Any women have vulvodynia and/or vulvar vestibulitis?

I've had it for over 2 years now and wondering what other women do for treatment of tender vulvar skin and vaginal opening. Sometimes after sex, my vulva and vaginal opening (introitus) are so tender that I can hardly sit, let alone try to engage in sex again, at least for a few days. Also the itching and burning that result from it drive me nuts. What type of treatments do any of you use to help heal/prevent your symptoms? I was on a birth control pill that had estrogen in it and I switched to a kind that only has progesterone and that seemed to help but not a whole lot. I also tried Amitryptyline for about ayear and went off that because I felt like my symptoms had gone away but unfortunately, they are not completely gone. Anyone tried other ointments, pills, vaginal dilators, creams,or herbs?? Help!

Also, has anyone tried calendula cream?

I had vulvar vestibulitis for one year before opting for surgery, and I truly believe that it's the only treatment that works. I first tried steriod cream, estrogen cream, amitriptyline, Neurontin, acupuncture and pelvic floor therapy. I also used dilators in conjunction with seeing a therapist specializing in sexual issues.

The pelvic floor therapy cured me of the vaginismus (uncontrollable spasms and tightening of the vaginal walls in response to the pain) that can add to the pain of vestibulitis, and the amitryptyline seemed to lessen the pain, but only because it blocks the receptors in your brain that interpret the pain. Through much research and experience, I believe that vulvar vestibulitis is caused by the growth or previous existence of too many nerves in the vestibule of the vagina. I believe that this condition can be present from birth (women who have pain when first using a tampon or have sex) or can manifest itself after trauma to the area (childbirth or a yeast infection.) Several studies indicate that biopsies of the affected area show that women with this condition have as many as 30 times the normal number of nerves in the entrance to the vagina. These same women also seem to have a lower tolerance of pain on all parts of their bodies, indicating that they may have more nerves in general than the average person.

I had surgery performed by an OBGYN specializing in vestibulitis in December 2005. She removed the affected area and told me that her success rate with surgery was 85%. The highest success rate I've found in other treatments (specifically medications) is only 40%. After six weeks of recuperation I was completely pain free and have been ever since.

I have been a guest speaker in graduate level sexual couseling courses on the subject of vulvar vestibulitis.

just a question.. are you sure you have that condition? have you been diagnosed by a doctor? because if not, you may be allergic to the latex in condoms, if you use them with your partner.