Re: New member - Discharge prob

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 99-03-27 19:39:38 EST, you write:

<< The reason I feel I may NOT have vulvadynia is that it seems to me I

have an acid discharge. I can almost feel a flow. I know this sounds like an

infection but the gyno says it isn't. >>

Shelia, I wanted to respond to your letter because I have had a problem off

and on with a discharge also. I would describe it as " caustic " to my doctor

but repeated tests turned up nothing amiss--no infection or other problem.

It didn't/doesn't seem to have any color. And sometimes it would go away even

though the burning persisted.

Anyway, the National Vulvodynia Association published an article in the NVA

News entitled " Differentiating Vulvodynia from Candidiasis " . It says,

" Patients with vulvar pain, irritation, and erythema (redness), as well as

abnormal vaginal discharge, can present diagnostic dilemmas for the majority

of health care providers....Dysesthetic vulvodynia does not have

characteristic signs and symptoms uniquely distinguished from recurrent

candidiasis. " Anyway, when I first read this in the NVA News (Winter 1998

issue), I was very excited because this was the first I had read (at that

time) that others had a problem with vaginal discharge also; I was under the

impression that women with VV only had problems with burning and other pain

unless they had diagnosed problems with yeast. I have corresponded with

others on this list (and the other VV list) who have a similar problem. What

causes it? I don't know although I think it could be a hormonal problem. Or

it could be yeast that doesn't show on a routine test. Or?????

Anyway, I wanted to let you know that you are not alone with the problem of

discharge!

Take care, Kathy

[Guest guest]

Shelia,

I wanted to add another comment to my letter. When I first started my VV

problems, I remember telling my nurse-practioner that I was very uncomfortable

down there and I had a lot of wetness. I wasn't sure at the time if I had a

discharge, I just felt wet, my undies would feel wet, but I didn't even like

to wear a mini pad because anything next to me felt horrible. My nurse-pract

said I was in perimenopause and I should feel happy I was wet because some

women felt dry and they were miserable!!! LOL! Also, I was told to " focus on

something else besides my vulva " . Well, it's kind of like being really sick

with the stomach flu....it's kind of hard to focus on something else when

you're busy throwing up in the toilet! Vulvodynia can be totally consuming

at times. I have come a long way since then (over a year ago). I still have

some burning pain and some days are better than others, but I am a lot better.

Hang in there. Kathy