How do you get diagnosed with Vulvodynia?

[lilac22362]

I have been to uro and gyno so many times trying to figure out this burning that is down there. Uro says that IC sometimes gives us the symptom of urethral burning all the time. Gyno says everything looks good and did cultures and all was clear. I have Lidocaine gel which burns even more to me at least. I just started Neurontin which helps but 600 mgs doesn't last 24 hours. I have no vaginal pain with sex and no pain at all in the vulva area it is non stop burning and I'm sick of it. I did not have the symptom when I first got IC , it came along 4 months later and has stayed. Any advice as I see a new gyno and a few weeks to seek another opinion. I had a abdominal hysterectomy in Oct 2000 which un-leashed this monster called IC off in my bladder. I did keep my right ovary. Thanks and hope someone knows how to get a diagnosis so I can rest my mind that this is not my problem ( Vulvodynia )
Rene [img]null[/img]

[lilac22362]

I wish someone coudl help me out? Wondering what to ask new uro-gyno? I see him Thursday and maybe I can get some answers??

Thanks anyone
Rene

[MelanieJ]

repost for Rene...Can anyone help?

[Teri]

My gyno was stumped too. I had gone the lidocaine route too and that would only help for a few minutes....after spending months of actually waking myself up itching in my sleep I went to see my gyno. I have burning AND itching. First went thru a yeast infection, than a bacterial infection and the burning and itching STILL was there. I told him that I KNEW something was wrong and it wasn't all in my head, it was ALL in my crotch

So, he said he suspected vulvodynia and put me on 300mg of Neurontin. That lasted a week and I had to go to 300mg twice a day...then 300 mg 3x's a day. I am now at 400 mg 3x's a day and next week will go to 500 mg 3x's a day. My body (or my crotch) is actually telling me when the doseage needs to be increased and since it is helping SO MUCH, I am listening to my body.

He told me that they usually treat vulvodynia with elavil, which could explain why alot of us don't complain so much about the horrific burning. I can not tolerate elavil, even at the losest doseage

Hope this helps and hope you have the same kind of results I am having.

tons of hugs

[Joanne L]

I to had the awful burning, at the time I was see an worderful ortiental doctor, and instead of pain killing she had me use Lotrisone cream over the whole vaginal area for ten days,twice a day, to kill the yeast infection on the surface. I have never been so grateful! I have never been so grateful.

[lilac22362]

Thanks everyone,
Teri I know what you mean about your crotch telling you when it is time for Neurontin. I don't have itching thank goodness. I have more urethral burning then anything. I see new uro-gyno tomorrow, just to make sure I'm not dealing with a vulvar issue. My uro thinks it is IC just doing it. I hope this new guy knows about Vulvodynia, he does know IC. I guess Neurontin is a good treatment just need higher doses. Uro moved me up to 900 mgs so we'll see I guess. I sure hate having IC and all that goes with it.

Rene

[Teri]

This burning is not the same kind related to a yeast infection....it is an entire vaginal and for me, uretha burning....

Yes, the yeast infection has to be ruled out. But, there is no comparison between a yeast infection and vulvodynia. Using lotrisone on this kind of pain only adds to the fire