dap5645
Your symptoms sound very like mine. I've had this on and off since my early 40s and I'm now 59. I know what you mean about it starting up and then disappearing - I find it often starts after lunch and then often subsides during the evening - though I've sometimes had it almost continually. I think drinking things like tea or coffee aggravate and many say they have to avoid all acidic drink and foods - anything sweet can trigger this discomfort.
This horrid burning and UTI type symptoms are generally thought to be related to atrophy - my understanding is that our urethra gets squashed or shortened as gravity makes everything in that area drop!!!
Emptying the bladder becomes harder (therefore more likely to get a UTI) and any change in the vaginal flora or being really hot sitting down can make the, already sore, urethra react badly. There is some research being done, by a doctor one of the ladies on MM has seen, that believes it can be related to a deep seated infection in the bladder that requires particular antibiotics of some months to clear it.
I also get up at least twice a night so I try to drink lots during the day and avoid drinking in the evenings. I tried Vagifem and the oestrogen creams - for me the creams made things much worse as I think the fillers irritated. You say you got thrush from Vagifem!!! Did you actually have that cottage cheese type discharge or were you just itchy and sore? For many years I have found that using a vaginal gel, that helps to keep the acidity level in the vagina as it should be, really helps - often soothing the burning and prevents things like thrush and BV taking hold. I use Multi Gyn Actigel but there are other products available, so again it's trial and error finding one that suits you. I use a dollop of this gel every evening after my shower and find it really helps. I fI'm feeling itchy or sore I just use a bit extra throughout the day. It can burn a bit when first applied but then there is a soothing action.
I am back on HRT which is really helping - I continued with Vagifem alongside to start with but I'm finding I don't need it so much now. I just need to be careful I empty my bladder regularly, keep cool around my 'lady parts' - actually putting my feet up for half an hour after lunch can relieve things as well!!!!!
For me sitting down for any length of time is a big no,no!!!
BTW can you go 2-4 hours between wees during the day? HAve you tried taking Nytol (the one with antihistamine) as this can sometimes help to break the cycle of constantly needing to pee in the night. If you need to wee too often it could be worth being referred to the special clinics that help with this - your GP can refer you.
I do empathise - it's so horrid. Hope this all helps. DG x
