Health Organization for Pudendal Education

I've used lidocaine 5% ointment for 6 years to help numb the left vulvar burning & sensitivity. Helps to a point but some days wish I could inject it, especially when PGAD hits. Very allergic to many adhesives so patches are out, plus it's a tough area to make anything stick. I've been going through a cycle of PAGD the past several weeks; can go 6-10 months with none at all, then it's back. The left vulvar sensitivity is pretty constant. I'd seen people mentioning 10% lidocaine here and asked my compounding pharmacist about increasing the strength. He didn't recommend going that high, but compromising at 7% and adding 0.5% bupivacaine for deeper penetration/longer effect. Got my pain doc to write the script.

Tips: 1) 3 different compounding pharmacists told me years ago that ointment is the most effective carrier for topical lidocaine, not cream or gel. Can't recall why, but something to consider. 2) For sterility and convenience I always order it in 4 tubes rather than a giant tub: 2 30 gm and 2 15 gm (script is 90 gm). The large size for the bathroom; the smaller size (like a small travel toothpaste) stays in my purse. 3) Check with the regular pharmacies to see what they offer. One time my new pain doc faxed a script for 5% ointment to CVS, not remembering I get it compounded through my GYN. Didn't know he'd ordered it until I picked up a different med. With a $10 co-pay (cheaper than compounded) I bought it after discussing the intended use with the CVS pharmacist. It's the only brand CVS could get, but contains polyethylene glycol in 2 forms PLUS peppermint oil. I found it irritating and don't use it, but guess some people find the peppermint soothing.

Quilter,
Glad you have something that helps! I just found out they sell 5% lidocaine over the counter at Walgreens. I picked up a flyer at the colon rectal surgeons office when I was there to see if I had hemmorhoid but turns out may have been a clot that was going away but stil hurt. He suggested preparation H but that can raise my blood pressure and since another time he gave me a prescriptiin for lidocaine I then tried that to avoid the blood pressure issue. It is actually listed as anorectal cream called RectiCare in case someone else eants to try it. Not as cheap as your copayabout $30 for 30 grams but it helps now and then.
Janet

I have found 10% lidocane that comes from a good compounding pharmacy to be very helpful. It is topical and very helpful with not all of my symptoms but with some of them and I would not have lasted this long without it. My suggestion is try it everywhere as i am sure not all the symptoms are the same or located in the same place at any one time ...I hope this helps someone as for my pharmacy ...i use one in balt and they ship it to me and i keep it refrigerated. Professional Arts Pharmacy It is expensive but worth it. Why more dr do not suggest it, is a mystery to me.

Quilter i just tried an over the counter patch the other night called SALONPAS made of capsaian I used it on the tailbone and sightly below for arousal in that area and it helped a little . It was actually much better then the 10.00 dollar a patch prescription lidocane patch . I can't use it in any other areas but my back because it really burns but it was better then nothing and worth a try if your pgad is ever in the back area. My heart goes out to you. I have a sever case of PGAD and I feel your pain. Sadie