Lichen Sclerosus: Any other women dealing with this disease?

Posted by Kitten92 @kitten92, May 22, 2017

Is anyone out there dealing with this disease? I am currently using a compound ointment that my oncologist prescribed but I'm looking for possible lazer treatments or anything else that might now be available.

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@alju

No, I have not had that prescribed or ever heard of this one. Have you used it yourself? I am going back to my current dermatologist in a couple of weeks so will discuss

Thank you.

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That is another steroid. It didn't work for me.

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@mary47

I have been using clobetasol for a year. How long did it take you to get this terrible condition to settle down?

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Once I started with the meds I felt relief. But sex is out of the question. Horribly painful.

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I am using Taro-clobetasol propionate and it has been a welcomed relief after many years of going to doctors to finally get my diagnosis of Lichen Sclerosus.
I have a female gynaecologist finally. It is a lifelong disease that must continue to be treated. I have never heard of lazer treatments for this.
I obtained complete relief from the above medication. But, I am interested in other peoples treatment.
When first diagnosed I use the medication daily for a month and now it is twice a week. No bathing in tub. Showers only. No soaps or scented products
that will irritate the sensitive skin. Good luck! I hope to read and hear other comments, Thanks!

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@nekcarolyn

I am adding... can this ever be cured? can we get over it? I just need to know so I can deal with it. I have neuropathy with no cure so I was hoping LS might be cured somehow. wishful thinking. thanks

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Hi nekcarolyn
LS
It is not curable but treatable. I am using an ointment received from my gynaecologist and it has given me so much relief I feel normal. At first daily for one month and now twice a week with followups with doctor.
The ointment is Taro-Clobetasol 17 propionate. It is a steroid but works wonders. I hope you find a suitable treatment. It is treatable as long as you follow Dr directions. This is not a disease for a dermatologist.
Good luck and please try not to worry. (Easier said than done).

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I'm new to the group, been dealing with symptoms now for about 7 months. Had my annual pelvic exam & asked what was going on, was told, "you have a little vaginal atrophy... let's try an estrogen cream." I started it, but it DID NOT HELP! I have continued to have itchy, tearing, breaking skin on my labia & then started noticing bruising & discoloration. I started using Emuaid 3x daily, & I use a steroid ointment twice a week, after I shower which has really helped. I take baking soda sits baths & regularly clean the area with baking soda water in a perineal bottle, & I don't wipe anymore, I just pat dry. I have an appointment with a vulvar dermatologist specialist, but not until March.
I no longer take epsom salts baths (they seem to make it worse), but I love them for sore muscles. I'd love to go soak in a hot springs, but I'm concerned. Anyone have any experience with hot springs soaking & side effects of LS?

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@k3lliott

I'm new to the group, been dealing with symptoms now for about 7 months. Had my annual pelvic exam & asked what was going on, was told, "you have a little vaginal atrophy... let's try an estrogen cream." I started it, but it DID NOT HELP! I have continued to have itchy, tearing, breaking skin on my labia & then started noticing bruising & discoloration. I started using Emuaid 3x daily, & I use a steroid ointment twice a week, after I shower which has really helped. I take baking soda sits baths & regularly clean the area with baking soda water in a perineal bottle, & I don't wipe anymore, I just pat dry. I have an appointment with a vulvar dermatologist specialist, but not until March.
I no longer take epsom salts baths (they seem to make it worse), but I love them for sore muscles. I'd love to go soak in a hot springs, but I'm concerned. Anyone have any experience with hot springs soaking & side effects of LS?

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Hot springs have salt same as epsom salt. Very irritating to the LS labia.

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@somde

Hot springs have salt same as epsom salt. Very irritating to the LS labia.

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Thank you, that was my fear... I guess that will be something I'll never be able to do again... that's so sad!! 😔

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What about public hot tubs, like at the gym?
Also, has anyone had luck with dietary changes, & if so, what did you change?

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@lucky41

IS confirmed by biopsy. Cleared and controlled by Clobetasol cream .05%. No new lesions since treatment years ago. Bless my gyn.

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I have just spent time reading over past comments and saw your reference to "lesions" which is not mentioned in most of the posting comments. So I've been wondering if I am the only one plauged by them. I never had these lesions or these awful, hard bumps until I began using the steroids, so I asked two gynecologists and my PCP if the steroids could have caused these painful bumps. They all said "no." But that doesn't convince me it's not possible. But then I thought maybe it's just LS getting worse despite the steriods. So now I am afraid to use anything now and my stress level is way up there. I've seen comments that stress makes the problem worse. I would love to find a vulvar specialist or any specialist who knows more about this awful condition. How does one find such a person? I'll start asking for referals from the doctors I've already seen but you'd think with my complaints about meds not helping they would have provided names if they knew of anyone.

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@alju

I have just spent time reading over past comments and saw your reference to "lesions" which is not mentioned in most of the posting comments. So I've been wondering if I am the only one plauged by them. I never had these lesions or these awful, hard bumps until I began using the steroids, so I asked two gynecologists and my PCP if the steroids could have caused these painful bumps. They all said "no." But that doesn't convince me it's not possible. But then I thought maybe it's just LS getting worse despite the steriods. So now I am afraid to use anything now and my stress level is way up there. I've seen comments that stress makes the problem worse. I would love to find a vulvar specialist or any specialist who knows more about this awful condition. How does one find such a person? I'll start asking for referals from the doctors I've already seen but you'd think with my complaints about meds not helping they would have provided names if they knew of anyone.

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I'm in Utah, & have found a vulvar dermatology specialist... where are you located?

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