eliminated coffee. The coffee thing is interesting. I found that when I drank coffee, my urine burned me badly after, I guess b/c it was more acidic. IDK if its a mental thing or not but its what I noticed. Like I said, I am desperate. So now here I am 2 weeks from my visit and the burning has been bad. When the burning is bad, so is the discharge. Normal color discharge. Like I said, I have been tested for everything. I took a Benadryl 2 nights ago and the entire next day I did not have burning. It was amazing. So this is my story. I am becoming severely depressed b/c of this. I dont want to go on anti-seizure medication if its vulvodynia. I just want it to go away as quickly as it came on.
I just keep thinking, what if I never used those baby wipes? Could that really be the culprit? Or just a coincidence?
I guess I am just looking for support from people who are in the same boat. Any insight is appreciated.

It seems to happen suddenly with most same with me :/ have your tried physio ?? I done acupuncture physio tried loads of antibiotics and creams but honestly physio was best I still have a stinging rawness :/ it's a nightmare I'd give anything to go back to wing my old self xxx

I have not tried anything yet. I was not officially diagnosed yet. November 5th will be the deciding day if the doc thinks I vulvadynia or just a severe irritation from something that I have not yet identified that I am still in contact with.
Thanks for the suggestions. This is a nightmare. I just keep wondering if I caused this by using the baby wipes. B/c after stopping for a few weeks, the burning went away and then I tried using them again and the burning came back. Now I stopped altogether.

Stop altogether and see how that goes or change brands of wipes to a more sensitive one ???? Mines nothing really to do with baby wipes I don't think tbh :/ mines a mystery tbh. I have had numerous tests xx

Stop altogether and see how that goes or change brands of wipes to a more sensitive one ???? Mines nothing really to do with baby wipes I don't think tbh :/ mines a mystery tbh. I have had numerous tests xx

I went from regular wipes to sensitive skin to Seventh Generation to now stopping altogether.

Has that made any change ??? X

unfortunately no it hasnt. It feels like the "damage" is already done. Since this started I have not been able to use any products in this area now. The only relief I have is lately, I have been taking a few benadyls per week. One benadryl gives me relief for days. One thing that is postive is that I do not have pain during intercourse. If anything, I am more sensitive in a good way.

Awww that's not a bad thing I have pain with intercourse as the muscles pelvic floor had tightened due I pain aparntly ? Physio helped a bit but things still aren't back to normal I just think I'm going to have to adjust to the way things are but it is a lot better than this time last year xxx

Its a shame that this happens to us women. I might look into physio if this will be my diagnosis. Thank you for all your help.

Hi Chris. Sorry to hear you're stuck in this crappy boat too.. it could be that the baby wipes disrupted your vag flora or it could be a coincidence? Mine came on pretty randomly too. When it started, I was a virgin, rarely used tampons, never had any infections down below even thrush or a uti and had zero health conditions and a perfectly pain free vagina.. quite lucky really! Since this i have had thrush bv and several urine infections :S

I saw my gyno (specialist) this past wednesday and he cannoto find anything else that is wrong with me. He is hesitant to say it is vulvodynia but that is the only diagnosis left. I was put on Cymbalta to see if that helps with the symptoms.
SIGH

Good luck!! is cymbalta the same as lyrica? i think a few women on here were actually cured by it so fingers crossed and best wishes

No they are different. I think Lyrica is more of an anti-seizure medication. Cymbalta is an anti-depression medication. My doctor thinks I am not severe enough to treat with something heavier them Cymbalta. Luckily. Fingers Crossed.