Frustrated with lack of diagnosis

September 18, 2007

I am fairly new here, have been lurking for the past couple of months.

I will start with a brief history. I first started having pain with

intercourse in my early 20's but wasn't that bad, I had chronic yeast

infections which I think may have started it. The pain is only at the

vaginal opening. I am now 34 and the past few years sex has been

impossible. It feels like my skin is tearing. After seeing many

doctors who said there is nothing wrong I was finally referred to a Dr.

that specializes in Vulvadynia and Vaginismus. I thought my problem

would be fixed. He told me all my problems were from vaginismus

because when he examined me I would tighten up because it was quite

painful. I know the tightening is a result of the pain. He gave me

some things to try -premarin for 3 months, lidocaine 2x a day for 6

months and using my fingers while doing kegals to get me used to having

something inside of me. After 6 months with no improvement he lasered

off the flap of skin at the vaginal opening. He told me that would fix

everything. Well 4 months later I feel exactly like I did before the

laser surgery. I had my follow up today (I drove 2 hours each way for

my 5 min. appt ahhh...) and he said there is nothing he can do to help

me, that I am not normal because the lidocaine should take the pain

away but all it does is irritate me for hours. It started really

irritating me in August so I have stopped using it. He said the

lidocaine is suppose to calm the nerves but I think it is irriating me

because the skin is raw. My skin is still sore and irritated and in

the past year isn't any better. The skin has been torn a couple of

times by mistake by my husband just touching me.

This is taking a huge toll on my marriage. We haven't had sex in years

(well except to tear it hoping that the doctors can see something) and

my husband has just about had it. If I don't get this resolved soon I

know my marriage is over. He already has had one affair but that is a

whole other story.

He is referring me to a dermatologist who specializes in vulvar

disorders. I really hope she can help. it is going to take a couple

of months to get an appt. though.

Are you able to have pap smears and exams with your problems? My last

pap smear 1.5 yrs ago was so painful that I skipped it this year, I

just can't handle the pain.

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