New Member, happy to see an active forum! My story..

[Jenn89]

I haven't really done any research or looked into Vulvodynia much AT ALL since I was diagnosed with it almost 7 years ago. It's been such a long and frustrating thing for me to deal with, and I cry at almost all of my doctors appointments. At my last one, she thought it would be a good idea to see a counselor. I can't picture someone knowing nothing about my condition being able to help me, so I decided to go on a hunt for a site. I was pleased to see that this one seems to be pretty active.

As for my story, I don't remember ever having pain. I used to have trouble inserting tampons. I was finally able to insert one one day when I was about 16. When I went to take it out, it wouldn't come out and was extremely painful to tug on. I was at my boyfriend's (now ex) house at the time and I had to ask him to take me home. I had to tell him it was girl problems.
Then I get home and I have to talk to my Mom, who I don't really share information with anyway. Turns out, I needed to take a trip to the ER. Thank God I got there just before the last female doctor left. They had to give me a few shots of numbing medicine down there to soothe the pain.  Turns out my hymen was very thick and they referred me to see an OBGYN since I never had.
I saw my first doctor who referred me to another doctor, who referred me to another doctor, who referred me to another doctor and so on..... until finally one decided I would need surgery to have my hymen removed.
I believe my hymenectomy was in 2007.
After the surgery I remember being told to sit on ice packs, and that was very painful.
My doctors now think that the surgery was a trigger, but I was already genetically set up this way.

I've tried (I'll be making many spelling errors) lidocaine, halobetasol, compounded ointments, neurontin, an antidepressant, physical therapy, and I'm doing exercises at home. Nothing seems to help. I'm completely hopeless.
It's hard living as a 23 year old with this issue. It's not easy finding a man that will understand.
I ended up breaking things off with my then boyfriend for other reasons, but he was very understanding. And unfortunately I just found another guy who was EXTREMELY understanding, but things just didn't work out.

I guess I just need some uplifiting words and advice, but not lies. I hate when my friends try to say the right thing. They don't really understand. I appreciate their effort, but I guess I just need to talk to someone who's going through it.

Sorry it's so long. I hope some of you still take the time to read it. I really need some support!

[Cat_in_Canada]

Hi Jenn,

Thanks for sharing your story. I understand how frustrating it can be to suffer from this condition. I've talked about my condition to two different psychiatrists. My current psychiatrist tries to be understanding, but I'm not sure if she really gets it. However, she is much better than the first psychiatrist I saw, who told me that my problem was that I was trying to have sex outside of marriage, and that once I was married and trying to get pregnant, everything would work out. I thought that was pretty unprofessional and offensive!

I have also had a tampon stuck inside me before. If anyone else has this problem, one thing to try before going to the ER is to drink a ton of water. For me, it is difficult for my muscles to remain tensed when I'm peeing, so that is how I got the tampon out! I don't know if that would work for everyone though.

It can be difficult to find a partner that is understanding, and I'm glad you have had some positive experiences. I think the most important thing in a relationship is to communicate what you are feeling, and to make sure that he understands that the problems you may be having with sex are due to your medical condition, not him.

Cat

[tinkerbelle2]

Hi Jenn, I'm also quite new to this forum and delighted that people actually respond.

Sorry to hear you've had such a rough time. I'm 21 so not much younger than you, and it really is such an awful thing to go through. Things are stressful enough at our age.

How are things with you at the moment? I've tried most of the things that you have too and none have made any permanent improvements. Xx

[Nelsonhs30]

Jenn, my story is identical to yours! Also had the hymenectomy which probably triggered my vulvodynia. Hang in there! Something will work! I'm currently on gabapentin 1000mg and still waiting. Have you taking of surgery? It may be our best option, especially if nothing else was working for you. Stay strong! Personal message me if you ever wanna talk!!

[mary jane]

Jenn, what are your symptoms ?
So sorry to hear you have this, I know what it's like , I'm 26 and feels like I will die alone and in pain

[Jenn89]

Wow. I feel like a horrible person! I was so excited to find a forum that was active.. Then i became inactive. I recently hit a milestone though so I thought of this forum and told myself I needed to catch up! Things are still pretty painful. Even everyday things like driving in the car or sitting in a chair get me. The dating thing is still rough. But i have to say, every person that I was saying & told, was so understanding. It's crazy. I've been so lucky! As for my milestone, well, I finally had intercourse for the first time at age 24.
It hurt.
We used lots of lube, it wasn't so bad going in, but he said I was so tense I was pushing him back out. So I had to remind myself to relax and took deep breaths. Every time he would "flex" I would feel tons of pain! So he tried to hold back on that. He coached me through it. Finally after only about 3-5 minutes I told him I had to stop. He pulled out and I just laid there. As I laid there I felt the blood leaving my face and I started to see stars. I was about to pass out. Ugh. I don't know if it was the anxiety, the pain, or both, but it was rough.
I think if I practice more, it'll get better.

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