@mmoss- I can sympathize and I'm sure that you are very frustrated. Vulvodynia and vestibulodynia refer to a chronic discomfort of the vulva, the part of a woman’s body that protects the genitals. It includes the external female genitalia, including the mons pubis, the labia majora and minora, the clitoris, and the perineum. This all happens due to nerves in this area and is very difficult to treat. If this is what you have, which it sounds like it at this time there is no known cause.
@lizziemnz;@ronnie3716;@ronnie3716 may be able to chime in here and give some advice and support.
Here is the blog from Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vulvodynia/symptoms-causes/syc-20353423
On this site, you will see treatments. And, of course, everyone is different.
Medications. Steroids, tricyclic antidepressants or anticonvulsants can help lessen chronic pain. Antihistamines might reduce itching.
Biofeedback therapy. This therapy can help reduce pain by teaching you how to relax your pelvic muscles and control how your body responds to the symptoms.
Local anesthetics. Medications, such as lidocaine ointment, can provide temporary symptom relief. Your doctor might recommend applying lidocaine 30 minutes before sexual intercourse to reduce your discomfort. Using lidocaine ointment can cause your partner to have temporary numbness after sexual contact.
Nerve blocks. Women who have long-standing pain that doesn't respond to other treatments might benefit from local nerve block injections.
Pelvic floor therapy. Many women with vulvodynia have tension in the muscles of the pelvic floor, which supports the uterus, bladder, and bowel. Exercises to relax those muscles can help relieve vulvodynia pain.
Surgery. In cases of localized vulvodynia or vestibulodynia, surgery to remove the affected skin and tissue (vestibulectomy) relieves pain in some women.
What kind of medication have your doctors put you on? Is it working?
I appreciate the reply. This started out as lower abdominal burning for 1.5 months. The paIn then moved Out of abdomen into the vagina. I am 67 years old and have had no medical problems. Medication included Cymbalta for 6 weeks but am now off as I did not feel well while on that medication. I am on Gabapentin but not as much as I was as again I did not feel like myself. Since being in pain management I have been on Vicodin until a week ago when I started to itch. I am taking tramadol now and Zyrtec and try to take as little as possible and only when pain is really bad. I want desperately to get off the pain medication. Last Thursday I had a epidural steroid injection by pain management at the T-12 and L-1 area. It did not stop the burning. I need to find out what is causing this pain and how to get relief without pain medication. My ob/gyn prescribed estrogen cream to try for the burning. I am living in Sarasota and feel as though no one here has been able to diagnose my pain. I am losing weight, frustrated and depressed. This pain has consumed my husband’s and my life. We feel we have no where to turn for help.