getting pregnant and vulvodynia

Hi Ladies,

Before I started getting V about a year and a half ago, I sadly lost a baby at 16 weeks. She was a surprise baby when I was 23 and had just started seeing someone, but we both wanted to keep her and were excited about the pregnancy, so it was a massive loss which has left me wanting to be a mum much earlier than I had thought before.

I often think about trying for another baby. Although it is not the right time financially at the moment, I hope that in a couple of years it will be something we will do.

However, at the moment the only thing which seems to help me is a relatively high dose of amytriptaline, which is not safe in pregnancy. I tried reducing it recently but the pain was too much. although I am hopeful about physiotherapy, I really worry that I won't ever be able to come off it and try for a baby.

I wondered what other people have done when faced with this and if anyone can share any positive stories about trying for a baby with vulvodynia.

I know I should try and focus on the here and now but it feels like a weight hanging over me sometimes!

thanks
xxx

Hello,

I am so sorry to hear about your loss.

I am 27 years old 26 weeks pregnant and have had V for four years now, tried many treatments including surgery..twice. I have not found ONE thing that helps with the pain.

My partner and I have been together for 6 years and sense I got V we have sex very little so I am oddly lucky to have gotten pregnant.

I worry all the time that I will not be able to give 100% into being a mom because I am in constant pain...I am very excited and happy, don't get me wrong but it is hard being in so much pain all the time.

But if I can do it anyone can do it! So please never give up on your dreams of being a mommy because of V. Good luck to you when you do decide the time is right.

Also I have never tried anitripdylin (mspelled) I wonder if when I have the baby if it is something I should try? My pain is constant and unprovoked, it gets worse after sex(like the next morning) and it is a STRONG burning feeling. Is yours anything like that? Just asking because I might ask my Doctor if I can try this medication after pregnancy.

Hi Azraella,

Thanks for your message and congratulations on your pregnancy!

I'm sure it must be worrying thinking about being a mum and still being in pain, but I'm sure that you will do it! Pain can make me feel really anxious about not being able to do things but I am always surprising myself by doing those things anyway.

It could be worth trying Amitryptaline once the baby arrives (although I would think you probably can't mix it with breastfeeding, but I'm not sure). It has definitely helped me to live a more normal life with much less pain on a daily basis/when having sex.

It is actually an anti-depressant, but prescribed in lower dosages for pain relating to nerves (vulvodynia but also other types of chronic pain) which don't respond to other pain killers. You have to start it at a low dosage and then increase it slowly (i.e. each week) until you get to the dosage that blocks your pain.

It does have some side effects which I don't like: it can make you pretty drowsy and a bit foggy, and you get a dry mouth. some people also find it makes them put on weight, but I haven't had that, and have been taking it for about a year. You can't drink as well if you are taking it.

I found these side effects (especially feeling drowsy) were much worse when I first started taking it - but after about 6 weeks (which I know is a struggle!) they stopped affecting me so much and I could get on with my life almost normally. I take them at night so that I mostly sleep through the time they make me drowsy and just feel a bit more tired than usual in the day.

A physio also said that gabapentin could help - this is another drug which relates to nerve pain.

None of these pills are cures but they make the symptoms more manageable while I look for a way to tackle the problem.

Also, have you tried physiotherapy at all for your pelvic floor muscles? Mine is very tight with lots of trigger points (muscle knots) and I am seeing a women's health physiotherapist to learn how to relax it and essentially do some deep tissue massage to help.

Good luck - and take care in your pregnancy

xxxxx