[Sarah001]

Yep, I had the same thing, no extra burning or stinging in the beginning but seriously dried out skin after a few days. I didn't really get any relief from it though so it wasn't worth persevering in my case. Good luck amelillo, let us know how you get on!

[amelillo13]

Thanks for the heads up about the dry skin. I just want to do it long enough so that it will have time to help, but I don't want to over do it. I have it realllllllllly diluted down, so hopefully it won't cause any issues. After either of you did the peroxide douche, did you put any acidophilus in there, or just continued taking them by mouth or not at all? Most of the posts I'm reading say I should be putting acidophilus in there afterwards, but I don't want to put the actual pill in there. I guess I could crack open a pill and mix it with some distilled water and then douche with that? Would that be ok to do you think?

[lafemelle]

Amelillo, I did try inserting an acidophilus capsule around the same time I used the hydrogen peroxide (although I can't recall, I think I did the peroxide wash one week and tried the acidophilus capsule the next), but the acidophilus dissolved into a gritty, gooey mess that made my discomfort a million times worse. I don't know if there's a certain kind you can use that won't cause that to happen though, but definitely research a good "brand" of acidophilus to use if you want to try it--I wouldn't wish upon anyone what that stupid thing did to me when I tried it!

[Sarah001]

I used acidophilus capsules at the same time both inserted and orally, I didn't find it much of a problem but the ones I used were a very fine powder so not very gritty at all. I inserted the capsule as it was and it gradually melted the casing away but I know you can open them and make the contents into a paste if you prefer. I think you can get pessaries but I don't know how gritty they would be. You can buy a cream that's supposed to have lots of lactobacillus in it, or at least you can here, it's called Cervagyn.

[r3dh3ad]

I tried the hydrogen peroxide also and it left me feeling very clean for a while but as with most things the symtoms did return so it definitely was no cure. The acidophilus capsules made my symptoms like ten times worse so I never did that again! I am extremely reluctant now to use anything vaginally for too long because I have always been told my ph is normal and I don't want to screw that up.I have never found any ph strips for home use to monitor my vaginal ph myself so I only have the physicians word on that. I went to my friends naturopath and was given Her Vitamins, Fem J and Vitamin D caps which I have been tking for almost two weeks now. I feel as though I have much more energy but as far as any change in my vaginal issues- NOTHING! I'm getting that sinking feeling again. Back to the internet and more research. Still waiting for my other friend to recommend an endocrinologist. That is starting to feel like my last hope.

[r3dh3ad]

I was reading on line that pelvic inflammatory disease can have very mild if any symptoms at all. It said that once the bacteria move into the fallopian tubes that it can be hard to detect and may not even me detected in the vagina or cervix which is bad because it can be doing all kinds of damage and causing scare tissue in the fallopian tubes and uterus w/o anyone realizing it. It makes me wonder if I had a sexually transmitted disease ( other than the UTI I was very first diagnosed with) I didn't have a vaginal exam or blood draw when that was diagnosed. So maybe by the time they did do those things the bacteria had already invaded my fallopian tubes and could no longer be detcted thru a vag exam? I have had two pelvic ultrasounds, though that had all nomal findings. I don't know- just a theory but it makes sense to me.

[Sarah001]

I would have thought if it was PID and it was in the fallopian tubes only it wouldn't be giving vaginal symptoms or it surely would be detected by the vaginal symptoms? I have a friend who had PID in her tubes and it did indeed scar them and leave her unable to have children but it didn't give her any vaginal symptoms whatsoever or it would have been found sooner. I'm not 100% on whether it's possible or not though. I understand the frustration of the supplements, I've tried everything that I've found recommended and more besides and they've had no impact whatsoever, I'm now back to my basic acidophilus, magnesium, calcium and evening primrose daily and I don't think I'll bother trying any other supplements. It's a never ending fiasco isn't it? I felt I was making progress after reducing my pelvic floor resting tone but I've got a sneaky feeling it's creeping back up again as my symptoms have increased again, I recently had a bad chest infection so I think all the coughing might have set the spasm off again.

[lafemelle]

I know PID isn't the culprit in my case; two of the most popular treatments for PID are azithromycin and doxycycline, and I've been on both and neither provided any relief from my symptoms. If you haven't done treatment for it and you haven't been tested for it, it's definitely worth looking into, but I personally know it's not to blame.

I got a call back from my doctor today saying my hormone tests came back normal, so that's 100% out of the line-up. I've also been seeing a doctor for my insomnia and anxiety and he suggested I travel out of state to see a specialist at a vulvar clinic as well. ARGH! Guess I'm down to my last option? I'm so upset.

[Sarah001]

Maybe the vulvar clinic would be helpful? I know it's a long way to travel, I remember us mentioning this before but they might have some ideas? My nearest vulvar clinic is hours away too but if I don't get very far with the physiotherapy I'm definitely going to have to go and see what they can suggest. It's so disheartening that none of us seem to get very far with anything we try and I know we're not the only ones out there struggling, during the time I've had problems I've come across so many women online who can't get any relief or answer to their symptoms. Don't give up lafemelle, I know it's hours away but the vulvar clinic still might be able to give you some answers.

[lafemelle]

The only thing that makes me weary of the vulvar clinic is that the doctor I've been seeing called them up and spoke with the specialists there when I first started seeing her; they're the ones who put me on the Elavil and the lidocaine for pain (even though I emphasized having no "pain"). I feel like if I see them in person, they still won't be able to solve my problem. After all, if I go I only have the money to do it once; it's not like I can keep going back every month after every "treatment" like I've been doing where I live...so they'd have to be able to cure me in one shot, and I just don't think that's going to happen.