Feeling extremely down.

My problems started about 5 years ago when I was 18/19.

My symptoms started with pain after sex, at which point I went to my university doctors. On both occasions I went it was suggested I had an STI, and on both occasions the tests came back clear yet no further advice was offered. It was then just something I accepted but as time went on pain did get worse so it was occurring during and afterwards, sometimes unbearable.

After 3 years of that, I then went to my local GP several times. On the first occasion, I was diagnosed with herpes and sent to the GUM clinic, who quickly retracted that diagnosis. Next it was suggested I was suffering from thrush, after following a course of treatment that also turned out to be an incorrect diagnosis. My GP then put me on 10mg on amitriptyline on the hope that it would reduce the pain. After a year of visiting my GP and making no progress, I was then referred to a dermatologist at the hospital treatment centre and that was about a year ago. On my first visit I was diagnosed with vulvodynia on the entrance to my vagina.

My dosage of amitriptyline was then increased to 75mg each night which I found unbearable. I work as a teacher and found I couldn't cope with that amount of amitriptyline on top of the early mornings and light nights. I also put on a great deal of weight when taking that dosage, putting on a stone and a half. I was also provided with dilators to try and use to get comfortable with something entering the vagina! That is currently the situation now ... no progress, weight gain and feeling pretty miserable.

My boyfriend has been absolutely amazing throughout it all, really encouraging and supportive which has helped make things less stressful but I just feel like there is going to be no end to it all!

Did anyone else have similar treatments to mine and find them unsuccessful? If so, what other solutions do you have to offer? A| huge thanks in advance!!

haha yup your story sounds exactly like mine except I refused to go on oral pills so they made a compound for me, but I don't think they do that where you're from. I decided to go ahead with surgery, but I'm not sure that's a big hit over there either. I tried PT which helped, but it was more my skin that was affected than my muscles, and it became excruciating. I guess google a vulvodynia specailst in the location where you're at and go from there, but other than the surgery nothing worked for me I'm glad you had a boyfriend who is supportive, that's important too! Mine cheated on me so we obviously broke up and I felt like a complete loser, which made this whole process even worse. You can try lidocaine on it before sex and maybe that will help you- but you will have to use condoms (which I would do anyway) because his penis will go numb lol. But I would def try to find a vulvodynia specialist someone who does this everyday so they can help you better than a regular gyno. It took my forever to find one, but I am so thankful that I took the time to do so. I traveled all over the place looking for the right doctor and spent crazy amounts of money, but it was honestly so worth it.

Yep - your story is similar to mine first they said STDs but all came back clear, then cystitis gave me antibiotics, then thrush, then just take paracetamol,. Finally gave me amitriptyline but I couldn't take the side effects. Then I found a pain management specialist in v so now I take notriptyline which is the same class of drug as the ami but is newer & has fewer side effects. Also doing physio as my muscles are really tight and its starting to help. The best thing to do is find a dr who specialises in vulvodynia who can put together a treatment plan for you & discuss various options. Lucky you having understanding boyfriend - mine left! Mind you with this I prefer being single - ha!
Good luck.