Help with LS flaring up???

Woozie, I've been seeing that the latest studies indicate the thinning is not what they once thought it was, partly because the particular type of flesh in the vulva aren't as vulnerable. The idea is that Clob prevents LS inflammation, which is much more drastic and damaging that the possible small amount of thinning the ointment might create. It's reasonable that some women would react badly to Clobetasol (Dermovate in UK). I wonder if you've been using it on an as-need basis in too-large doses? I've made a 50g. tube last nearly a year, mostly using it twice a week. My gynae said it's supposed to be a steady low dose.

Hi Woozie,

Search on a well known search engine for why do doctors prescribe clobetasol proprionate.  Then click on the various results.  I found a research medical report very informative and the result was that not using it means you are more likely to develop vulval cancer.  It also found that women who failed to treat their LS or who didn't control it properly were more likely to develop cancer.  The only treatment that appears to control it is topical ointments like clobetasol proprionate 0.05% together with emollients and moisturisers.  No choice comes to my mind!!!!!

P.S.  I hope your doctor is prepared to research LS so that she/he can prescribe for you properly.  I haven't been told that it will strengthen it but I was told that the thinning is not what you fear as the skin in that area is regenerative.  It has to cope with a lot of friction so that makes sense.

I found the British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for the management of lichen sclerosis.

"The rationale for once-a-day application is based on pharmacodynamic studies showing that an ultrapotent steroid only needs to be applied once a day on extragenital skin. If symptoms recur when the frequency of application is reduced,

the patient is instructed to use the treatment more often until the symptoms resolve. They can then try to reduce the frequency again. A 30-g tube of clobetasol propionate 0.05% should last at least 12 weeks. If the treatment has been suc-

cessful the hyperkeratosis, ecchymoses, fissuring and erosions should have resolved, but the atrophy, scarring and its associated pallor will persist. About 60% of patients experience complete remission of their symptoms. Others will con-

tinue to have flares and remissions; they are advised to use clobetasol propionate 0.05% as required. Most patients with ongoing disease seem to require 30–60 g of clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment annually. In our experience, the long-

term use of clobetasol propionate in this way is safe and there has been no evidence of significant steroid damage or an increase in the incidence of SCC. There is one short-term study of up to 12 months showing the safety of continued

use."

 

Hi Woozie,  Hi guys;  did you see the post by Dsauce?  I suggest you go and read it.I added my comments along same lines.  Medics are trained by Pharma Coy supported training schools,  and are taught to treat symptoms,  not cure the disease;  Pharma keeps selling products to treat symptoms,  they really don't want cures. Think about it,  guys;  Pharma products don't do much good as I see it.

Woozie, my dermatologist and gynacologist (I'm in the Republic of Ireland) both agree that if you can get the Ls under control with Clob then you can try to reduce gradually to a daily application of over-the-counter hydrocortisone, which is far less potent than the clob.  Because its so much weaker a daily appilication is recommended, and this has become just part of my nightly routine - I used to forget the one-a-week session with the clob.  This has worked well for me, together with trying to avoid sugars, wine and beer, which all seem to cause flare-ups.  I was so badly damaged that my biopsy took six weeks to heal as the stitches just tore through the LS diseased tissue, but now I'm back to wearing my jeans and hill-walking.  I'm 59 and have healed so don't dispair!