vuva pain for a month......info needed as soon as poss!!

[jenmcs21]

For just over a  month now, I have experianced a sharp (not too severe but there nonetheless) throbbing pain in my vulvur area. My vulva is red, slightly swollen and tender where the pain occurs and the pain is in one specific area only, not quite at the vaginal entrence, just below it. The pain varies day to day but is there consently and I'm finding this extremely irritating and distressing. Also I have a small very red rash going down from where the pain starts and stopping just before the anus. It starts on the 'inner vula' just below the vagina.  

I'm 20, have not yet been sexually active and there is no itiching or heavy vaginal discharge, the area is just extremely sore and red. I've been to the doctor and she's ruled out any sort of yeast infection due to the fact that there's no itiching and the redness or didn't go away when I tried the usual anti- fungal creams.

I've been on Diflucan (single dose tablet) and another antibiotic that didn't clear the problem. She now has me on Fudicin H cream for ten days and has given me a week long does of anti-inflammitres to take. I'm also making an appointment to see a specialist as soon as possible but could anyone give me any advice on what they think could be the problem??

My doc has told me not to worry but I'm petrified it could be some sort of chronic vulva pain (though my vulva doesn't look 'normal' you'd know something was wrong and I don't experiance the burning pain that its accosicated with and my doc has said that that's the worst case sinareo and my problem can most likely be fully treated by the right specialist) but I know I can't cope with this for much longer. Its really getting me down and doing daily activites is very sore.

I'm inclined to think its some sort of vulva dermititis since I have the rash but I just don't know.....does anyone know if the inflammitries with clear it or help the pain stop?? I think once the rash goes the pain will go away also since the pain stemed from the rash but I'm not sure.....

Any advice or info on this will be most appricated as I'm finding this so upsetting, I've never hasd any sory of chronic thrush infections or anything like that, it just started suddenly and the pain hasn't gotten that bad over the course of the month, but it hasn't gotten better either (and the redness hasn't gone down at all) I'm at a loss and am so worried and frustrated!

Thanks so much in advance for any info that will help me shed light on this,

Jennifer.

[Mollyrae]

Hi Jen:

That is wonderful news. I am glad you went through with the surgery. It is always nice to hear of the outcome to ones pain and misery. Please take care of yourself...I'm sure you're doing that and keep posting. The larger circle of friends the better......
Molly

[jenmcs21]

I just realised I haven't updated my posts in a while so here goes:

Six weeks after the above surgery I was still feeling sore (The pain was about 3-4 on the pain scale everyday and though that doesn't seem that bad after having it so long I wasn't willing to stay that way!) so my Gyn recomended that I have a Hymenectomy (since the pain was coming from that area) to see if that might help things.

I went in at the beginning of Febuary to have the second proceedure done and my Gyn told me that everything went really well, that everything in the area was extremely healthy and that he was optimistic about a full recovery from everything which was great news.

I was told it would take about 6 weeks for everything down there to heal completely (I also had more stitches and was very sore from them for the first 10 days ) and only 3 weeks after the op and I feel great, the pain and irritation are almost gone completely (though not fully yet) and hopefully in the next 3 weeks everything will keep getting better till I'm fully rid of the problem for good!!  

So needless to say I feel very optimistic and happy and just want to thank everyone on here who offered me advice, was so kind and cheered me up when I was at my worst at the beginning, I'd have gone nuts without this forum! - Thanks so much everyone, its so much appricated!!! :-D

Jen Xxxxxx

[jenmcs21]

Hi Shell,

Thanks for the reply, I've sent you a PM, but as I've said, Vulvadynia has been ruled out completely by my Gyn (who is extremely knowladgable of the condition) since my pain was caused by an Ulcer and a couple of other things, thanks for the reply though!

Now I'm only sore from my Biopsy stitches! lol

Take care and hope to hear from you soon!

Jen

[SHELLBELL79]

Sweetie you have the classic symptoms of Vulvadynia! I have Interstitial Cystis and Vulvadynia. I know its hell and horrible to have pain in that area! PM me if you need help on this. There are only 2 ppl on here, including me that has it.
Hope to talk to you soon! Your not alone!

[Tuckamore]

Jen,

Thanks for the update and your PM. I am so glad that you are improving and your GYN was able to get to the bottom of your medical issue.

We have been wondering how you were doing and are glad to hear from you. Best of luck on your procedure in January. Please know we will be thinking of you and waiting for your next update.

Best Regards and Take Care, Tuck

[jenmcs21]

Just updating my progress!

I went in on Monday morning to have it done (under General Anastetic) and I'd felt a bit off on the way there but thought it was just nerves or whatever and thought nothing more of it and then after about an hour waiting and just before I'm due to go down, all my joints start to get sore as well as one side of my throat and my temp goes from 36 degrees to 39.5 and they tell me I've caught a virus and they can't do it!!!! You can imagine how I felt!

So I pleaded with them and my Gyn (whom I now love lol) told me that they would keep me in for another 48 hours and get my temp down and then do the proceedure on Wednesday evening. Which they did thanks to all of his and the other nurses and docs efforts to get me back to normal :) (My arm is black and blue from all the drips etc I was on!)

It was done fairly quick, I was back up in the ward less than two hours later and this morning my Gyn came around to tell me what they found.  Firstly they did a biopsy of some skin and then they found an Ulcer (which was removed) and also said that because of the ulser there was a mass of fluid (A much higher amount that what is considered 'normal' which was taken to be tested but he said it didn't look like it was infected) that had almost completely blocked up my vaginal entrance. so the combination of the two (and a couple of other issues) were what he thinks what was causing me to feel so sore.

I'm all stiched up and extremely sore at the moment but I hope that passes as soon as poss!  I'm going to see my Gyn at the beginning of January and then he'll tell me if I might have to have another minor proceedure done but I'm so happy things are getting done finally!

All the best,

Jen

[jenmcs21]

Hi Tuck,

Thanks so much for your reply and concern, it really helped me to calm down when I read your post, I'm going to try and stay positive and not think the worst (unfortunatly its in my nature to always do that!)

The Gynocologist, like you, said there was over 20 things it could be so hopefully it'll just be a case of finding the cause of the pain and getting the right treatment to relieve it. (I can't wait for Monday though - I had a horrific 'flare-up' of pain yesterday - the worst I've had since it began and I've also started to get very itichy which only adds to the discomfort - I had to spend the day in bed yesterday because of it, I'm not too bad now though) Its not that the pain gets any worse, is just that, as I'm sure you know yourself, having this kind of discomfort for several weeks is very wearing and I think the fact that it has never fully gone away is what makes me cope badly with it. There's no rash now just a sharpish sting in the same place (which sometimes throbs) which isn't that severe but on a bad day can be awful.

He is an extremely good Gynocologist (at least that was my first impression as I've only seen him once!) very practical and not one of those 'try this and see if it works' doctors thank god. I think the fact that he recommened a biopsy right away instead of wanting to try this and that first shows how efficent and sympathetic he was about my obvious discomfort. I thought I'd have to go looking for ages till I found one - I'm from and live in Dublin in Ireland so compared to places like the USA where there can be tons of doctors and different specialists here would be quite limited so I got very lucky!

He was chatting away about himself as well and it turns out he was some sort of child-genius - he qualified to do Medience at just 16!!!! (He the youngst specalist I'v seen only in his mid forties) so I'm inclined to trust what he says lol

How're you doing Tuck? I've just seen there that your father is terminally ill and my heart goes out to you. I feel awful for moaning about my small problom in comparison to what you must be going through! I'm thinking of you as you try and get through this awful time, make sure you let me know how your doing and feel free to send me a mail if you'd ever just like to vent or even just to have a chat.

Thanks again and I'll keep in touch about next week (sorry again about the lenth of this thing, I only meant to write a quick reply!!!)

All the best,

Jen    

[Tuckamore]

Hi Jenny,

Thank you so much for the update. I have been wondering how you were doing. And you did all the right things. I am sorry the first Gynecologist was so ineffective and unconcerned.  But it sounds like not only did you see a great PCP you have found a great Gynecologist. I always am more comfortable talking with a physician and getting to know them a bit before I disrobe. It is usual the norm for the very good physicians to practice the "get to know" you route before they disrobe you.

You are so right that his could be a number of conditions. I am hoping it will be a simply issue that will be quickly resolved. You Gyn sounds like a straight shooter and he will provide you lots of information after the biopsy.

Your story just proves there are great physicians out there. It may take a little searching but they are there. I am happy you will have a comfortable Christmas. I'm wishing you the best of luck. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. I will be looking forward to your next update. Again thank you for this update. Take Care and Peace, Tuck

[jenmcs21]

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd post to let all who replyed to my question how I'm getting on.....This is going to be rather long so I appologise in advance!!

I've actually had two appointments with different gynoncologists since I first posted. The first one I didn't like because he didn't even do an exam or ask a lot of questions or even seem to be concverend about how sore I've been over the past few weeks, he just took one look, gave a cream to use internally (which I had no success with anyway because it was too difficult to use a I'm still tender and sore) and said "I'm sure you'll be fine." Not much use to me!

So I went down to my local SwiftCare clinic originally just to get something to ease the 'stinging' pain (which isn't too severe but after having it for these few weeks on and off is getting more difficult to cope with) but they did an exam and discovered exactly were the point of pain was - Its just on the lower right hand side of the Labia Minora just near the vaginal entrance, the area is swollen, raw and tender but th GP said its easier for them to see it rather than me as I have mild Cerbal Palsy (from birth) which affects my walking and muscle extention. Hence why using the cream internally would be difficult on both counts!

But it was a relief to know that they knew exactly were the pain was. The GP thought it could be a very small Bartholin Cyst - it would explain a lot! but referred me to a different Gynocologist for a second opinion to be sure whom I saw on Friday.

I really think this Gynocologist was brilliant, the first thing he did was spend ten minutes before anything asking me to describe the pain and so on, then took swabs (the only doctor out of the 5 or 6 i've seen to do so!) and confirmed the point of pain but actually on first glance didn't think it was a cyst because it wasn't that swollen like a cyst is usually and he said to was too sore and what he thinks my nerve endings on the point of pain  could be very very swollen which is causing the stinging, slightly sharp pain.

Anyway because of my both my Disability and obvious disciomfort he said he was going to put me under a local anastetic for one day in hospitial and do a biopsy and any other tests he needs to do (because I haven't had any done so far) and clip the swollen nerve endings if they needed to be which will effectivly stop the pain. So I'm going in to have that done on the 15th of this month.  (He also said that he never just handed out different creams and tablets unless he new exactly what was causing the problom because it was pointless and very disstressing for the person in pain which I thought was a brilliant attitude to have)  

One of the things he also mentioned right away if all the biopsy etc was clear was the possibility of 'Vuldynia.' (Including the Sex and the City episode! lol) This both terriffys and relives me at the same time. On the one hand I'm terriffied of having that because there is no universal cure and I've read nothing but horror stories on the internet about it with no positive outcomes and though my symptoms are minor compared to others, I don't know how I'll cope with having that and my Disability (which is hard enough to cope with day to day on its own as it is)

But at the same time I'm relieved because I know people have suffered for years simply because few in the medical profession know that much about it and he knew exactly what he was talking about and tons of info on the subject and (much to my relief) said from his own experiance he didn't believe that anti-deppresants worked and were much too hard on the user but knows of two other treatmens that he said that were exetremly successful and would help to eliviate it if it was the case so I know I should be so gratful for that. He was very positive and said that 90% of cases such as mine were fully treatable, once the underlying cause has been found which will be come Monday (thank god!)

I know he had to mention Vuldynia as a last resort but I'm really sceptical of it being that because from all the research I've done my symptoms for General Vuldynia or VVS  just don't match up and I know there are so many other things it could be but I'm still so  worried!!! All will be reveled on Monday and though I'm nervous about it being Vuldynia, he was very positive about full recovery and either way I'll know exactly what the problem is aand it'll be on its way to being sorted so that I'll be comfortable for Christmas, YAY!!!  

I'll let you know what the outcome of the biopsy is etc and again sorry about the lenth!!!

All the best,

jenny

[jenmcs21]

Hi Tuckamore,

Thank you for posting and for the helpful suggestion, I've posted my question in the Dermatology forum.

I'm on the Fudicin H Cream at the moment which does contain a steroid in it, I've been using it for a couple of days and also been taking my course of anti-inflammitris and I think its helped a little, the pain isn't as bad but its still there in the background if you know what I mean and I'm still very uncomfortable. I don't know how long the cream or tablets take to kick in but I'm assuming its at least 48 hours or more (I think so anyway?!) so I'll probably have to wait a couple of more days to feel the results.

I have an appointment with a gynocologist in two weeks time but I'm hoping my symtoms ease or disapear in the meantime! It definately seems like its some sort of dermatitis reaction judging from the irritation and redness (its not itichy though, just very sore and red) so I suppose the reason its lasted this long is because I'm simply not using the correct treatment.  Hopefully the Gynocologist will sort it out because at this stage I think its unlikely that it'll dissapear on its own.

Thank you again and I'll keep you posted on how I get on in the next couple of weeks.....Its just so irritating, I can't wait till its cleared up!!

Take care,

Jen

[Tuckamore]

Hi Jen,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum of MedHelp. I am sorry to hear about your problem. You must be terribly uncomfortable.

I agree with you, this does not sound like Herpes at all, nor does it sound like any STD that I am familiar with. There is a dermatology and a woman health forum at MedHelp that may have more information that we would have here.

It sounds like a dermatitis to me or an allergic type reaction or one can cause the other. Has your physician tried a steroidal cream? Twice I have had a stubborn out break on my face and neck. My PCP tried several approaches before I insisted on a dermatology consult. Because I worked in the medical field I was able to get in right away. The dermatologist said there are so many different types of dermatitis conditions that he treated with ointments that were generalized. If I would not have cleared up he would have taken a biopsy but luckily I did. I still don't know just what it was (twice) but I do know how to treat it.

I recommend that you see a dermatologist asap. There is no reason to be so miserable when they often have the answers. Good luck to you. Please let us know how you are doing. I will look forward to your next post. Take Care, Tuck

[jenmcs21]

Hi Mollyrea,

Thank you for your post. I'm inclined to think that its probably not Herpies, (though I'm by no means an expert, I'm just going on my symptoms and so on) just because I've had the redness and pain for over 30 days and I've no 'sores' or blisters on the red area and nothing has gotten any worse, its just stayed the same.

I hven't explored or anything like that with a partner (I've got an 'all or nothing' approch to tthat side of things :-) ) or had any sort of recent skin contact that might bring about that particular infection. So, that's not to say that it couldn't be anything like that, I just think its unlikely but I'll know more when I see the specialist.

Thanks again for the reply and I'll keep you posted, I just hope I get it sorted soon, I really can't take much more at this stage!!!

[Mollyrae]

Hello:

I know you said that you have not been sexually active but in teens and young adults waht you consider sexually active is not what the older generation considers active.
Have you been with a partner and explored but not gone all the way? I say this it sounds like a case of Herpes. From what I understand, it can be very painful and appear like that of your symptoms.
Sandee is correct in telling you that you can pick up a transmitted disease without having sex. Unfortunatly, it is very common.
For relief of your pain, you might try a lidocaine cream that you can buy over the counter or try a few warm baths through out the day. Anti-inflammatorys are not going to give you any relief. I certianly hope you can get your problem resolved soon. Take care and keep us posted,
Mollyrae

[jenmcs21]

Thanks for the reply, my doc hasn't run all the tests yet, she referred me to a specialist but it could be up to a month before I get an appointment! I wasn't aware of STDs that could be gotten without being sexually active but I'll defo do some research. I'm not using any body wash or feminine sprays on the area and I wear cotton underwear. I don't think its the detergent I'm using because it hasn't been changed recently......I can understand having the rash and redness from using something that might irritate the area but can that really cause the pain?? That's what has me at a loss!

Thanks again for posting though, I just hope the new tablets and cream I'm on work! :-)

[sandee1818]

I really don't know, did your Dr run all the test? Some of the things you may consider sexually transmitted dieases can be gotten even if you have not been active.
Have you had a pap smear? Alsoit could be the soap or detergent your using. I had a friend who refused to wear underwear and she had a problem similar to yours from her blue jeans. Have you changed soap or body wash or detergent or fenimine sprays and products?