Is this really vulvodynia??

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone has presented with symptom of feeling like they need to pee all the time? This started for me about 5 weeks ago and urine test was negative for UTI (sent to lab also). According to my GP i have eczema/psoriasis around my bottom - this was diagnosed over a year ago and comes and goes and doesn't bother me too much. Sometimes I'm itchy around the front but not intensely and I thought it was normal to feel the odd itch here and there. It's certainly not something I'd call a pain or burning like vulvodynia is described as.

Anyway, I went back to my GP twice in the last 5 weeks and she's had a look down below, says eczema is still there but there's no sign or thrush or infection and that I have vulvodynia. She has prescribed amitriptyline which I've started and if I thought it would work I wouldn't mind but I still have the feeling like I want to pee all the time although I can hold it for hours, it's just that annoying sensation is there all the time. Nothing I read mentions this as a solitary symptom of vulvodynia. I'm really confused as to whether go with GP's advice which is that this is really common, my 'pain' is being interpreted as an urge to urinate and that the anti-dpressant will help once I get the right dose. Surely there's more to diagnosing this condition? And why does nobody seem to have the urge to pee as the only symptom when i read about it online? Any help much appreciated.

Sounds like interstitial cystitis...aka inflammation of the bladder. Google it. You need to see someone who specializes in uregynocology as well as normal gynecology. I'm no doctor but your symptoms are what interstitial cystitis is.

I got told I have vulvodynia and I even have the surgery (vestibulectomy) but I still had the feeling I always needed to wee. It turns out the vulvodynia has now gone, but I have IC. Another woman commented above about it, ask to see a urologist they will perform a certain test on your bladder to get a diagnosis x

Thanks for the replies. I dont have a feeling of needing to pee from my bladder, it's much lower down, like between my legs and that's why the dr says Vulvodynia. Wouldn't I have other symptoms of Intersistal cystitis? thanks.

I have discomfort between my legs, most of the time when I need a wee or just after. It's not pain it feels like pressure more than anything.
Google the symptoms of IC the main common ones are,
Burning sensations
Frequent urination
Painful intercourse
Disturbed sleep

There the only ones I can think off from the top of my head, a lot of times IC is linked with vulvodynia.

Thanks again for the replies. the problem is I don't have any other symptoms of either vulvodynia or Intersistal cystitis. I have no trouble wearing tight clothes, sittng, sex etc so surely i should have other symptoms if it was one of those conditions. I can hold my pee for hours (5- 6 hours) its just that I feel that sensation of needing a pee sort of all the time. My dr told me she has another patient who has this for 3 years and has seen every specialist possible who haven't found anything wrong and won't accept its vulvodynia. I'm starting to think I'll end up like that as I can't understand how I have this symptom on its own. I'm beginning to think maybe it's an anxiety/ overthinking thing.......

No 2 people have the same symptoms. Dont get too hung up on that.

You are only seeing a GP yes? You need to see a proper specialist who is both a Gynecologist and Uregynocologist or whatever it's called.
The GP'S have nowhere near the same knowledge as a specialist and as the above comment said, no 2 people have the same symptoms. As you have seen on this website everyone has different symptoms, my main symptom is itching where most other women have burning.
It doesn't matter what your symptoms are, you need to get proper help! Look up the best specialist in your area that does do both gyne and uregynocology and get a referral from your GP.