Itchy, raw, vulva, nothing seems to
Posted , 79 users are following.
I suffered with vulva problems for 7 months. I promised myself that if I got to the bottom of the problem, I would share the answer with the fellow sufferers on the internet, since I myself spent hours reading in the hope I would find an answer. I hope this helps someone.
My story; 7 months ago I got the itch down there. At first I thought it was the skinny jeans I was wearing, but it didn't go away. So off I went to the chemist to buy canesten cream for thrush along with the pessary. 3 days later and no improvement. By this time I was getting really sore. I thought perhaps it hadn't worked so I used another treatment. Still no joy. So I figured I would see the doc. At my appointment she did not examine me, just took it on trust that I knew I had thrush.....she gave me 14days worth of pessaries!
By day 9 of using them I was raw! So back I went and I was examined. Swabs taken. I was really sore and cracked down there but was prescribed a mild topical steroid. Swabs came back clear. But still I was raw after the cream. In total the GP ended up prescribing 3 different steroid creams none worked. Eventually I paid £200 to see a specialist since the GP felt I had 'a skin problem' down there.
He told me I had eczema and for months I believed him and treated it with steroids, emmolient, avoiding shampoos etc.
but it just wouldn't go away. My symptoms were strange. I'd have days where it was really bad and days where I barely noticed it. I would feel raw when I walked, couldn't wear anything tight, sometimes I could barely where underwear. When I layed down it was fine but the minute I got up in the morning the ache/burn/itch would start.if I got sweaty from stress it would be terrible and I felt so depressed. There was just no explaining it. I spent so much money changing shampoo, underwear etc.
after nearly giving up I decided to go back to the doctor and thank heaven I did. 5 doctors later and a great doctor to whom I'm eternally grateful diagnosed me immediately. I had vulvodynia! I was doubtful at first since I had seen so many doctors with no clue, but she prescribed amitryptiline . Now a month later I'm getting back into leggings and jeans!
dont give up. There are good stories out there, keep going back to the doctor.
4 likes, 231 replies
Hippychick44 liz84514
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A quick update. It has now been over 18 months since I started suffering from this horrible condition. Thankfully after a few months of trying different creams etc my doctor suggested Amitryptaline. I started on a low dose of only 10 mg a night. It did help a lot. After about 6 months I upped the dose to 20 mg per night as I felt 10 mg wasn't enough anymore. That was around 6 months ago and I honestly say I hardly ever have any problems any more. I was worried about weight gain but I haven't put on even a pound! I still have the odd glass of wine and am enjoying life again. Good luck ladies, don't be scared of trying amitryptaline it certainly worked for me.
darcy1970 Hippychick44
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Did you ever try Pelvic therapy before the amitryptiline? I just started doing that and i'm wondering if it will really work. The therapist thinks I irritated my vulva with too many antifungals when I thought it was still yeast. Even though the majority of the antifungals were natural. I think i irritated it as well.. so am using nothing now and going crazy!
darcy1970
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darcy1970
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Sorry that last one was meant for Liz84514..
also just wondering if amitryptiline was what began your relief, and once you went off did the burning/irritation come back?
Hippychick44 darcy1970
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Hi Darcy, no I didn't try pelvic therapy before amitryptiline. To be honest nothing I tried made any difference (creams, lotions etc) but amitryptiline really was the turning point for me. I now only have the occasional flare up that lasts just for one day. The last time that happended was at the beggining of June, so a good couple of months of pain free living. Good luck xx
darcy1970 Hippychick44
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Thanks for the reply. Since I have stopped using anything on it and had one pelvic physical therapy session it's actually a bit better. However I did get my period on Sunday and wondering if that's part of it? When you were having problems was it better during menstral cycles. My sometimes have been the last couple months, but this one really seems to be. Praying this therapy and exercises are helping!
Hippychick44 darcy1970
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I hope the pelvic physical therapy works for you, it obviously better not to have to take drugs at all if you can get away with it. Good luck xx
Soph3377 Hippychick44
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May I please ask, did your symptoms include itching? My main symptom is severe itching and a prickling sensation. I am on 10mg of norotrytiline, with no success yet. I have only been taking it a month though.
I’d appreciate any advice!
Thank you,
Sophie
nicki11899 liz84514
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Hello I'm Nicki. I have had this for two days now. Some say I have an std but I don't. I don't understand it and my mom won't take me to the doctors for it. What can I do it I don't get the creame for it? Please help
jade2896 nicki11899
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nicki11899 jade2896
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How though? I wear skinny jeans but I'm not sexually active. It doesn't hurt to pee just iches really bad. It looks normal nothing different about it
jade2896 nicki11899
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nicki11899 jade2896
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Yes I am about to get my period. My mom told me to put coco butter on it. But I've never felt this nephew with my other periods
jade2896 nicki11899
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nicki11899 jade2896
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