What is the best ointment or cream option?

[skrix]

Vulvodynia Cream

With the Zovirax, I would say approximately a couple of weeks to see a big change, but noticed a more comfortable level within a few days. That being said, I was feeling raw, burning and just very uncomfortable and with the Zovirax cream, it seemed to help prevent the discomfort. I do use rubber gloves as suggested to apply the cream.

As for knowing what the Charmin is made with or if it is o.k., I have no idea, but I do know that I recently went on a trip and took a roll of toilet paper with me and when we stopped, I put some in my purse to use. When we got to the hotel I saw that they had Cottenelle and I said oh we have used that at home and I should be fine so I didn't really use my home toilet paper in the hotel. Long story short, by the time we started home on Sunday afternoon and we checked in late on Friday night, I was feeling raw again. A change in toilet paper so it does make a big difference for me with the vulvodynia. I figured it out when I could not get comfortable at work and was going to the restroom all of the time. It was truly a trial and erro type thing.

[bunnykinb]

How do you know what the tp is made out of? How did you know Charemon was ok?

Well, I saw the uro Wed. 5/16 and mentioned that I thought I had VV. He didn't say much. I said this time, it didn't feel like my urethra was burning, just the sides. He looked into my bladder with a camera and said my bladder looked really good. He feels after 15 DMSO that my bladder responded. I asked what about the burning still, he gave me Vesicare to help me not use the restroom so much. He thought that using the restroom so frequently might be one problem. The vesicare makes me get a very dry mouth and I was constipated this morning really bad.

I had already brought up the burning side to my primary care doctors and one gave me steriod cream. I need to call the insurance and ask if I can get a direct referral to a gyno. I had already seen a gyno in 2004 for the burning but because i had mentioned I had IC, the gyno just wanted me to take Elmiron. I need the doctors to listen and test me for VV.

On the Zovirax cream, I had taken Zovirax tablets from one uro who thought my problems were a virus. Hmm.

[skrix]

Treatment for Vulvodynia

They have me on a cream called Zovirax. When I purchased this cream and read what it is most prescribed for, I was shocked because it is a treatment for herpes. However, I can tell you that I use it twice daily. It is not irritating and it has helped the vulvodynia.

When I ask Dr.'s about a lidocaine cream, they all say that it can be absorbed by the body and it is not a good idea. Long story short, I do not live in an area where people are well educated in these diseases.

When I was prescribed the Zovirax, it was by a specialist and I have had success with the cream.

I have also started taking my own toilet paper to work with me because I was having a lot of discomfort at work and finally figured out they used wood, I used Charmin and when you were going 10 - 15 times a day, it made a huge difference.

Good luck.

[bunnykinb]

I haven't been diagnosed for VV because I never knew there was any test for it. I have IC but even though I have been getting DMSO treatments, I still feel like my sides of the labias are burning. I have been reading more and more about VV and I really think I have that as well. I see the uro tomorrow to discuss my continual burning feeling.

I had taken Elavil which stopped my pain but it made me too hungry. So, now I am on 10 mg of nortriptyline for 3 1/2 weeks. No pain relief yet.

[catlover2]

EMLA should numb your vulva for hours. If the EMLA doesn't work try Lidocaine 5% ointment.

[Angeles]

EMLA Cream

My dr prescribed EMLA cream, so I started using it today. I'm supposed to use it for 7 days every 6 hrs.
I hope this one works. I already tried Cortizone, Clobetazol, Lidocaine gel 2% (too wimpy) and now EMLA (Lidocaine & prilocaine, 2.5%/2.5%)

I will continue to do plain yogurt inserts in the meantime for yeast overgrowth. I'm very sensitive to the slightest overgrowth now ( I wasn't before).

[Barryssis]

Emu Oil

Emu oil is used by many Vulvodynia and Lichen Sclerosis patients. It's a natural anti-inflammatory and is very moisturizing. I use Clobetasol ointment as maintainance for Lichen Sclerosis. I also use Estrace cream topically and have some Lidocaine ointment. Ice packs help me a lot too.

[JanL]

Thanks for the tip. I will get some ice packs and try them. So far the lidocaine is really keeping me numb and that is a good thing. I sure hope this helps. I am so careful now about where I sit, the type of pants that I wear, etc. This stuff is the pits. Oh well, guess it could be worse.

Janice

[Angeles]

Jan,
I guess you have to try it. I have lidocaine gel at home and used once and burned me a little it is supposed to burn first and then slow down. I haven't used it anymore. I use clobetasol sometimes and my vulvar speacialist doctor said I can used OTC cortizone cream regularly. I asked if it would damage the skin if I use it often and he said no. Still, I am not a fan of steroids.

Try and see, and if it doesn work, try lidocaine ointment as mentiond in the thread. I will ask my dr about it too. I've read the ointment is best for V V than the gel b/c gel may cause some dryness.

I like sitting on a cold pack! That's my number one source of relief. Yesterday I brought one with me while I was running errands and driving. Summer is coming and getting very hot here.
I'm thinking to have a few cold paks available in the refrigerator and a mini cooler in the car for long drives (I get mini coolers when I order refrigerated medication and is shipped to me so I have a few coolers at home).
Vulvodynia can get better and many people get a great deal of symptoms relief. I think it is a combination of treatment that would work best for you. You will have to try and see. Hope you get better.

[JanL]

Hi everyone! I went to my new uro last week and he told me I have vulvadynia. He told me to use the lidocaine gel on a cotton ball. He said to leave it in overnight and to also do it during the day if I could. He seemed to think that this would greatly diminish the irritation and pain. Has anyone else tried this??? Is it possible to really get rid of this? Thanks for your input.

Janice

[icbop]

Kara,
Is it a cream or an ointment? do you know the ingredients?
Thanks and I hope you are doing well.

It's a steroid and seems like vaseline to me. I could not tolerate it, but I got a different steroid which does not irritate me. It has not worked though, either.

THe NP told me that the different steroid bases affect differenet people in different ways.
Hope this is helpful!

[Angeles]

I use a 5% buffered, compounded lidocane waterproof cream. Regular lidocane burns on me

Kara,
Is it a cream or an ointment? do you know the ingredients?
Thanks and I hope you are doing well.

[pingpong]

I've used Clobetasol for my vulvodynia. I started by using it for two weeks to get the pain under control, and then the Elavil I had started taking about the same time kicked in and my pain is much milder. My uro told me to use the Clobetasol only if the pain gets really bad, since long-term use could cause thinning of the skin. I haven't needed it so far, but I'm glad to have the stuff on hand just in case.

[Angeles]

Clobetasol ( a new one for me)

My doctor prescribed this for me to use it daily for 2 weeks. It is supposed to help with the irritation and swelling, AND itiching....I din't try it yet. I have it here. I get too scared lately to try new things...Specially on the weekends. I rather try things during the week, even though I have to be at work, because I knwo that if something goes wrong I can reach my doctor faster or I can go to his office. I have to change this "very chicken" attitude. I just don't trust doctors blindly like before...
Has anyone used CLOBETASOL OINTMENT for vulvodinya?

[Kara29]

I use a 5% buffered, compounded lidocane waterproof cream. Regular lidocane burns on me