desquamative inflammatory vaginitis - DIV

[dreamerz02]

In late August I saw my gyno in So Cal and told her about the pain I vaginal pain I was having. She did the q-tip test, but stated that my pain was only mild and other pt with vulvodynia would be screaming off the table. She took a q-tip sample and came back later to state I have DIV, another rare chronic illness. She stated that it will probably come in cycles and gave me diflucan for the small amount of yeast, and two vaginal suppositories that I would take for 14 nights.

Now I am back in school and living in Nor Cal. I have appt with a new gyno to get a second opinion. There is no information on DIV and all I get reading is that it is rare and a severe form of vaginitis. No stats, no cures, nothing.:confused: I want to make sure that is what is really going on because I know that my vagina isn't suppose to feel this way.

Has anyone else heard of DIV or been diagnosed with it?

[Want2BPainFree]

I've read about it in Elizabeth Stewart's Book name The V Book. And I've spoken to my gyno office about it. Apparently, it is a diagnosis of exclusion, and it is a catch all diagnosis.

Your gyno needs to rule out every single cause for your vaginal pain including all sexually transmitted diseases, even trichomonis and herpes. She needs to check for yeast (which you have, and for me it caused terrible burning and pain), bacterial vaginosis, strep, atrophy, vulvodynia, lichen sclerosis and any dermatophytes. There are a lot of diagnoses that can cause vaginal pain. I have the vulvar vestibulitis type of vulvodynia and I can tell you that the qtip test is uncomfortable, but I think I have quite a high tolerance for pain. I've never come off the table from it. I think your doctor is exaggerating, and not being very thorough if she hasn't ruled out everything else.

[dreamerz02]

Thanks Sonja for your quick reply. I go in tomorrow for a new appt with a gyno and I have to make sure that I am being heard. I often take IC too lightly in the doctors office, resulting in doctors not thinking I am in pain and therefore not treating me aggressively. As I get older, I realize that I need to be taken seriously for my pain. I also believe that I have a high pain tolerance (I mean that can happen after years of being in daily pain) and thought the Q-tip test was uncomfortable, but wasn't screaming. If fact, I have had several uncomfortable tests and never cried or screamed in pain. (I have problems about showing my emotions) With your advice I will try to give in a list of things to see if the doctor can rule them out. If he won't take me seriously, I guess I will have to keep looking for a doctor that does.

- Megan

[Want2BPainFree]

You're welcome, Megan. Please make sure you write down all your questions. When you make an appointment, ask for a long consultation appt otherwise they may only schedule the dr for 15 minutes with you, and he may rush. Be up front with him and tell him you want to be aggressive in finding a diagnosis so you can really find the correct treatments. Tell him you are in pain, and that it is getting tiresome fighting it all the time. Tell him you appreciate his opinion, and that you need his help.

I hate to stereotype, but he's a man. Men want to be needed by women, and they will do just about anything for a woman who asks for their help....at least in my experience.

Good luck!

[sunflower25]

I was diagnosed with DIV. It's been pretty miserable. Just wondered if you ever found anything to help?

[dreamerz02]

I had a second opinion from a doctor in Nor Cal. After several doctors pushing me around...I finally found a doctor who came up with the d/x of PFD. She says that it really doesn't look like DIV, more like a yeast infection with pain from the PFD.