Question: I have been having a problem in my vulva area for a few months now. \it started with an uncomfortable feeling as if I had a slight burning down there but there was no inflammation. I have visited several GPs, the first did a thourough examination, swabs tested and urine sample, all came back clear, she suggested it may be nerve pain and prescribed 10mg amitriptilyne. Then had full pelvic scan which also came back clear. Pain then went away totally for 2 weeks. Completely baffled I did some internet searching on interent and came up with the condition "Vulvodynia". In the meantime the pains started to creep back, stabbing like needles, feeling like sitting on glass and an unbearable itch, feels like someone has used sandpaper on my vulva. Was getting me very down as doctors would not diagnose anything. Went to another GP last week just told me to up the dose of amitriptilyne to 20mg and use Lanacane bought over the counter. Should I be a little more patient? I see on the internet sites I have visited that this condition can last for years. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am a very active person and it is difficult at the moment to continue with the things I enjoy. Also I do not want to become depressed about it never going away. Please help!!

Many thanks for your reply. I have no discoloured patches on vulva, just recent irritation slightly red where I was scratching recently. I will follow up with the doctor about increasing the dose and I will try some relaxation exercise. I maybe make it worse by worrying that it will never go.As you can see from previous notes, it was something that came on gradually. In your experience do people usually get over this? I am quite good at managing the discomfort but struggle sometimes and get rather down.

Thank you that is encouraging after reading all the doom and gloom of people being disabled for life and nor being able to do anything!!! I know the internet can be fatal for things like that but you come across it sometimes by accident when you are searching for advice.
I had a terrible episode of itching last night that woke me up, I tried so desperately not to scratch, cold water compress ect, but I awoke this morning with my vulva raw and rather swollen, any ideas on how to stop the itch at night??
Also I am in UK I dont think we have lidocaine 5% over the counter only Lancaine 3% can the GP prescrible a higher dose of anasthetic cream??
Thank you for your patience XXXXXXX (Scotland. UK)

Thank you, you are very helpful, I will see GP for prescription XXXXXXX

Good Morning

I went to see the GP on Wednesday, I told him the irritation had got worse and was very painful and itching day and night. He has put me on 30mg of amitriptilyne and prescribed on ointment called Uniroid _ HC Hydrocortisone, cinchocaine hydrochloride. I applied it last night as my vulva and surrounding skin was broken and inflamed and very sore to sit. This morning the inflammation had gone almost completely, the itching very minor and no sign yet of nerve pain ( a bit early I know and it may appear later today) but right now I feel more comfortable than I have in weeks. The GP said it is an ointment for hemmarroids, but it is so much more effective than the lidocaine. I will continue to be patient and try not to focus on any pain and hopefully it will disappear!
best regards XXXXXXX

Hi Dr XXXXXXX

I have had 3 good days after using the Conchocaine. Only really using it twice a day. The stabbing pain has gone for now, so I guess the amytryptiline has started to work. Getting a peculiar sensation down below though, as if everything is sticking together and now had again the feeling that something is cutting into me. I would describe it more as irritating as opposed to painful, it also feels slighty tingly like pins and needles, not all the time but intermittently. Is this quite normal or should the drugs cut out the abnormal sensations completely? Should this all disappear quite suddenly or more over a period of time?
Many thanks XXXXXXX

Thank you,

I am a very positive person, not someone who worries. I don't have to see the GP for a week or two yet as he wants to see if this prescription works which is fine. It is great to speak to you as I know you are a specialist. The discomfort is so much less than before and I have been to a CBT who gave me a lot of pelvic floor exercises so maybe that has helped. I would love to go to a yoga class but we live quite far from the town so is difficult. Maybe I will get a DVD and do it at home. Thanks for your continued support, so much better than remembering the 20 questions to ask the GP.

Best wishes XXXXXXX