How do you tell the difference between Vulvodyinia and PF Spasms in vagina

[mom_in_ma]

Folks....it seems that lately much of my pain moved 'south' to my vaginal area. How did you tell the difference between vulvodyina and PF spasms/disfunction with regard to this pain? I'm really confused and need your thoughts.

I'm ok when I'm standing or moving around, but once I sit for awhile and get it stired up....man, on man, the pain takes my breath away. It's all vaginal/perneal and it's this deep deep ache...sometimes a burning muscle ache. It's not surface level by any means.

I've tried lidocaine gel...no relief. I talked to my uro/gyn this morning and he perscribed 2mg valium thinking it's likely PF spasms because I do have strong spasms (as proven by my urodynamics study earlier this week). But, after sitting a bit this afternoon, it's back with a vengence and the valium and a big dose of tylenol isn't even touching it. (I can't take heavier pain meds or even neurontin because even the slightest amount causes retention for me.)

Help! What am I dealing with here? How do you tell the difference in pain between these diagnoses?



PS. Yes, I'll talk to my doc. I just talked to him this morning, but I wanted to get ideas from those who have been there and done that.

[leelee88]

Let's see, This is hard to explain just by typing so bare with me.. Ok..lol

I can tell when it's PFD spasms because I can actually feel a tightness that radiates from the top of my pelvis to my inner thighs.. It's a clenching burning feeling like when vi-scripts are grasping something then slowly releasing it. And the pain is a dull achey pain. But when flaring they can become sharp shooting pains.

Ok with Vulvodynia. The spasms are more in the vagina area and they are more like a shooting stinging pain..The pain is a burning pain.

And my bladder spasms radiates from the middle of my bladder all the way to my back to the bottom of my pelvis. They feel like labor pains..OUCH!

p.s I am flaring with all of them right now, so I think that helped describe them all..uggg

[Claredale]

So I guess, people would know if they have VV. I don't have any problems sitting on any type of chairs, except just because I hate my bottom to get sore on hard chairs. I blame my reason for not liking to sit long because my legs get so restless.

I haven't been diagnosed with PFD either, just told that most women have it to some degree. I have uretha spasms (or did quite often) but those have become non existant, except at night sometimes.

I went to another doctor since my own doctor was out of town last week. She kept asking me questions (again I was irritated since she didn't actually have my file) about the possiblity of me having PFD and wanting to do an exam. I kept telling her I was actually doing better, just the pain at night which is controled with my meds.

Tracey

Tracey

[NicoleB]

vulvodynia and other pelvic pain symptoms are sometimes a nerve disorder. so it would make sense why tylenol or muscle relaxors dont work. you need nerve pain meds. unfortunatly i've noticed you already tried elavil and neurontin, which are good for nerve pain. i dont know what ultram would do to you, but it doesnt make me retain or anything, and it works the best for me. (on a good day, i'm 90% better, and even on a bad day, i'm still 40% better than no meds at all.)

have you tried effexor or cymbalta? they can help nerve pain too. as with anything you should start slow...

[mom_in_ma]

Nicole and everyone, thanks! I think it's both - nerve and muscle pain. The muscle relaxants and/or tylenol finally took the edge off a bit and I can breathe. But, I really wish I could use a nerve med. All of them, and I mean ALL of them (including the antidepressants) make me retain because of the PFD, which actually makes the pain worse. Go figure. It's been a hard year failing on nearly every med and not being able to get the pain under control.

I'm actually seeing a new uro/gyn who is willing to problem solve with me (and found an infection straight away!). We're talking about the interstim because of the retention (and I have a temp trial scheduled for next month. bBut I ran into a glitch and found out I've had a major UTI (likely for months - long story, local uro never ran a culture. Just dipped it and missed it. Stupid people!). So, I've been on Cipro for a week (which, thank goodness brought me back from the living dead!) and have been given long term antibiotics to make sure it's completely gone and protect my bladder from anything new while it heals. But, man, I feel like in no man's land at the moment....rock....hard place.