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
darcy1970 liz84514
Posted
I have all the same symptoms for the past 4 months.. which started as a yeast infection. I got an infection (have only had one before, maybe 2, but 20 years ago probably.) Had been traveling, in a friends hot tub.. didn't rinse well, hot weather, skinny jeans.. stuck in airport in skinny jeans for 3/4 extra hours! Figured it was a yeast infection and bought an over the counter 3 day Monistat (i'm in the u.s.) first one kind of burned.. so i decided to go the natrual route and things were kind of better but not gone. Then went to doctor and got tested and yes had a very minor yeast infection labs said. Dr percribed diflucan (oral antifungal) and still symptoms. No itching or discharge (never had discharge) but still sore, irritated and raw. Took second oral.. still problems, not always thought but always aware of vulva. I tried all the natural yeast solutions.. coconut oil with tea trea oil, yogurt, etc. Still irritated.. tryed Monistat again. Seemed to temporarily clear up (maybe 2 days).. so I thought yeast must have still been there. An aquantice that was an OB/GYN i ran into said it sounds like you irritated your vulva with all the anti-fungals and said I should try TAC ointment.. a steriod cream. Tried for a week and seemed to make things worse. Then emailing with Dr. office she thought maybe it was recurrent yeast and told me to try Boric Acid suppositories. They seemed to work for a couple days and then very raw. She referred me to a pelvic floor therapist now.. and I have stopped using anything on it except an occasionl organic natural vaginal moisuturizer if I have to. I saw the therapist this week and she did massage therapy and said the vulva muscles definately feel tight..and noticed the red irriation. She is having me do the massage technique daily for 2 weeks with some pelvic floor relaxation exercises (even though my floor seemed alright). Right now I'm pretty sore but praying this works!
My question is do you think the amitryptiline is what really started your healing..
I'm too nervous to have the Dr perscribe any creams/steriod that could irritate it more. But amitryptiline is an oral medication, right? Any advice would be great! Thanks
HK73037 darcy1970
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lynne1945 darcy1970
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Hi Darcy
coming in late here but if you don't already know by now, Amytriptiline doesn't have anything to do with healing. It's a antidepressant drug that was found to have pain relieving properties several years ago in small doses. I take 30 mgs daily and it just takes the edge off my painful lichen Planus lesions. But it's a hard drug on the body, lots of side effects, very constipating and causes stomach problems. I take a probiotic daily but still have indigestion issues and dry mouth. It's a trade off, would you rather have side effects or the pain?
HK73037 liz84514
Posted
Hi Liz - I know you haven't been on the forum for quite a while, but I'm hoping you will still see this comment. I have been dealing with the same issue as well (for about 3 months). Have been to many doctors and specialists. Like you, I have lower back pain, particularly around the time of my period. My down there problem started randomly one day during a terrible episode of lower back pain, so I'm thinking my issue is also related to back pain. I have tried pelvic floor physical therapy (8 sessions, 2 times per week) and unfortunately no improvements. I just saw a chiropractor and she believes the issue is with my spine and suggested doing some therapy for it. Would you be able to describe the physio that finally became your solution? I'm wondering if the chiropractor I'm seeing is doing what you had done. Also, do you think that without the amitryptiline the physio would not have helped you? Thank you so much.
liz84514 HK73037
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Hi, the good news is that the reason I've not been on the forum for a while is because thankfully I no longer spend my days thinking about my sore vulva!!!! That's got to be a good thing 😀
Your problems do seem like mine. I went to see a lady who specialises in something called 'body stress release' if you google it , it should come up. I was VERY sceptical about the whole thing as its a bit alternative! But it's kind of like a form of massage. The key is that it's very gentle. My muscles in my lower back have spent so long in spasm that it's a case of slowly but gently releasing them. I had physio for my back before but it was so rough it didn't help.
The other thing I've done which has massively helped is exercises at home to build up my core strength to support my back. Every day I do some exercise- just stuff off the web.
I rarely get a flare up now, although oddly enough, the last few days I've been a bit conscious of 'down there' not badly but just enough to realise that I've done too much sitting crouched over my laptop on the sofa - something I know give me trouble. I've had a little twinge in my back and sure enough a few days latter the vulva issue comes! But I'm not worried as I know that I just need to relax and I'll be right in a few days.
Amytriptyline was good for hiding the discomfort for a while but eventually it stopped working and was just masking the problem.
Be prepared for a slow recovery. You will need to be patient but you will get better x
HK73037 liz84514
Posted
Liz, thank you so much for your response! I'm so glad to hear that you're feeling mostly better, although sad to hear that this sounds like somewhat a chronic issue :-( . Thank you for the information and your well wishes. The chiropractor I saw today did something similar to what you are describing - a gentle massage/manipulation on my lower back. It was a quick 10 minute procedure and she told me to come back 3 times a week for a month - does this sound right? I'm so desperate for this to go away, I'm willing to do anything and everything, but so far everything I've tried has brought me back to square one.
liz84514 HK73037
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HK73037 liz84514
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taylor71548 liz84514
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mel368 liz84514
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I am feeling everyone's pain on this! Two weeks ago i felt an itch just at the 'top' of 'down there' - where the pubic hair starts - initially i thought id shaved too close and it was a rash which itched like crazy then went away for a couple days, then came the pulling sensation of what i thought was thrush along with the persistent itch which returned......cue canesten application which actually made it worst!! Of course, it was a weekend and so no doctor appointment available and by Monday morning i was in tears with the pain which had now travelled all over. Cystitis is a walk in the park compared to that pain!!
Visited the chemist who was so sympathetic and said phone the doc immediately as its not thrush or cystitis.
Cutting a long, itchy and not too mention painful week short (plus walking like John Wayne) I've had 2 swabs and due blood tests. Doc has been brilliant explaining the wide range of causes of what it could be - currently using dermovate until results are through - the itch is still there but the pain has dramatically reduced (till the morning and bedtime rolls round ). Hopefully its nothing serious and can be treated.
Doc says that apparently people with allergies to penicillin (as i am) are susceptible - I've also had serious outbreaks of atopic eczema in the past which could also be related but very interested to read about lower back pain as i have a deteriorated disc which pops every now and again trapping my sciatic ......oh, the joys of getting old and itchy nunnies!!
Raquel1215 liz84514
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Hello...
I was searching thru the internet for a year now for all the answers. I thought I had a disease like HIV or STDs and etc, etc. But the itchyness and rawness came in to the point it was uncomfortable to walk, work and even wear pants and underwear. Last night, I started crying uncontrollably and my parents and my boyfriend had to rush me to the hospital. I tested negative in everything especially in yeast infection came out negative because the doctor thought I might just have a yeast infection.
I described the doctor I had this needle like, sting feeling on my vulva and makes me feel like poking and itchy down there. Sometimes it feels like something was crawling thru my pubes. At first it was flaky and itchy until I used vaseline and it removed the flakiness. Yet, the raw feeling, needle like feeling and itchy feeling is still there. The unbearable itchiness started when I had my period and after that , that's when the worst feeling came along. Right now, I feel comfortable laying in bed and nothing to wear.
I just want this feeling to stop and get back to my normal life again. Good thing I'm not alone with this situation .. Any suggestions ? I feel like I just wanted to vent. & I'm only 21 years old...
vya58090 Raquel1215
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Raquel1215 vya58090
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The doctor prescribed me Fluconazole tablet. Even tho I don't have yeast infection, they told me to take it and hopefully it relieve me from pain. Also , they prescibed me Miconazole 7 for antifungal vaginal only on the outer, not inside, for only 7 days and use twice a day. I have my OB/Gyno appt next Thursday which I hope the doctor could help me with this situation. I took the pill and it suppose not to relieve quickly, it takes several days and the cream, I still calms and cools it down but it makes me itchy ..afterwards..
If that's the case, I hope it fights off the bad bacteria because I hate not wearing underwear and pants. At least it should let me wear underwear with not much discomfort and that way I can wear skirts instead.........
I will talk to my doctor about it, At least the ER sent my results to my doctor at OB/Gyno and hope to receive any relief and treatments..
leo79 Raquel1215
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I have the same symptoms as you. I just found out about witch hazel liquid or astringent and I am wiping down there with it. And the pokey, itchy, crawly feeling goes away and is soothing. Witch hazel is used for skin irritations among other things. I am 36 and have been having this skin problem down there for 11 years on and off. Sometimes it goes away for 4-5 years comes back for 2 years and goes away for 2 years and now back again for me. I've been checked, biopsy and culture, as well as std. No one has any idea so far. Once I got a shot of steroid and kenelog on my buttocks and that's when it went away for 4-5 years. Hope this helps you out.
leo79
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oops I've been checked for everything and it always comes back negative for std's or anything like that. So no one knows what it is except for excema or dermatitis for now.