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[Lizzie06]

Sorry this may be a bit long but I'm after some advice. About a year ago I suffered a very bad bout of cystitis. Since then I have had problems with my bladder, stinging urethra, urgency to pee, only peeing a small amount etc.  My GP suggested I could be suffering from VA and prescribed vagifem which unfortunately I did not get on with, seeming to make my symptoms worse. My GP also put me on evorel conti to help with my hot flushes. I stopped using vagifem and went onto estriol cream but again this seemed to make my symptoms worse. I have now been given estring to try to help with my bladder problems. I have read so much about the symptoms of VA that I'm not sure that I actually have VA, as I don't have any discomfort around the vulva, but just have the stinging urethra which only occurs at night and lasts for about 3-4 hours. I am 58, exercise regularly, eat fairly healthily, drink very little alcohol. I haven't completely dismissed VA and currently I am using a small amount of estriol externally in the mornings, and a lubricant during intercourse.  My GP has suggested if the estring doesn't help then she would refer me to a bladder specialist. Has anyone else had similar problems, should a give the estring ago. Any advice is welcome. TIA

[CLKD]

Have you read the various threads on vaginal atrophy?  The Vagifem or the other product has to be used every night for 2 weeks and if necessary continually; or as necessary.  How is your liquid intake generally?

There are other products, i.e. Sylk, that some ladies find useful, on the outer lips.

[Lizzie06]

Thanks for the reply CLKD. I used the vagifem and the estriol nightly for the first 2 weeks and then twice weekly. It was at this stage that my stinging urethra worsened.
I keep well hydrated drinking at least 3-4 liters of water daily. I have a coffee first thing in the morning and another at midday.

[Daisydot]

Hi Lizzie check out the bladder friendly diet,I darent touch any kind of coffee or fizzy drinks I only have the odd decaf tea now but mainly drink water.
I had this burning to the point of stinging urethra for around a year and by following a very strict anti acid diet I've managed to get it under control now. Certain foods/drinks reallly irritate the bladder/urethra and it's a long process to find the trigger foods but it's the best way to go rather than having invasive tests as far as I was concerned.Im pretty good now and can eat out without having a panic attack at the thought of eating the wrong thing and starting the pain up again so I've obviously ,managed to de sensitise it again.id advise keep up treating as if you do have VA and research bladder friendly foods/drinks.theres tons of information out there and there also alternative things you can try like marshmallow route capsules ,apple cider vinegar capsules etc but first I'd quit the coffee and have water with a bit of fresh lemon it neutralises the acid and when you pee you should notice a difference in your urethra.its worth a try before you go down the urologist route.good luck xx

[Lizzie06]

Hi Lizzie check out the bladder friendly diet,I darent touch any kind of coffee or fizzy drinks I only have the odd decaf tea now but mainly drink water.
I had this burning to the point of stinging urethra for around a year and by following a very strict anti acid diet I've managed to get it under control now. Certain foods/drinks reallly irritate the bladder/urethra and it's a long process to find the trigger foods but it's the best way to go rather than having invasive tests as far as I was concerned.Im pretty good now and can eat out without having a panic attack at the thought of eating the wrong thing and starting the pain up again so I've obviously ,managed to de sensitise it again.id advise keep up treating as if you do have VA and research bladder friendly foods/drinks.theres tons of information out there and there also alternative things you can try like marshmallow route capsules ,apple cider vinegar capsules etc but first I'd quit the coffee and have water with a bit of fresh lemon it neutralises the acid and when you pee you should notice a difference in your urethra.its worth a try before you go down the urologist route.good luck xx

Thanks Daisydot for reply and info. I will be checking out the bladder friendly diet as like you I'm not keen on going down the invasion test route. I'm not a fizzy drink drinker so no problem there and I will look to cutting out the coffee. One thing I don't understand is the stinging only occurs at night!!

[Daisydot]

If that's the case Lizzie then I would say it's as a result of something your eating or drinking,I can't touch tomatoes now which I love or tomato sauce of any kind even in pasta no processed foods at all either.do your research it will shock and surprise you,everything I'd eaten for years with no problem I thought,seemed to attack me.
It's a long slog and all trial and error you'll need to keep a food diary so you don't stray,why don't you try the glass of cool water with lemon in it tonight and see if it helps it'll reduce the acidity when you pee.good luck xx

[CLKD]

Shower don't bath.  Some ladies don't apply any products/soaps down there at all.

Also: Granma swore by bicarb of soda, into warm bath water and soak.

[Dancinggirl]

I can't drink anything acidic eg any fruit juice, caffeine, alcohol. No tight trousers. If I get hot and sweaty my urethra burns.
Half a teaspoon of bicarbonate in water twice a day helps neutralise acid and burning. 
DG x

[Lizzie06]

Thank you all for the replies. I'm willing to give anything a go to get relief from the stinging. I have stopped using soap and now use a vaginal wash to sort out any ph balance problems down there. I will start a food diary and keep a note of anything else that I might be doing that's irritating my urethra. 
Thanks again all x

[Kkay]

I had the same thing which was sorted by a procedure that is like the Mona Lisa Touch laser but using an Erbium laser instead (less intense), which rejuvenates the tissues and reverses the atrophy in the vaginal and urinary lining. It seems to have worked, at least for the moment. Estriol cream also helped. It's all because of low estrogen in the tissues.

Good luck, it's miserable.

[rita]

Dear Lizz06
I'm completely understanding how you feel I'm going through this too.
I've just posted for some advice as well.
It's made me feel completely ill with all the antibiotics.
I've been using Vagifem for around  2 weeks so I will continue but sometimes feel I need another passery in stead of the one the burning is so bad😥.

I hope you feel better soon x

[CLKD]

Is that drinking or bathing the bicarb.?

[Dancinggirl]

CKLD - actually drink the bicarb in water but bathing with it is also good.  DG x

[Lizzie06]

Dear Lizz06
I'm completely understanding how you feel I'm going through this too.
I've just posted for some advice as well.
It's made me feel completely ill with all the antibiotics.
I've been using Vagifem for around  2 weeks so I will continue but sometimes feel I need another passery in stead of the one the burning is so bad😥.

I hope you feel better soon x

Thanks roseclimber. I didn't get on with vagifem or estriol as both seemed to make the burning worse. I have however been pretty much burn free over the last few days. The only things I can put this down to is that I now add lemon/lime juice to my drinking water to reduce the acidity in my urine, as suggested by Daisydot, and I am now using estring ring for delivery of estrogen into the vagina to help with VA. Fingers crossed I have found a solution for me. It is very much trial and error to find what works for you.

[Daisydot]

Well done Lizzie now focus on your bladder friendly foods/drink and you can only improve now ,read up on ph balances and you'll see you want to keep balance around 7-7.5 you can buy ph testing strips to check occasionally,even check your bottled water ph it's written in small print  usually,try buy ph under 8,brand is no guarantee of correct ph.tap water is ph 8 so try and filter your drinking water or buy bottled.it does work and keep up the lemon juice so pleased for you it's horrible isn't it.xx