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Original poster

Please can someone help

117 replies

MedicalAdviceNeeded · 19/12/2015 19:16

DH and I had a very stressful time and chose not to have sex for a while. Was only 4-6 weeks without and we aren't very active generallySad. First time of doing it for the next few days I was burning and had a fishy smelling odour. On returning home saw ooh doctor and he diagnosed something beginning with t. Gave me antibiotics. Results back three days later - negative for everything Confused. I took the antibiotics as I had started them and nurse said wouldn't hurt to finish the packet.

Nurse said after being under huge stress it was my body's way of reacting and I had developed an allergy to my husband. Advised to use condoms. This we have but still the same. Burning days later and bad odour. Spoke to pharmacist, she recommended condoms and ky jelly. Apart from the fact using these two things is horrible I am still having the same reaction. Has even happened after solo orgasm but I'm not sure if delayed reaction from sex.

We can't work out if it takes longer for the burning/odour to come back if just condoms or those with the jelly though obviously I am wishing I had made a note.

I'm feeling so fed up. Our personal life has been blighted for a very long time and now that things are sorted and we are in a position to enjoy it, I'm allergic to him.

Please can anyone help?

OP posts:
Original poster
MedicalAdviceNeeded · 10/01/2016 15:31

I have had numerous tests, all negative. I have had three lots of antibiotics and still not much better. I'm waiting on a gynaecologist appointment but that could be weeks away and I am just desperate for something to ease the discomfort until i can see a specialist. I'm not dry so didn't bother taking the moisturise the gp recommended as even she said it was probably pointless.

OP posts:
PollyPerky · 10/01/2016 15:50

I've said it already but will say it again.....

low oestrogen can show itself as the issues you are having without you feeling dry. In fact women with very low oestrogen often have a thin and watery discharge ( and soreness etc after sex.)

Saying you have had loads of tests doesn't really answer what I suggested. Unless your GP asked you to turn up for a blood test on days 2-5 of your cycle, then any blood test for peri meno will not be accurate.

I am only suggesting that you don't use a cream that is for itching because it can cause more problems. It's your choice.

Original poster
MedicalAdviceNeeded · 10/01/2016 16:01

I do appreciate your help. I'm fed up as getting nowhere with doctors and have plenty of emotional issues and desperate to try everything I can while I wait to see a specialist. Getting to see a doctor is hard enough and I've seen four, only one at my surgery and then it was someone on rotation. I can't do nothing for another six weeks and trying this cream was something I could do now.

OP posts:
PollyPerky · 10/01/2016 16:06

I understand how you are frustrated.

However, you may have to be more assertive with your GP and ask for what you need (apart from the referral to a gynae.)

What you need is quite simple :)

Just ask your dr to test you (again) for early menopause and say you know that this necessitates 2 blood tests on days 2-5 of your cycle and then after day 14. Don't be fobbed off with 'oh we've checked that' because if the blood tests were not done at the right time of your cycle they are not accurate.

Ask to have your FSH and oestrogen levels tested.

If all are fine then that is ruled out.

Until you have this done then you are going to go round and round in circles and even waste a consultant's time for something very simple that your GP ought to do.

Original poster
MedicalAdviceNeeded · 10/01/2016 16:31

It's hard to be assertive when you think you are being given the correct treatment. I haven't even seen my own GP. I have seen two OOH ones and one at the clinic then the consultant registrar who has referred me for talking therapy and a gynaecologist to put my mind at rest. I certainly don't want to waste anyone's time and it will not be my fault if it turns out I do. I have been asking for help for a long time. If I knew what was wrong and who I needed to see I wouldn't be asking on here. I've listened to everyone but I can't magic up appointments on a weekend or if the receptionist says there are none.

OP posts:
PollyPerky · 10/01/2016 17:23

It would not be you who was to blame for wasting the consultant's time- it would be the GP who has not it appears run a full range of simple tests, properly.

If you can possibly, try to see the same GP so you get some continuity of care. You can usually request this unless it's a complete emergency when of course seeing anyone is fine.

Original poster
MedicalAdviceNeeded · 10/01/2016 17:34

Obviously I tried to see the same GP but that wasn't an option. The GP I did see didn't do more tests as they had all come back negative and I had had antibiotics. I'm not sure what else I could have done and she clearly feels it is more psychological due to what I told her.

Every time I ask for an appointment I get a different response - given one with my choice of doctor, given one but not who I want, asked what is wrong so the receptionist can decide if I am worthy of an appointment, refused one with a gp but told to see nurse, offered call back.

OP posts:
PollyPerky · 10/01/2016 18:53

whoops!

I agree that you had faith in your GP, but you haven't said that you were told to have an FSH test on certain days of the month (as it ought to be). Now that you know this- from the link I left- then you can have another conversation with the next dr you see.

Drs dishing out ABs when there is no proof of infection- or the giving the right AB for whatever it is- is poor practise anyway and there has been loads of advice to GPs to stop doing this!

Original poster
MedicalAdviceNeeded · 10/01/2016 18:59

The first doctor was sure I had X so gave me ABs. All clear.

Second doctor thought I had Y and Z so gave me two ABs.

Both times I agreed with diagnosis.

Swab at clinic. Negative. Given a tablet in case of thrush. Sure not.

fed up as also worried something bad going on.

OP posts:
PollyPerky · 10/01/2016 19:42

I fail to see why either dr would prescribe ABs unless the swabs had shown whatever they expected it to. That's not a diagnosis, it's a shot in the dark!

And totally against prescribing guidelines for ABs.

You seem reluctant to consider the possible low oestrogen issue which is really the most obvious in a woman aged 40+, so I will say no more but wish you well and hope you find an answer.

Original poster
MedicalAdviceNeeded · 10/01/2016 20:48

the first doctor was sure it was what he thought. The second doctor thought it was something else plus a second issue.

I'm not not willing to consider anything. I have no idea. I've had several doctors say different things, it's no wonder I'm confused and fed up. Given everything that has happened since October it isn't A cut and dried situation.

OP posts:
PollyPerky · 10/01/2016 22:12

The point is they thought it was something.

Swabs should be taken and a diagnosis reached before giving ABs.

Your first dr probably thought it was trichomoniasis- that's the fishy smelling one! But he ought to have swabbed you and prescribed once results were back.

Same for the 2nd dr.

They were guessing.

I think you need to accept that you probably haven't got anything seriously wrong, but have been given the wrong treatment due to mis/non diagnosis.

PollyPerky · 10/01/2016 22:13

I don't know 'what has happened since October' but if it's emotional then that is even more reason to suspect this is hormonal.

Cocolepew · 10/01/2016 22:18

I agree with Polly, you need something like Vagifem to be prescribed.

Original poster
MedicalAdviceNeeded · 11/01/2016 07:33

This morning I still have the prickly feeling and I thought I could smell it again.

At the moment I am waiting for a gynaecologist appointment that the GP doesn't think I need. Given it could be weeks what do you suggest I do? At the moment I'm veering towards seeing the nurse who knows what has gone on with the trauma in October and the initial clear tests but not after that. She can authorise blood tests and while I wont get to see her today it might be less grief from the receptionist. She suggested I had become allergic to my dh. Every doctor since has dismissed this. Every doctor has said different.

OP posts:
ChipInTheSugar · 11/01/2016 07:42

I would talk to that nurse, yes. I know everyone's disagreeing what it might be, but no one has got it right yet either! She may be able to champion your cause and/or suggest a different route. Point out what's been said on here about prescribing ABs without a diagnosis etc and emphasis how awful it's making you feel.

PollyPerky · 11/01/2016 07:57

TBH I think the nurse is talking twaddle. It's very rare to become 'allergic' to your husband in 4 weeks.

I'm sorry to bang on about this and I'm not medical but I have been through peri and the menopause, and have loads of friends who have too. I've seen a consultant for around 8 years so have picked up loads of info.

Look at it this way- you have been misdiagnosed and given at least 2 lots of incorrect ABs, we assume. You have also been washing yourself with Sanex which is lethal in terms of vaginal flora and keeping the good bacteria/ Ph levels right (as are all shower gels etc.)

I had soreness similar to what you describe for a long time and kept dosing myself with treatment for thrush almost weekly. It was only when I started using oestrogen cream for it that it went away. Go figure.
I didn't 'look' or feel dry.

Seeing a gynae privately will cost you around £150. Put it on your credit card and get seen in a week or two if you are that worried. A nurse is not a dr and it's unlikely she can help.

YouBastardSockBalls · 11/01/2016 08:04

You can see the gynae privately initially, and they can refer you for more tests on nhs, so it only need cost you that initial £150

Original poster
MedicalAdviceNeeded · 11/01/2016 08:07

On phone to try and see someone

OP posts:
Original poster
MedicalAdviceNeeded · 11/01/2016 08:10

Can I just buy the oestrogen cream? Can't get through to GP

OP posts:
PollyPerky · 11/01/2016 08:14

I posted yesterday- read the thread- that no, you can't buy anything effective with hormones it over the counter. You need a prescription and have to use it as directed. That's daily for 2 weeks then once or twice a week thereafter.

PollyPerky · 11/01/2016 08:17

Why don't you phone the secretary of the gynae you are supposed to see on the NHS, ask how much their fees are, and when they could see you? And if you don't know who you are supposed to be seeing, start looking at your local private hospitals and choose your own; you can be a consumer for health care- just like education or anything - you don't have to rely on the NHS especially when you are not getting continuity of care under one GP and being misdiagnosed.

Only1scoop · 11/01/2016 08:30

Go private for initial consultation. If you need lots of tests etc you can ask to have them on NHS might get you seen quicker.

Or phone Dr/ practise manager and say not happy need to be seen ASAP.

PollyPerky · 11/01/2016 08:38

In the meantime stop worrying! It doesn't sound serious, although it is a bit irritating I'm sure.

It may well have been caused by using Sanex etc. and will take a while to settle down.

Maybe you have become a bit hung up on what is in fact a normal smell - is that why the dr suggested therapy?

This link explains about washing and what to do. not to do, which you will know anyway.

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaginal-discharge/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Only1scoop · 11/01/2016 08:41

Or volunteer for embarrassing bodies Grin