Ever hopeful!

It was in the July of 2009 and that I first experienced discomfort during sex. I thought it would go away so ignored it for a while, but noticed a small lump. The doctor assured me it was a harmless cyst that would go away in time. Indeed it did but the pain did not. My doctor referred me to the Gynae Clinic where I was diagnosed with vulvodynia. Great, I thought, a diagnosis so the treatment can start straight away. But as we all know,there is no cure for this horrid condition. I did try Canesten cream but it made the condition much worse.

My symptoms:
Discomfort, sometimes intense.
Constant burning sensation, this I can live with day to day, only during sex is it almost unbearable.
Stinging sensation at the perineum.
During sex the pain is similar to stabbing and burning.
Treatments offered:
Lidocaine. Does not help.
Dilators. Have not even tried, seems futile?
Self-help:
I do not use any perfumed toiletries. Only Simple soap.
White cotton undies from M & S. Laundered in Fairy non-bio on a hot wash. No fabric conditioner.
Only use white toilet paper, not perfumed or patterned.
I am already taking Fluoxetine (Prozac) which is a different kind of anti-depressant to the type sometimes offered to V sufferers and I dare not change as it works for me.
Currently, I am using Vaseline but there is no change to my condition.

I'm so pleased that I have found this forum to share experiences and hopefully mutual help and support. One thing I would really like to know is what happened to start my Vulvodynia off. Was it the menopause, the cyst, could it have been a minor trauma when I had a bikini wax? Off to read through the threads now and get some ideas to alleviate the discomfort until someone finds a miracle cure and we can all get on with our lives!

Hey!

Thats just it camper...WTF has caused this????

For me...I speculate about several things...but really its important to see this in the big picture.

My health has always been the weakest out of all my family...I was always getting sick, getting eczema, tonsilitis....you name it.

I think this V stuff is one part derme, one part inflammatory, one part neurological. Its a combo of things and as a result a combo of treatments are required for this...in other words it requires a multi disciplinary appraoch.

Thanks for sharing

You will find the support you need on here...

Its really hard to pin point what causes it, I think a number of things contributed to my eventual full blown constant pain:

Long term antibiotics - for acne for years when younger
Senstive skin - in general any perfumed products in the bath over time set off pain and thrush infections.
Tight pelvic area and Vaginismus - since I was 13 I couldnt even use tampons and I have always been tight - also a sexual assult at 15 made this a lot worse
Ongoing back problems - it seems many women with vulval pain have back pain, I have had this since I was a child. Was even given an xray on my back but they couldnt find anything wrong?
Nerves? - im unsure about the whole over active nerve firing thing which is why im testing this and have started taking pregabalin.

Cor dear right now I really hate my vulvar! think i might exchange it for a chocolate orange

Yeah Sebby...I think its a combo of things that set us up for this...Im sure sooner or later »I would have developed this...

1. My Usage of antibiotics for tonsil issues
2. Skin sensitivities
3. Maybe some neurological issues?
4. WTF who knows

Problem is...we all need to act as our own docs!

Well if we all dont get honorary doctorates in a few years time I will be mighty pissed!

Haha...I think were over qualified for doc status...we are specialists!

I think it's that bloody pudendal nerve then the muscles on the pelvic floor bunch up in reaction to perceived pain. Well for me anyway.

Mine kicked off after surgery down there... hmmmm one year ago this week. What no champagne???

All those anti depressents are to rewire the brains reaction to pain. Who knows maybe an electric current would work better.

Thanks all! Back pain, Sebby? I hurt my back a few years ago while moving furniture and get a flare up now and again (gardening usually sets it off) but I never made the link with V. Stress seems to make it worse or is it that when you feel stressed other feelings are heightened? Can someone find a cure please I would rather chat about chocolate oranges!!!

Hey Mouse snap, I'm also at my one year anniversary now. If someone had told me I'd still have the problem in a years time I'd never have believed them back then.

All of my problems started after an abortion. I had never had any problems before then. First it was reccuring yeast infections for years, and finally when that was cured (by a naturopath I might add, not a gyno). I guess from all of the yeast infection creams etc. that I was using I was left with V.

What I have learned. Never put any cream, steroids etc on your vulva without talking to someone first. I used tea tree oil as an anti fungal and it probably did a lot of damage to the nerve endings.

Interesting you say that Sally, my physio was very keen to attribute mine to some trauma down there. I've had 3 fairly uneventful deliveries. She says the body remembers trauma. I did have some of that when I was younger and haven't had the courage to mention it yet. It's my aim to do it when I see her on Tuesday. I have my therapist Wednesday and she suggested I share... so I'm on a time limit with my homework :\

Yes Camper I have always had a dodgy back and pain since I was a little girl. I remember when we would all sit in the TV roomm to watch crap the teachers thought was educational and I was probably the only 7-8 year old who had to sit up straight and think about my posture. My back would ache terribly.

I used to pull the back muscles quite frequently too and be laid out on the sofa. Drs couldnt find a reason, did and x ray and said I was ok.

I guess I just saw it as part of my life, had to be careful doing the garden, hoovering etc I put my back out hoovering loads of times!

yes I really do think I need a physio! or a chocolate orange...either/or