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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@willows

Agree with Sue. I have lichen sclerosis and have had it for 35 years or so. No cancer. The treatment is clobetasol ointment (not cream as ointment stays on longer considering we must urinate and wipe ). I was perscribed hormone vaginal tablets but refused them. The ointment twice a week for three weeks on one week off helped me a lot. I also take pregabalin max. dose and amitriptyline for pain. Works wonders for me.

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Clobetasol cream is definitely okay to use. I can attest to that. It was prescribed by the gynecologist who heads up the "Vulvar Diseases Clinic". I have had improvement. It gets absorbed into the skin.

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@eileenb1022

Hello. I am a 54, almost 55 year old woman. about two months ago i was referred to a gyn office from my pcp for what was suspected to be recurring UTI's. i had a really bad one last thanksgiving in the ER. i was fine for about a month and a half then i was still having symptoms and it was confirms and no antibiotic worked not even bactrim. When i went to the Gyn's office i would have chosen to see a gyn. i saw a nurse practioner but she was nice and i felt she was knowledgeable and very thourough. she did a exam then said i had Vulver Lichen SClerosus. i had her repeat it as i had never heard of it before. she handed me handouts on it basicly decribing what it was and how to treat it. i read most of it but i guess not all of it. i was told it was a skin condition, autoimmune and it happens to women who have hypothyroidism like myself. she gave me a prescription for a estrogen cream, i think it was called estrogial and a ointment but said only use it twice a week. but the following morning after using it i would only itch more. the other night it was not so much itchy but just felt uncomfortable kinda painful. i did what i normally do i post on on of my facebook groups. i had one person say be careful cause she had a friend who thought she had psorias and she found out she had vulver cancer! what? i never even heard of vulver cancer. then i did a search and i saw there is a percentage although small that this can turn into vulver cancer. my anxiety was in overdrive. other people said did you have a biopsy and when i said no i message the nurse practioner all freaked out. she messaged me back saying she was sorry i was so worried and said somone would be calling me about giving me a appointment with one of the actual doctors. the did call me yesterday morning and offered me a appointment for monday morning fairly early. i was greatful to get in so quick. but im so stressed. im worried what their gonna say, if they will give me a biopsy or what they will put me on to treat. i read most people are given steroid cream the estrogen cream i think was the wrong thing and only made me worse. does anyone here have it? should i be worried? lately i have been using cereve there which helps a little with the itching. some discharge (brownish- redish discharge small sometimes) id really like to talk to someone. i also have other health problems and im just scared. i have hyperplasia with most likely autoimmune gastritis as well as having my gallbladder out so i cant eat much either an other health issues. so i have two things that have a small things that have a small chance of turning into cancer so yeah my anxiety is in overdrive. anyone who can talk to me would mean s much. thank you.

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Some people who can't tolerate the cream, possibly because of the products used to produce it, rather than the active ingredient, can avoid that problem with the ointment. I say that because I have personally had greater succes in reducing pain and itch with the ointment. But its good that there is choice.

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@willows

Some people who can't tolerate the cream, possibly because of the products used to produce it, rather than the active ingredient, can avoid that problem with the ointment. I say that because I have personally had greater succes in reducing pain and itch with the ointment. But its good that there is choice.

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Hi I just let a appointment with a actual gyn not a nurse practioner. This dr
Knows alot about lichen sclerosis. She was really awesome. She said she don't believe I have it but rather a condition called lichen simplex chronicus. She had a regimen for me. I have all the details in paperwork but I have to see her in 3 months just so she can recheck it. I do have a ultrasound scheduled for next Monday for check my uterus she just wants to make sure it's OK. I'm kinda nervous but glad it is being done

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@sue225

There are natural estrogens that are mixed at a compounding pharmacy. No fragrances and fewer non-medicinal ingredients.

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THe gyn isnt having me use it anymore. just the clom and a pill i take at night. the gyn was awesome see earlier post. she said i dont have the obove i have another condition. not lifelong and does not lead to vulver cancer.

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@willows

Some people who can't tolerate the cream, possibly because of the products used to produce it, rather than the active ingredient, can avoid that problem with the ointment. I say that because I have personally had greater succes in reducing pain and itch with the ointment. But its good that there is choice.

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i have been fine with the ointment. and she also prescribed a oral pill to take at night right before bed. the cream just was awful for me. but i cant say enough how really good the doctor was. glad she wanted to do a ulytasound and be so thourough but i really think that will be fine i dont think she will find anything seriously wrong but i have wanted one done for a long time its just noone would do it. so relief. oh she also recommended sitz baths.

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@sue225

Clobetasol cream is definitely okay to use. I can attest to that. It was prescribed by the gynecologist who heads up the "Vulvar Diseases Clinic". I have had improvement. It gets absorbed into the skin.

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yeah i do well with that. just not the estrogen cream and this dr was so good. she knew alot about lichen and was also certain i didnt have it but something less severe. so she is having me use the clom, a pill at night and sitz baths.

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@willows

Agree with Sue. I have lichen sclerosis and have had it for 35 years or so. No cancer. The treatment is clobetasol ointment (not cream as ointment stays on longer considering we must urinate and wipe ). I was perscribed hormone vaginal tablets but refused them. The ointment twice a week for three weeks on one week off helped me a lot. I also take pregabalin max. dose and amitriptyline for pain. Works wonders for me.

Jump to this post

well i'm so glad i went back and saw a actual gyn, nothing against NP's i just refer a md and this dr knew alot about LS and she was all set to do a biopsy as i wanted but when she examined me she said she didnt believe i had it but a condition called Lichen simplex chromcus. it doesnt lead to vulver cancer and isnt lifelong. she has me on a scgedule as far as the clom ointment as well as a anti itch pill to take at night shortly before bed as well as using a sitz bath everyday for 5-10 minutes. i go back to see her in 3 months just so she can re-examine me. she took pictures so in 3 months she can compare the two. i am having a ultrasound next week to look at my uterus just to be on the safe side. im sure its fine but i have a telehealth appt with her next month as well to go over the ultrasound. so i am very pleased with her.

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@eileenb1022

Hello. I am a 54, almost 55 year old woman. about two months ago i was referred to a gyn office from my pcp for what was suspected to be recurring UTI's. i had a really bad one last thanksgiving in the ER. i was fine for about a month and a half then i was still having symptoms and it was confirms and no antibiotic worked not even bactrim. When i went to the Gyn's office i would have chosen to see a gyn. i saw a nurse practioner but she was nice and i felt she was knowledgeable and very thourough. she did a exam then said i had Vulver Lichen SClerosus. i had her repeat it as i had never heard of it before. she handed me handouts on it basicly decribing what it was and how to treat it. i read most of it but i guess not all of it. i was told it was a skin condition, autoimmune and it happens to women who have hypothyroidism like myself. she gave me a prescription for a estrogen cream, i think it was called estrogial and a ointment but said only use it twice a week. but the following morning after using it i would only itch more. the other night it was not so much itchy but just felt uncomfortable kinda painful. i did what i normally do i post on on of my facebook groups. i had one person say be careful cause she had a friend who thought she had psorias and she found out she had vulver cancer! what? i never even heard of vulver cancer. then i did a search and i saw there is a percentage although small that this can turn into vulver cancer. my anxiety was in overdrive. other people said did you have a biopsy and when i said no i message the nurse practioner all freaked out. she messaged me back saying she was sorry i was so worried and said somone would be calling me about giving me a appointment with one of the actual doctors. the did call me yesterday morning and offered me a appointment for monday morning fairly early. i was greatful to get in so quick. but im so stressed. im worried what their gonna say, if they will give me a biopsy or what they will put me on to treat. i read most people are given steroid cream the estrogen cream i think was the wrong thing and only made me worse. does anyone here have it? should i be worried? lately i have been using cereve there which helps a little with the itching. some discharge (brownish- redish discharge small sometimes) id really like to talk to someone. i also have other health problems and im just scared. i have hyperplasia with most likely autoimmune gastritis as well as having my gallbladder out so i cant eat much either an other health issues. so i have two things that have a small things that have a small chance of turning into cancer so yeah my anxiety is in overdrive. anyone who can talk to me would mean s much. thank you.

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I was diagnosed with Lichen Sclerosus after visit to Gyn PA. Unfortunately, my PCP missed it. She was excellent. She did a biopsy to verify diagnosis. She did explain if left untreated, it could lead to cancer. But if treated it is low risk. I do recheck every year.

I take Clobetasol Propionate. Estrogen cream is not an option because I have a history of Breast Cancer that was estrogen receptor (ER) positive so do not want to take anything that introduces estrogen into by system.

Laurie

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Hello, I want to connect with other patients that have this conditions to exchange notes, also with like to know what is currently in the research and studies. Thanks!

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@analia

Hello, I want to connect with other patients that have this conditions to exchange notes, also with like to know what is currently in the research and studies. Thanks!

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Welcome, @analia. You've come to the right place to connect with others dealing with lichen sclerosus. I moved your message to this existing discussion board:
- Lichen Sclerosus: Any other women dealing with this disease? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lichen-schlerosus/

I did this so that you can review past messages and connect with fellow members like @sue225 @willows @eileenb1022 @momij @gingerbear22 @searchingforrelief @joybringer1 @kathy5645 @writerbroad @kk57 @nanny23 and others who can share their experiences and any current resources and research they are aware of.

Analia, tell us a bit more about you. How long have you been dealing with lichen sclerosus? What has helped?

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