Excessive use of steroid cream?
Posted , 7 users are following.
I've been using Dermovate (Clob) for almost 3 months, daily. My third appointment with the gynae is this coming week, so I will see what to do from here as I think I've been using it far too long. I was told to use the ointment daily until things improved, then drop back to twice a week. The thing is, things haven't "improved" - maybe sometimes for a day or so but in the end the skin just breaks again. So I haven't ever got to the point of cutting back on the steriod application. Has anyone else had this problem? I'm thinking of stopping the ointment altogether as it doesn't seem to be working, but I'm also worried that if I do, I will make things worse.
0 likes, 23 replies
robin123 jeanniej
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jeanniej robin123
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Thanks Robin. It really is frustrating - think I'm worse not better! Oh well, I'll see what happens with the dr this week.
charlotte95599 jeanniej
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hanny32508 charlotte95599
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While LS is active, sorry to say, it is better to stay away from intercourse. Hopefully your husband will understand that you need time to heal.
?Check your diet as well - many in this forum are helped by staying away from sugar. Others, like myself, also eat gluten free. I also stay away from dairy, except for a good quality yoghurt.
?For your body to become strong enough to push LS into remission (there is no cure, but you can make it liveable) there are a few changes in lifestyle one needs to make. As far as the steroid goes - eventually you will be able to go to what I call a maintenance level. Just to keep it at bay.
My greatest help has been baking soda baths and rinses after every bathroom visit and the use of coconut oil for lubrication. I don't know whether you read about that already in the various discussions.
?There are other people who have benefited from Borax.
?Hope this is of some help to you.
jeanniej charlotte95599
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jeanniej hanny32508
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viv15674 jeanniej
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hanny32508 jeanniej
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samantha1970 jeanniej
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jeanniej samantha1970
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joanne55511 jeanniej
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Hi Jeannie I was using the clob for 9 months daily before I could safely say it had gone into remission and I could start cutting back to twice a wk. I honestly never thought I'd get to that point but spoke to consultant who convinced me to persevere and so glad I did. I also washed and moisturised with epederm which helped no end. Now I am using a less strong steroid couple times a week to keep under control . Hope this helps - Jo x
jeanniej joanne55511
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Thanks Jo that's reassuring.
viv15674 jeanniej
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Don't stop using the ointment. The thing about it is that it actually heals the skin but also thins it, so while it helps with the symptoms of LS it also makes the skin a bit more fragile. Many of us use other non-prescription oils or creams in addition to the clobetasol to help improve elasticity and overall comfort. I use clob 2-3 times a week after a warm bath before bed, and then also use emu oil every morning and night (on non-clob nights) and usually at least once in the middle of the day as well. Some people alternate oils for variety (jojoba and coconut oils are two good options). Aquaphor can also help prevent breakage, but I find that's best for when you already have some cuts or breaks in the skin that need to heal rather than as an everyday preventative method.
jeanniej viv15674
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charlotte95599 jeanniej
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viv15674 charlotte95599
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I definitely think the ointment is better. I was once given the cream by mistake and tried it, but hated it. It didn't work as well for me and actually felt irritating when I rubbed it on. I gave it about a week and then called my gyno to fix the prescription and give me the ointment instead. You don't need to rub the ointment in as much and a little bit goes a long way. It also doesn't irritate me the way the cream did.
hanny32508 charlotte95599
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A small remark - use the smallest amount. More steroid does not mean better. Just thin layers. When you say 'glob it on' I imagine you putting on lots of the Clobetasol. I made that mistake and paid dearly.
charlotte95599 hanny32508
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jeanniej charlotte95599
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I'm not sure which is better - I think you have to try both and see - but my doctor feels the ointment gives a bit more of an emolient effect than the cream. But once again, we're all different so what works well for one may not suit another. I watched the Goldstein webinar in which he said patients should rub the ointment or cream in for 90 seconds instead of just "blobbing" it there. I switched to doing this and it does seem to help.
charlotte95599 jeanniej
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hanny32508 charlotte95599
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I will never be able to proof this, but when I applied the steroid too richly one night the next morning all was fused up solid. (and that while all the fusing had just let go prior to this experience) Only a small pin hole left to pass urine. It was a big shock at the time.
?Don't get afraid of using steriod, but using thin layers is the better thing to do.
viv15674 hanny32508
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My doctor has always said about a pea-size blob of the ointment spread thinly across the whole area. A little bit goes a long way, you don't want to overdo it.