Biopsy stiches still not fell out???

hallo Smoggy

I would be very interested in finding out how you are now. I was disappointed that you did not get a response to your question as to how long it takes until the stitches fall out.

Would you please respond to me now and let me know just how long it took for your skin to heal and the stitches to fall out. I have to have a biopsy soon and am very worried about the healing process involved and wonder if I will survive additional pain. Again Smoggy. Would love to hear from you and hope to get a reply from you.

Hi. I had a vulval biopsy about 3 weeks ago, confirmed diagnosis of LS. I had stitches in which needed removing and these came out at 8 days, however it took a further week to heal properly. If your stitches are dissolvable they would normally take at least a few weeks to dissolve. Sometimes if the wound has healed, your nurse at the surgery might remove them for you as the longer they are left in they act like a foreign body and itch and annoy even more!! See if you can see your gp or nurse, and ask them to look and see if they can come out, its worth a try, they can only say no! hope this helps. please let me know how you get on as i'll bet there are others in the same boat.

Hallo Cym.

Your response means the world to me. Thank you so very much. Will you please stay in contact with me as I feel so isolated with LS. I would love to follow your progress with LS and perhaps we might help each other. What are your symptoms. Has LS interfered with your daily life. What medication or daily care do you follow. Are you very worried about the prognosis.

I appreciate the information on the biopsy. I have to have vulva/vagina biopsies. I personally believe I have Lichen Planus in vagina and mouth as well. Soreness in vulva restrains me from walking/sitting for long periods. I fear that I will have to resign from work. Please remain in contact Cym.

Hi Maycovie, glad my reply helped. Although I only had my biopsy recently, the dermatologist looked at the lesions and said LS straight away. As there were a few ulcerated areas this is where they took the biopsy from. I think i've had problems for years but it was all put down to the 'menopause :!: . I tried hrt, vaginal creams and tablets. I often used sudocrem and tried all other manner of nappy rash creams! which all eased it temporarily, but it recurred. Although initoally a bit 'fed up' when I got the LS diagnosis I feel I can now read all about it, and learn from others on the website. My gp is great, but admits she has never seen LS before. I am now under c/o dermatologist, who will review me in Feb, in 6 months and then yearly, (for the rest of my life she tells me)!!! as the lesions can change over time and may need treatment. I am now only using Dermovate for flare-ups, I have got into a routine of aqueous cream as a 'wash', followed by pure aloe vera oil from the plant. Don't use base of leaf as it is bitter, but scrape gel from leaf. Its really gooey, so I mix it with vaseline as a carrier. Unfortunately, it seems to be a bit itchy again today, so I may use Dermovate at night for a week with other as above in the day. If you do decide to use aloe vera from the plant, its rreally soothing and forms like a second skion, but only keeps for 24hrs. I think you can buy Aloe Vera gel but it needs to be about 99%. Hope this helps, as its certainly helping me to know i'm not on my own with this too!!

Hallo Cym.

Delighted to hear from you. Thank you so much for the advice. I too use acquous cream to wash. I also tried the aloe vera gel but found that it really stings and was afraid that I was irritating the already inflamed skin. I find that I have to use acquous cream after every visit to toilet as I am soo dry and sore. I was prescribed Dermovate steroid but try to use it sparingly as I fear skin thinning. My consultant gynae prescribed 3 months of vagifem which heals the tissue but does not relieve the soreness. The vagifem should help strengthen the v area for the upcoming biopsies. Noticed white areas last week and this really frightens me. Emotionally feel drained as this disease has upset my daily life totally. Do you suffer from soreness when you walk or sit. Do you have to moisten the v area often throughout the day. Do you find the vaseline moisturises enough. Does it effect your daily life. It would really help me Cym if you would answer these questions as sometimes I think that i am quite obsessed with the whole disease. Have difficulty accepting that this is with me for life. It is impossible to destress when in constant pain. I also find that I have changed from an outgoing personality to a stay at home all the time complaining to my partner personality. Do you dwell on the LS. How do you lift your spirits. You seem to be managing very well. Has it changed your life around. Keep in touch Cym. Let me know how you are managing daily life. This contact with you means so much to me Cym. Look forward to your reply.

Hi maycovie, sorry I haven't replied earlier, computer down, but fixed now?

My LS has settled down at present following a flare-up 10 days ago. My doctor said not to use dermovate on the split areas, but I have found Trimovate to be really successful. I had splitting in vulval area and around the anus. I used trimovate sparingly twice a day ( but it dose stain underwear yellow!!), but I think it may help as it has a fungal and antibiotic element mixed to the steroid cream. I have stopped using the aloe vera as it was too difficult to get it in the right consistency. Instad, I use sudocrem at the first sign of soreness as a barrier cream. My gp has now switched my wash from aqueous cream to doublebase as it has a pump dispenser which is much easier to use in the shower. I think knkowing what the problem is certainly helps and I am glad I am learning to manage this condition. I think it is all depends on what works for you.

Sometimes it is painful to sit or go to the loo 'pee or poo' dependinig on had bad the flare is, but remember, it will get better, and the more used to managing it the easier it will be. Hope this helps. Cynthia

Hi Cym

Nice to have you back with us. Your advice on the daily routine very encouraging. I wash with aqueous cream, then apply 100% aloe vera gel. I wait a while and then use bepanthen nappy barrier cream. I usually apply the bepanthen 3 times a day. Soreness persists. Will have biopsies mid Feb. I am not as upbeat as you (unfortunately). It has taken 2 years before the con/derm diagnosed ls. I work from 9 - 4 and this can be stressful. I have never tried Trimovate. I will also try out doublebase. How has the architecture of your vulva been affected. Look forward to hearing from you again.

Hi Bronach, I must admit I do feel a bit better knowing what thae problem is. After my biopsy, I felt as though my fuuture was now under my control and to try different things until I found out what worked for me. The doublebase is great, and much easier to use in the shower with the pump dispenser, its also a better consistency and smell!! As far as the vulva is concerned, I have one side which is much thicker than than the other. Clitoris a bit fused but no loss of sensation, so thats okay. I do have urinary problems which the urologist thinks may partly to do with the LS. I did see a specialist womens physiotherapist who taught me a 'pelvic floor workout, and I think that this is also helping the vaginal narrowing. I use a 'Neen' macine which helps to tighten and work the pelvic floor muscles. When I first used it the probe used to swizzle round sideways, but now I can insert it and keep it sideways, so perhaps it is also helping maintain the musculature. I paid privately to see the physio as it would have meant a 4 month wait, but the specialist physios are available at larger hospitals. Hope this helps.