I had Vulvodynia. I am free of the burning now. It took 3 years. Looking back my healing took place in 3 phases. First, the food connection phase. I took all weak acids out of my diet. I was depleted of the alkalizing minerals needed to neutralize them. I increased my veggie consumption to about 80% of my intake. I juiced daily (still do). I only drank Evian or FIgi water because of a high PH and bicarbonate content. I This helps to neutralize the weak acids. I gave up Starbucks coffee. I was addicted. I can admit it now. I stopped eating all fruit, dairy and processed foods. It was tough but so worth it. I lost 20 pounds. My migraines went away and so did my acid reflux and high blood pressure. Hmmmm...was my body telling me something?
Phase two was overcoming candida. Due to the acidic enviroment in my body and depletion of minerals my immune system was also depleted. Candida was an underlying issue to the Vulvodynia. I had the help of my wonderful gynecologist. She gave me a month worth of Diflucan. I could not have handled this medicine while I was sick with Vulvodynia. I tried once and wanted to kill myself. You can not skip to this Phase or you will be in pain. The medication is too strong for the depleted system.
Phase three was the best phase because I became acutely aware of the mind/body connection. Now I can keep the switch turned off and not let anxiety go to my vagina. It is amazing. This took 3 years to complete. I am not on any medicines and now I enjoy all my favorite fruits. I drink any water now. The diet was temporary. I never went back to coffee because it is just not good. I avoid processed foods and I have really learned to love cooking organic meals for my family. I went back to school and became a Certified Holistic Health Counselor. Life is good. Vulvodynia was just a turning point. I am now grateful I had it. It changed my life for the better:)
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Hi All,
It is vital not to "modify" your diet BUT totally and radically change your whole life. You need to get rid of weak acids, toxic relationships, and move your body. You need to have regular daily bowel movements. These components will heal. But it takes time. It took me years not days or weeks. Laura L
September 24, 2010 - 2:39pmThis Comment
Thanks for the link. Although it is an interesting theory I have to say I didn't do that and I healed from V. I tried taking the anti-fungals and the creams while in the midst of my pain and they made me worse b/c my I was so mineral deficient. I had to replenish my body, rebalance by internal PH and then attach the candida, which is really another symptom. The true issue is acid. Laura L
January 7, 2010 - 4:54pmThis Comment
It sounds like you have made it through a tough 3 years. In terms of yeast research, there is an excellent article by Dr. Majorie Crandall here on EmpowHer for others to read. Dr. Crandall is a microbiologist who had Vulvodynia.
https://www.empowher.com/news/2008/10/03/dr-marjorie-crandall-yeast-infections-candida-allergy-and-vulvodynia
Nystatin orally and vaginally are often given for longstanding yeast infections.
January 7, 2010 - 4:17pmThis Comment
very intersting and will be doing more research on this
January 5, 2010 - 10:16amThis Comment
Hi Laura. You do have a very encouraging story. I do have the Christopher Vasey book you mentioned on your site a short time ago and the PH strips. I have had this since I was 17 and am now 32. My gut health and candida issue pretty much on top. I have ms so since diagnosis 2005 I have worked quite diligently on nutrtion and certain essential supplements which is why I feel I have not progressed.
I do want to give the food plan some extra commitment. Please let me know if able when your e-book is available as I have emailed your site quite a bit.
Thanks
January 5, 2010 - 8:06amJulie
This Comment
Hello Alison, I am so glad you found it helpful. Let me address your questions:
1. Weak acid foods are almost all fruit (excluding avocados, these are great to eat), whey (which is dairy except butter), all kinds of vinegar, molassas (found in many pre-packaged breads and foods), all honey, vitamin C or absorbic acid (used as a preservative in processed foods and even natural foods. Also, in many supplements) and all kinds of pepper, table pepper included. There are certain strong acid foods that should be avoided completely as well. Coffee, regular and green tea, alcohol, sugar, any artificial sweetners or foods, artifical preservatives and carbonated drinks of any kind.
2. Diflucan is a powerful anti-fungal drug. Drugs are consumed and since we are trying to consume only all natural (organic if possible) foods this does not fall into the catagory. It has chemicals that are extremely acidic to the body. Since we are overly acidic and depleted of alkalizing minerals this drug (as with many drugs) would be adding fuel to the fire. I am not saying to stop your meds. Please check with your doctor with regards to any medication you are presently taking. Often, prescriptions are not needed anymore because alkalizing the body takes away many symptoms. Again, please consult your prescribing doctor with regards to meds.
3. In my e-book "My Burning Vagina" I describe a method I call the T.A.D.O.R. method of anxiety relief. The e-book is in its final stages of editing and won't be ready for a bit so here is the method I coined.
T-Touch-Find the place where you feel the anxiety (for me it's my stomach) and place your hand there.
A-Acknowledge that you are feeling anxiety, stress, anger fill in the blank.
D-Deny your body from digesting this emotion. If you digest this stressful emotion you will be eating acid and setting yourself ablaze.
O-Oxygenate your body by inhaling deeping while keeping your hand in place.
R-Release as you exhale slowly this emotion away from your body. Repeat 5-10 times.
This will become second nature. If you don't eat your stress it won't make it's way down to your vagina. Use imagery and you will avoid a potential flare. This takes awhile to achieve but it is invaluable. I use it all the time. It takes a few seconds.
I hope this helped. Be well, Laura L
January 4, 2010 - 9:19amThis Comment
Thank you for sharing your story...I have a feeling I will be forwarding it to MANY women who are struggling with both Vulvodynia and Candida. The information you provided was very helpful, and I would love to read even more details if you have them!
For instance, a few questions:
1. Can you describe what you mean by "weak acids" in Phase One?
2. Can you describe what you mean by Diflucan being "too strong" and you would not have been able to handle the side effects if your Vulvodynia was not resolved first?
3. How do you keep your anxiety at a manageable level, and how to you keep it from "going to your vagina"? (I understand this is symbolic, but any specific mantras or messages you tell yourself, to help ease the stress and anxiety..both in your overall body, and specifically your genital area that was painful for so long?)
Thanks, and I look forward to reading more!
January 3, 2010 - 8:38pmThis Comment