Better and Vacation

[Guest guest]

I have not posted in a while because I have been gone for three weeks,but I do

want to

share how my trip went (it can be complicated to travel with v problems) and the

fact

(knock on wood) that I am considerably better, because it is too easy to just

slip away

when you are better and not stick around to share what worked.

The answer to the $24 million question IS... ta da... I am not sure what worked.

There are

many factors, but my goals in no particular order, have been maybe 90 percent

accomplished:

1) comfortable P.I.V. (meaning male body part in female body-part sex) ((100

percent

accomplished while on vacation!! Yes, several nights in a row!! Let me hear you

all singing

several verses of the Allelujah chorus!!)

2) to wear pants with seams in the crotch (8 hours on an airplane! I am so proud

of

myself!! but admittedly have not tried jeans yet...)

3) to be able to sit comfortably at my computer and when out socially and not be

distracted

(this one hasn't been thoroughly tested and I'm a little concerned about the

work/

computer aspect. Yes, I've tried donuts but they don't work. And somehow it is

the only

chair position that makes things worse)

I was amazed that I actually lost the spritzer bottle out of my purse and got

along okay.

Still using the olive oil and spritzing with the larger bottle when at home or

in hotel room.

Difficult to carry these things on the plane, had to check them in my bag, but

it was okay.

Swimming in a pool was not only okay but very helpful for the achey muscles in

that area.

Good stretching. I walked miles and miles and did some of my PT excercises when

i could.

The dermatitis is largely GONE - so much for " chronicus " in lichen simplex

chronicus - but

whether temporarily or permanently I don't know. I take no chances - still using

the All

Free detergent (I took some with me to hand wash), double rinsing, white

underwear which

I change frequently to avoid ANY sweat.

Definately not a yeast problem, I ate tons of crusty French bread, pan au

chocolate, and ...

EVEN DRANK WINE at least a glass a day. (I know this is not advised with Lyrica,

but I didn't

over do it and you can't not drink wine in France. But I requested a caraf of

eau, that's

water, at every meal. They don't bring it unless you ask, and if you get a

carafe it is not the

expensive bottled water).

The Lyrica is definately kicking in, and I am largely adjusted to it and not

spacey anymore.

It works better than the cymbalta in that there is no insomnia for me. I just

started the

Lyrica a week or so before leaving.

I took along baking soda for soaks, although the sitz bath pan did not fit in my

luggage.

And I was nervous about packing white powder, so I cut the front off the box and

put it in

the plastic zip lock with the baking soda. The soaks, massage and stretching

helped the

achy tight muscles in that area.

I've had v since Thanksgiving, but I would say I am maybe 90 to 95 percent

better now.

Knock on wood.

I credit the PT with helping a lot, although at first I thought that was a dumb

idea for

someone with dermatitis. This condition is a lot more complicated than it seems.

and

involves MULTIPLE SYSTEMS (nerves, muscles, body chemistry) not just the visible

skin,

I continue to use vagifem, which is a bioidentical hormone suppository, twice a

month. I'm

56 and largely post menopausal, but having had a hysterectomy 25 years ago after

the

birth of my second child, I don't know when my periods would have stopped.

So, there you have it. My next thing to try would have been (and might still be)

the 7-week

lidocane cotton ball at night thing. But I think without the drug and PT it

wouldn't work by

itself. Just a hunch from having used lidocane occassionally. It doesn't do much

for me.

Good luck and good night.

-McTwirly