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Newly Diagnosed with AV - Issues with Replens

Posted , 15 users are following.

julie60238
julie60238

I have been dealing with what feels UTI symptoms since early April.  7 courses of antibiotics later, a very painful cystoscopy, a yeast infection, BV, and now AV (and a 15 lb weight loss that I did not want).   During this entire time I have been using replens with the hope that some of the pain and burning would ease up a bit. But it didn’t. It turns out that the replens has been making things worse.  I have been having this very unusual white tissue like discharge  in addition to swelling, redness and severe burning. Turns out it is the replens!  Anyone else experience this? And any suggestions on a more natural product that has been successful at treating or at least reducing this horrible pain.  Anyone using Bioidentical hormones for AV? 

0 likes, 368 replies

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  • julie60238
    julie60238

    Posted

    This is turning out to be a tough week. I just lost my job because of all of this. Too many absences😢

    • Pookie1959
      Pookie1959 julie60238

      Posted

      I am so sorry to hear that, I also lost my job last July. All I can say is take the time off to take care of you and get as much rest as you can😀 I know where you are at and I know it’s hard but it will get better.  This is a horrible disease and I wonder how many more women need to suffer before they really get down to it and figure it! I am thinking of you and you know how to reach me!

      Jane

    • Guest
      Guest julie60238

      Posted

      Julie, 

      So sorry to hear this news.  Try to take care of yourself, rest as much as possible.  

    • julie60238
      julie60238 Guest

      Posted

      Thanks Patricia. I guess I will have a lot of time on my hands now to focus on getting better. 
    • lorrie70
      lorrie70 julie60238

      Posted

      So sorry to hear this, Julie.  I had to resign from my job when I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  If I didn't, I would have been terminated.  We were only permitted eight ocurrences (absences) per year and on the ninth, we would be terminated.  I had to have eight weekly immunotherapy treatments and I knew I would miss another day within the year and would be terminated, so I resigned.  This was at a hospital whose values were "compassion" and "the healing ministry of Jesus".  Go figure.

      I was approved for disability.  Is that an option for you?

    • julie60238
      julie60238 Pookie1959

      Posted

      Thank you Jane for your support. And I will. Still trying to process all of this. 
    • beverly52803
      beverly52803 lorrie70

      Posted

      Great example of a religious institution talking the talk and totally failing to walk the walk. But maybe the disability was a better option for you. Being fired for being ill seems so wrong. Maybe if Julie is in the US she will qualify for unemployment insurance though disability seems more appropriate. As I am officially off the hamster wheel, if I am not feeling well, I have the luxury of not having to pretend I am while making myself sicker at a job. Old age has its rewards!
    • julie60238
      julie60238 lorrie70

      Posted

      Things can always be worse I know but in the moment, it is hard to remember that. I am so sorry you have been through all of that. Thank goodness you qualified for disability. I am in Canada and the test for disability is difficult to meet here. I will apply for unemployment first and see what happens.  
  • beverly52803
    beverly52803 julie60238

    Posted

    julie, that's awful! Don't know what kind of work you were doing, but can't they give you at least an unpaid medical leave of some kind? Maybe you can go on disability till it resolves, though I'm not sure what that involves. Are you in the US?

    • julie60238
      julie60238 beverly52803

      Posted

      I am part time so I don’t qualify for anything. And this company has been very good to me in the past. Trying to look at the positive...maybe it’s a blessing because I’m clearly not coping well. It was just the last thing I needed after yesterday. But thanks for the suggestions. 
    • lorrie70
      lorrie70 julie60238

      Posted

      I was part time as well, but it would not hurt to check into disability.  I know there is a big difference in cancer and vulvodynia or VA, but if you are incapacitated, perhaps you can at least apply.
    • Suki_girl
      Suki_girl julie60238

      Posted

      Julie, use the time to focus on getting yourself better. Relax, treat yourself and experiment with finding what helps reduce (and hopefully eventually eliminate) your pain.
  • CHEFBLUE
    CHEFBLUE julie60238

    Posted

    I was diagnosed with atrophic vaginitis about a year ago. I found Replens aggravated the symptoms and stopped using it. Unfortunately the only thing that works for me is Yuvafem. It is a generic prescription (a tablet inserted vaginally). It took about 3 weeks for the pain to subside. Also I have had relapses on this medication-where I have had to increase use until symptoms subsided, then use 3 times per week.

    I do have a history of breast cancer, but was approved to go on this since it is low dose and the only thing that works.

    • beverly52803
      beverly52803 CHEFBLUE

      Posted

      Is Yuvafem different than Estrace? To my surprise I just read estradiol can also treat prostate and breast cancer (and prevent osteoporosis). It's called the estrogen paradox. First the tumor is starved of it than flooded with it. I have no idea how that works, but I do know my sister's breast cancer was considered estrogen receptive which is true of 80% of cases.

      Two gynecologists told me using these vaginal hormone creams are considered safe enough to prescribe  for women who have had breast cancer. I held off for three years but have begun using estradiol as there appears to be no other option.

    • CHEFBLUE
      CHEFBLUE beverly52803

      Posted

      Hi Beverly,

      Yes it is my understanding that Yuvafem and Estrace are the same (estradiol). The difference is one is a cream and the other a small tablet. The Yuvafem is generic and the brand is Vagifem. These are less messy for sure. I have been on this for about a year. Thank goodness it works.

      Rosemarie

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