Can any one else identify with my symptoms of LS?

I was a bundle of nerves too and in tears many times. I have had so much trouble with my clitoris Finally I discovered extra Virginia olive oil took the pain away. However, it is sometimes irritated after sex. I need to b wise about that.

Is your steroid cram or ointment? some women don't tolerate the cream.

Callianne. My heart goes out to you. It's bad enough having the condition but to have a doctor who 1. Is rude and 2. Doesn't put you at ease straight away. Well it's not on !!

First step go to your GP and be quite blunt tell them you need to see a different doctor and why you are requesting that- it could be that others have said something before you. Sadly you'll never know as they close ranks. Secondly... Speak to your GP about your fears regarding treatment with steroid cream. You deserve and should get the very best treatment and advice available.... Nothing less. Try not to be scared ( I know how hard that is ) you have to learn to take care of this condition. You have a life to lead and once you're in control of your condition you'll be amazed at how far you've come.

Just to let you know I was seen by a dermatologist/gynaecologist last week (male) and I was quite frankly terrified. Told my friend that if anyone tried poking around down there and causing me more pain.... Well they themselves would need a doctor!!! He put me at ease right away and was so gentle. Then he took time to explain a whole load of stuff and answered all my questions. I've been very very lucky getting him. And you deserve the same !!!!

Good luck to you and do take great care of yourself. It can be controlled. xx

It sounds, like myself, you are in the UK as you mention the NHS.  Also because you mention the doctor you are seeing deals with skin, I assume you are seeing a dermatologist.  I see a gynaecologist for ny LS and she knows more about the subject.  You can research gyn's that deal wih this sort of thing on the web, and then I would go back to you GP and ask to be referred  to this person.  You need to get good, sympathetic treatment.

Good Morning Callianne

Yes, I can relate to all of your symptoms.  Please try not to stress as the is a mean culprit for LS.  I know that sounds easy to say but it is true.  You must deal with it on a daily basis.  Do not use soaps.  Get a small spray bottle at a craft store and fill it with water and 3 pinches of baking soda. Spray after each

toilet visit. What that does is keeps things clean and neutralizes anything left on the skin.  Also keep youself well lubricated so it helps to keep things from fusing,

Personally I use organic coconut oil.  I keep a small cosmetics jar filled with that in my bathroom.  These things are not a cure but they keep you more comfortable.  Try and use the prescription cream/ointment sparingly, as it also helps.

Callianne, Yes, change your doctor.

There is a strong link between thrush (candida) and LS and so it is important that you work on clearing your body of that asap, and cut out all sugars immediately.   I had Candida last year (thrush) and found I needed to take an over the counter thrush tablet once every three days, total 3.  On top of that, I also had oral thrush, so I used Nystatin oral, I basically went for it! determined to get rid of it, because while you have Candida nothing much works for your LS.  You may not need to be so aggressive, we are all different.

You also need to start using your steroid cream, it will get you well again, and frequently bathing with bicarb of soda or salt helps.  I would apply the cream twice a day at first, probably for a week, and then once a day for a week, and then slowly bring it down to using it twice a week, everyone is different, but I think that should help.  When you put the cream on you need to use a hand mirror to really see what you are doing, you will need about half a pearl size amount on your finger, and you need to try to get it under the hood of the clitoris, and you can then apply the other half on top of the clitoris.  It is best to do this after a bath.  

Maintenance involves spraying your Vjay with either salt water or bicarb of soda after every bathroom visit, patting dry and applying some kind of oil. 

Once you are on top of this you will feel so much better, but it is overwhelming at first.

Hi callianne. I understand your fears of the condition and your feelings about your GP. I was luckier than you in as much as my GP was very good and empathetic but once you are referred to a gynaecologist it is unlikely that the GP will have much to do with your ongoing treatment.

I found Dermovate very effective in making you feel more comfortable. So maybe you could ask for a prescription for that to start with and then read about some more helpful tips from this forum.

Hope you start to feel better soon.

Callianne, I feel for you. Fear and stress are debilitating if you are a worrier and just to say, me too! Well, I am getting better.

It takes a while, maybe months, to find the right combination of treatment and the people to guide you there. You certainly need a dermatologist in vulval health and if you can afford it, go private, as we say here. Not knowing where you are, but waiting for hospital appointment can take months and most dermos in that area of the body don't work through the NHS or equivalent.

the other thing is that if you do have LS or for that matter LP hydrocortiisone is probably useless. There are four strengths of steroids for the skin and the Clobetasol most people use is 600 tomes more potent than hydrocortisone.

Mometasone is the second most potent and is 150 times more potent than hydrocortisone.  ( this is the one I use as clob is way too strong buts that's not usual I believe! Mine is alcohol free. My new GP tried me on it and finally after months of trial and error I have much relief)

  These steroids sound very strong indeed and scary initially but carefully applied to the areas it will penetrate to the deep layers that need the steroid.

getting the right cream or ointment for you can take a few attempts. Some people use ointments and some creams. Both contain base ingredients not all can tolerate but it's obvious from the start if it doesn't suit you.

Stupid doctor scaring you with the c word! That's all we need when we are freaking out anyway. Good luck with the days ahead. 

 

Just seen your post.  Yes, the symptoms are very familiar.  You need to see a gynaecologist and, if you are firm with your GP and tell him/her that you must be referred, I think you will find that you get an appointment really quite quickly.  Gynaecologists know what they are looking for and, hopefully, you will soon be receiving the proper treatment.  I see a gynae for the genital problem and a dermatologist for areas of LS/LP elsewhere on my body.  Both are very keen that I keep using this website as it is probably more informative than most doctors!  Good luck.