When to ask for a referral to gyn (NHS)?

Hi everyone,

I'm new... had vulva pain for 4 months now, started off mild now quite a lot worse. My GP has diagnosed me with 'nerve pain' so I don't actually have a vulvodynia diagnosis or anything specific but it sounds awfully like vulvodynia to me.

Anyway, I asked my GP for a referral to gynaecology and he said 'there's no point in reffering to gyn, you have nerve pain and they can't treat that'. Is this true?

My GP is planning to try to treat this with pregabalin or gabapentin or possibly some tricyclic antidepressents (I'm already on Lyrica, 200mg a day but still in pain). Should I push for a refferal or give the drugs a fair chance first?

Any advice appreciated very much

Amy xx

Hi Amy.
That's completle rubbish, your doctor should of referred you to a gynocologist just for a second opinion! Even if he did only think it was 'nerve pain'.
I've had vulvodynia for three years, I got told I was paranoid and it was in my head, to get used to it there's nothing we can do, and also got told a number of times I had thrush. It was only the third gynocologist I seen at Solihull hospital that diagnosed me with vulvodynia. The NHS take there time with everything so I ended up paying to see a private gynocologist which is what a lot of women do on this forum because of the lack information the NHS actually provide on vulvodynia.

Even if you do just have 'nerve pain' there was still treatments you can have, so I don't understand why they were so reluctant to refer you. I'd definitely keep going back until the referred me to a specialist. Maybe try and see a different GP.

PM me if you have any questions x

Hi,

Thanks very much for your reply, it's so helpful to speak to someone with experience of this condition - I'm a bit lost!

I think I will try a second GP... I'm a bit puzzled about what vulvodynia actually is... I mean, I thought vulvodynia was 'nerve pain' but nerve pain in the vulva and therefore relevant to gynaecologists...? Or is it something different to nerve pain?

I have elements of PGAD as well, it alternates between pain and annoying persistant arousal, but I've avoided telling the GP in case they think I'm just crazy and send me to a psychologist

So frustrating too cos I know there is a specialist NHS vulval pain clinic in my city! Just wish they'd send me to it

xx

I would defenitley push on being referred because women suffer for years without having any help from the NHS don't let yourself be told there's nothing they can do because there is x

My doctor sent me straight to a gynecologist. It was the gynecologist that was useless. Said theres nothing he could do. Didn't even examine me. So I'm off back to my gp on Friday and gonna push for a referral to genitourinary clinic as I've heard of a doctor there who specialises in vulva pain conditions. I found out about her through the vulva pain site. Definitely worth checking out if the gynecologist route is useless x