Guest guest Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 My research has revealed that there is no " definate " cause of VVS but there are many theories. I just got mine within the past few months after treating an ongoing yeast infection. The yeast is gone (it's been about two or three months) but now I'm stuck with this vulvar pain. I am premenopausal (but I'm 46) and I've never had problems before this. Although I'm pretty new to VVS I've been researching it heavily and it seems that jumping into surgery is not a good idea. There are many treatments and that while most women can't completely be cured - it's a matter of " controlling " it. I wish you a lifetime of pain free days! > Dee and group-- > > I am going to see a vulvar specialist Tuesday--I saw her 6 weeks ago and she > prescribed Neurotin and Estrace cream. I don't feel like the Neurotin has > worked (I'm up to 1800 mg/day). > > My questions: > > What can cause VVS? Will it be different for me (age 24) than someone who > is post menapausal? > > How can I find out what is causing my VVS? What should I have tested? > Hormone levels? > > I am fearful that her next solution (like the past 2 specialist I have seen) > is surgery. I'm not ready to go there yet. Thank you for your input. > > Lynsey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 Just found this link http://www2.eobgynnews.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?article=aqo05040501 It has some good explanations and it very new. > > Dee and group-- > > > > I am going to see a vulvar specialist Tuesday--I saw her 6 weeks > ago and she > > prescribed Neurotin and Estrace cream. I don't feel like the > Neurotin has > > worked (I'm up to 1800 mg/day). > > > > My questions: > > > > What can cause VVS? Will it be different for me (age 24) than > someone who > > is post menapausal? > > > > How can I find out what is causing my VVS? What should I have > tested? > > Hormone levels? > > > > I am fearful that her next solution (like the past 2 specialist I > have seen) > > is surgery. I'm not ready to go there yet. Thank you for your > input. > > > > Lynsey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 Thanks mojo. Great link with loads of information, http://www2.eobgynnews.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?article=aqo05040501 I did find it hard to believe that Dr. Esperanza McKay stated "Sexual abuse is a 'major' underlying factor for vulvodynia patients" and then also that Dr. Lynch with his... "warning that extreme cases can be the result of severe sexual abuse." *sigh* Not saying there may not be those few cases and perhaps more than we realize (I had 2 friends disclose that to me (very dear friends) and it wasn't till they were in their late 40's early 50's they told me, and we knew everything about one another since we were kids *chuckle* so you never know, and no they didn't have vulvodynia either, but to be a MAJOR factor for vulvodynia patients? That is so utterly ridiculous to me. *sigh* At least Dr. Haefner disputed that. Thanks again hon, over all that was a pretty good article and nice to see it all in one place. Hugs Dee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 HI Lynsey As you can guess if you've been with us any amt. of time hon there really is no definitive answer to the causes of VV. Unfortunately. Some types of V pain are more prevalent in those younger and others in those who are older so to some degree there is that. Although over the years I've been diagnosed with so many 'names' that I've almost given up trying to label things. I've had 3 doctors within a months time each tell me something different.*sigh* I Wish I had something at my finger tips hon that said that about certain ones with ages, but I'm just ready to crash, it's 4 in the morning here LOL and too pooped to look it up.. but I do know they say certain types affect certain ages but that's not always true either, just a generality. See....I'm no help. LOL That link Mojo sent had a lot of good information hon and hopefully something in there fits you. About surgery? I just know for 'me' it'd be a very last resort and I suffered for 10 yrs and tried about 98% of all you'll ever read or hear about but didn't work for me, and I was 'almost' ready to just say cut the dang thing off but thank goodness found 'my' cure hon and for 'me' it was getting that skin healthy again with those hormone creams. It does help many but like everything else it isn't the answer for all. If only eh? And it took a long time and I 'almost' gave up on that but thank goodness stuck with it and it worked for me. Wish I did have an answer hon... but just think three times about surgery and remember once that's done it can't be undone. Not saying it might not work either but I'd ask at least 3 opinion before "I" did and do a ton of my own research as well. hugs and good luck but hang in there hon hard as it is, ok? there will be better days ahead it's just finding YOUR key. Dee~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 HI Mojo.... Hon even tho that article questioned the low oxalate diet it's not the only one... there are a few legitimate ones that do as well that's why it's considered questionable as far as it being scientific. I tried it (and the anti-yeast & the gluten free one as well) and for 'me' they didn't do a thing but then I'm not the allergic type to things either and I know others that are so you just never know. Hugs Dee~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 That is disturbing to me, too. Why sexual abuse? Is that because of nerve damage or because they are thinking there are underlying " psychological " causes? Never been sexually abused, thank God. : ) > Thanks mojo. > > Great link with loads of information, > > http://www2.eobgynnews.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?article=aqo05040501 > > I did find it hard to believe that Dr. Esperanza McKay > stated " Sexual abuse is a 'major' underlying factor for > vulvodynia patients " and then also that Dr. Lynch > with his... " warning that extreme cases can be the result > of severe sexual abuse. " *sigh* > > Not saying there may not be those few cases and perhaps > more than we realize (I had 2 friends disclose that to me > (very dear friends) and it wasn't till they were in their > late 40's early 50's they told me, and we knew everything > about one another since we were kids *chuckle* so you > never know, and no they didn't have vulvodynia either, > but to be a MAJOR factor for vulvodynia patients? That is > so utterly ridiculous to me. *sigh* At least Dr. Haefner > disputed that. > > Thanks again hon, over all that was a pretty good article > and nice to see it all in one place. Hugs > Dee > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 I just read the article below... hey, my former doctor (haven't been to her in years but she was a great doc and got me started on my treatment) is in the article too. “Libby” , M.D., chief of dermatology of the Southeast Vulvar Clinic in Charlotte, N.C., said that many vulvodynia patients have psychosexual issues but also described them as a result of the illness. “Depression, anxiety, psychosexual dysfunction is rarely, if ever, a cause of vulvodynia. I don't discount the possibility that it may occasionally happen,” said Dr. , also of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. , a dermatologist who specializes in vulvar disorders, said she encourages patients to go for counseling, but most won't go. She said her message is “not ‘You're crazy, and that makes you hurt,’ but ‘You hurt, and that will make you crazy.’” Yay, Dr. ... She was the best doctor. She said, " You're smart, you can read this " and photocopied a 50 page article from a medical journal on vulvodynia for me. > Thanks mojo. > > Great link with loads of information, > > http://www2.eobgynnews.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?article=aqo05040501 > > I did find it hard to believe that Dr. Esperanza McKay > stated " Sexual abuse is a 'major' underlying factor for > vulvodynia patients " and then also that Dr. Lynch > with his... " warning that extreme cases can be the result > of severe sexual abuse. " *sigh* > > Not saying there may not be those few cases and perhaps > more than we realize (I had 2 friends disclose that to me > (very dear friends) and it wasn't till they were in their > late 40's early 50's they told me, and we knew everything > about one another since we were kids *chuckle* so you > never know, and no they didn't have vulvodynia either, > but to be a MAJOR factor for vulvodynia patients? That is > so utterly ridiculous to me. *sigh* At least Dr. Haefner > disputed that. > > Thanks again hon, over all that was a pretty good article > and nice to see it all in one place. Hugs > Dee > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 Good question . <Is that because of nerve damage or because they are thinking there are underlying "psychological" causes?> Trauma (physical) can be a trigger in destroying or damaging nerves, but then so can psychological damage be a trigger. So I'm not sure myself what they mean. Dee~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2005 Report Share Posted July 24, 2005 , That is typical of the medical community when they can't explain things, I tell people this. Fibro has just recently been accepted by rheumatology as a for real illness but many in the medical community still treat is as a mental illness. My ltd insurance company does. Multiple Schlerosis just 20 years ago was considered a disease of hysteria and Lupus was also not long ago considered a "mental" type disease. Too many in the medical community only deal in black and white when most medical conditions fall into many shades of gray. I don't recall any childhood sexual abuse and had a very healthy sex life for most of my life but like you, I can't imagine dating now and honestly with all my pain from my different disorders I don't have the energy to waste on a guy. It takes all I have to take care of me and my cats and participate in my support groups and keep my true friends close. Lynn > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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