Will I have VA forever?? I need help
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi
I have posted on here many times since August when I was first told I had VA. I have been on Vagifem since September, on Evorel Conti 50 patches since November and whilst somedays are good, some, like today, aren't. My work is being affected and I feel my life is spiralling out of control. I am just not myself.
I am so worried that I will be like this forever. Please tell me this is wrong, that I will get better. I am 53, post menopausal.
1 like, 13 replies
shirley84100 catherine32075
Posted
Hi Catherine, Im 59 and went through the menopause when I was 53. No periods since then . That was 2010. It was 4 years later in 2014 that I started with all the vaginal soreness, bladder pressure and bloating, urge to wee all the time, urethral soreness etc. It was hell and the Doc told me it was VA too. So I was on Vagifem for about 6 months then GYNEST HRT cream for about 6 months. I didn't think either were helping so I came off and struggled on without anything for a while. But after a while I went back on to GYNEST and for some reason it worked better the 2nd time round. But just recently it's not been working as well so I came off it a week ago tonight. Well not so much came off it intentionally as just didn't use it on the usual Monday and Friday nights. Surprisingly I've not been too bad this last week but I can't imagine it will be like this permanently. Then I will have to perhaps start with my Vit E Suppositories again. I don't like using HRT if I'm honest but these Suppositories are at least natural and help a lot with lubrication. Not sure if we will be like this forever or not but even if we are we will hopefully learn how to control the symptoms so they don't impact on our lives so much.
alexandria69483 catherine32075
Posted
Hi Catherine,
I am so sorry you are suffering. I am 54 and have been suffering with the most severe symptoms of AV for about one year now. I also am having difficulty working and do a lot of crying. I have tried numerous remedies including estrace and vagifem but both helped little.
But instead of crying all of the time and being depressed I decided to take action! There has to be a solution to this! Have you considered the Mona Lisa Laser? I had my first treatment 5 days ago. I feel no improvement yet, but I know it can take some time, most experiencing relief after the 2nd treatment. The treaments are 7 weeks apart. It is a simple treatment with little pain but can be costly and is not covered by health insurance but well worth it if it works. Mona Lisa has a website for more info.
Also, try to stay positive...stress taxes the adrenal glands which are supposed to produce enough estrogen after menopause to keep us comfortable. Please read about this on the interenet. There are things you can do to help your adrenals to function better such as drinking himalayan salted water,moderate exercise and a whole foods diet, but the biggest reason for adrenals not workin properly is stress..
AV causes so much stress that that is all we can think about day and night because we want life back as we know it, but it is this stess that is making us sicker and sicker.
I'll keep you posted on how my Mona Lisa treatment is progressing. I am so praying this works! I am at my wits end but am trying to stay more positive to help my adrenal glands.
I wish you much love...I know how much you are suffering as I am going through exactly the same thing..
shirley84100 alexandria69483
Posted
Yes I agree completely about the stress side of Vaginal Atrophy and any other physical problem too come to that. I am troubled with a urination problem now too and the more I get anxious and stressed about it, the worse it gets. On the rare occasion that I'm not wound up about it, my urination is a lot better but I can't seem to maintain this relaxed state every day. So I'm actually starting CBT next week to see if it helps.
donna18720 alexandria69483
Posted
alexandria69483 donna18720
Posted
donna18720 alexandria69483
Posted
donna18720 catherine32075
Posted
Catherine I know exactly where you are. My house is filled with foam cushions on chairs. I'm an artist and I just spoke to a client that gave me a big order but I am unable to work on them. She is pushing me to have them done by the end of this month. When I accepted this work I told her upfront how miserable I am and could not promise when they would be done. Now she's adding to my stress.
My husband would like some romance and every little gesture he makes makes me fell worthless.
I think it is impossible for people to look at you and understand the pain.
I wish I could tell you it will be normal again. It is what I worry the most about ~ Is this forever? Can I learn to live with some level of discomfort?
All I can say is I am glad to know I am not alone and I have this spot to learn and figure out things together. I know you understand the despair that we have to fight against
catherine32075 donna18720
Posted
Hi Donna
It's so confusing as to why some women respond more quickly and effectively to the same treatment, like ours, and others struggle. If we could understand this then may be we could get further along. I had a horrible day yesterday and spent most of it crying. The emotional battle is as bad as the physical. Everyday is a battle to get through. I have concluded that something has to give for me and I think it will be my work, with all the financial implications, I have started to wonder if stress is preventing me getting better, not sure but just can't work it out. I am seeing a gynaecologist tomorrow for the first time, it was my GP who diagnosed me and have dealt with me since then so I am looking forard to seeing someone who has more expertise. Fingers crossed for some new insight or advice.
donna18720 catherine32075
Posted
let me know if you get any new ideas from your doctor. I switch to the new yuvafem on Friday , really nervous about changing
I know the fear that this is as good as it gets scares me to death. And my G actually said this is maybe the best I will get at my last visit. The worst thing is I don't feel like anyone in my life understands how bad this is and how my life is on hold. Everytime my husband makes a playful little comment I have to fight bursting out in tears. I guess I look the same, it's not like it's a visable illness.
catherine32075 donna18720
Posted
Hi Donna
I saw the doctor this morning who is said to be a menopause specialist. I told her everything, how long I had the symptoms etc and the meds I am trying. She told me to increase the vagifem to five times a week, instead of twice and to have the cystoscopy done on my bladder to rule out bladder probs. Her view is that the urinary symptoms I have are to do with lack of estrogen in the bladder and that I haven't been taking enough vagifem.
I am already on hrt patches but she said they will have little impact on vaginal/urinary symptoms and topical is best for there.
She told me to use an emolient when washing/showering and not to use Replens as my symptoms are now less to do with dryness (bit confused by this but that's what she said.) She did an internal and said it was a bit red but not too bad.
I am to go back in 2 months.
So now I am trying vagifem 5 times a week and see how that goes, haven't yet got a date for the cystoscopy.
donna18720 catherine32075
Posted
well that is probably true the lack of estrogen cause bladder and UTI symptoms and I have them all the time. Some days bad some okay. All my urine cultures turn out neg. so it's not infection.
I would be confused by the symptoms not due to dryness? I had the last gynourologist tell me my pelvic examine she had seen worse. Which, thanks but that really does nothing for the constant burning I am fighting and living with
Vagifem five times a week? Let me know if that changes things. Right now I'm on only twice a week. My doctor basically is letting me chart my treatment at this point. I think I am more informed than she is
Do you feel they just simply do not understand how this affects your life? I always leave the doctors feeling like I've been told nice little girl now go take your meds and stop being a drama queen
catherine32075 donna18720
Posted
Hi
Yes it dooes feel like medics don't reallly understand how hard it is for us. I guess they detach from the individual to some degree and focus on symptoms and facts, as they see it. I will definitely let you know if I see improvement. The last six months with this have been the worst in my life; so no one will ever tell me that I am over reacting and whatever happens I will always have sympathy for women with this.
donna18720 catherine32075
Posted