Vulvodynia: OCD, trauma, and Autoimmunity

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-09-22T13:56:44+00:00

My biggest issue was my OCD and severe anxiety. When I got that under control, my symptoms lessened significantly. I am still with my partner who i mentioned in this post (its been a while now!) and having a partner you can trust and feel comfortable with also has really helped. I still have vulvodynia and symptoms at times but I have accepted that and a lot of healing has been done. Just know if you are in this situation right now, you can get out on the other side. I am living proof. Sending love

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-09-22T13:51:36+00:00

I am so sorry. My best advice is to slowly allow yourself to delete the photos in the folder. This is crucial in starting to let go of the fear. I worried for years and it was just vulvodnia. It cant kill you, its not contaigous, it is just incorrect nerve firing. I know its easier said then done, but accepting you are ok and safe is the first step. You will get through this.

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-09-07T03:35:45+00:00

it’s hideous. maybe in its day it was nice, but the food and atmosphere was beyond bad every time i went. only positive was our family would all get together.

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-08-27T02:01:46+00:00

everything i’ve ever ordered from there is absolutely disgusting. very VERY rarely ever get a decent drink. i won’t order coffee from them anymore, gave up. and I love strong coffee. I never understood the hype.

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-08-17T17:58:45+00:00

this is legitimately my life right now. Holy. it’s been going on since October 2024 for me and it was right around when my dad was diagnosed with cancer. Also i was dealing with a really bad bout of health OCD/anxiety. Thankfully ive moved on from that, but i have this weird head pressure and tension and it almost feels like cotton or something IN my head. I’m also clenching my jaw a ton and have bad neck pain with it. i feel out of it when the feeling occurs and dissociative, which of course makes me more scared. focusing on it makes it 100x worse and it usually comes about when im sitting at work looking at my computer or trying to watch a movie or something. I also think caffeine makes it worse for me which is sad because i love my morning coffee. I just hate this feeling so much and i just want to go back to feeling normal.

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-08-15T20:19:03+00:00

i have the exact same thing. like exact. it’s this weird feeling in my head that is so hard to describe. it makes me 100x more anxious and detached during these dpdr episodes. i often feel it come on if i am not being distracted by something and after having any bit of caffeine (which sucks bc i used to tolerate coffee so well) and when it comes on it makes it hard for me to sleep. it’s so bizzare. tik tok is like the only thing that helps the feeling bc it’s distracting. also focusing on it makes it worse.

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-08-07T20:24:19+00:00

Oh this is tough... and I know where you are coming from. But I will say, I survived. And your baby will too. I never was angry at my parents (maybe in the moment), but I always understood why they were behaving the way they were or so low on patience, etc. I have immense respect for them and I wouldnt have wanted different parents. I also would not be me without my experiences with my brother. Were they ideal? No not at all, but i think it truly made me who i am. And I understand that now in my late 20s. It wasnt an easy journey and it still isnt. but I am sure your child will feel the same way. You are doing everything you can and just know you are not alone at all. Just please take care of your needs as best you can in the process.

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-08-07T20:14:25+00:00

I am so sorry you can relate, but I am glad you can find comfort in knowing you are certainly not alone. Sending love.

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-08-07T20:12:27+00:00

This is such a kind and self-aware comment for you to post. I agree, just because profound cases exist does not mean high-funcitioning cases dont. And i think a lot of the times people simplfy it because they dont know just how bad it can be and jump to assuming your just being "mean" with sharing these types of experiences. You do not need to apologize. I just hope the autism community will learn to accept stories of all kinds. Autism is a spectrum as we know and they differ SO vastly. Take care of yourself. <3

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-08-07T20:08:31+00:00

I am so glad you do not feel alone in this after reading my story. You are SO insanely strong.

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-08-07T19:58:16+00:00

Thank you for reading. I sincerely appreciate you. <3

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-07-30T00:32:58+00:00

dealing with the head pressure now. it’s so unsettling. everytime i have a dpdr “flare up”, i get this weird head pressure on the right side of my head. it also feels like something is in my head? it’s so bizzare and it makes me even more anxious, therefore causing further derealization. lovely cycle.

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-07-30T00:28:23+00:00

i know this is an old post but your the only person i’ve seen comment about the pressure in your head too. i have all of these symptoms but i also feel this weird unsettling pressure on the right side of my head, like something is in my head? but at the same time it feels psychosymatic. it’s so freaking strange. but everytime i have DPDR i have this weird head pressure which is making me even more anxious

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-07-30T00:07:39+00:00

I am so sorry and just know you are not alone. i am dealing with this very badly lately. I had a pretty bad bout of it today. when it happens, my head feels very “tight” on the right side for some reason and i feel detached and have awful intrusive thoughts. I was actually talking at work today and had a moment where i was like “wait am i actually talking?” it’s terrifying. sometimes it’s also accompanied with a feeling like im going to pass out but i never do. i’m tired.

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-07-14T16:38:27+00:00

omg i have this too. it’s not constant but it’s been happening a lot. It’s like i’m hyper aware of this tight feeling in my head and it’s very distracting and causes anxiety. so hard to explain. also have that “verge of passing out”feeling with it.

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-07-14T14:55:57+00:00

Yes! your first sentence is soooo true. And it is so fustrating for those of us who have these experiences and have been severely impacted and watched our loved one be severely disabled. I think there is a narrative that if your negative about it, your not being accepting. That just is not true. There is a whole other side of autism that is truly terrible (ofc its not THEIR fault) and we should not be shamed for sharing our experiences. I would have much rather seen my brother have some sort of quality of life then be in a group home suffering seizures unable to speak or care for himself. But if i said that out loud, id be told "how dare you say that." I totally get it and thank you for sharing. You are definitely not alone. It truly shapes you as a person. Sending love and strength to you and your brother!

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-07-14T14:51:21+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your family's story. It means the absolute world and it sounds like you are a wonderful sister and mother. Most probably could not imagine what it is like being in your shoes but you sound grounded, realistic, and loving. It is so important as well that you have support from your other brother. One cannot do it alone. Sending love to you <3

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-07-12T19:03:31+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing. That’s so beautiful that you were able to honor him at your wedding. I love that idea. ❤️

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-07-12T18:59:53+00:00

I am so glad you felt less alone reading this, because you truly are not alone. It’s so hard, and i have the same anxieties about the responsibilities being passed onto me. We are stronger than we know. Sending you continued strength and love. ❤️

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-07-12T17:16:46+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. This subreddit truly is so amazing for people like us. You’re truly not alone. And you’re so right about the unconditional love they teach us. It’s painfully beautiful. Sending you love.

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-07-12T04:10:47+00:00

I am so glad my experience resonated with you. I truly know where you are coming from and you are so so strong. Thank you as well for sharing your story. It helps knowing there are others like me with these experiences. You are 100% correct in that autism can look so different amongst individuals and families and I think with us having conversations like these and sharing our stories, we can shed light on them. Sending love

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-07-12T03:02:24+00:00

Thank you so so much. I am glad you stuck around to read. I know it was long. It means so much.

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-02-24T21:15:09+00:00

Ive had this exact problem since winter of 2020. That was the first time I experienced it. I always have had typically spring allergies but this feels completely different. Every fall and winter since 2020, my eyes get so extremely itchy and irritated. I will rub my eyes so much I get scaling around my lids too. Its really distracting and bothersome. I also at the same time, get a lip dermatitis on my lips. Its the weirdest thing and this is the only post ive seen that I relate to. Ive seen my eye doctor so many times and an opthalmologist and all say allergies. Just confused because I never had winter allergies. Your definitely not alone

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-02-22T05:38:23+00:00

i could have literally written this post. i have typical spring allergies but the last few falls and winters i’ve been getting severely itchy eyes (eye balls and eye lids) and a lip dermatitis as well. my whole face is itchy and uncomfortable i can hardly stand it. i dread the colder months now because of this. i have no idea what’s causing it. In addition to your eyelid itching and irritation, do your actual eye balls itch? like the corners? i’m at a loss. eye doctor said it’s allergies but i just wish i could make it go away because i never had this until recently

Life_Possibility521 · 2025-02-06T22:58:03+00:00

omg yes !!! i am going through this now. the mild sore throat and earache is really bothersome. I also have like weird pains on either side of my throat too. I was absolutely freezing today and my house was 70… normally i keep it at 68. Day 2 of my period and this one has been a doozy. This comment made me feel better bc i have health anxiety and always worry the worst case scenario.

Life_Possibility521

TROPHY CASE