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I want to anew gyn today...

Posted , 8 users are following.

mary_58782
mary_58782

She was very sweet and nice... However when I mentioned that I had lichen sclerosis all over my body,mâché said absolutely not, that it is only a disease of the vulva. I told her that the places on my skin had  been biopsed and lichen sclerosis was confirmed. I could tell that she still didn't really believe me! I left feeling rather disturbed. Maybe I was expecting too much! My old gyn recognized it immediately as did my dermatologist! This doctor did recognize it in the vulva region, so that is probably all that matters....but???

1 like, 18 replies

18 Replies

  • Carley2ca
    Carley2ca mary_58782

    Posted

    I would worry that if she didn't know that, then what else doesn't she know. Mind you there is a LOT of medical information and every doctor cannot possibly know it all! As long as they are open I guess that is the main thing!
  • april.wild
    april.wild mary_58782

    Posted

    How disturbing!

    Well if she doesn't stand corrected can you ask for another referal? Or if you were to write to your dermatologist with the request that s/he confirm the broader diagnosis by letter to your GP (dermatologists do have slightly more experience of this but not always the facilities for examination) a letter from the dermatologist would be forwarded as part of the referal process and would deal with the formalities. You'll want to feel  confidence in her. I completely understand x

  • joyfulone3
    joyfulone3 mary_58782

    Posted

    Lichen Sclerosus is limited to the vulva and vault. Lichen Planus will affect other areas of the body: the mouth, ears, nose, scalp, and various areas of the extremities as well as the vulva, vault and vagina. Planus tends to be more painful than Scherlosus and causes destructive lesions. You can have both conditions at the same time. If you are seeing symptoms all over your body, you are likely to have Lichen Planus.Getting the proper diagnosis is difficult. Do a web search for Lichen Planus to find out more about this condition. I have Planus and I might also have Lichen Scherosus. With Planus there is more scarring  so you really have to watch it closely. Your vagina and anus can become obliterated. Your hearing can be affected and if in your scalp, you can lose hair. So I would be concerned that my doctor didn't consider Lichen Planus as the cause of the extra symptoms. This  is the reason some people will be treated by both a dermatologist and a gynecologist. My genecologist diagnosed me with Planus, but only prescribed meds from by V'sA. (Vulva, Vault, Vagina, and Anus). I went to a dermatologist who also prescribed a lotion I can use on my scalp and ears. 
    • mary_58782
      mary_58782 joyfulone3

      Posted

      If you go to the Mayo Clinic website, you will find that it too addresses lichen sclerosis on other sites on your body other that the vulva. It is UNCOMMON, though not unheard of to find it on other body area. It mainly is found on your chest and abdomen. I also have it on my backside. I believe the statistic is that lichen sclerosis on other areas of the body occurs 6-11% of the patients. As I said, I had a biopsy done on my stomach to confirm it. Thank you for your response! Good luck with both your lichen sclerosis and your lichen planus! 
    • Morrell1951
      Morrell1951 mary_58782

      Posted

      You're right, Mary. Just the fact that you have it on so much skin area tells me your dermatologist is more important to you than your gynae. All you need from her is help identifying exactly what parts of your vulva need application of the prescription cream.
    • Carley2ca
      Carley2ca joyfulone3

      Posted

      Interesting! I have oral Lichen Planus and LS. I have had the Lichen Planus in the finger nails as well but managed to clear it up. The oral Lichen Planus is well under control now and hasn't been an issue for a few years.

      I too have lesions on the underside of my breasts on on my wrists that I assumed were Lichen Schlerosis. My dermatologist said it was, but there was no biopsy involved. The description of white, silvery papery lesions seemed to fit the LS. 

      By the way, what do you mean by Vault? Would that be your groin area?

      Thanks for the info!

    • kathryn07219
      kathryn07219 joyfulone3

      Posted

      Wrong!  LS can be anywhere on the body - I have LS of the vulva, anus and some patches on my back and a large patch on one breast which appears as a red/purple area and all confirmed as LS.  LS other than the vulva affects 1 - 2% of LS sufferers.  I also have a cross-over to LP of the nails.  LS and LP are treated with different steroids so it is important to know which areas are which.
    • karen41728
      karen41728 joyfulone3

      Posted

      Hi joyfulone

      How long have you had planus.... I am 57 and was diagnosed with this after an abnormal smear have you ever had an abnormal smear test

  • Carley2ca
    Carley2ca mary_58782

    Posted

    I will be seeing a new Gynecologist on Thursday. I have seen a dermatologist in the past as well. The trouble I find, is that their fields overlap. The dermatologist told me he could go to the door so to speak, but couldn't go in! LOL! The gynecologist is not going to deal with lesions on other areas of your body. So, after reading this I am going to also request a referal to a dermatologist as I too have several issues going on! 

    Oh, and then of course you need the dentist for the oral Lichen Planus! Just build me a team!

     

    • mary_58782
      mary_58782 Carley2ca

      Posted

      My dermatologist is happy to follow my lichen sclerosis in the vulva area, but that is as far as it goes! 
  • Carley2ca
    Carley2ca mary_58782

    Posted

    I was asked how I successfully treated the Lichen Planus on my fingernails. My dermatologist prescribed Clobetasol LOTION, not the ointment and it worked! I rubbed it on my nails and underthem the best I could and it totally cleared it up.

    Also, someone said the LP and LS are treated with different steroids but I was treated with Clobetasol ointment for both the Oral Lichen Planus and the LS. My dentist tried many things when I had a huge flare up of LP but it was the Clob ointment that did the trick. 

     

    • kathryn07219
      kathryn07219 Carley2ca

      Posted

      Wow!  I'm off to the docs to ask for a prescription - will let you know how I come on.
  • karen41728
    karen41728 mary_58782

    Posted

    Hi Mary

    Hi have LP and oral LP what an absolute nightmare, I'm 57 and started with lichens when I went for a cervical smear and it was abnormal and had to have treatment, just wondered if you ever had any abnormal smear test in the past Xx

    • mary_58782
      mary_58782 karen41728

      Posted

      I had a complete hysterectomy when I was 42. I continued to have paps for many years because " the neck" of the cervix was still there. They have always been ok...
    • mary_58782
      mary_58782 karen41728

      Posted

      I am now 58. I had a huge ovarian cyst on one ovary and a smaller one, but still very large on the other. These days it might be treated differently. I have two children by adoption. I was never able to get pregnant  even with fertility treatments... though these days I probably could with all of the new advances. Since I already had my children, deciding to have the hysterectomy was no traumatic decision for me...plus did away with chances of ovarian cancer.
    • karen41728
      karen41728 mary_58782

      Posted

      That's lovely that you adopted Mary I'm sure you've had so much pleasure with your children...... Are your smears painful ? my last one made me bleed it wasn't comfortable at all did you start within lichens after your hysterectomy
    • mary_58782
      mary_58782 karen41728

      Posted

      Putting in a speculum causes horrible pain. It does tear. Looking back on my " journey" I believe my LS started in my twenties. That is when I started having discolored skin. At that time it was diagnosed as morphea. I hadn't thought about it before, but the full scale horrible itching did not start until after my hysterectomy. 
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