Vaginal irritation - autoimmune connection??

[kellym23]

So basically in the past year I have had off and on problems that mostly classify in the autoimmune world. I have seen a number of specialists regarding a combination of things that started last January. I have had raynaud's like symptoms on my feet and sometimes on my hands (never brought on by weather or change of temp) my circulation has been all over the place and for months my toes were turning colors. I also had a lacy purple look to my legs and arms, a beat red face, and just didn't feel myself. I had headaches, felt tired despite being on adderall (adderrall) for my ADD, and just didn't feel like myself. After seeing my GP and realizing my re occurring eczema like skin patches, inability to lose weight even with extreme dieting and exercise, and brittle nails also fit into the laundry list of things I was dealing with that mocked symptoms of an autoimmune disorder - he directed me to see a rheumatologist. After many tests and no findings - I was told to monitor my symptoms and we would do more blood work in a few months. I have been in the south of france working as a nanny after being advised not to by my Dr's... and I have been under a lot of stress (usually stress triggers a lot of my weird symptoms) anyway, I posted in Aug about a vaginal issue regarding a swollen clitoris and intense irritation after sexual intercourse. After the gyno said it was just an allergic reaction from scented tampons and all my STD/yeast test was good... I left the country. Since the end of aug I have had what feels like a yeast infection coupled with days of extreme swelling/redness/itching and other days when my clitoral hood is just super irritated and chapped. I have been in a lot of discomfort down there but was re assured by my gyno it was just irritation that would pass. Between laziness and working crazy hours I have just been living with the discomfort and hoping it would pass. It gets weirder because  I have not had a menstrual period while here in france. My last period was the 1st week of Aug. My eating habits and stress levels have changed but I am now wondering if this is all related to an autoimmune issue or if maybe it's all a separate thing?  Either way the situation down south is making me nuts and not having a period is freaking me out. any advice or direction would be appreciated.... even someone w/ similar issues?? Thanks!

[sweeterin]

Hello, Kelly,
I feel your pain!  Though I have a different set of symptoms to go along with it, I too, have had to deal with the down south issues, and I'm sure that the autoimmune factors don't help at all.  After about a year of self-treating (and I tried everything), I found my miracle cure: Vitamin C from Trader Joes.  Whenever you start to feel a little itchy, try taking about 2000 mgs of vit. c.  (Costco Vitamin C doesn't work for me; it has to be Trader Joes - I wonder if it's because of yeast or color additives.) Other things I ran across and tried included folic acid, grape seed extract, apple cider vinegar, and even baking soda.  (This is where it gets tricky - you might need to verify that it's yeast, and not a bacterial infection.  Apparently bacterial infections are more common, and need to be treated in another manner.)  But nothing works like the Vitamin C.  

You might also consider trying to change your diet.  Before I had discovered Vitamin C I changed my diet drastically, cutting out all sweets and carbs, as well as briny foods and alcohol - and this seemed to help as well.  (Look up the anti-candida diet on Google.) The itchiness disappeared, I lost a bunch of weight, and had increased energy too.  But it's hard to not be able to eat... just about everything.  I'm no longer on the extreme diet, but I still find that avoiding alcohol and sweets helps a lot.  And not just with the itchiness, but with the other symptoms too.

Now I don't have the yeast problems as much anymore, but certain things can set it off: too much sex, certain soaps, tight clothing including tights, wearing underwear (! very risque, I know) and swimming in pools, lakes, hot tubs, etc.  I pretty much don't go swimming without expecting to have an issue to deal with soon afterwards, and so I don't go swimming much.  To me it's an easy trade off.

Start treating your lady like she's a baby - don't expose her to harsh chemicals, too much rough sex, tight clothes, and avoid alcohol and vinegar (they kill the good bacterias that keep the yeast in check).  See if eating oranges or taking a vitamin C supplement helps.

Sorry to hear you're having these problems.  I hope some of this might help you, and let me know if you find any solutions.  Good luck!

[sweeterin]

Oh! and if you think that you don't need the adderall (adderrall), you might consider discontinuing that as well, at least for a while or as an experiment.  I was prescribed adderall (adderrall) as well, and took it until I noticed that I had horrible headaches if i didn't take it, and then was exhausted if i did.  I have to try really hard to pay good attention, but I feel better without the adderall (adderrall).