My success story

[Guest guest]

Hello, everyone. I've been reading this forum for a while, and I

thought I'd share my success story, relatively speaking. I've had

vulvodynia (both vestibulitis and dyesthesia) for more than 20 years.

I've gone through the gamut of treatments--pudendal nerve blocks,

epidurals, pelvic floor biofeedback, intense physical therapy

(internal and external), tricyclic antidepressants, massage therapy,

lidocaine gel, etc.

Well, years ago I ended up going to a psychiatrist for depression

(imagine that!). He prescribed SSRIs, and lo and behold, I

coincidentally noticed that the vulvodynia had lessened. I'm now

taking Lexapro, and have relief of about 97% of my pain. I still have

some clitoral pain w/pressure, pain at the introitus, and internal

pain (not sure if it is part of pelvic floor problems or

endometriosis, which I also have). However, I no longer spend each day

wanting to hole myself up in a room. I've been relatively " normal " now

for several years. I still want to get to the bottom of the internal

pain that I experience with intercourse, but I am significantly better

than I used to be.

I just want you to know of this option in case you haven't tried it.

I'm ticked off that there aren't more studies of SSRIs in vulvodynia

patients, because it works for me very well (but the tricyclics did

nothing but make me gain weight). The one caveat is that my sex drive

went to nearly nothing. My doctor added Wellbutrin a month ago and it

seems to help with that a bit. I may have to raise the dose.

Good luck, everyone. Let me know if anyone else has had a similar

experience.

-Nathalie