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can i really not go swimming

Posted , 6 users are following.

amy_60504
amy_60504

i think i have Ls i was treated for a few water infections but i did notice a small white spot on my vulva i didnt take any notice off it but it wasn't untill towards end of December i asked the doctor to take a look down there and she said that it was litchen sclerosus.

she gave me 1% hydrocortisone ointmnet and dermol cream, at the time i had no itchyness etc but recently i have had itcyness i dnt think the ointment i have been given is working...

i have been to the doctor again and another doctor has had a look and has said it could be Ls i asked to be referred to get a confirmation. i am only 26 and she said it is odd for someone of my age to have this.

i do think i may have anemia so it could be linked i will mention this when i see them. i am off on holiday in June and again in July and love being in the water so im not gonna let it stop me.

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • ChrissieM
    ChrissieM

    Posted

    Why wouldn't you be able to go swimming? I've never heard of that being the case - I swim!
  • tilly1985
    tilly1985

    Posted

    Hi there,

    I have also been trying to cope with LS. I am being treated with Clobetasol and advised to wash with only Dermol 500. The doctor also told me to avoid swimming until the inflammation was brought down as I think the chlorine could aggravate it. She did say that if I was to apply a layer of e45 or diprobase (diprobase is better for me personally) that it should protect my skin and it would be ok to swim - so you might want to try that if you are keen to go swimming! Don't let it hold you back :-) I also wonder if swimming in the sea would be good...salt can be quite healing but who knows?

    I am 29 and have had this now for a couple of years, from reading around I think it is probably more common that the statistics show as people (patients and health professionals) often suspect the problem is reccurrent thrush - at least in my experience this is true - went through countless checks before being told it was LS!

  • mary_58782
    mary_58782

    Posted

    I believe there are lots of people your age that have LS. Many people, I bet ,have it but not yet diagnosed. I developed mine when I was 18. Very little was known about it and all that dermatologist said was that I had dis coloring of the skin on my body. I itched for years until a different dermatologist and my GYNO diagnosed it and prescribed a strong steroid ointment. I've been swimming all of my life!
  • all_the_kings_horses
    all_the_kings_horses

    Posted

    Hi Amy,

    Please do not be put off swimming, as you can always use a barrier cream if you are worried that the salt water will be painful. Life must go on, so live it the full!

    Horses

  • amy_60504
    amy_60504

    Posted

    Thankyou everyone, yeah i will not let it stop me from swimming but yes sounds like a good idea tho applying barrier cream before hand. Yea the salt water may also help never know could cure it.... wishfull thinking.

    I have a few ideas to what maybe causing this for me but will have to see what happens.

  • amy_60504
    amy_60504

    Posted

    a quick question but how long does the soreness usally last just that its been sore for a couple off week now just wondered how long it takes to heal.
  • tilly1985
    tilly1985

    Posted

    Hi Amy,

    I would be interested to know what you think might be causing your LS? I am continually going over all the things that happened around the time mine seemed to 'kick off' and for me, I am sure it was due to my body being under a lot of stress. I was going through a tough time at work and had been feeling very low for a long time. I also suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome - I think also linked to being a worrier and so my body is often in a continual 'stress' mode which probably doesn't help!

    I have noticed that usually my flare ups start about a week before my period is due, so I am sure LS is hormonally linked and then once my period comes I don't notice the soreness (I don't know if that's because the period pain takes over or not!!)

    So I think generally for me the main flare up is for between 1-2 weeks each month - at least the steroid cream does seem to give me some relief at night! I hope you feel better soon!

  • all_the_kings_horses
    all_the_kings_horses

    Posted

    Hi Amy,

    I expect it depends very much on the individual. I have been sore for weeks as well and have been asking myself the same question!!! Sorry not to be able to give any quick answers.

  • amy_60504
    amy_60504

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

    Well i do not have periods due to the contraception i take. I also think that if i do suffer with anemia this could also be triggering it and why i have maybe got ls. my soreness started after sex! without being graphic here but its sore around the clit.!

    i also have a gum problem aswell which i have read somewhere could be a link so kind off trying to eliminate at these things.

    Thankyou.

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