This 3 year nightmare.

I have been reading these forums for about a year. For tips...for a cure? My vulva issues (and anal-area issues   ) started a little over 3 years ago. Prior to this I never even had a yeast infection. The itching and irritation would come and go-for about two years I thought it was allergies (seasonal? diet?). Then I thought it was yeast (and so did my gyno) and I was on diflucan for months which never did a thing. I finally decided to be pro-active and try to find a treatment because my vulva was beginning to run my life.

I have seen a few GP's and diagnosed with BV, yeast...a regular gyno a few times who biopsied and sent out the sample and found no resistant yeast. I was have been prescribed many anti-inflammatories/steroids (even though no inflammation/irritation was found). I saw an infectious disease gyno who referred me to a pelvic floor specialist who put me on Gabapentin cream (which POSSIBLY improved it SLIGHTLY or it could have just been a few good months-because it is back with a f*cking vengeance) who referred me to PT and a vulvodynia specialist gyno. He told me to discontinue the PT and put me on Neurontin (which seems to help only if I take massive doses-and then my prescription is gone in a week-awesome). I have been on Elavil for 2 weeks (havn't felt a twinge of relief-I know it takes time but I have doubts).

This is baffling. It is running my life. My symptoms are itching, irritation and burning (like someone is holding a torch up to my vulva and ass-crack and bees are stinging it and throwing itching powder on it). It is hard to function. I have been extremely depressed. I feel for all of you. My doctor is baffled as well and if the Elavil does not work then he suggested "pain management". Awesome. Prayers for everyone.

This sounds quite similar to me :/ did u ever get some relief or help ? Xo

There are other meds you can try and other things you can do than just Elavil. If that's the only thing that doctor is suggesting, I would try a new one! I got a compounded gel type thing I had to put down there 3 times a day. It didn't work for me and I eventually did get the surgery, BUT my doctor said he could tweak it and it might help- but after finding this doctor I had had enough and been fighting this for 7 years I just opted for the surgery for a permanent solution. But there are other meds and such to try! Remember also, this isn't the ONLY doctor available who specializes in vulvodynia, so if he/she isn't willing to look past Elavil, I would find a new doctor. That's me personally tho. I feel for you really. This whole business is horrible.

I have been on the Elavil for a few months and I think it's helping a little. I did gain a few lbs since being on it, which blows. If I take the neurontin it seems to really help-the combo of the two, although I always run out of my neurontin prescription early because I take to much as it only seems to last a few hours. I have been to so many damn doctors it's frustrating and I'm sick of finding a doctor and going through the whole process. It has been under control for the time being, but it could just be a good month. I am glad I at least know what the deal is, finally. I went through years of taking every yeast medication/herbal remedy there was, all kinds of medication and shoving all kinda of weird stuff up the vag thinking it was some sort of infection. I just don't understand why our bodies do this to us. Growing up I never even had a yeast infection. Now just looking at my vag irritates it, I swear.

Yeah, I gained a few pounds on birth control too. Just keep eating healthy and exercise! I understand everything you're saying and at least you have a good month! I stopped getting periods which helped me so much. But I also have endo and adeno so for me it was worth it to gain 5 pounds and have no periods and no pain but it may help with vulvodynia too! Who knows really?

I am not on birth control-I went off it a while ago because I read it can cause/irritate vulvodynia. I gained weight from the Elavil. I have been eating like crap though-but it definitely makes it hard to control my eating!! My V gets worse before my periods for sure. I didn't find birth control helped at all. The V just comes and goes. It has a mind of it's own. With stress it is way worse too. It has not been controlling my life lately. It does go through periods where it is so bad I obsess over it constantly and try everything to make it better. I hope it goes away one day. I get worried about having kids later in life and how it will affect me but we just have to take it one day at a time.

And yes-I agree gaining 5 lbs is worth it if the medicine HELPS. But I don't find that the Elavil makes a huge difference. Maybe a slight dent in the irritation, but I will continue taking it because I am afraid going off it my V will be much worse.

What is elavil ? Is it the same as lyrica or amiltriptilyn ?

Elavil is the brand name for amitriptyline. It's a little easier to spell.   

-exercising DAILY
-take warm baths, and try having the warm or hot water spill on your lower back right above your butt or have warm water spill directly on your vagina or anus and leave it there until you feel a little comfort (helped me)
-take 4 pills of calcium citrate (no harmful chemicals, natural)
-low oxalate diet?
-gluten free diet?
-anti-fungal diet?
-pelvic muscle therapist?
-EDMUAID (all natural ointment, 98% success rate, can buy online)
-buy heating pad and place on abdomen or lower back, can release any tension in that area that may be bundling your nerves around that area, thus sending less pain signals to your brain
-try to be stress free as possible
those are a few. email me if you want any more advice. don't lose help i've been dealing with this for a year, maybe more and i feel a lot better, so can u. If your body felt better before you experienced this condition, it can feel better again