New member at wits end and hurting!

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone, My name is Vera and I'm new here. I have been through menopause but remained on 0.3MG of Premarin to keep the hot flashes at bay. I have gone to the same GYN for 12 years and have always had my pap tests and mammograms done with no problems showing up. In 2005 my primary doctor strongly recommended that I taper off of the hormone pills because I had been on them for so many years. Having a great deal of respect for him, I slowly tapered down and when I got to a quarter of a pill my hot flashes began rearing their ugly head again. That is about the time I started to have much discomfort in the vaginal area. It felt much like a yeast infection so I bought over-the-counter meds for yeast. One tube did not clear it up so I bought another one. No relief.

It was not time to see my GYN so I went to see the Nurse Practitioner that works with the primary doctor and she said I still had a yeast infection. She gave me an RX for yeast infection. Used all of it and still no relief so I saw my GYN. He said there was no reason why I could not stay on a low dose of Premarin and put me back on 0.3 MG and hoped that would clear up my "vaginal dryness". Still no relief from the pain, tenderness that I have most of the time in the vaginal area. I have gone back to the GYN twice more but he is no help other then to give me an RX for hormone cream to use in the vagina at night time. I would think it is better for a day or two then it is painful again. He acts like he has given up on me and I never thought to ask if he could refer me to another doctor. I complained to my new primary doctor (old one moved away) and he raised my Premarin to 0.625 MG per day in hopes that would help. I'm no better so far but has only been about 3 weeks.

I have spent most of my time researching and getting a handle on my restless legs syndrome (RLS) but now have that under control with Requip and a sleep specialist. I didn't know there were specialists in the field of vulvar disorders until I read your list home page. But my area of Florida is only small cities and I don't expect to find one around here but will inquire. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Vera

[Guest guest]

OMG!!! Vera I hope I can help you...I too live and Florida and have found a Dr. in Olrando at the Fl hospital that has helped me!!! I felt better in five days after his treatment, not to mention sane, since all the other docs b4 him told me it was all in my head. Please feel free to email me direct for more info.

This board has been a lot of help to me along with the NVA. Dont hesitate to reach out for help no matter how many ppl , especially Dr.s, think there is nothing wrong with you.

I hope to hear from you soon

Subject: New member at wits end and hurting!To: "Vulvar Disorders" <VulvarDisorders >Date: Saturday, June 21, 2008, 3:20 PM

Hello everyone, My name is Vera and I'm new here. I have been through menopause but remained on 0.3MG of Premarin to keep the hot flashes at bay. I have gone to the same GYN for 12 years and have always had my pap tests and mammograms done with no problems showing up. In 2005 my primary doctor strongly recommended that I taper off of the hormone pills because I had been on them for so many years. Having a great deal of respect for him, I slowly tapered down and when I got to a quarter of a pill my hot flashes began rearing their ugly head again. That is about the time I started to have much discomfort in the vaginal area. It felt much like a yeast infection so I bought over-the-counter meds for yeast. One tube did not clear it up so I bought another one. No relief.

It was not time to see my GYN so I went to see the Nurse Practitioner that works with the primary doctor and she said I still had a yeast infection. She gave me an RX for yeast infection. Used all of it and still no relief so I saw my GYN. He said there was no reason why I could not stay on a low dose of Premarin and put me back on 0.3 MG and hoped that would clear up my "vaginal dryness". Still no relief from the pain, tenderness that I have most of the time in the vaginal area. I have gone back to the GYN twice more but he is no help other then to give me an RX for hormone cream to use in the vagina at night time. I would think it is better for a day or two then it is painful again. He acts like he has given up on me and I never thought to ask if he could refer me to another doctor. I complained to my new primary doctor (old one moved away) and he raised my Premarin to 0.625 MG per day

in hopes that would help. I'm no better so far but has only been about 3 weeks.

I have spent most of my time researching and getting a handle on my restless legs syndrome (RLS) but now have that under control with Requip and a sleep specialist. I didn't know there were specialists in the field of vulvar disorders until I read your list home page. But my area of Florida is only small cities and I don't expect to find one around here but will inquire. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Vera

[Guest guest]

VERA: Well, a familiar story for sure. It is such a sad thing, I understand because that is how mine started back in the late nineties with thehoop la of getting off hormones. I did that also. quit the patch. BIG MISTAKE....when I finally got the diagnosis after seeing my regualr MD and my ob gyn...both female...they sent me to a specialist as they both were stumped.

the diagnois was made by the office manager of the specialist whom I BEGGED for an appt. ...SHE SAID...sounds like vulva dynia to me....well....

here I am. TAKE heart...you are going to get better. I did an am. so much better. I use the Estradial patch and the ESTRACE cream. I also am lower my Lyrica dosage. ...

WELCOME. YOU are going to find support and help here...love, ML

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time wewill reap a harvest if we do not give up.Galatians 6:9, New International Version

New member at wits end and hurting!

Hello everyone, My name is Vera and I'm new here. I have been through menopause but remained on 0.3MG of Premarin to keep the hot flashes at bay. I have gone to the same GYN for 12 years and have always had my pap tests and mammograms done with no problems showing up. In 2005 my primary doctor strongly recommended that I taper off of the hormone pills because I had been on them for so many years. Having a great deal of respect for him, I slowly tapered down and when I got to a quarter of a pill my hot flashes began rearing their ugly head again. That is about the time I started to have much discomfort in the vaginal area. It felt much like a yeast infection so I bought over-the-counter meds for yeast. One tube did not clear it up so I bought another one. No relief.

It was not time to see my GYN so I went to see the Nurse Practitioner that works with the primary doctor and she said I still had a yeast infection. She gave me an RX for yeast infection. Used all of it and still no relief so I saw my GYN. He said there was no reason why I could not stay on a low dose of Premarin and put me back on 0.3 MG and hoped that would clear up my "vaginal dryness". Still no relief from the pain, tenderness that I have most of the time in the vaginal area. I have gone back to the GYN twice more but he is no help other then to give me an RX for hormone cream to use in the vagina at night time. I would think it is better for a day or two then it is painful again. He acts like he has given up on me and I never thought to ask if he could refer me to another doctor. I complained to my new primary doctor (old one moved away) and he raised my Premarin to 0.625 MG per day in hopes that would help. I'm no better so far but has only been about 3 weeks.

I have spent most of my time researching and getting a handle on my restless legs syndrome (RLS) but now have that under control with Requip and a sleep specialist. I didn't know there were specialists in the field of vulvar disorders until I read your list home page. But my area of Florida is only small cities and I don't expect to find one around here but will inquire. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Vera

[Guest guest]

Hi ML, Thank you for the kind message... I appreciate it. I can't imagine that the GYN's don't know more about this problem! And here in Fla. with all of us senior women. I gave up on my GYN, spoke to my primary doc and he increased my hormone pill. I am using the Estrace Cream everyday and will give this some time. If it doesn't improve, I have the name and number of a specialist within driving distance of our house and I will make an apt. Another member of this group sent me the name and he sounds very knowledgeable. Thank goodness SOME doctors take an interest in this problem. And I am thankful for your support group. Hugs, Vera/Florida

New member at wits end and hurting!

Hello everyone, My name is Vera and I'm new here. I have been through menopause but remained on 0.3MG of Premarin to keep the hot flashes at bay. I have gone to the same GYN for 12 years and have always had my pap tests and mammograms done with no problems showing up. In 2005 my primary doctor strongly recommended that I taper off of the hormone pills because I had been on them for so many years. Having a great deal of respect for him, I slowly tapered down and when I got to a quarter of a pill my hot flashes began rearing their ugly head again. That is about the time I started to have much discomfort in the vaginal area. It felt much like a yeast infection so I bought over-the-counter meds for yeast. One tube did not clear it up so I bought another one. No relief.

It was not time to see my GYN so I went to see the Nurse Practitioner that works with the primary doctor and she said I still had a yeast infection. She gave me an RX for yeast infection. Used all of it and still no relief so I saw my GYN. He said there was no reason why I could not stay on a low dose of Premarin and put me back on 0.3 MG and hoped that would clear up my "vaginal dryness". Still no relief from the pain, tenderness that I have most of the time in the vaginal area. I have gone back to the GYN twice more but he is no help other then to give me an RX for hormone cream to use in the vagina at night time. I would think it is better for a day or two then it is painful again. He acts like he has given up on me and I never thought to ask if he could refer me to another doctor. I complained to my new primary doctor (old one moved away) and he raised my Premarin to 0.625 MG per day in hopes that would help. I'm no better so far but has only been about 3 weeks.

I have spent most of my time researching and getting a handle on my restless legs syndrome (RLS) but now have that under control with Requip and a sleep specialist. I didn't know there were specialists in the field of vulvar disorders until I read your list home page. But my area of Florida is only small cities and I don't expect to find one around here but will inquire. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Vera

[Guest guest]

Vera: call the specialist. As they may have a waiting list or a long time out before an appt is available...you can always cancel if you improve. just my humble advice as I had a wait ahead of me to get in and got lucky there was a cancellation. ml

[Guest guest]

Good idea. I will do that.

Thank you,

Vera

RE: New member at wits end and hurting!

Vera: call the specialist. As they may have a waiting list or a long time out before an appt is available...you can always cancel if you improve. just my humble advice as I had a wait ahead of me to get in and got lucky there was a cancellation. ml

[Guest guest]

Hi Vera, welcome to the group! Your story sounds familiar. Many of us have been diagnosed and misdiagnosed with yeast/bv infections. Several of us use bio-identical hormones. A really good book about hormones is called, "Screaming to be Heard", by Vliet. Her website is: http://www.herplace.com Finding a doc in your area can be tough, but don't give up. Have you tried the National Vulvodynia Association? http://www.nva.org They might list a specialist in your area. Hang in there... ~Chelle