Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: cjmca on October 28, 2016, 05:08:00 PM
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I went into very early menopause - in fact I only ever had 3 periods my entire life. Blood test when I was 20 put me as menopausal, I'm now 34. I had every test under the sun and they all came back normal, so no cause was found, just "one of those things".
In my 20s I was put on various brands of pill, none of which agreed with me. I felt very depressed to the point of suicidal, and decided not to take any further medication for that reason. During my 20s I was overweight but subsequently have lost 4st.
At the end of May I started to get what I thought was a UTI - dull pelvic ache. I was prescribed various antibiotics even though urine samples were negative for infection. I was referred to a uro-gynae who felt I had two problems - low oestrogen and a low grade infection. He said I had urethritis. He sent a urine sample off to "grow" and it came back with a small growth of ESBL, an antibiotic resistant enzyme given off by e-Coli. But the amount that came back was small. At this point my Uro-Gynae admitted me to hospital as I had a bad pain attack, in hindsight I think my pelvic floor went into spasm. In hospital they gave me more antibiotics for ESBL even tho the amount in the sample was small. Again no change, and in essence they had no idea what was wrong with me. They discharged me with amitriptylene and zanaflex, neither of which did anything.
To complicate matters I had a tummy tuck done in January, various consultants thought it could be responsible. But it's pretty much been ruled out. I had a laparoscopy last week which was "perfect".
Fast forward to now and I'm on a low dose oestrogen patch - Estradot 37.5 mcg and Urogestan 100mg tabs every day (no break), with a view to gradually increasing the oestrogen patch. Up until 2 weeks ago I had terrible bladder pressure pain, I couldn't lie on my side for longer than a few seconds. I found a box of Vagifem and thought what the hell, and within 4 days I started to be able to lie on my side again.
To complicate matters further, my pain doc thought I could have a pudendal nerve problem and last Friday I had a test (positive) and block done. I feel all this gave me was a horrid burning pain in my lower back that lidocaine patches took care of.
Now, the pressure when lying on my side is 90% better, but I feel pressure when lying on my back, and feel a sort of urethral pressure. I feel like I have to pee all the time, and my bladder feels full when there may only be 300ml in there. I can't wear tight-ish clothing as it makes the pressure worse. I am emptying my bladder fully, and had a cystoscope when I was in hospital which came back clear.
I was hoping the Vagifem would take care of the other symptoms as quick as it did the pressure when lying on my side, but I guess I have only been using it 2 weeks. I'm now also using estrogen cream externally over the urethra. I also had really bad external itching which got 50% better after 1 week.
Does all this sound like atrophy problems, or pudendal nerve? My physio and gynae weren't convinced it was pudendal, physio said the latency test can come back positive but it doesn't necessarily mean there's a pudendal problem. The pressure feeling started to get better before I had the block, and since the block I haven't felt any better.
I just wish I knew for sure that this is hormonal, and reversible. I haven't been in work in 4 months because of the discomfort. I'm only 34 and this is misery!
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It's all 'down there' with lots of nerves involved.
Initially treatment for vaginal atrophy would be my choice, which is every night for 2/3 weeks: either Vagifem or Ovestin1mg. If necessary use alternative nights until the symptoms ease. That feeling of bladder irritation made me sit on the loo for hours, the only way I could get comfy was to let the urine dribble. Once the medication began to work the symptoms improved.
Have you had any HRT to protect your heart and bones? There is a link to the Daisy web-site here where you will find info..
Browse round both sites. Make notes. Ask!!
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Thanks a mil for the reply.
Because I'm not a standard menopause case, my gynae has given me prescription for Vagifem to take every day for a month. I'm using Ovestin also, but just externally. My bits down there have plumped up! But my blooming bladder is clearly fed up. How long did it take for the horrid pressure feeling to.. ahem.. royally eff off?! Did you have trouble wearing tight clothing with it?
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I have pudendal neuralgia , I have learnt loads seen the best of the best , you probably have an embedded bio film UTI , listen to radio 4 this Monday women's hour Professoer Hames - Malone Lee and one of his patients regards emenedded UTIs.
This has been discussed today in parliament for 30 minutes.
You will also obviously be lacking oestrogen , it's a chicken and egg thing low oestrogen , bladder , pudendal .
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Can the pudendal nerve be irritated by lack of oestrogen? I'll look into the embedded UTI - interesting!
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Yes the PN nerve can be aggravated by lack of oestrogen, everything tightens up and atrophys around it.
Where exactly is your pain ? Do you think the bladder is the antagonist ? as the PN nerve inner Bates the bladder/ urethra / rectum/ perineum/ vagina / comesnin at the lower back .
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I would say it's my bladder. I don't have vaginal pain internally - I have internal physiotherapy and my physio said I don't react to pudendal trigger points. Don't have rectal or perineum pain. My urethra hurt like hell when I had the cystoscopy done, I shouted the place down. But I think maybe because it atrophied, but don't quote me on that. Trying to figure this all out is exhausting, and scary!
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I would bet you have an embedded bio-film infection along with atrophy. Treat the atrophy aggressively and see were that leaves you , and then possibly look into the UTI however threatment is not easy.
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With the EBSL, I had such a low count of it that I only had 2 white blood cells. There's no blood or anything in my urine. Dr thinks I came back with EBSL because we all have some e-Coli in the bladder, and I'd gone through 6 different types of antibiotic (bleurrrrrrrrrrrgh!) and that was ecoli reacting to that. I've had UTIs before and I don't feel tired or ill with this, my bladder is just... pissed off!!
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Maryjane has Good Advice! I would add, drink plenty. Keep the kidneys happy, if liquid is withheld they have to work harder = irritation.
Some ladies suggest bicarb of soda mixed with boiled, cooled water. It was certainly something my Grandma recommended.
When you are able, don't wear knickers, let the air circulate. Rest when you are able to. If necessary, take an over-the-counter pain relief, I find that Nurofen eases symptoms allowing the Ovestin1mg to kick in.
:foryou:
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Thank you everyone for all the advice! How long did it take for the ovestin to kick in? I also forgot to mention, I used to sleep for 8 hrs+ without waking up, now I wake up at least once to pee.
I've been taking some nurofen, but for my laparoscopy cut in my abdomen. I've managed to get a cough and feel like I'm ripping out my stitches :( Will keep taking it!
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I noticed a difference within 4-5 nights ……… so it really does ease VA symptoms.
I have always needed to get up once in the night unless I sleep really deeply: then I have dreams about trying to find a loo ::) ;D. When I had severe anxiety attacks, once I began to come down from it, I needed to pee every 10 mins.; copious amounts ::). If I don't sleep I have to walk across the landing several times in the night ::)
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I definitely noticed the pressure feeling when lying on my side disappeared after a week. But the urgency/frequency hasn't changed :( Praying it does!
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Drink plenty! If my bladder is irritated I have been known to use Ovestin mid-afternoon and another dose at 10.00 p.m. and again the next day ……. which helps settle the bladder. Then back to 'normal'.
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I've been using Ovestin externally 1-2 times a day. Usually only burns a little. This evening I feel like my urethra is on fire :'( The only thing I can think of is I've not applied it after a shower before, but did this evening. Don't know why that would make a difference, but I'm going to have to call the fire brigade at this rate! Ow!! :-\
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Are you not inserting the Ovestin1mg internally using the applicator? :-\ ? I regularly use Savlon or KY-Jelly on the outer areas.
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Using Vagifem internally, and Ovestin externally. The horrid burning thankfully died down after an hour or so!
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Sorry you probably said that already :-\ :-X
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No worries! I put my knickers on inside out and my socks on the wrong way round today. My brain is not working ???
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We have a thread about that too ;D …. slippers on the wrong feet, glasses on face but still looking for them :D
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... putting clothes in the washing machine and not switching it on, or not putting any powder in beforehand?!
I just slept 7 hours straight without waking up to pee. I'm ecstatic!!!
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Dry bed? If so, well done LOL!
Yep - I'll bump the 'doing stupid things' thread so you get a giggle ;-)
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Yup!! Hoping for the same tonight! ???
Lol will take a look!