The pain comes and goes

I'm so glad you set up this forum! It's a relief to hear that my story doesn't differ much from other VV sufferers. My only difference is this -- I was diagnosed with vulvodynia in 2007 but I'd been experiencing pain for about 2 years previously. I was also married to an abusive jerk -- I assumed that my vulvodynia was psychosomatic. Fast forward a few years. I moved out, got divorced, started a new job, a new relationship (with the sweetest most wonderful guy I'd ever met) and suddenly, sex did not hurt AT ALL. My symptoms disappeared slowly because I didn't really notice their absence until I had sex for the first time in a while. It was an awesome period for about a year and a half.

Then, it felt like I got a yeast infection. I bought some monistat to curb symptoms until I could get to a doctor (I was out of town). It didn't help. Neither did the diflucan prescribed to me a week later. I was so uncomfortably itchy that I couldn't concentrate or sleep. I went back to the doctor and got a clean bill of health. So, I started alternative treatments -- yeast-free diet, genetian violet, yogurt, probiotics, and I started exercising. The pain did diminish but it still hurt after working out, or if I walked around too long, wore tight clothing, and definitely if I tried to have sex. In addition, I started having UTI symptoms. My visit to a gyno didn't answer any questions and instead, led me to a urologist who tentatively diagnosed me with interstitial cystitis. bleh.

I read somewhere online that noni and calcium citrate supplements have helped some people. I've been using them for a couple months now and honestly, honestly -- up until a couple days ago I've been able to have sex without pain. The one catch, I've discovered, is that I have to shower with cold water afterwards or else I suffer for the next couple days. I don't know why this is. And most frustrating part -- why did I have a year and a half reprieve? What was I doing right??? Has anyone else had this type of remission?

Hey there,

yes I have heard of women being is "remission" for years and then wham they get hit by V again.

Firstly welcome to our forum

I got constant vulval pain just over 2 years ago now and have only noticed remission a couple of times for a month or so. Im not entirely sure why but it does seem that the pain has a mind of its own!

I have read about Calcium Citrate, with regards to oxylates in the diet but am trying so many things right now that I think if I add anything else to the mix I'll get proper confused!

Im wondering also if the pain with sex diminishes a bit when we meet someone new? I mean all those hormones and feel good chemicals have gotta have some kind of effect! Maybe the trick is to fight to keep that "new person" spark throughout the relationship..like go on dates again or dare I say it..role play? lol

I read something the other day about oxalates and it recommended potassium citrate rather than calcium citrate, I don't recall the whys and explanations but it might be worth a google if you think oxalates are your problem.

My specialist recommended the oxalate diet. I did some research and found it was originally found to be helpful for one person! So became the advice of the day. I asked her in a subsequent email if I should have a test done before I took on another restrictive diet, she said she didn't know about a test. That demonstrates to me she knows sweet FA about it. From what I've read there would be a high concentration of oxalate crystal in urine which would burn. Drinking water can significantly reduce this. Ho-hum!