Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 I'm 21 and still undiagnosed. I'm currently between doctors and have spent the whole summer with no answers, awaiting an appointment in October with a specialist. I learned of my condition when I became sexually active a year ago. I experience sharp pain during intercourse at the entrance of my vagina, along the back and sides. The pain has only become worse over time so I no longer use tampons or engage in intercourse. Over the past year I have been told to use lots of lubricant, different positions, only certain types of pads, various exercises and have had several pelvic exams and an ultrasound. I have been prescribed a steroid cream as well as lidocaine jelly. None of these treatments has helped me at all and the last unsure doctor I visited informed me that the treatments she had prescribed usually work for " 99% of all women " . I'm very worried and scared about what could be the problem. I have a wonderful and supportive boyfriend, but I still feel very lonely at times. I often feel depressed and guilty that my condition has limited him as well as myself. Most of all I hate doctors and find appointments very hard to deal with. I feel sick to my stomach with worry about what the next treatment will involve. I feel very strongly that a person's body should be shared only with those who are close and trusted and it has been very hard spreading my legs before a parade of various strangers armed with various instruments. I hate the humiliation, and it takes awhile after an appointment before I will let anyone touch me again, even just a hug. I would appreciate any insights or advice that could be offered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2004 Report Share Posted September 11, 2004 It's hard to give advice on coping with this disorder, as we all have had a hard time overcoming our feelings and trying to carry on. It sounds, though, as if you would benefit from the help of a professional to help you work out your feelings about this disorder and what it takes to finally get it under control. Maybe it would be wise for you to find out if the "specialist" you are going to can suggest a psychologist/psychiatrist who works in the field of women's issues. Or, maybe your new doc can suggest a sex therapist who may be able to help with the feeings that you are having. I can tell you that you aren't alone....that's for certain. According to recent statistics there are several millions of us out here suffering with the same discomfort, both physical and emotional, as you are now. And yes, it is frightening - wondering if these docs are missing something, or don't know what they're doing or worse yet suggest something for you t do that you don't agree with! Your very BEST defense it to make yourself informed BEFORE you do anything. Read everything you can on your problems and the suggested treatments...know the pros and cons and know the risks associated with any treatment. You and your boyfriend can perhaps go any local hospital which has a library (many are open to the public) and do research on vulvodynia and its treatments and you will be learning how to cope with it together in the process of your research. Research on the internet is also a good idea, but remember that this form of information gathering is not scientific - but instead individual opinions of ghazillions of folks who just put things out there for the world to read. Some of the internet information is good and some is not and in time, you will learn to weed out the less believable sites. When you go to this new doc, have a companion (or your boyfriend) go with you. Have a prepared list of questions and between the two of you, get your questions answered. What you miss because you are nervous, your companion will hopefully here and maybe can even take notes. Most docs aren't going to spend a lot of time, but usually first visits are longer that subsequent ones -s o take advantage and ask as many questions as you can. Sometimes, I too am afraid that a doc will suggest some form of treatment that I wouldn't be willing to do - but that's why we have the ability ot have second opinions and to switch docs when we need to. I no longer plunge headlong into just any suggestion a doc has given me - I've taken my time, research and understand the treatment before I consider it. One other suggestion - try one thing at a time - otherwise you won't know what's working and whats causing trouble. So if the doc hands you 3 prescriptions - tell him that you intend to try them one at a time - so as to have a clear cut picture of what is useful in your treatment and what isn't. Keep us posted.....we're all in this together. Good luck Dusty -----Original Message-----From: sadiemae617 Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2004 12:37 PMTo: VulvarDisorders Subject: Looking for helpI'm 21 and still undiagnosed. I'm currently between doctors and havespent the whole summer with no answers, awaiting an appointment inOctober with a specialist. I learned of my condition when I becamesexually active a year ago. I experience sharp pain duringintercourse at the entrance of my vagina, along the back and sides. The pain has only become worse over time so I no longer use tampons orengage in intercourse. Over the past year I have been told to use lots of lubricant,different positions, only certain types of pads, various exercises andhave had several pelvic exams and an ultrasound. I have beenprescribed a steroid cream as well as lidocaine jelly. None of thesetreatments has helped me at all and the last unsure doctor I visitedinformed me that the treatments she had prescribed usually work for"99% of all women".I'm very worried and scared about what could be the problem. I have awonderful and supportive boyfriend, but I still feel very lonely attimes. I often feel depressed and guilty that my condition haslimited him as well as myself. Most of all I hate doctors and findappointments very hard to deal with. I feel sick to my stomach withworry about what the next treatment will involve. I feel verystrongly that a person's body should be shared only with those who areclose and trusted and it has been very hard spreading my legs before aparade of various strangers armed with various instruments. I hate thehumiliation, and it takes awhile after an appointment before I willlet anyone touch me again, even just a hug.I would appreciate any insights or advice that could be offered.*****END OF MESSAGE/REMOVE WHEN REPLYING*****http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VulvarDisordersto search our archive or view our files.*** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2004 Report Share Posted September 11, 2004 In a message dated 9/11/04 11:14:27 AM, sadiemae617 writes: << I'm 21 and still undiagnosed. I'm currently between doctors and have spent the whole summer with no answers, awaiting an appointment in October with a specialist. I learned of my condition when I became sexually active a year ago. I experience sharp pain during intercourse at the entrance of my vagina, along the back and sides. The pain has only become worse over time so I no longer use tampons or engage in intercourse. >> It does sound like you have vvs. I'd suggest searching the archives for the Lidocaine Cotton Ball treatment. It may help you, especially since your pain appears to be limited to intercourse. Debbie Tiger " Hey Tiger, quit bringing quotes from UC to the Bruce list!! :-) " - Jim G., 5/4/04 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2004 Report Share Posted September 11, 2004 I don't know how to search the archives. What is the Lidocaine cotton ball treatment? Re: Looking for help In a message dated 9/11/04 11:14:27 AM, sadiemae617 writes:<< I'm 21 and still undiagnosed. I'm currently between doctors and havespent the whole summer with no answers, awaiting an appointment inOctober with a specialist. I learned of my condition when I becamesexually active a year ago. I experience sharp pain duringintercourse at the entrance of my vagina, along the back and sides. The pain has only become worse over time so I no longer use tampons orengage in intercourse. >>It does sound like you have vvs. I'd suggest searching the archives for the Lidocaine Cotton Ball treatment. It may help you, especially since your pain appears to be limited to intercourse.DebbieTiger"Hey Tiger, quit bringing quotes from UC to the Bruce list!! :-)" - Jim G., 5/4/04 *****END OF MESSAGE/REMOVE WHEN REPLYING*****http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VulvarDisordersto search our archive or view our files.*** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2004 Report Share Posted September 11, 2004 > I experience sharp pain during > intercourse at the entrance of my vagina, along the back and sides. > The pain has only become worse over time so I no longer use tampons or > engage in intercourse. >> > > It does sound like you have vvs. I'd suggest searching the archives for the > Lidocaine Cotton Ball treatment. It may help you, especially since your pain > appears to be limited to intercourse. > That is interesting. I have VVS and at the begining if you touched the entrance it hurt a lot. And if I sat the pain would travel and the whole area would hurt like heck. Through cream and biofeedback it is ONLY limited to intercourse-- that is the buring sensation. Is it not VVS because she has SHARP PAINS instead of BURNING ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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