To ask for help with my burning fanjo

[Tootsey11]

Posting for traffic so please don't shoot me down.

9 weeks ago my bits down below started burning. As I had just had 2 courses of antibiotics for coronavirus, I presumed I had thrush. Went to the chemist and got the one time tablet. Did nothing. Then reading on here the thread 'my vagina stinks' as mine seemed a little strong I thought it must be BV. Went to the chemist bought the test and gels. Test was negative, but after reading that they were not accurate, used the gels anyway. I got instant relief and all was fine for 3 days, then the burning returned.

Since that doctor has taken swabs, clear.
Urine tests, clear.

I've had antibiotics for bv, still the same
2 more capsules for thrush, still the same.

The burning has shifted somewhat to the skin on my legs around vag. The hollows that you get when you sit down if that makes sense.

I should say I am 44 nearly 45 and use vagifem as I was presumed to be menopausal. I was tearing inside during sex and after nurse had a look was advised to use these.

I haven't worn underwear in all this time as it hurts the skin on my legs, and have lived in jogging bottoms as they are loose.

Can anyone advise, re the burning, as it is getting me down so much. I cannot carry on like this.

How dare people try and dictate what people call their fannies/vulvas/hoohas 😡

... that aside OP, it could be the start of Lichen Schlerosus. Which is notoriously under diagnosed, try the canestan HC cream ( the hydrocortisone in it will help if it is Lichen Schlerosus) and ask to be referred to a vulval dermatologist.

Have you noticed any changes to the colour of the skin on your vulva or anal area, pale or whitened areas?

Good luck

It sounds like vulvodynia. I suffered from it for most of my 20s. I think I got it from a combination of stress and over use of thrush cream. It took steroids, counselling and physio to get over it. Good luck OP. Ask for a referral if you don’t get anything from your GP.

@FabulouslyGlamourousFerret the labia are a lot paler and one side is paper thin. The other is normal thickness. The whole area is just strange, I don't know it seems to be disappearing before my eyes.

Oh @Tootsey11 I hate to say it, but it sounds very like LS. It can be kept under control with steroid cream and emollients though.

Book a GP app ASAP

@Tootsey11 I completely understand about the sex. Even now mentally I'd rather just not but thankfully DH is very understanding and I do with a lot of patience and support.
Try vaginal moisturisers as well. I'm not sure if these helped me but sometimes I felt so hot and dry (sorry TMI) that it was nice just to ease things.

Being dehydrated is a major factor for me- also, try unbleached loo roll- cheeky panda etc, no detergent to wash knickers and also look at probiotics and prebiotics in yoghurts or tablet form- your immune system must have taken a hammering.

@thesandwich I don't think I have an immune system left! I have a long list of conditions, I got bloody coronavirus, and cannot get rid of it. Now this.

[quote Tootsey11]@Alpacamabags, thankyou.

I have: stopped wearing skinny jeans and underwear. Wear no bottoms in bed. I am dehydrated a lot so will aim to drink more. It does burn before I pee, so am going to keep on with the cranberry sachets. I can understand the suicidal thoughts, I'm getting that way. My partner of 20 years has withdrawn completely from me because it's too painful to have sex.[/quote]
I found the following remedy for UTIs, and it worked brilliantly for me:

Drink a mug of hot water with 1 teasoon Cream of Tartar and a few drops of lemon juice in it. Drink this when you first notice symptoms, and then again once in the morning and once in the evening, until you feel better.

I had started having cystitis symptoms one afternoon, the day before a long bank holiday weekend, so no opportunity to get to the doctor. I started drinking the above concoction at 9pm, and by 11pm it was working well enough that I was able to sleep, and next woke for the loo at 5am.

I don't know that it would help the skin issues, but if you suspect a UTI or cystitis, it wouldn't hurt to try it.

I'd never heard of the worm thing either, that sounds grim. Hope you get some relief soon, it must really be getting you down.

After a strong dose of antibiotics, I was recommended these

www.optibacprobiotics.com/uk/product/for-women-14-capsules

I swear by them now.

Drink a shot apple cider vinegar and teaspoon sodium bicab mixed with water and try some very watered down (do water it down or you will have never felt pain like it!) bicarb on the area itself. Worth a go!

You could try applying apple cider vinegar to ease the itching.

Your symptoms sound a bit extreme for this but do you take folic acid tabs? Too much can cause itching.

I had this recently after antibiotics. The only thing that shifted it was the oral tablet for thrush. The cream didn't work!

Ask for some routine bloods to be done including glucose.

Have you tried using antihistamines? Might be a reaction to something.

@AnnieCartwright, will try those, can't do any harm. I'm highly allergic to alcohol, cider vinegar is a huge no. I think it is Lichen S. It seems to fit what's happening. If things keep going the way they are I don't think I will have a vagina left in a matter of weeks. The labia are starting to fuse together, I'm applying moisture every hour and it's doing nothing. I have wasted so much time trying this and that.

Maybe it's an after-effect of C-19?

Definitely take some Ovex. It may not be worms but it isn't going to hurt you either way. I'd cover the whole area in Savlon too as it's actually quite good at moisturising and might relieve the burning a bit. Again, might not help but can't hurt to try.

@caribooshriek, I considered that. I had terrible neurological symptoms with CV, I was thinking that maybe this was nerve damage. All I do know is that it is getting worse fast and I don't know where to go with this.

Ok this is possibly not where you want to go, but I've had success with gynae issues when I've used aromatherapy. There's a brilliant book by Maggie Tisserand called Aromatherapy for women which could possibly help. I've had relief from an STI by having Geranium oil baths, but also by massaging into the top of my inner thighs with a carrier oil. A few drops of tea tree oil and lavender oil in the bath can be soothing and both oils have such good healing and antibiotic properties. It's worth a try. Good luck, it sounds awful.

I have nothing to add OP other than to say that there have been quite a few ideas , on here, for you to go on.
I’m so sorry to hear of your suffering and hope that you find a resolution soon.

In the meantime, maybe slather on natural yoghurt until you find more permanent relief.

😂

I was going to suggest menopausal symptoms and vagifem but you've beaten me to it. But the vagifem helped my symptoms which makes me wonder if is something else.

I usually wear a nighty at night with no knickers but did find a pair of damp knickers or a damp facecloth inside knickers like a sanitary pad helped.

An antihistamine table might help too.

@Justnotfeelingit

😂

😂

Oops, I meant to quote the first time, not laughing at your predicament OP!

Jeez, I’m useless. I give up. I was trying to quote the person saying the fanny police had turned up.

Have you had a really good look with a torch and mirror. It could be herpes? GPS can be rubbish at spotting but google pictures and have a really good rummage down.