Just found this site.. thank god.

Hi everyone-
I have been struggling with my diagnosis of vulvodynia since February of this year, but problems have been going on for a long time. I was on the pill after I lost my virginity due to a pregnancy scare when I was about to turn 19, which was over two years ago now, and since then I have experienced pain while having sex. My boyfriend at the time and I ended up breaking up, and I think it was partially due to the fact that we couldn't connect without having sex, and he thought that I just didn't want to do anything with him. Anyways, back in February, I was given my diagnosis and began amitriptyline. I didn't have sex for a month or two after, but I immediately realized that the pain wasn't there. I was ecstatic! Since then, I have realized that some condoms or lubricants can increase my symptoms, and have steered clear of them. Recently, I started another relationship and sex has become more regular. I also got a Paragard IUD. I chose this one because it is nonhormonal, and the hormones in birth control gave me chronic bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections, which led to my vulvodynia. I think that I may need to increase my prescription of amitriptyline because my symptoms seem to be returning but, I'm nervous, because I think that the medicine prevents me from having an orgasm. I think that it blocks the good feelings as well as the bad, and I don't think that increasing my prescription would help this. Maybe it is a psychological issue, but I'm not sure. I love my boyfriend very much and trust him, and before my symptoms returned I could come close to an orgasm, but not all the way, but would not experience any kind of pain at the time or afterwards. I have an appointment to talk to my doctor, but I just wanted to get opinions on other treatments out there. I've never met anyone else with this problem, and am so thankful to have found a place to get some feedback. Things to keep in mind: I am in a monogomous relationship, I have an extremely effective form of birth control, and I have tried amitriptyline. I eat fairly healthy, well, for a 21 year-old college student. I will appreciate ANY sort of advice out there. I just want to be able to have a normal, consistent, conventional sex life. Is that too much to ask? Thanks, ladies. I'm really glad I found this group.
-Abbey

I was diagnosed with vulvadynia 14 years ago. I suffered horribly for a very long time. I was put on Amytriptyline and clonazepam and I have been mostly pain free for 10 years, I did join a health club and my symptoms returned so I had to quit. I can now walk on the treadmill but that is about it...but I can wear jeans again...so yeah!!!!

Hey abbey, what else have your tried minus the ami? When I went to the doctors she wanted to put me on that too but I went down another route which included vitamins and using no purfumes products down Ther...wasging knickers in non bio powder no Softner and using only aqeous creme to wash with. Maybe your should try those aswell. I have tried anti depressents bwfore wen I got quite depressed and they stopped me from having an orgasm too. I think they block it tbh... That's the main reason I tried other route before trying them and my methods made me better after a month. I get flare ups wen I get lazy and forget stuff or I get thrush can bring it back for a few weeks.
I would suggest trying a few other things after coming off ami. Ami is a last resort and not everyone needs it. If you want Me to send u exactly what I did to get rid of my pain let me no. X

Just wondering how taking antidepressants helps with this condition? Other than I am very depressed about the life I am living right now, but if it helps I am willing to try.

Anti depressants helps with chronic muscle and nerve pain it helps to relieve it, doctors tend to use them for many other conditions, normally at a lower dosage then they would be used as an anti depressant! X

Wellbutrin is the only anti depressant that did not give me sexual side effects. I took them for years, went off them 8 months ago and now due to vulvodynia I'm thinking of going back on them. Can't seem to win! My doctor said use nothing. It water for cleaning that area, no lotions or fabric softeners and only clear detergents.

I am very new to this site, having discovered you through research.   This is a very new issue with me, since the end of Oct.   I'v been to three gynocologist since then and no one has ever mentioned vulvodynia.  I had to discover it on my own through research and I fit to a "T".      I've tried extra strength Tylenol, lidocain, which does not seem to help.  Is there something stronger than that???
I have been taking half of a 2mg Xanax and think I get more relief from that, but really don't want to keep doing that.
I have, or until this at least, a very active sex life and I am NOT ready to give that up.
So thankful to have found this site and all the different things to try.