constant vaginal burning

[helpmenow911]

I have been having constant vaginal burning for 6 months now, and I need this pain to go away. All tests came out negative, for blood tests, pap smear, clymedia, gonerea, everything. Recently one of my gynecologists took a culture and said I have a bacterial infection. I am taking medication for the bacterial infection, and it doesn't seem to be helping my pain with the burning. I don't know whats wrong, and don't know who to go see anymore. I have gone to a herbalist and she gave me a few herbs to take, which I am still taking and not seeing results. I have gotten a cat scan, and an ultra sound and they are both normal. What doctors should I see next? One big thing I notice a huge deal of vaginal burning when I smoke marijuana? I feel that that has something to do with this all, I have smoked before, and having had burning in the past. What is wrong please help!!


This discussion is related to Constant symptoms for 6  weeks - don't know what i have.

[auntiejessi]

Well, first, if you notice it when you smoke pot, don't smoke pot for awhile and see if that helps.

I'd also follow up with your doctor to make sure the bv has gone away.  Sometimes that can take a couple of rounds of meds.

Aj

[helpmenow911]

yea i have stopped smoking pot, but i still have burning and pain when I am not smoking. Could it be cytolytic vaginosis? I am now taking metronidazole, w2hich is a pill ofr bacterial infections, that I take twice a day for seven days.Should I try the baking soda sitz baths anyways? will it hurt me even if I dont have that? Should I find out exactly what bacterial infection it is? I got tested for herpes through a culture test, should I try the blood test as well?

[auntiejessi]

You can try the blood test for herpes - it never hurts to know your status.

Honestly, I wouldn't do anything else except take the meds right now.  Since you aren't sure what is going on, you don't want to do anything that might cause more irritation, or might alter the Ph balance of your vagina even more.

If you are on metronidazole at that dose, you have been diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis.  If your symptoms clear, you don't need any further testing.  If they don't, ask your doctor for an endocervical culture and see specifically what grows.  

Good luck - I know this is a pain and very frustrating.  

Aj

[auntiejessi]

Oh if the burning gets bad, you can always sit on an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas to help reduce that.

Aj

[helpmenow911]

I took the baking soda bath last night, and I feel a little better. should i do another baking soda bath again? I have had burning long before I had a bacterial infection, and also took 2 other medications to clear up my bacterial infection, so maybe it's already gone.

[gracefromHHP]

It really doesn't sound like cytolytic vaginosis since you have burning and not copious amounts of discharge. Your doctor also evidently saw evidence of bacterial infection and not evidence of a cytolytic process going on.   As jess already said - bv can really suck sometimes.

if the burning sensation continues after you are done treating your bv fully, return to your gyn for further evaluation. sometimes bv causes the skin in the genital area to dry out and be overly irritated and things like topical estrogen creams are helpful for that.

grace

[helpmenow911]

I went back to the doctor and she told me there isn't anything else she could do, I have seen 5 gynecologists now, and don't know where to head to next? Do you recommend anything else to do, or other specialists I should see?

[gracefromHHP]

A vulvodynia specialist would be helpful if you can find one near you.

Have you tried anything otc like replens or rephresh?  What about soaking in the tubby with epsom salts thrown in?

grace