Very sensitive issue - please help!

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I have repeated thrush and soreness. Nothing works, not even prescribed meds (cream, pessaries and oral medication) from GP. My whole vulva area is red raw and in addition to thrush, I get red sores, they kinda look like ulcers. It's affecting the skin around my bottom too. It cracks and bleeds and stings to pee. I can barely sit some days. I can't wear underwear or most of my clothes. GP keeps fobbing me off but can't go on like this. I saw my GP AGAIN this week who thinks it's down to being on medication that suppresses the immune system (methotrexate). I'm a virgin and have not 'done' anything either, so there is no chance it's an STI. I've done all the preventative thrush measures but I'm not convinced it's thrush.

I want to get referred to a specialist but who? A dermatologist? Or a gynae even though it's affecting my bottom skin too?

Thanks again for the other replies. I've had blood tests done for Sjogrens and they were negative, as was the eye test (Schirmer's?). My optician really believed my eyes appear dry upon examination so was surprised I produced so many tears. I've seen an ophthalmologist who definitely feels it is not Sjorgrens re: my dry-feeling eyes.

I've been miserable as sin in the heat today, currently sitting on an ice pack! Hopefully I can sweet talk my GP's receptionist into getting an appointment this week so I get the swab results ASAP and get the ball rolling.

Hi there, just wanted to ask, have you been tested for diabetics? Don't want to be alarmist but what you describe happened to a friend of mine, the repeat thrush was caused by the build up of sugar that her body couldn't get rid of. She did have other classic symptoms towards the end of finally being diagnosed, extreme tiredness being the main one. Hope you get this sorted soon.

Have they ruled out lichen planus and lichen sclerosis?

missy - Diabetes was suggested a whole ago. I've been tested for a few months ago which was negative and actually, I saw it on the form again last week. Hopefully I'll get the blood test results soon.

Bela - nothing has been ruled out at all really. I just have been getting fobbed off with fluconazole and various creams for thrush which have only aggravated my skin. It took a locum GP last week with the bright idea to swab the area.

Thank you both for the replies.

I've been suffering in silence for a long time and was anxious about posting here but I really do appreciate the support for my poor delicate undercarriage.

Can offer any advise :( but i used to get horrible thrush and so get sore due to allergies so i symthaise with you big hugs ((((( ))))))) and i hope you get sorted out soon x

Ok. Lots more information - great.

Here's my further thoughts:

Don't overwash. Stop having a shower several times a day. Wash once daily, flat hand between your legs, no washing 'inside' IYKWIM. If you have a non-perfumed moisturiser/emollient use that as a soap substitue and avoid all soap or shower gels/bath additives etc. Emulsifying ointment is cheap from any chemist and makes a good soap substitute.

Assuming it might be thrush (common things are common ), have you had oral treatment for thrush? Fluconazole is a single dose (150mg) you can buy over the counter, but is not cheap. If it did turn out that you had recurring thrush, you might have to take a dose once weekly for a few weeks.

Yes, get a dermatology referral. Lichen planus/lichen sclerosus are awful if untreated, need a specialist assessment but can be treated once correctly diagnosed.

If you get mouth ulcers as well: do you have any stomach/bowel upset? Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis) can cause problems in the mouth and genital area at times.

Icepack sounds like a good idea - make sure you don't give yourself freezer burns (I am not kidding - I've seen that).

Oh crap, I've just seen: you've had Fluconazole. Ignore me...

I know of someone who was told she had chronic thrush, but it turned out to be a type of dermatitis - in her case, lichen sclerosis. She was referred to a gynaecologist. I would definitely insist on getting a gynae appointment, and if they're at a loss then you should be seen by a dermatologist. Good luck, and so sorry you're suffering like this. I'm sure there is something that can be done about it, and your GP needs to refer you to someone who can facilitate your recovery. x

OP, please get zinc B vits Mg supplement asap, instead of trying to kill off the fungal whatever it is, you need to strengthen your immune system from the inside. I learned this the hard way, zinc deficiency is linked to skin cracking, poor skin healing and fungal infections.
If you can, ditch wheat and sugar or at least decrease them.
Do the above and you might be nicely surprised :)

Pacific - Thanks for the advice. I am trying to ease up on the showering. I am not using soap around the area at all at the moment. Just trying to get cool water to the area. Cool flannels are helping. Ice pack just gave me a numb arse! I have constant diarrhoea. I had a radioactive white cell scan for IBD and it was negative - the consultant said those scans are pretty accurate for detecting inflammation related to Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's. A colonoscopy was suggested in case it was microscopic colitis but for various reasons, it never went ahead. Once I get this under control, I may have to revisit the bowel issues. Although I suspect it is unlikely given that I have not lost weight due to the diarrhoea and in fact, I am quite overweight.

Jay - Thank you. I have a fabulous gynae, so think I'll ask to be referred to him. I have private cover and my GP surgery does not normally quibble over referring patients privately. I just have a feeling this isn't thrush.

Night - Yes, I do need to strengthen my immune system. The methotrexate has really lowered my immunity, I'm constantly picking up bugs. I think I'm going to have to reduce the dose. I have started on acidophilus supps and I reckon I have zinc somewhere too. If thrush is confirmed, I will definitely look into the wheat and sugar free diet. Thanks for the advice.

Just... Vaginal ulceration is a recognised, but rather unusual side effect of methotrexate. Sounds like the most likely cause to me. I would ask the GP to phone your rheumatologist for advice if you can't bring the appointment forward. Good luck

It sounds like Lichen Sclerosus to me. I had years of being treated for thrush without any relief.

Your gynaecologist should be able to refer you on to a vulval dermatologist. I saw someone in London and she was brilliant. I use steroid ointment occasionally now and things are much improved.

Be careful with soaps etc, try and use sulphate free ones and sanitary towels/tampons can irritate, I avoid Always products and only use Charming toilet tissue.

UPDATE ('cause you were all so nice and helpful)

I visited the GP as an emergency on Monday because it got worse. He prescribed antibiotic cream and steroid cream and there is a very slight improvement. I don't usually visit my GP so often but it seems to have given them a kick up the arse and I'm no longer getting fobbed off. He assured me it was not a waste of an appointment and told me to come back in a few days to discuss a dermatology referral.

I phoned today and the swab came back negative. I know they tested for thrush but not sure what else they tested for. Receptionist was not very helpful. I'm going again on Friday to get the ball rolling. I have private health insurance and I found adermatologist who specialises in genital skin conditions only 4 miles from me. Luck is finally on my side and hopefully the nightmare-ish few months will soon be history.

Thanks for all your support. It helped me get over my embarrassment.

Oh, excellent, you got at least somewhere .

Swabs just get put on a culture medium, stuck in an incubator and then you wait what grows. Only pathogens that make us ill/give us symptoms get reported as the vagina is positively teeming with all sorts of mciroorganisms. If it was reported as negative, then you don't have an infection or at least the culture did not grow anything untoward.

And don't be embarrassed, honestly, don't. I am sure the specialist you are going to see has seen it all before. Several times .

Good luck. And thanks for the update.