What I did to get well. (Dee)

[Guest guest]

HI Carol,

You asked about me and what I did to get well. This is just a 'very'

short version even tho it'll be long *grin*.

I used a prescription of Estrace (estrogen) cream to totally rebuild that tissue. And also used a natural Testosterone cream with it but that has to be compounded (all T does) and is a prescription as well.

Both are known for restoration of the skin (why they use estrogen creams for menopausal women). Because they 'do' know what it can do to feed and nourish that skin. It gives it back it's healthiness, tone, color and most of all it's 'give' or stretchability' and ability to bounce back without ripping or tearing.

Also by using it 'topically' there is very little if any systemic absorption and why most ages can use it regardless of if they're menopausal or not. (also used in young pre-pubescent girls for the same reason to unfuse labial lips so as I said little is absorbed (if any) and 'should' work that way for most.

The problem is if one isn't menopausal it's tough to get a physician to prescribe it so you have to really 'stress' that it's to be used topically and NOT intravaginally since most physicians automatically assume it's to be used inside the vagina and it doesnt have to be at all.

Even the sales reps don't teach them that. We had one on list and she herself never knew that *sigh* so if you ask I'd be sure to mention that. "topical' usage!

I had terrible splits at that 6 o'clock area at the bottom but then it moved left and right too *sigh* all around the opening. I was given steroids which horribly

exacerbated my condition but it was with extreme overuse as told to by physicians but it was 9 'MONTHS' of 'slathering' it on (again as told to) *sigh* so that I ended up looking like a radiation camp victim. The more I used the worse I got and they 'still' said to use it.*sigh*

I even got horrible huge blisters on both smaller labial lips where I had to prick the skin daily to let the water out, they were about 4 times their normal size I was so swollen, then I oozed, weeped, and seeped pus and more *sigh*, I was so bad that the smaller labial lips 'fused' or 'adhered' to the larger as nature tries to heal a wound (just as grafting takes place with a tree) but that's how bad I was. Even the clitoral shaft fused to the clitoris. *sigh*

While steroids can be good used correctly it's truly a double edged sword and why I always remind people of that. Little did I know years ago *sigh* when I was one of those nice little compliant patients. No more I can tell you *smile*

Initially (way back when) I had been diagnosed with yeast, then with

vestibulitis, then vulvodynia and found different doctors had different diagnosis, or they intermixed the terms, one would say one thing and another something else.*groan* so it was totally frustrating believe me, I even went to the Cleveland clinic but didnt have any more success there than at home.

In the final end (after 10 yrs) several physicians were certain it was Lichen Sclerosus as the tissue turned over the years from a bright fiery red of inflammation to that dull dead ugly gray white look. (common with LS) although I never had the itching many do, but one can have LS without the itching as well. My doctor suspects the abuse of the meds may have turned it to that but who knows?

By then I'd already had at least 3 biopsies that usually only showed severe inflammation *DUH* like I didn't know that and I just refused anymore, I'd had it with doctors! *sigh* a few did tell me that I had a SEVERE chemical burn from the meds too.

Anyway by then thru much research in studying hormones to death *grin*

I knew that the two hormone creams the Estrace 'and' the Testosterone were both known for strengthening the genital tissue and I insisted on it (tho doctors said the E wouldn't work and only on children) but it did. *SMILE*

It took a long time to bring me back to normal (six full months) and with 'very' slow usage because it irritated me so. (the Estrace did) but I knew what it could do so I stuck it out, no matter how bad I got (and flare ups 'did' continue but they would have anyway) and I always went back to it even if it was only every 3rd or 4th day in the beginning I could use it.

By the end of a few months it was about every 2nd or 3rd day to eventually almost every day at the end... it took tons of patience but it worked. *SMILE*. Some others have NO problem with it at all, but I was like pure raw hamburger meat so air or water killed me so it would depend on how bad one is to begin with. Some heal in a much faster time, we're all so individual.

I had sex for the first time after 3 yrs of celibacy (last 3 of the 10 I had this pain) and when I thought I was about 99% better, *smile* I was scared to death but it was fine and I've been well now for over 5 yrs (amazing) and just hope and pray that it helps others as it has me and it has,* big smile*

I've hundreds of testimony's collected over the years I've been doing this and just hope and pray it may be the answer for others as well. One thing I do to 'keep' me well is I'm on a maintenance of using the E & T twice a week (just that tiny dab) to make sure I STAY well (while I was in the healing stage it was more often) and it's worked and no side effects at all using it topically. I think of it as beauty cream but for down there. *grin*

I know no one thing works for everyone (ahhh if only) but I DO know that it can restore tissue regardless of the 'cause' (by the way not only the genitals but the benefits of wound healing with estrogen is well known) and if that is the problem (skin itself) and it's 'not' from a radiating pain like those with pelvic floor problems, or those with vestibulitis (where the nerve endings are 10X's a normal persons) or perhaps something like a bartholin gland infection or any type of infection (those all have to ruled out first) Especially Herpes which is so often overlooked and misdiagnosed.... BUT.......

.....if it's in the tissue itself and it's something that you absolutely can 'touch' or

put your finger on, and you know it's on the surface and not deeper like an aching pain I 'swear' that the Estrace cream esp. can help to get that tissue healthier regardless of what 'name' we call this 'rose' and it was the addition of the T cream the last two months of using E alone previous to that, that put me over the top and the icing on the cake *smile*

By the way even for Vestibulitis estrogen also helps calm down those nerve endings (called Nociceptors) although typically they do use the antiseizure or antidepressant meds it can definitely be an adjunct to those since it will help restore that tissue to healthiness or give it strength so the pain isn't so bad.

I hope that helps hon and that it might be your 'key' to wellness too, and

honestly that is the 'short' version *chuckle*

Hugs

Dee~