Hope to all my suffering ladies

ringostarr26 Fri Oct 23, 2020 12:04 am

Hello Beautiful Ladies. I think my last post on here was in 2012. I was moping about my 1 year anniversary with the "best boyfriend" I'm happy to state I lied and we broke up LOL but I am happily married to the "BEST HUSBAND" I've been dealing with some health issues (not related to V) and I was reminded of this forum and how it was so helpful to me years ago when I was suffering. It made me want to post because it seems like when we start feeling better we disappear.

To everyone who is recently diagnosed. THERE IS HOPE. I Have been pain free for over 5 years. Close to 10 even. Yes I have some bad days but for the most part..Vulvodynia is out of my life (or at least on a very long hold). I wanted to share a few things that have helped me over the years. I had to travel to get an answer to why I was in pain.

My OBGYN prescribed me Amitriptyline at an increasing dose over several months when i first started experiencing symptoms. I followed protocol and had no success. She then told me there was no much more she could do. I bounced around from doctor to doctor until I finally booked a flight and went to the Centres for VulvoVaginal Disorders in Washington DC. I saw Dr. Andrew Goldstein and I was properly diagnosed within the first 10 minutes.

I have Hypertrophic Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. My Muscles are just TOO DARN TIGHT! He said it was completely treatable I just needed to put in some work. He looked into his database and connected me with a pelvic floor physiotherapist in Toronto where I am from.

She changed my life. But not without some additional help. A pain specialist prescribed me rectal suppositories with lidocaine, diazepam, and one other drug that was compounded. I used those when my pain was at its worst to help relax the muscles. I supplemented that with weekly physiotherapy. I had to use dilators at home as well. It was a difficult road to recovery. My pain was bad. I couldn't wear pants, the burning spread and I was also having bladder issues.

I did not give up. I didn't miss an appointment. I did my "homework" and I started getting better. I had and still have flare ups once in a while, but i have the tools to control it.

I understand that this is not going to work for everyone BUT please know that there are people who want to help and will help if you seek them out.

I hope you are all staying safe during covid. Have hope. It can and will be better.

XOXO