My 6 year story

Hi Ladies,

I am new to this forum and I figured this would be a great place for my first post. I am 22 years old and have had vulvodynia for approximately 6 years. It has definitely been a struggle with many up ands far too many downs, but I'm still fighting everyday. My story began much like many of yours. A nasty yeast infection and UTI that never seemed to go away. I wasn't sexually active at the time so STI's did not play a role. I saw countless doctors who all dismissed my pain and even had a family doctor tell me she would no longer accept me as her patient. As a woman who had female doctor I was repulsed by how quickly she dismissed my concerns and referred me to a councillor because she thought it was all in my head. Crazy right? We have all been there and I want you all to know that although I have been in a nasty flare recently, I am beginning to feel a lot better. Elavil was no help to me, though it was the first choice of treatment from my Gyn. The first year of pain was probably the worst, because like all of you, i tried osteopaths, was on way too much diflucan and flagy, and was in a relationship with a guy who was extremely hormonal like most teens are. Sex with his was coexistent, not because I didn't want it, but because it was too freakin PAINFUL! Here is where my story changes. After developing TMJ after a wisdom teeth surgery gone wrong, I was referred to a pain specialist who was very knowledgeable about pelvic pain as well. He connected my pelvic pain to a nasty fall I had while cheerleading in high school and discussed the possibility of a tail bone injury as well as pelvic floor weakness. Unlike many other doctors, HE CARED. I can't pinpoint exactly what got me to a point of remission but i can tell you all that it lasted 4 years! 4 years of no pain! My most recent flare seemed to have been set off by the same yeast and UTI combo and I have been feeling it for about 2 months. Back to my pain specialist, who believes that my muscles are so tight they are compressing my pelvic nerves. I am now getting treated with compounded vaginal suppositories which contain valium, lidocaine and one other anti-spozmadic? sorry my spelling is terrible. I have the most supportive boyfriend, and my family is right there by my side. I think the meds may be helping but it is too early in the treatment to tell.


IM SO SO SORRY for the long post but i needed to vent and I finally had the guts to join this forum and tell my story. I believe we can all get better, we just need to find a doctor who won't give up; much like my pain specialist. Here is to a pain free future for us all!

I also have a tailbone injury---broken in 2 spots. I am wondering if I should see a pelvic floor therapy person or a pain specialist for this. It's interesting that this sort of thign can cause all of these issues. Mine also started with a UTI and yeast infection...but I was having some tail bone issues before that somewhat...and then I actually 'broke' my tailbone a month after my problems started...

My pain specialist said he sees many women and surprisingly men who are snowboarders, bicyclists etc that have these sorts of injuries, which inevitably lead to weak pelvic floor muscles. He believes I was pain free for so many years because I hadn't had any subsequent infections. UTI's and Yeast can cause the muscles to tense up and cause pain that mimics other conditions. I am looking into started PT after my treatment with the suppositories hopefully helps release the muscles. I feel like as much a GYN's can help with the exterior pain issues that they CAN see... a specialist who knows about pelvic floor muscles may be more helpful in diagnosing what could be the root of our pelvic pain. Definitely see if you can get an internal vaginal and rectal exam.... you will be surprised as to how much more painful it is when a doctor knows which muscles are is spasm.