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[nicolcarrie70]

I know there is so many chats re VA but three years in and I'm still confused!

My symptom started with uti symptoms closely followed with burning.  I've heard many talk about ‘the pressure' but I'm not sure whether this is the same as frequency?

I've seen so many specialist and had many diagnoses, VA, Interstial Cystitis, Embedded UTI, suspect prolapse, 15 year old c-section scar tissue😳

In the early days I took many short courses of antibiotics and too many supplements to mention!  6 months in I started HRT gradually increasing to my current regime of 100 patch with vagifem daily.  I've had 3 cystoscopy's, 2 Hystoscopy's, Botox, vesicare, Betmiga, Amitrip and Elmiron.  I agreed to a hysterectomy as my gynaecologist felt it was a gynaecology issue......it wasn't!!

I'm currently on high, long term antibiotics under a well know London Professor.

All this and I'm still not feeling much relief, I would probably say a 30% reduction from when it was at it worst! 

I just feel so, so hopeless!

[Dancinggirl]

Hi nicolcarrie70 - you've been incredibly proactive, followed the advice (which is often very mixed) and clearly doing all the right things.

I assume you've cut out caffein, fruit juices and alcohol? I assume you are using vaginal moisturisers ?

I do hope the long term antibiotics reap some benefits but do be aware that these will muck up the bacteria in your gut so can make you more likely to get bacterial vaginitis and thrush?  Perhaps try using some Multi Gyn Actigel as a preventative?

I do sympathise - I suffered for so many years until a practise nurse suggested I'd use Vagifem - I am comfortable most of the time now but it's constant management. 

Good luck. DG xxx

[CLKD]

Hi! have you been prescribed appropriate treatment for vaginal atrophy?  Do read our threads and ask for treatment, it own't hurt to try for 3-4 months and review.

VA mimics urine infection-type symptoms really, really, well.  4 me it was a need to pee with a dragging feeling, the place I was comfy was on the loo so that I could relax the spincter and simply dribble.  Cuppa in one hand, barley water in the other and yep, ABs did ease symptoms. However.  Why are you on long-term ABs  .  How long is it suggested until further investigations? Have you read our thread about bladder issues? you might find some suggestions there.

No confusion - get appropriate treatment for VA plus a pain relief tablet which can relax the feeling of need to pee.  Use the treatment for 2 weeks and more if necessary.  Vagifem is a much lower dosage these nights so some find they require it every night or alternate nights.  It's a matter of getting symptoms under control. 

What are your worst symptoms? 

[CLKD]

I find that LIVE yoghurt, from Greece really helpful when my gut is upset.  It cleanses the digestive system from top to bottom.  Also if I have thrush I apply into the vagina - soothing and cooling if nothing else, but do keep 2 pots separate ;-).  A friend uses a tampon to put the yoghurt as high up as possible. 

[Katejo]

I know there is so many chats re VA but three years in and I'm still confused!

My symptom started with uti symptoms closely followed with burning.  I've heard many talk about ‘the pressure' but I'm not sure whether this is the same as frequency?

I've seen so many specialist and had many diagnoses, VA, Interstial Cystitis, Embedded UTI, suspect prolapse, 15 year old c-section scar tissue😳

In the early days I took many short courses of antibiotics and too many supplements to mention!  6 months in I started HRT gradually increasing to my current regime of 100 patch with vagifem daily.  I've had 3 cystoscopy's, 2 Hystoscopy's, Botox, vesicare, Betmiga, Amitrip and Elmiron.  I agreed to a hysterectomy as my gynaecologist felt it was a gynaecology issue......it wasn't!!

I'm currently on high, long term antibiotics under a well know London Professor.

All this and I'm still not feeling much relief, I would probably say a 30% reduction from when it was at it worst! 

I just feel so, so hopeless!

Does that Professor's name begin with M by any chance? If so, I have read articles by him and saw a uro-gynaecologist who is taking over from him. I was offered the antibiotics but really wanted to see whether using Vagifem for a long period would help first. I have had a good 7 months but the irritation has come back this week. Probably because I am due to go on holiday next week and I keep getting it at that time. I have no way of knowing whether I have a UTI or it is VA because the dipstick tests and lab tests are unreliable.
Do you get bad side effects from the long term AB's

[Katejo]

Katejo, a GUM clinic will do proper tests for infection.

When I looked one of these up some time ago, it said it only looked at sexually related problems. Someone else said that very recently either on MM or on FB.  I haven't got time to arrange it now because I am going on holiday next week. I do have a course of Trimethroprim which I can take with me but don't want to use it If my symptoms are VA.

[Dancinggirl]

Try drinking a glass of water with half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda twice daily, drink plenty of water at other times but avoid fruit juices, caffeine and alcohol. If the burning doesn't settle then you may have an infection. Don't let the intimate area get too hot either.
 DG x

[CLKD]

Again; the public are being told by the WHO that repeated use of ABs is putting everyone at risk  .  It does seem that if an answer can't be found or if they can't find an immediate answer, that women complaining of infection-type symptoms are put onto ABs.  Yes they will help in the short term 

[Katejo]

Well, the one I visit did. And I go back every year and they take swabs, do urine tests under microscope and give me a thorough examination. Maybe try another? Have a good holiday! 🙂

I did quickly contact one near work online. She only wanted to ask questions about sexual activity and I gave up.

[CLKD]

It is unusual for GUM Clinics to offer anything other than sexually connected problems which VA isn't.  Probably best to ring up prior to visiting, my nearest is 15 or 22 miles away 

[Katejo]

Try drinking a glass of water with half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda twice daily, drink plenty of water at other times but avoid fruit juices, caffeine and alcohol. If the burning doesn't settle then you may have an infection. Don't let the intimate area get too hot either.
 DG x

I have already tried bicarb of soda in water (though only once on this occasion) and Nurofen. It did improve a lot and then crept back. The urine doesn't look as though it is infected (eg. cloudy). I have the afternoon off. On the way home I will go to the GP practice and see if I can see a nurse and get a urine test done to be sent away.
I have been free of UTI's for 7 months, almost since I started Vagifem in September but I always get symptoms just as I am due to go on holiday! Sometimes they  clear up once I am there.

[CLKD]

Tension ?  there must be a reason, as I have suggested earlier in the week but can't remember which thread    . 

[Katejo]

Tension ?  there must be a reason, as I have suggested earlier in the week but can't remember which thread    .

Do you mean muscular tension down below or overall tension before my trip? My attempt to see a nurse today failed dismally and the surgery is fully booked all next week.
I shall use bicarb of soda and Nurofen for the next couple of days plus an extra Vagifem to see if that improves things. If not i will have to use the AB. Fingers crossed that I don't need it.

[CLKD]

Maybe start preparations 7-8 days out from your next booked holiday  to settle symptoms in Good Time?  I think it's more likely to be stress rather than an infection, why would that happen unless you totally alter your routine.  Unless your bowels are more active prior to a holiday which may mean bugs being passed back to front ......... stress does daft things  . 

Bet that extra dose into you as well as pain relief: NOW!  and again tonight .......... and try not to focus too much on symptoms because that increases tension which = ..........

Where you going?

[Katejo]

Maybe start preparations 7-8 days out from your next booked holiday  to settle symptoms in Good Time?  I think it's more likely to be stress rather than an infection, why would that happen unless you totally alter your routine.  Unless your bowels are more active prior to a holiday which may mean bugs being passed back to front ......... stress does daft things  . 

Bet that extra dose into you as well as pain relief: NOW!  and again tonight .......... and try not to focus too much on symptoms because that increases tension which = ..........

Where you going?

That is what I was trying to do. I am not leaving for another 8 days. If i could book a routine GP appointment several weeks ahead, I would do so for just before the trip as a back up but I don't usually have that option. Online bookings are very restricted.  I will try to do it before the next trip if I can.