Issues since 2009

Hi. I just joined and want to share my story.

My pain isn't usually too severe. I can wear pants and jeans with no problem, and on most days my pain only bothers me when touhed (sex, wiping, inserting tampons etc.). However, I do randomly get shooting pains without touch, almost like a pin prick. I also have flare ups were I have swelling, itchniess, and my pain is worse. At those times sex is usually more painful and pants will start to bother me if they are too tight. Even at my best days there is always some discomfort and sex has rarely been completely pain free since I started having issues. One positive is this started happening when I was engaged and my now husband has been very undertanding (though frustrated I'm sure).

It all started around July of 2009. I had what I thought was a yeast infection. I got some over-the-counter meds before I called my Obgyn. I had an infection the December before and trying over the counter treatments was the first thing my doctor wanted me to do then. So I didn't bother calling him first. The over-the-counter treatments didn't work, so I called my doctor and the nurse perscibed me diflucan. That did help some, but there was still some discomfort. Somthing still wasn't quite right. So I called the doctor and he had me come in the office. He tested me for yeast, bacterial infections, and some other STDs out of standard procedure. All the tests came back negative. On top of all that, he didn't seem interested in helping me anymore and said if I was still having issues to see a genearl doctor. This made me so mad! He didn't even recommend a doctor for me to see and on top of that wanted me to see a generalist.

I did end up seeing a genral doctor becuase I was able to get in faster there than another Obgyn. That doctor did notice some yeast external and gave me a perscription antifungal cream and diflucan. Again, that helped some, but I still had some minor pain. That doctor recommended me to another Obgyn in town. That doctor said I had vestibulitis and performed the Q-tip test on me. He also wanted me to try some topical steroids and hdyocortizone cream. None of those things helped me. The steriod cream actually made things much worse.

That doctor then refferred me to a doctor two hours away who specializes in vulvodynia. I actually ended up getting in with a different doctor, but they are both affliated with the same hospital. My doctor only had a waiting period of a month compared to 4-5 with the other doctor. I was told they both have the same philosophy and treatment methods and worked very close with one another. I decided to take the one with less of a wait. I had my first appoitment with the specialist in Jan. 2010.

Though I like my doctor, I havn't had too much luck with treatment yet. I spent a year and a half being put on different antidepressants. None of them helped, and a lot of them gave me really bothersome side effects. I also was given Lyrica. That didn't do anything for me either. I just started pelvic floor physcial theraphy. When I went in my pelvic floor was really tense and was told I could use theraphy. It's too early to tell if it will help, but I'm hopeful. Plus the doctor is in my town and is really nice. In addition to exercises she advised me to use a spray bottle to rinse after I pee and use aloe femine wipes instead of toliet paper. She also told me of a website where I can get aloe products. I ordered some lube and other products that are safe to use down there. Those things seemed to have help some.

Sorry for the novel. I hope this can help someone. Feel free to ask questions if you have any.