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chaviva16 · 04-11-2010, 08:08 PM

I was surprised to see that vulvolynia has not been mentioned in any of these posts so i decided to post something about it. Vulvodynia, is chronic vulvar pain without an identifiable cause. However, nowadays there are doctors who CAN find out what is causing the pain and CAN heal you. < edited >

EagleRiverDee · 04-11-2010, 10:57 PM

I appreciate that you posted that...I have something, as yet I've two diagnoses.

1. IC (Interstitial cystitis)
2. Vulvodynia

The vulvodynia diagnosis came from a specialist, so I lean towards that one, but so far we've not found a cause...or a cure. Sex feels like I am being cut up inside with razor blades. It's gotten so that my fiance and I only have sex a few times a YEAR. I feel terrible for him. Prior to having whatever this is, I enjoyed sex more than he did. Nothing happened that would make me have a psychological problem with sex, so I know it's not in my head. I've been tested for STD's, bacterial imbalance, yeast imbalance. Nothing. Any penetration is excruciating...I don't even want to get my annual GYN check ups because of the speculum. I take vitamins, we use lube...it just doesn't help. I am hypothyroid and I have acid reflux for which I take PPI's. My hypothyroidism is untreated to date...I am still seeking out info on how to treat properly. It's possible that my problem might be a problem related to either of those conditions or neither I suppose. ANy help is appreciated.

Tree Frog · 04-13-2010, 06:49 PM

Dee,

I saw your post and just had to share. I had pain very similar to what you described, though no diagnosis was ever made. I was told it was psychological back in that time.

Untreated hypothyroidism can cause extreme pain sensitivity. When I was my sickest from it, a doc did a pain threshold test and told me in his 17 years of practicing he never saw a pain threshold so low. I mean I could not stand to be touched! How hypothyroidism affects the nerves is different with each person.

Hypothyroidism is a serious issue that needs treated as soon as possible. Some symptoms can get corrected and others might not, or may be hard to overcome if you keep waiting.

I am not sure you can be sure what causes your vulva pain until your thyroid level is normal for your individusal needs. There is no way to know in advance of starting dose trials exactly what treatment & dose will work best for you. Thyroid is a hormone and every body responds differently to adding a hormone. I started a thread on the thyroid board years ago that is full of info, plus if you just post on that board knowledgeable people will reply.

Also, thyroid imbalance can be causing other hormones to be unbalanced and affect your vulva moisture. I find that lubes do not at all make up for vulva wall tisue dryness. You may need a bio-identical female hormone supplement.

Another thing is stress uses up the small amount of B complex vitamins people usually get fthat the nerves need to be relaxed and healthy. If nerves are stressed they may be inflamed and hyper-sensitive. I found that taking B complex really helped my nerves heal quickly. Any B 50 or B 100 Complex vitamin will do, since it is water soluable and easily assimilated. It is not toxic as any excess washes out in urine, daily, so you can't over dose. It causes yellowing of the urine as a benign side effect, so you may want to use a panty-liner.

It isn't always simple to find a doctor that treats hormone (including thyroid) levels by the symptoms rather than some preset formula. I hope I see you over on the Thyroid Board and that you get the vulvar issue resolved. I'm so sorry you are suffering that!!

TF

EagleRiverDee · 04-13-2010, 08:38 PM

Tree Frog-

Thanks for the response. I have been dragging my feet about going on thyroid meds. I've read enough posts on the thyroid board from people struggling to find the right med and then the right dose that I guess I'm scared. But I know I have to do it, as I guess the thyroid is one part of the body that doesn't really ever repair itself. I'm relieved to know that it might be the cause of my symptoms, however, because that means there is hope for a normal sex life again! And I do have other pain issues. For a couple days about a month ago, I could not stand to have my back touched. Normally I love a good back massage but my fiance was massaging my back and it just felt like he was digging in and bruising me even though his actual touch was light. I also have chronic pain in my left elbow that was diagnosed as "tennis elbow" but it's been there for months and it just sort of seems like it ought to have healed by now.

I will go see a doctor and discuss thyroid medication.

Thanks very much for responding.

Tree Frog · 04-17-2010, 06:15 PM

Hi, sorry I am not online much.
I'm glad to encourage you!

Your symptoms sound just like my low thyroid symptoms! I get pain in the joints, too. I had a thumb sprain that should have taken six weeks or so to heal and it took over six months. For awhile i thought it was permanently damaged! Reading your posts is a stern reminder to me! I am so glad you shared what is going on with you!

Thyroid treatment trials need not be scary. It's no worse than how you feel now, and feeling better is definitely a plus when it happens! Definitely too low thyroid hormone levels affects how fast we heal, because it affects the ...UGH...low thyroid attack...I can't think of the word! METABOLISM!! That's the word! Low metabolism slows the rate of healing.

I definitely recommend that you learn as much as you can before you see a doctor. You need to know how to talk to them and what kind of treatment you prefer to try. The synthetic hormones are what people have the hardest time assimilating and/or regulating. You can even buy an online TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 test (you go to a location to get blood drawn) for a reasonable price, and post it on the thyroid board and discuss possible oprions to discuss with your doctor. TSH alone is not an adequate barometer. The more you know the better. If you already have had blood drawn for these tests, you can request a copy from your doctor or lab.

I have to admit I have been lax, myself and seeing your post kicked me into action. I just paid to have my blood tested and my TSH is very high, over 19, and I personally need my TSH to be under 1 or I am symptomatic. I have been ignoring this because I was hoping we woud have insurance again by now, but that hasn't worked out due to unemployment, so I have to pay out of pocket and get regulated again. That bites!

This has been affecting my memory and body temperature regularity, and causing fibromyalgia. Sex has not been appealing for some time. So I am taking my own advice and not putting it off any longer. I'm also going back on bioidentical hormones. I will see my favorite hormone doc this coming Wednesday. I hope she will treat me for only hormones as she used to, again.

I hope I see you on the thyroid board. With the natural thyroid problems lately I need to get some recommendations.

Blessings, TF

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