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[Strugglinglady]

Back on this wonderful board and needing help! I have had a few years of very little symptoms of VA but now it’s back with a vengeance! I am in so much pain I’m on pain tablets because I have r bladder spasms that are utterly agonising, especially in the morning , even though I drink water lol during the night. I have been very silly not using the vagifem propetly. I am back on loading dose. I am desperate  and wondering if I can double up on vagifem until I get some relief. I am just miserable , my life has just stopped. I’m not on full hrt, I’m 67, so too old. Any ideas ? This board has been lifesaving for me in the past. Only went off it because of other health stuff. Waiting desperately on your answers. Thank you 🙏

[Dierdre]

Hi Strugglinglady and welcome back.
It's never a quick fix with VA so you might need to be patient for a few weeks for the Vagiifem to build back up the lost estrogen. Also if you can asked for Ovestin to use externally and just inside around the bladder area and especially the urethra , that could speed things up.
Most ladies use local estrogen daily now so dont be to quick at reducing the dosage after your two week loading dose.
I never go below 5 vagifem a week and use Ovestin externally every night. Hope you start to improve soon and you're never too old for full HRT .

[Strugglinglady]

Thank you so much Deirdre. So I can use it every day for as long as it takes for me to get rid of the discomfort? Also I’m seeing my doctor on Monday so I will ask for the cream to rub on externally as well. I’m not sure what that’s called in Australia but I will find out from him. I just hope the Vagifem kicks in fairly quickly because I am desperate and I can’t stay on the strong pain killers and I can’t function without them at the moment.Thanks so very much for your reply.

[Dierdre]

I think it's Ovestin also in Australia but ask for Estriol cream if not. I assume you've had tests for UTI's and ruled out any other bladder problems?

[Strugglinglady]

Yes I have had the other tests. This  is so distinctive of my VA. It really is a miserable condition. I will ask doc on Monday for the cream and use it as well as the vagifem and hope for relief soon. Thank you Deirdre.

[Diamonds and pearls 53]

Struggling lady, l echo everything that Dierdre has said and  also you are not too old for full hrt so don't be deterred if you want to try that as well. I am older than you and still using hrt tablets ( Femostan conti) and have no intention of stopping. I use Ovestin alongside this for local relief as and when needed.

[Strugglinglady]

Thank you , yes I think I will talk to doc Monday about full hrt . I think that would help me quicker. Thank you. This board is so helpful and everyone is in the same boat. I’m very grateful. 🙏

[Whatsupwiththis]

Struggling lady...we can all relate.  As Dierdre mentioned, Vagifem can be used daily.  I need 5x a week in order to stay comfortable.  As you're probably well aware, Vagifem takes a while to work but hang in there.  Like the other ladies said it is a good idea to also get estrogen cream for vulva area along with Vagifem.  V is great INTERNALLY but unfortunately doesn't get to the outer area.  I have personally found I need both to keep VA under control.  You have every right, as a mature and intelligent woman to DEMAND proper treatment.  Go and get what you need.

[Ayesha]

Hi Strugglinglady, just wanted to say I also echo everything the other ladies have said and advised.

After a year of VA treatment, I have been trying to reduce my seven day Vagifem dosage but It’s obvious I still need it.  I tried every other day to start with, but I could feel the symptoms creeping back, it was enough for me to get straight back to every day Vagifem, including Ovestin topically twice a day.

As you know VA is nasty but needs constant treatment, if not it will soon get the upper hand, and it takes so long for the treatment to take effect when you first start.

[Strugglinglady]

I will be taking all your  advice . I have just woke up and mornings are a special
hell for me. Agonising bladder spasms when I wee , particularly at the end . Thank you so much for your reply.

[Taz2]

Have you had a cystoscopy recently to check that your bladder is ok?

Taz x 

[Strugglinglady]

No I haven’t but these symptoms are so typically VA for me I’m not concerned . No blood in urine or anything different. And as usual, aggravated by UTI. If doc refers me this might be suggested . I have always resisted cystoscopy because to me they seem so invasive and brutal. And here in oz they are expensive if done under anaesthesia, and I won’t have it done awake. I’ve been to a urologist a few years ago and she did an ultrasound and said cystoscopy wasn’t necessary , that it was quite obvious I had VA. Thank you for your reply though, I’m just so glad to have this support .

[Taz2]

Ah ok. I just wondered as the pain at the end of a wee can be connected to a bladder problem rather than just VA. I've had three cystocopies and each time went straight back to work with no side effects so were far less invasive than I thought.

Taz x

[Strugglinglady]

Thanks Taz. Maybe that’s what I need so
If it’s suggested I will go ahead now I know it’s not so bad . Thank you 🙏

[Taz2]

I hope you get some answers. Have you considered Bladder Pain syndrome? I know it's easy to lump everything under the VA diagnosis but you may be dealing with two separate issues.

 I also meant to say that you are not too old for HRT as I'm still on it at 68 and hope to stay on it! It's only full HRT plus vagifem that keeps my VA at bay now I'm older.

Taz