1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Lichen Sclerosus

I have been diagnosed with LS about a year now, I’m losing my mind slightly!?!?

Posted , 5 users are following.

Bee78
Bee78

Hey

I was diagnosed about a year ago with LS that is all over my bikini area, labia and anus, its spreading too, I had gotten to breaking point, I didn't know what was causing the crazy itching, I thought it was thrush, I had honestly tried everything, bathing in salt and vinegar, over the counter creams, crying at the GUM clinic begging for help! It was an out of hours Drs appointment that finally got an answer for me.

I have suffered in quiet and probably more from embarrassment since I was about 14, I am now 43!

It has been worse at various stages and seemingly ok at others, I just thought it was something that I was doing wrong or I was causing the irritation.

I was prescribed strong steroid cream, to use every evening for 8 weeks, then every other day for another 6 weeks, I still need to use it every 2nd or 3rd evening for any kind of relief! Its too much!

It really taking over my life, sleeping is not easy, as the itch is much worse at night, the urge to itch and then scratching so much it bleeds is overwhelming!

Having recently got married, I feel sad for my husband, he is so understanding and so kind, but I wake him up too, as it often makes me cry. Having sex is also very painful at times, sometimes I think that the LS is actually worse after!

Please can anyone offer any advice, I am really struggling to keep going with this.

Thank you for reading such a long post and for any help x

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • j89027
    j89027 Bee78

    Posted

    Hi Bee, my situation is different from yours, I've had LS for ten years but it was diagnosed quite early. I'm not sure I've got any great advice to share as I'm barely coping myself. I just wanted to let you know that I feel the same way. You are not alone! I'm sure others on the forum will be able to share advice.

  • pat09944
    pat09944 Bee78

    Posted

    Hello Bee

    You are not alone and thousands of us know how you feel. Do not give up. Everything I have read indicates this is an auto-immune problem. Do you know if you have other auto immune issues? Have you tried: olive oil (extra virgin organic only); coconut oil, baking soda in the bathtub, or anything like vaseline? What foods have you eliminated like sugar or dairy? Have you tried that. Is your skin actually bleeding? You'll want to put antibiotic cream if it is. No fancy soaps or perfumes down there either. Most of us will have to use the steroid for the rest of our lives but it is manageable if that helps. What about taking an antihistamine before bed? That should calm the itching. There's also antihistamine gel that you can rub on the itchy places. Have you has an estrogen level test? If not, you probably should. Best, Pat

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.