[cafeaulait]

Same here!

I have the same thing going on. I've treated with OTC for yeast, then took a prescribed one dose (Flagyl, I think it was?). About 2-3 months, but with pain during insertion. It lightens up during period and then comes back each time.

The only thing I could come up with is that it started about the time I switched razors, from a long-time one that I had been using with blades, to disposable ones. Only because the dog chewed up the razor part of it (not the blade). Same razor not in stores, but on Amazon. I think I'm going to order it. Still, that wouldn't explain the vulvar/vaginal burning and burning on urination.

One of the things I was just reading somewhere is that gonorrhea is possibly making a "superbug" comeback, and that symptoms can be so mild as to be unnoticed. I have no discharge or odor. I am in what is probably a monogamous relationship, but I am would test to be sure. Also vestibulitis might be a possibility.

I'm happy to find you ladies, but also sorry that we are dealing with this. Thank you for being willing to share your information. I guess my next step is to go get the tests. "Itchy", I am sorry you have had this for so long. It can definitely take over your life, as I've had problems in the past with chronic pain and yeast infections, and they do take over. Hang in there!

[Jai Monroe-Lorne]

I have the same symptoms

Hi,

I have been having the same problem since the beginning of this year. It started with recurrent burning sensation and having to get up to pee every 20 or so minutes night and day which at one point increased to literally every 5 minutes. I spent 2 months trying to rule out the obvious causes - laundry detergent allergy, bath foams/oils/body lotions etc. I stopped using all of that in February. By march I was still having symptoms and the burning had turned into thrush. The thrush kept coming back every few weeks, though I haven't had it for about 5 months (just the burning and the peeing now). Between March and now I've seen two different doctors at my surgery, 8 different appointments. They started by telling me it sounded like I had a bladder irritation and they told me to cut out all caffeine, blackcurrent juices etc and drink only water and plenty of it. I tried that for over a month but it did not help. The thrush subsided and I was just left with the constant burning sensation and the needing to pee every 15-20 minutes. On my 3rd visit to the doctor they just prescribed me a longer course of the single-dose treatment for thrush capsules - the same one you get with canesten duo but I was given 6 and told to take one a day for 3 days, then one a week for 3 weeks. The symptoms improved for all of a couple of weeks before they were back again. I went back and forth to the doctors another 3 times and got given the exact same anti fungal pills. I had dipstick urine tests and swabs taken which always come back clear & showing no infection. My last two visits to my doctor yet again he wanted me to do more swabs and dipstick tests and to give me the same anti fungals I was given before. I couldn't see the point of just continuing the same treatment I'd been given which was obviously not working and saw no point in taking the same tests I'd already had so out of frustration I went to a walk in centre two weeks ago. I saw a Nurse there who said that at the very least I should have been given an internal exam, a smear test and a GU swab to rule out STD's (none of which either or my doctors had EVER suggested!). She also said with my build I could be at risk of PCOS. She said I needed to ask my doctor to refer me to a Gynecologist as while doing my smear she said my cervix and my vagina outside were both severely inflamed (something my doctor had never bothered checking - he's never even done a visual examination of the affected area). During the smear test I was in a LOT of pain, so much that I cried and it has never bothered me before. The Nurse prescribed Metronidazole pessaries for 7-10 days plus hydrocortisone cream for the outside twice daily. Last week I went back to my doctor to ask for the referral to a Gynecologist as instructed by the Nurse - the doctor refused to refer me saying the Nurse didn't note that on the record and he also said whether or not I might be at risk for PCOS will have nothing to do with these symptoms (I didn't say it did, I just passed on what the Nurse said - he raised his eyebrows and gave me a dismissive look at everything I passed on). He said he didn't understand why she wanted me to see a Gynecologist. I replied that I didn't know why she didn't note it, but she told me to come ask for the referral so I was doing what I was told (it took every ounce of self control I had not to tell him that at least she'd bothered to examine me and SEE how red raw I was inside and out which was more than he'd done. Perhaps I should have said it but I was trying to not be rude). He still refused to refer me to a Gynecologist, even after I broke down in tears in his office out of frustration and exhausted-ness. So I walked out of his office and immediately filed a formal complaint with the Practice Manager, which is currently being investigated. My smear test and swabs all came back normal (like I thought they would - I haven't been sexually active in about 8 years). After 9 months I'm no further forward and still flaring up every few weeks. The flare ups seem to be happening more often than they were when they first started, and coming back worse each time. I haven't used any bath products, body lotions etc at all since February, I wash only with warm water and pat dry (not rub) with a clean towel so as not to aggravate already sensitive skin. I've cut out fruit juices as well as caffeine because at one point I thought fruit juice might have been causing it after I flared up the day after I had two large glasses of tropical fruit juice. I've switched laundry detergent from Persil to Fairy non-bio, I do wear panty liners night and day now because to not wear them makes me painfully over-sensitized down there. I've finished one box of Metronidazole last night and will be starting the second tonight. The Nurse said I must finish the treatment, which I intend to do. When I first started using the pessaries the symptoms were clearing up nicely but last night I noticed some discomfort coming back and today the skin around my vaginal area is back to burning again, feels like I'm on fire and I've lost count of how many times I've been to pee today. On top of this I have also started experiencing nausea and diarrhoea (but I'm pretty sure those two are side effects from the pessaries - the leaflet does say they may cause that). I can't get another appointment with my surgery until 14th November because the Nurse there is all booked up and my doctor just wants me to have yet MORE swabs even though I had some the week before last that were still showing clear. Meanwhile my symptoms are flaring back up again while I'm sill being treated with the Metronidazole pessaries. I'm at a total loss to explain what is causing this and my doctor seems unwilling to move on from his assumption that I must have some soft of infection despite the fact that all my tests keep coming back showing no infection. I'm glad I found this thread because at least now I know it's not just me. Like you my symptoms improved/practically stopped during my period but are back with a vengeance now. Has anyone had any better luck with doctors since the last thread posts were made? I'm desperate for a good night's sleep. I've been suffering for so long that the lack of sleep is starting to make me feel overly-emotional and have difficulty concentrating and my doctor is oblivious to my complaints and seems unwilling to consider other theories - and he was my second opinion. Any help/advice appreciated as I'm at my wits end.
Thank you,
Jai

[duckster]

I had this issue for months and months. Nothing helped. I was sensitive to some pads and TP - I use Angel Soft now and am fine. However, the greater problem was that I was still having periods but not ovulating - my progesterone and estrogen were low. So my endocrinologist put me on bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and it is no longer an issue. These are not synthetic hormones which means that your body uptakes them in a bio-available manner. HRT should not be taken in pill form as it impacts the digestive sytem - meaning you'd have to take more and that's not good for anyone. Viginal inserts and patches are the best way to go. Everyone would be surprised how quickly they feel releif.