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[Peripurple]

I am desperately looking for advice.  I have been using this forum since November for advice and support, however have never posted.  To try and cut a long story short, I am 42 years old, after 2 years of continued UTI's and vaginal irritation, burning, itching etc and most recently bladder problems, all tests coming back clear, I was referred to a women,s health clinic and prescribed Femoston 2/10 and Vagifem, but then discharged!!!!!  The Vagifem has been amazing although not stopping all of my symptoms in particular the UTI's however the itching and burning is now very manageable especially after adopting dancing girls regime (thank you dancing girl). However I did not feel the Femoston was suiting me and my own GP by her own admission felt due to my age I needed to see a specialist.  I booked to see a private consultant.

I had my appoint,net last week and now feel completely confused, she basically told me she does not believe what I am experiencing is hormones and said atrophy usually only happens after menopause.  She has diagnosed me with a really obscure illness called "mast cell activation syndrome" prescribed me a lot of medication, told me to stop the HRT and eat a low histermine diet which is really restrictive.  (She has a special interest in histermine intolerance) I am extremely sceptical, particularly as the Vagifem has helped me so much.  I have suffered with anxiety for many years and unfortunately al this has made it worse than it Hansen in a long time.  I have booked to see my GP tomorrow to talk this through, but any advice would be appreciated.  This doctor said my bladder problems are caused by the histermine intolerance and my vaginal irritation was caused by years of wearing trouser and prescribed a month long regime of hydrocortisone which I had to stop on the first night as it really irritates me.

Sorry for the long post, this website has been a godsend to me, but everything I thought I knew has been turned on its head.  Any advice would really be appreciated.

[Tinkerbell]

Absolutely nonsense about atrophy only starting after menopause, I got told the same rubbish by Gp's and so called NHS meno specialist.
My VA , which all along has been my main symptom, started when I was 48 and still having regular periods.
Do NOT stop the Vagifem, keep going with it and I am sorry you wasted money on your private consultation and I would ignore all the suggestions she has given you.

[Tinkerbell]

I would also look at getting an appointment with a different GP.

[CLKD]

I wouldn't be going back to that 'specialist' then!   She's talking rubbish [to put it politely!] on many issues.

Where did you find this 'specialist', is she selling stuff - sorry to be cynical.   Is she registered with the BMA?

Go to your GP with a list of symptoms and discuss, if necessary ask for a referral on the NHS!  Looking around at these types of 'specialists' can lead one up the garden path with dire results!  Hydrocortison is a steroid, when I had breast treatment I was told to use as little as possible in order to ease the burning following radiation! and not 4 longer than 2-3 weeks.

Browse round.   Make notes. Read our threads about vaginal atrophy.  Finding an HRT can be Trial and Error and it can take 4-5 months B4 one realises that one is getting benefit.  Put the Femoston into the search box on here and see what pops up!

Let us know how you get on.

UTIs can only be diagnosed by a urine sample being tested in a Lab. not by dip stick in the surgery.  You were prescribed appropriate VA treatment and discharged back to your GP.  GPs have to take on much more after care than in years gone by 

[Peripurple]

Thank you tinker bell and CLKD, over the last few months menopause matters has become my bible, and I have been reading everything I can to inform myself.  The burning club just fit with everything I have been experiencing, and I have never doubted my problems are hormonal, I just wanted the right regime.  I actually found this consultant on the internet but also got several good comments from people who use this forum.  I think my age has gone against me here, I am just so worried this will now muddy the waters.  I am still taking the Vagifem and will hang onto that as if my life depends on it!!!! 

[Taz2]

Hi Emmapurple - I agree with the others about not stopping Vagifem.

I have had a look at MCAS and wonder whether you have any of the other symptoms. It seems that you need to have suffered from at least two for a diagnosis to be made and also that urine and blood tests have to be carried out to confirm diagnosis? What tests did the consultant carry out and, also, was she a registered menopause consultant?

Taz x 

[Peripurple]

Hi Taz, she is a registered menopause consultant, but i didn't,have any tests.  I don,t get any of the main symptoms of MCAS such as allergic reactions, runny nose etc.  She really focussed on my history of anxiety and headaches, I explained my migraines started when I was put on  Femoston, hence wanting to find a regime which would suit me better.

MCAS as far as I can see is very rare, and just does not feel right to me, I hav never doubted my problems are being caused by hormones, but now feel this is going to cause me more problems.

[Taz2]

It does seem very tenuous somehow. Your symptoms would seem to point to peri-meno and vaginal atrophy. To say that VA doesn't start while you are still peri-menopausal is wrong as I developed VA while still having regular periods which was quickly eased by Vagifem and then full HRT. I hope you get some good advice from your doctor.

What symptoms did she feel were down to MCAS?

Taz x

[Peripurple]

She was very focussed on my anxiety which actually since being on hrt was the best it has been for years!!  Also my history of headaches but I manage these with exercise and was the least of my worries.  I explained my bladder problems, urgency, bladder spasms and burning, also recurring UTI's which I always felt were hormonal, she felt this was caused by too much histermine.  She really didn't take on board that over the past 2 years I have had periods of debilitating itching and burning which has now almost gone with the Femoston and Vagifem, I take Vagifem every other day. I was just hoping for a different systemic regime, but now worried this other diagnosis will serve as a red herring 

[CLKD]

Name: if she has been mentioned on here?  Let us know.
 
If you are getting relief I wouldn't worry too much!