Re: Newbie has questions

[Guest guest]

Hi Ivy,

A lot of women have vulvar issues with the loss of estrogen that

comes with a hystorectomy. Lichen Sclerosis is also linked to low

estrogen levals. I have LS as well as VVS and I found that topical

steroid alone did not help. In fact if used alone long term it can

be damaging to the tissue. I used (and still use though my symptoms

are under much better control after surgery) Topical Estrace cream in

additional to Temovate a couple times a week. Now I use Estrace a

couple times a week and Temovate with Intercourse. It seems to keep

my symptoms under good control.

Bunny

>

> Hi everyone-

>

> I'm new here, my name is Ivy, I'm 47, married, originally from NY

and have

> lived in AZ for 17 years or so.

> I had a hysterectomy (complete) at the age of 24 due to adhesions.

>

> I've always had a problem with what I thought were yeast infections

and

> cramps. I was recently diagnosed with vulvar vestibulitis and

possibly

> lichen sclerosis. (She hasn't taken a biopsy yet because I'm scared

to do

> it). My gyno put me on some cortisone vaginal suppositories over a

month ago

> The first week I used them daily, then she told me to go to every

other day

> At first it seemed to help, but then " whatever this is " came back

and now

> nothing's helping. I saw the gyno again last week for the itching,

cramping

> and irritation and I also had another yeast infection then too. She

gave me

> diflucan and the next day I had the worst abdominal cramps I've had

in years

> It seemed to subside for a couple of days and now it's back again

and I

> took another diflucan today and I'm cramping again.

> I'm so tired of hurting and itching and cramping and so tired of

not getting

> any relief. On top of it, my gyno no longer takes my insurance and

I tried

> another gyno recently and she was horrible, I literally felt as if

I'd been

> raped and she told me there was nothing wrong with me. Worst

experience of

> my life (and I've had some bad ones...yes, I did report her).

> So now I don't know what to do anymore. I'm still on the cortisone

> suppositories and I can't afford to keep running back to the gyno

once a

> week and pay out of pocket. I see my PCP next week so I'll ask for

another

> gyno referral but I hate to leave mine, I've been with her 10 years

and I

> adore her and her staff.

>

> So...I guess my questions are:

> 1) What does vestibulitis feel like and how do I know I have it?

> 2) Does it ever go away?

> 3) Is there anything naturopathic I can do to help myself?

> 4) Is cramping normal for having this?

>

> I'm sure I'll have a ton more questions as time goes on so I guess

that's it

> for now.

> Thank you for having me here. I'm very frustrated, scared and angry

because

> of the v.v.

> Hugs-

> Ivy

>