somebody please help

Submitted by chattylady on May 14, 2009 - 8:30pm
Body: 

I started out having terrible itching in the middle of the night on the inside labia. I used vagisil which relieved it. It only bothered me in the middle of the night. Then I called my nurse practitioner that specializes in female problems. She gave me a pill fluo.... for yeast infection about two weeks ago. It only got worse after a few days but not aruond the vagina - only inside labia. I have terrible burning to vaginal creams for yeast.

I went in to have her examine me today and she said it looked white like yeast and maybe a hormonal issue. She gave me Premarin cream to apply in the morning in that area and Teronazole Vaginal cream to apply at night. She said to try this for a month and if it didn't help she would refer me to a gynocologist. She said I might have to have a biopsy and go from there. I am terrified and today that area only is burning so badly.

I have a 3rd stage rectocele which is annoying enough but I deal with it. I know you are not doctors but I'm so distraught and nervous over this. When I used the Teronazole cream the last time on the last application it burned me so badly up inside vagina I was a nervous wreck. Maybe I just need someone to talk to about this. I am 64 yrs old and alone. Also I do not have insurance and between the office call and meds it costs me $210. I only live on Social Security which limits me financially. I don't mean to babble on about this but I'm so nervous and burn so bad. I only used the Premarin today and will try to use the other cream tonight. Hopefully it won't burn. I thought she was going to try something different.

Christine

May 14, 2009 - 9:08pm

Dear Chattylady,

I am very familiar with these symptoms and am sending you healing thoughts through the ethers.

Do you by chance have any Vulva Balm? It truly does cut the itch immediately, but is not a sustained cure. If not, can you find an herb store that sells bulk Pennyroyal? If so, make a strong tea in a couple quarts of water to take a warm sitz bath in. This will also soothe the itch and irritation and is without any side effects. Kiki has also found neem oil to be very soothing, although I do not know if it affects itching. I cannot comment on the expensive pharmaceuticals except to say gynecology and dermatology know nil about vulvar dystrophy.

Would you like to be part of our study (see www.seedcraft.com)? If so, just send me your shipping information and we will send you a sample at no cost in exchange for your honest and prompt response about results. It will be another few days before we have more product so have to ask for your patience.

Hugs and healing prayers to you,

Christine

chattylady

May 14, 2009 - 9:16pm

How do I send you my address to ship to. I have the vulva cream and having been using it. It is good but only helps for a short period. I don't know whether to use it after I apply the yeast cream tonight.

You are always so kind and understanding. I will try the sitz bath. Yes I would like to join your study. I welcome any help I can get. Guess I just got carried away with the money issue.

Christine

May 14, 2009 - 9:19pm

christine at wholewoman.com

:)

alemama

May 14, 2009 - 10:51pm

I get hormonal itching when I am pregnant. I read that spraying really hot water on the area would help- so I tried it and sure enough the itching stopped- don't ask me why this works-
also Teatree oil will kill the itch- and it will burn- but not in a painful way.
I put neem oil on a rash that recently showed up on my arm and it is almost gone now.

there is a ton of posts here about yeast and what you can do to get rid of it

hope something works for you soon.

louiseds

May 14, 2009 - 11:31pm

Just for variety, I have found that itching often responds to exactly the opposite of Alemama's suggestion, a cold pack, whether that be a refrigerated face washer, or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a doubled, damp face flannel, or a wrapped, blue gel pack. Just be careful putting anything *frozen* onto vulval or vaginal tissue. Ever licked an iceblock straight out of the deep freeze? ~

L

rosewood

May 14, 2009 - 11:52pm

You might also try increasing your intake, or begin taking, a good probiotic. This can combat some yeast problems.

Sounds really uncomfortable. Hope you feel better SOON! Glad you are reaching out.

Marie

chattylady

May 15, 2009 - 12:39pm

I used the premarin cream this morning just as instructed by nurse practitioner and now I'm getting red on the outside and itching there too. I know this is not what this site is for so I won't say anything else regarding this problem. Just any input is appreciated. I woke in the night and used the vulva balm which helped on the inside.
I tried the sitz bath also. I'm wondering if this could be a reaction to the premarin cream. I'm just frustrated with the whole ordeal.

granolamom

May 15, 2009 - 3:58pm

I find that if I dilute it a bit with olive oil it doesn't burn.

chattylady

May 15, 2009 - 8:00pm

I was miserable all day and burning from premarin cream. I took a cool bath and rubbed vulva balm all over and I'm getting relief. Thank you Christine!!! Ladies it's great!

kiki

May 16, 2009 - 4:02pm

HI Chattylady,
Very quick as i need to finish some work but had to reply!
Huge hugs and sympathy...I've been dealing with this for over a year now and it's not fun i know.
a few thoughts...
if there is yeast, fluconozale does from what i've read usually kill it, so you know that's what it was (though i read some people need a higher dose...but i assume you'd have some relief!)
reactions to creams seems pretty common, often to the bases they are made up in--i react to some yeast creams, so it becomes hard to tell what is going on if i use them (but not others)

A few things I have found helpful for itch--it really is trial and error from my experience--what works for one person doesn't work for another, so i'm just willing to try anything...
but things that helped me are...
--as christine said, i've found neem oil very helpful. it helps to reduce the itch, reduce the inflamation and irritation, and is anti bacterial / fungal / anti lots of stuff...it stinks like you wouldn't believe till it dries and stains--be careful it's dry before putting on anything precious! but it's been a life saver. my skin is so improved, and i don't get tears on the vulva anymore.
--christine's balm she's trialling has also been really good for me offering longer periods of relief!!!
--i found warm sitz baths with salt really helpful--you can use a baking tray type thing if you don't want a whole bath. also i put drops of calendula in and that seemed to help too...
--ice pack especially if swollen, especially as going to sleep
--nooooo soap and rinse well to be sure no shampoo or soap is irritating.
--try going without underwear as much as possible, and nothing warm at night.

re yeast, if that is a problem cutting out allll sugar and reducing fruit, no caffeine, no chocolate, no white bread / rice / pasta, can help reduce the yeast... adding in acidophilis and the link can help restore balance, but (as i know all too well!) it's a hard thing to do if it's ongoing... also stimulants and stress can add to the itch, so cutting out anything like that might help even if not yeast.

glad the vulva balm is offering relief, even if only temporary.

hope that helps a bit and sorry so rushed!
Kiki

chattylady

May 16, 2009 - 11:26pm

Thanks Kiki and each of you for all information. I have been extremely stressed this last week. I had all my bloodwork done and finished all my dental work and now this itch won't go away. Not having insurance is a big problem and finances are limited. But I"m sure I'm not the only one dealing with this. So no more on that subject.

I got real worried when the nurse practitioner said there was a white area on the inside of labia that she was not sure of. She said it looked like yeast but if creams didn't help to go to a gyn and possibly a biopsy. Naturally no one wants to hear this but I'll just take it one step at a time and do the best I can.

Actually today I used the balm and vagisil and feel much better tonight but I know the problem is not solved. Monday I will go the the health store and check all the things mentioned. I'm not familiar with these so I will ask and find out and definitely try them. I don't use any soap when bathing there. No sense in using creams that make me irritated. I mean yesterday after I used the Premarin cream it had me walking the floor and crying with burn and itch. Everything got much more intense right after I put it one the area.

Once again thanks! I really appreciate all information.

chattylady

May 21, 2009 - 8:05pm

I went to the gyn today and got a good report. She said it was not yeast. She also said the white area looked to her like just skin getting thinner with age and was easily irritated. She gave me an ointment to use and I go back in a month for follow-up.

This was such a relief to me. I should have gone to her first and all this could have been avoided. But I know the first opinion I got from the nurse practitioner was an honest one and she was giving me exactly what she thought and her concern. Just wanted to let you all know.