I'm responding to my own comment so that people can get updates. So the vulvadynia is still a problem in my life, but it is improving ever so slowly. I have not yet taken elavil or neurontin orally, because my doctor located the source of my pain (the posterior, "6 o'clock" part of my vestibule) and determined that it was such a small area that she was a little hesitant to prescribe something that might give me side effects. I agreed with her. Not that a small area can't create distracting levels of discomfort, but I felt like I'd rather exhaust my topical options first. I have been using a mixture of a neurontin compound, lidocaine, and estrace for the past several months. For awhile, I was applying some form of topical agent up to 6 times per day (although I only do the estrace once, at night). Gradually, the pain has improved to the point where I often only use one of the numbing creams 1-2 times per day, so this treatment plan does seem to be helping. I also take evening primrose oil, a hair skin and nail vitamin with a lot of B12 in it, a probiotic, and alpha lipoic acid every day. My doctor especially approved of the evening primrose oil, and alpha lipoic acid known to help with diabetic neuropathy, so I figured it was worth a shot. I also bought a TENS machine, and put the electrodes on my lower back by the sacral nerve sometimes at night for 30 or so minutes while doing deep breathing. It does seem to help.
In spite of my considerable improvements, my pain does seem to return with a vengeance during certain points in my cycle (right before my period, in particular). So while I do feel that nerve damage is my main problem - everyone who has examined me says that visually, the skin in that area looks completely fine and not inflamed - I think it's possible that hormone fluctuations are messing with my nerves. I never did end up getting the full hormone test, but I think I will request that now that my pain pattern is more clear. My doctor has also been suggesting botox, which she has seen work for a lot of her patients. I want to understand my hormone's better before I try that, but I would encourage others to look into it! From what she's seen and what I've read, it can be very successful.
This condition is miserable, and I hope we all get better soon. I promised myself that I would post in all the forums I could when I got better so that people would know that there is hope! I'm not there yet, but I figured an update couldn't hurt.
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I'm responding to my own comment so that people can get updates. So the vulvadynia is still a problem in my life, but it is improving ever so slowly. I have not yet taken elavil or neurontin orally, because my doctor located the source of my pain (the posterior, "6 o'clock" part of my vestibule) and determined that it was such a small area that she was a little hesitant to prescribe something that might give me side effects. I agreed with her. Not that a small area can't create distracting levels of discomfort, but I felt like I'd rather exhaust my topical options first. I have been using a mixture of a neurontin compound, lidocaine, and estrace for the past several months. For awhile, I was applying some form of topical agent up to 6 times per day (although I only do the estrace once, at night). Gradually, the pain has improved to the point where I often only use one of the numbing creams 1-2 times per day, so this treatment plan does seem to be helping. I also take evening primrose oil, a hair skin and nail vitamin with a lot of B12 in it, a probiotic, and alpha lipoic acid every day. My doctor especially approved of the evening primrose oil, and alpha lipoic acid known to help with diabetic neuropathy, so I figured it was worth a shot. I also bought a TENS machine, and put the electrodes on my lower back by the sacral nerve sometimes at night for 30 or so minutes while doing deep breathing. It does seem to help.
In spite of my considerable improvements, my pain does seem to return with a vengeance during certain points in my cycle (right before my period, in particular). So while I do feel that nerve damage is my main problem - everyone who has examined me says that visually, the skin in that area looks completely fine and not inflamed - I think it's possible that hormone fluctuations are messing with my nerves. I never did end up getting the full hormone test, but I think I will request that now that my pain pattern is more clear. My doctor has also been suggesting botox, which she has seen work for a lot of her patients. I want to understand my hormone's better before I try that, but I would encourage others to look into it! From what she's seen and what I've read, it can be very successful.
This condition is miserable, and I hope we all get better soon. I promised myself that I would post in all the forums I could when I got better so that people would know that there is hope! I'm not there yet, but I figured an update couldn't hurt.
February 10, 2016 - 12:47pmThis Comment
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