Desperately needing help

[Tootsey11]

Since April after two sets of antibiotics I developed burning on legs and skin in pubic area, redness on labia, split perineum and now for the past week severe cystitis symptoms. I've been using vagifem for 3.5 months for possible va. Swabs for BV and thrush all negative.

Also have tried 4 rounds of thrush treatment, and dermovate. Also was given ovestin. I've had no relief from anything for nearly 6 months.
I cannot sit, I'm in agony walking. I've had 8 face to face To appointments and 4 phone. I'm at my wit's end no one will help. I'm sitting here now with natural yoghurt smeared all over for some relief.

In the past I've swabbed negative for BV yet a course of BV Activ gel fully resolved the issue, so I'd say this is worth a try.

Also, given the timing with lockdown I'd consider whether being at home more has meant you're sitting on a particular chair that is exacerbating the problem or whether your favourite lounging about trousers might be making it worse.

Previously I developed a very stubborn skin issue down below that happened after I'd had a phase of sitting at the dining room table for hours each day to work. The faux leather cover on the chair seemed to be the problem.

Also, read up on it first, but some baths in Epsom salts might help (although they do say not to use on broken skin - I have without issue).

@INeedNewShoes I had CV in March, was in bed for weeks on end. Wearing joggers to keep warm and hot water bottle every day due to shivering with the CV. It was about 5 weeks in that I noticed down there was quite strong and then the pain kicked in. BV tests all negative, tried the gel for 4 days. The first three days were great, the 4th day it stung like hell so stopped using it.

I've been wearing jogging bottoms since April, obviously not the same pair, as I cannot tolerate anything else. No underwear for six months.

Typical jogging bottoms are thick with a high percentage of polyester. Until things clear up I'd live in loose cotton for a while.

Having said all that you clearly need a referral to a specialist after all this time and that's what I would push for.

It is thoroughly miserable to be unable to sit comfortably.

Could be a type of eczema? Any white patches? (White patches could be lichen sclerosus)

I'd perhaps try hydrocortisone cream on a small patch and see what happens. I also think you need to push for a referral either to gynecology or dermatology.

I agree with wearing loose breathable trousers or even go without when you can.

Another thought - get a ring cushion to sit on to take any pressure off that area. Might make you a bit more comfortable.

Have they ruled out strep A and genital psoriasis?

You poor thing

After all that treatment and no relief OP I'd ask for a referral to a gynaecologist. It sounds like your GP is out of ideas and you're still in agony with this thing, which sounds like it's got worse, whatever it is. Be demanding, sometimes you just have to be to get something done.

I agree that hydrocortisone might help here but I would discuss with your doctor first. And nothing but cotton pants and loose skirts or cotton trousers.

Someone recently had quite a long thread with a similar issue, I’ll see if I can find it. A visit to the local Sexual health unit might be a good shout though.

Loose cotton skirt no pants for at least a week - smother in active natural yoghurt as much as you can. Push your GP for a gynie or derm appointment.

Oh and if you can get it, dettol in a tepid bath (the dettol that is for skin not the cleaning solution)!

No white patches. Doctor says he doesn't know what else to do. I've got an urgent referral to a gynae but it's a month away. This is killing me, I can't wait another month.

I've tried hydrocortisone as well as the dermovate and tacrolumius. Nothing helped. Ive got a physical job and am ready to quit. My skin is catching on itself all the time, and I don't know why as I haven't gained weight - I'm slim.

I will have to get some 100% cotton trousers, I've only got jeans and joggers. The yoghurt has eased things a bit but I've been standing for the past 3 hours.

@Tootsey11, I'm really sorry you are going through this. There might be a few things going on. Vaginal infection (thrush or BV), nerve pain caused by these infections, a skin issue. And possibly UTI on top. You'll need a urinary culture to rule out or treat the UTI as this could get nasty. With these symptoms you can even go to A&E and they will give you antibiotics. If you are based in the London area and can afford to go private/have insurance, I can recommend two very good specialists. One of them is specialising in vaginal infections/irritation, the other one is a (vulval) skin specialist and also specialising in all sorts of female issues. Message me if you're interested. I think they also see patients via NHS.

You can't go on like this. Maybe give 111 a ring? Sometimes a new set of eyes is a good idea.

(a ooh GP diagnosed my mam in about three minutes when her own GP had no ideas)

www.boots.com/germolene-antiseptic-cream-55g-10017346 has a local anaesthetic in it which might give you some relief? Obviously try a small patch first!

www.amazon.co.uk/Orthopedic-Cushion-Haemorrhoids-Suitable-Wheelchair/dp/B078ZYYK5R/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=ring+cushion&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1600626567&sr=8-6 might help too

@Tootsey11, also worth mentioning. If you have thrush like symptoms (irritation, redness, soreness etc.) and all your swabs are fine, it's worth looking up cytolytic vaginosis. This might develop sometimes after antibiotics or too many thrush treatments. Baking soda sitz baths might help to soothe and relief symptoms should this be the case.

Get the GP to sign you off sick so you can literally lay there naked with yoghurt or anything else soothing all day every day?

@Wireless77 I've tried the baking soda route. Second sitz bath left everything burning red, never felt pain like it! I'm clearly allergic to baking soda. I still think that this is thrush and it's gotten that that bad I can't get rid. Gp will not give me meds for it as all swabs are clear. But symptoms indicate it is. If I get rid of this I won't moan about anything ever again! I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

I think you need to try ditching all sugar from your S

Argh

Ditch ALL sugar and carbs from your diet, but some thrush tablets from the pharmacy, do yoghurt.

Have you looked up perianal Strep A? It presents very thrush like.

I'm on day 3 of no sugar or carbs. Looked up perianal strep, it does sound possible, but so does thrush and BV and a lot of other things. It does say treated with amoxicillin, I really can't face more antibiotics. Feel as if I'm in a vicious cycle of treating one thing that affects another.

There is a test for strep A

Have you been tested for diabetes?

There is a gel called Lidocaine which is a pain relief gel ( don't know if it's suitable for intimate use though)

Oh you poor thing.
I would go to a different GP and ask for a trial of thrush medication, and to test for strep.
Was also going to say cut out all sugar, carbs, yeast etc - anything candida related- but sounds like you’re on that already.