It started out of the blue in April with itchiness. I went to the doctor and they gave me anti fungal pills for a yeast infection. The test for yeast came back negative. Then they gave me meds for bv. The test for bv came back negative. I've had many swabs done and they all come back negative. I have redness, itchiness and burning on the inside skin of the labia majora and some burning and redness on the left side of the vaginal opening. One doctor told me i had lichens sclerosis and gave me clobetasol and hydrocortisone and then another doctor said it definitely was not lichens sclerosis. I am at my wits end. This is effecting every part of my life and I just want to go back to normal. ANY help/support would be appreciated!
I forgot to mention that I have some slight anal irritation(redness and burning) it is very slight in comparison to the vulvar irritation.
Hi I'm sorry that you going through this. I know how bad it could get. I have suffer for 18 years. I have countless test, different medicines and doctors even an allergy doctor but nothing. I deal w it by using different creams that keep it down but some times not even the creams are enough. Before getting my period i get the itch so bad so i wash three times and keep creams plus vaseline which help alot doesn't cure it but it helps. I hope anyone finds a cure and let us know. Don't get so stress out it will make it worst. I hope my tips help you and if you find the cure sent a message same here. Good luck
Thanks for your reply! If I ever find out what the cure is I will be sure to let you know. It is very upsetting to have to deal with this. I can't imagine what you've been through having to deal with it for 18 years.
Try and ask your doctor for a referral to a vulva dermatologist. If your in the U.K. You can look up a list of them online and guide your GP in the right direction. From there I would ask for a biopsy. Good luck
Hi,
I'm in Canada. I'm on waiting list to see a specialist. The appointment is for February. I did see one other specialist but she was horrible. Claimed she couldn't see any redness. Poked around down there and caused me even more pain. Worst doctor I have ever seen. I was supposed to see the other specialist in December but my family doctor cancelled the appointment for some reason. This whole ordeal has been very stressful.
Hi, I know what it feels like to see doctors that don't understand your condition. Happened to me with a gynaecologist with my itchy vulva. He said I was psycho semmatic. I went back yo GP and got a referral to a vulva dermatologist. I don't know the Canadian system. Is it worth getting a private appointment to get a diagnosis and then going back to public system? If you see anything, take photos to show the doctor too. Good luck
Thanks for the suggestion of taking photos. I'm not sure how to get a private appointment or if that is even possible. I will definitely look into it though.
Hey Sarah.
Have you checked out your diet? I put up with identical symptoms for about seven years before I had a bout of gastro. While I was not eating, the symptoms disappeared, but as soon as I began to eat potatoes, tomatoes and chillies again, all the itchiness, redness, etc, came back. I've since found that I had what's known as "Nightshade Sensitivity", a reaction against all the plants in the Solanacea family, including potatoes, tomatoes, chillies, eggplants, tobacco, and goji berries. Once I cut these out of my diet, I've had no more problems, all the symptoms cleared up completely. It's such a relief not to wake up clawing at the itch and crying with the pain after sex with my husband! This sensitivity is not a true allergy, it's just that the body stops being able to process the poisons in the Nighshade family, and I've found a number of my friends who have been down the whole doctors/psychosomatic/pills that don't work path. I've told them my experiences and typically they've all recovered completely just by cutting out potatoes and tomatoes from their diet.
I hope this helps!
Minamii
Hi,
I haven't tried that. I tried cutting out gluten but it made no difference. How long after making the changes did you notice results?
While your looking at your diet, try a test to eliminate dairy, sugar and wheat (but not all at the same time) to see if these can be a trigger for you. They do affect many ladies. At the moment I'm teasing wheat.
I came down with gastroenteritis and didn't eat for five days. After the third day without food I noticed that my symptoms had cleared up. That gave me the idea that my problem might be diet related. I introduced one or two foods at a time and after having mashed potatoes at one meal, the itch and redness returned. Then I started to research it on the internet and found that it's called Nighshade Sensitivity and probably more peope suffer from it than doctors realize.
Do let me know how you get on, and I wish you "Gunbatte Kudasai"(good luck in Japanese!)
Minamii
While I'm trying to figure all this out and waiting for my doctor's appointment, does anyone have suggestions for pain management?? I've tried advil, tylenol, sitz baths, etc. Nothing seems to work....
Have you tried Lidocaine / Zalocaine which can give some temporary relief - hopefully enough to get to sleep
Is that a pill?
No it's a cream to apply locally.
I'll see if it's available at drug stores in Canada. I'm a little nervous about using chemicals as I don't want to cause further irritation.
It's a numbing cream/ointment - just temporarily takes away the pain. I use it when I can't fall asleep and it allows me to do so.
I found that antihistamine tablets helped to ease my symptoms. I use one containing Laratadine 10 milligrams which (in Australia, at least) you can just buy at the supermarket or pharmacy over the counter.
I've tried antihistamines but haven't had any luck with them. I actually just went to the hospital after bursting into tears at work from not being able to cope. A doctor there gave me some lidocaine to tide me over until i see a specialist. She also gave me medication that is normally for people who have nerve problems. She said my symptoms sound like a nerve problem and if the medication works it could help with a diagnosis and long term treatment . Not sure if that's the same thing as vulvodynia.
I have read, as Minamii mentioned, that dietary changes can help vulvodynia.