Discontinued Estrace - burning, itching, swelling
Posted , 6 users are following.
I've used a pea sized amount of Estrace for the vulva less than two weeks.
I have constant burning and itching. I itched some before, but not like this. I thought using coconut would sooth the itching, but has made it worse. I stopped the estrace and I am calling the pelvic pain doctor tomorrow and going to try to get in. I looked in a mirror and the vulva is bright red and there appears to be swelling. I think I am having an allergic reaction. It ticks me off because when I called the dr. last week he said to keep using it until he saw me at the end of the month.
I started using hydrocortisone 1% ointment last night and again this morning. This is what I was using before the Estrace and the burning was bearable. I am leaving for a road trip next Monday and there is no way I can sit in a car like this.
Do any of you use hydrocortisone 1% ointment? It was recommended by my dermatologist and OK'd by my former gynecologist. They said it could be used every day. I'm going mad.
0 likes, 39 replies
yolanda11663 lorrie70
Posted
Feeling awful for you , was told to try coconut oil but didn't help made irritation worse for me, after 6 weeks Replens better but burns some on outer area I feel which the steroid takes away, changes soaps also, some days good but get the bad too never right yet I had hysterectomy 3 years ago for cancer so trying not to do hormone cream especially when I read people still not comfortable with it like you now! Oh boy this is awful, take an allergy pill might help
lorrie70 yolanda11663
Posted
wendy62425 lorrie70
Posted
Lorrie
I am so glad you are going to call doctor tomorrow. Tell them you are miserable...discrible your symptoms and what you saw and are due to go on a road trip and need help asap. I'm sorry you are experiencing this discomfort...maybe you can get second opinion with different doctor!! Are you in the U.K.?
lorrie70 wendy62425
Posted
Wendy,
I didn't realize I started a new thread! I could not even find my post. I called the answering service and the doctor called me right back. He told me to come in tomorrow, thank God! I would not be in such a panic if it were not for the road trip. We have had this planned for months. We will only be gone three days, but I don't want it to be a miserable three days. I hope he doesn't prescribe something else that will exacerbate my symptoms. No, I'm not in the UK. I'm in the US.
wendy62425 lorrie70
Posted
I am in the US too? Is your road trip a mini vacation? Where are you headed! I am on the east coast. Please let us know what your doctor says today at your appointment.
Wendy
lorrie70 wendy62425
Posted
I called the office as soon as they opened and the receptionist said they had no appointments available today. I told her the dr. told me to come in today so she asked him and he said tomorrow was fine. I would have been livid had I not been better this morning. I ended up taking a shower and using soap to wash off the Estrace, coconut oil and hydrocortisone and later in the evening I took a sitz bath. Lo and behold, I felt better this morning. I still have the burning I had when I first went to the doctor, but the itching has subsided. The coconut oil had to be the culprit for the itching. The burning is always in the same spot in the back on the left side. Also, I stopped wearing the jockey underwear where the seam of the cotton crotch hit in the middle of the vulva. So, maybe that was part of it too, or applying too many things at once. We are going to Port Huron in Michigan. It's a little over 3 hours and I can barely take riding in the car for more than an hour. I feel the worst when I sit on either one of our car seats. Even if the doctor gives me another cream or prescribes the estrogen compound, I don't want to use anything until I return!
wendy62425 lorrie70
Posted
Hi Lorrie
I know this sounds funny but they do have special donut cushions to sit on. I think they use them after hemroid surgery....maybe that would help the car trip.
Honestly i agree.....I think maybe you were using too many different creams, oils, etc. hopefully your private area will take a break from everything today. Sorry to hear about having to wait until tomorrow for appointment but giving that area a rest may be good for the doctor to see what's going on.
i wish you a good thourough doctors appointment tomorrow!
have a nice rest of your day!
Wendy
beverly52803 wendy62425
Posted
beverly52803 lorrie70
Posted
Can you avoid pants and wear dresses or skirts? Don't they call not wearing underwear going commando? You might consider it. Just make it a long enough skirt and have underwear on hand when you need it.
Good luck. Hope you get to enjoy your trip.
lorrie70 wendy62425
Posted
I've bought two donut cushions and had to return both. They made matters worse. I was wondering about lidocaine. I know some women use it before sex, but I would think it would be good for sitting. Do you or anyone else use Lidocaine and what strength? I am willing to try anything. I think using the sitz bath last night and again this morning was too much and dried things out!
lorrie70 beverly52803
Posted
Hi, Beverly,
As you see in Wendy's reply, I have tried two donut cushions and they were so uncomfortable, I returned them.
I don't even own a skirt. I did buy huge pajamas with shorts for the bottom and I have been wearing them a lot without underwear. I am so much worse than when I saw the pelvic pain doctor two weeks ago and he prescribed Estrace. I should have left well enough alone.
wendy62425 lorrie70
Posted
Hi Lorrie
I'm so sorry the cushions did not work for you. I'm not familiar with Lidocaine but honestly I would not try anything else until you see your doctor hopefully tomorrow. Ask him about it but let him diagnose what he see's. I'm sure your private area must be so irritated. Hang in there girl! Let's us know what your doctor recommends for you.
have a good sleep.
Wendy
wendy62425 lorrie70
Posted
Lorrie.....make sure you tell your doctor "everything " you have used since your last Dr. Visit.
lorrie70 wendy62425
Posted
I think you are right about using too many things at once. This is what happened originally when my former gynecologist kept prescribing different things. Even though the sitz baths eased the itching, they exacerbated the irritation. The only relief I had tonight was a small coat of Vaseline which the pelvic pain doctor told me not to use but I was desperate. I am so glad I have found this group, for no one else would understand. Thanks for listening!
beverly52803 lorrie70
Posted
I'm pretty sure I have read on other posts that women have used lidocaine out of desperation, but I would see the doctor asap. Some women also use ice packs. Don't put it directly on skin or for too long though. What was your original diagnosis? Were you in pain, itching, UTI? It does sound as though your body is overwhelmed and needs a rest from all the "cures". Have you tried an antihistamine pill? Can't do any harm.
Hope you get some relief!
lorrie70 beverly52803
Posted
I've been using ice packs and put a sock around a frozen water bottle. So far, I have been to four gynecologists and a dermatologist. The only dr. who diagnosed VA was the pelvic pain doctor. Two doctors (in the same practice) and my dermatologist said I had "irritation". One dr. said I had vulvodynia and told me to use either estrace or hydrocortisone 1% and stick to which worked best. The last dr. The pelvic pain specialist was the only one who diagnosed me with VA. So, who knows. Three cultures all negative, but I was still treated for yeast and bacterial infections after having IV antibiotics. Two Monistat 7, one Metrogel, and two Terconazol. The doctor who diagnosed it as vulvodynia said all of the meds could have started it. I was fine before the antibiotics. I can't take an antihistamine due to an abnormal heart rhythm.