Bladder and vaginal issues.

[gillsky8]

Having had all the concern over bladder issues, which now seem to have passed, another matter has arisen, diagnosis of sore, itching and pain on urinating led to the prescribing of vegifem which having used twice caused some issue with bleeding.

On being unable to contact GP due to weekend and bank holiday I ended up once again at A & E.

Womens Health department decided it was time for another camera investigation, and my goodness me was that painful !!!

However no abnormalities were found so that in some ways is reassuring , however they did take a swab, one of which I had already had from the GP previously a week prior and had come back

Comments Normal, no infection Bacterial Culture No genito-urinary pathogens isolated.

I am continuing on current medication which is prednisone, now tapered to 9mg per day hoping that the reduction successfully continues. Estriol cream, not using the pessary now, internally for the next four weeks and then down to twice weekly. the nightly nutrofurantoin antibiotic low dose 50mg. to keep uti's at bay and fluconazole once a week to keep thrush at bay.

I am guessing that means all is now well, though would appreciate someone deciphering this for me please.

Hubby is due to start radiotherapy for prostrate cancer in October and I still have my son fretting that Mum has cancer too, now matter how much I try to reassure him!!

I SO want to draw a line for him with regard to my health and I think now having had pretty much all the investigations which could be made this should be possible. AND then he says "what if the swab from the hospital comes back with something horrible !! "

I hardly think that one week later this is very likely, but you can maybe see what I am up against. !!

any comments or reassurances of course is always welcomed.

I have begun to think that there has to be a light at the end of this and to think it all started from a simple urine sample which showed microscopic traces in the urine.

Had it not done the sample, I could have remained blissfully unaware - but then maybe that isn't the way to go eh ?

😃

[bantam12]

With vaginal atrophy the tissue is so friable it easily bleeds, once the topical oestrogen does its work things should improve. If that is the cause then unfortunately it’s something you will have forever and it’s not easy keeping it under control.

[gillsky8 in reply to bantam12]

Thank you it certainly seems to be pointing in the direction of vaginal atrophy I think which has probably been developing for a while. I seriously wonder if the steroid I am on for PMR if also having an effect on this condition. My skin all over, even on my face is so so dry, I have never had this before up until the use of it. Trying to taper as quickly as possible, but have been warned not to rush this. I tried vagifem but found the cream a little gentler on the skin. and also can use it topically but I have seen a combination of the two can also work.

[bantam12 in reply to gillsky8]

Not sure you can use both, the cream internally should be adequate. I’ve had this problem for probably 20 years and I’ve tried just about everything, the best for a good while was an oral tablet, worked a treat but I’m back on the cream now, luckily I have an excellent helpful lady Gynae, if I relied on GP I would be in serious trouble !

[gillsky8 in reply to bantam12]

Vagifem was recommended initially but I read some bad things about it however a friend of mine swears by it. I’m very mixed as to whether just to give it a try though for the two weeks and see if it works. I am guessing it can’t do any harm and could still use the cream to treat soreness topically

[bantam12 in reply to gillsky8]

Vagifem is very good and first line of treatment, I used it on and off for years but it takes longer than 2 weeks to take effect.