70 % better

[Guest guest]

Hi-

I actually typed out a rather long email yesterday, but then it got lost

so I'll try to recap what I said because I am doing about 70% better, and

I htink that it is important to hear the positives as well as the negatives.

To refresh your memory...I'm am 22 years old and have had constant

burning now for 9 months. I do not have vestibulitis..only burning in my

vulvar and sometimes rectal areas. The skin is slightly red and

swollen. My pain got worse the few days before and during my periods.

Here are the treatments that I have been pursuing...

1. Low oxalate diet with calcium citrate (1200 mg daily) since the

beginning of March. I feel the diet has helped tremendously because when

I have strayed from it, my crotch lets me know within a few hours.

2. Visited a PT weekly since mid-March. I was given exercises to

strengthen my weak lower abdominals and hip muscles. She also did

external myofacial release because she could feel that my muscles were

abnormally tight. At one session, she hooked me up to biofeedback, but

my resting levels were well within a normal range. I have been

horrible about my exercises lately but they did help. I'm starting them

again religously tonight:)

3. I took 200 mg of Nizoral (an antifungal) for 6 weeks. Didn't feel

that it helped becaues I have stopped it now for about 3 weeks with no

change in pain.

4. I was using Estrace, compounded specially, for about 6 weeks, but

also stopped it because it was starting to burn. Also, my burning area

was so wide that I didn't feel that it was the solution. I picture

Estrace helping the classic vestibulitis patient or those with noticiable

changes in their vulvar skin, like Dee.

5. I started taking Elavil (a TCA) about 4 weeks ago and am up to 35 mg

nightly. I think this has helped me improve about 20% mores so maybe if

I kee3p working my dose up, I'll get 100% better.

It's hard to know if I am improving because some days still are horrible

but I have heard that is the way that we get better....more good days and

less bad days. Can anyone vouch for that? I no longer flare with my

period either which I see as an improvement. My flares seem to be less

intense and shorter. however, sometimes I think that I want to get

better so bad that I am making it up in my head. For those of you who

have improved, did you feel this way? I am so scared that I have juust

had a good month, and soon I'll have a bad month. Oh yeah...stress still

seems to be a big component, but now that I have graduated, I have an

entire summer off before entering the real world. So stress hsouldn't be

a big factor, at least for a couple of months. I am also doing an insane

amount of traveling so following the diet will be a challenge. Spices

get me every time

If anyone has any questions or suggestions, let me know. also, I am

still very interested to hear people reactions to the pill. Thanks

Carley for sharing your experience.

Healing wishes, christy