Labial fusion

Hi Barking

I'm so sorry to hear how terrible you feel with these wretched auto-immune diseases. There are so many of them nowadays it's hard to keep up and no-one seems to know what's causing them.  Regarding Lichen S though, it seems that sufferers have to find what suits them best as everyone is different. What works for one may not work for another, but basically the most important and effective treatment is to use Dermovate or similar (steroid cream) for a few months, tapering off very slowly from twice a day to once or twice a week for maintenance. Use only a pea-sized amount - more is better.  It really is a miracle treatment so don't be afraid of it.  In between it is important to keep well moisturised and people use anything from Vaseline or emu oil, or coconut oil or even nappy cream! The aim is to keep urine from touching the sore areas, so it may be a good idea to use a squirt bottle of water straight after weeing to cleanse the are.  As to the loss of architecture, some doctors will give you oestrogen cream which can defuse the skin, but this depends on your doctor and your hormones.  There Is a very good LS self-help group at Yahoo Groups - Lichen Sclerosis, which has no end of very helpful tips and advice. It really was a life-saver for me.  I wish you all the luck in the world and please rest assured - LS is very manageable with patience.  My best wishes.

annie

Sorry Barking.

I meant "more is NOT better" when using steroid cream!

annie

Hi Barking

So sorry to hear of all your problems. Apart from making sure you get a prescription for a steroid cream (eumovate, betnovate or dermovate - various different strengths) it is worth checking if anything you are using has an ingredient to which you are allergic. I am allergic to lanolin, so check for that, and anything else that is in all the things you are using.

I had to try eumovate which didn't work, and then betnovate which did, and a variety of different moisturising creams, until I found cetra ben which works like magic for me. It's trial and error I'm afraid.

go to your doctores sounds like you have infection down there you will need  antibotics i had the same few weeks ago. And had to have treatment  it worked within 48 hours good luck barking

For immediate relief I would recommend using Lippu oil. (not cream) This will keep the labia from bonding to one another ad soothe and calm the inflammation and stop any itching and soreness. You need to do all you can to strengthen and balance the immune system. Fresh veg (particularly greens) salads, drink plenty of water. Wash with Charika soap, It has not animal components. Take swedish bitter, it helps to maintain the acid alkaline balance in the body, which in turn aids the immune system All disease needs an acid environment to flourish. Cut out all refined foods, especially highly sugared or salty foods. But, the oil should give you immediate relief. I am a professional therapist and teacher, and have been treating myself for Lichen Planus for the past few weeks. I have no more discomfort, although I am still continuing the work on strengthening my immune system. See a good hloistic therapist and get some treatment for stress and your IBS etc. These are all stress related and indications of a weak immune system. Hope this helps. Kind regards, Jane.

Hi Barking I have read the others comments and concur with them, however you may also  want to try an old fashion remedy for making your urine less acidic- try barley water- Drink A LOT of clear fluids this will help to dilute the urine too. The less you drink the more concentrated the urine . You may have some cystitis making you have a burning sensation- is the urine cloudy/ smelly? if so take a sample to the GP/nurse and ask them to test it- or send it away. And as important in my view is to try and reduce the stress in your life- or perhaps your attitude to bad things that make you feel stressed Because I am sure that the unwanted cortisol streaming around our bodies exaberbates the problems - pecker up - try pouring luke warm water over your self when on the loo- it may soothe you..Good luck and feel better soon

Sue

Hi Barking,

This sounds like me before my diagnosis last summer. Before that I would never have imagined I'd be singing the praises of a steroid medication, but you need a prescription for Derovate (Clobetasol in North America) as soon as possible. When I had my crisis, my labia had just finished fusing over my clitoris and there grew a great, painful boil right there. I went to emergency after it popped. He precribed antibiotics, noticed the 'atrophy' and referred me to the gynae who diagnosed LS on sight, no doubt, no biopsy. At the time I had painful rows of fine fissures along the creases around my labia. As soon as I got my presription it all started to calm down.

I'm 62 and have had LS (lumped in with psoriasis, never noticed by multiple gynaes). I do think it gets worse at our age. It can suddenly start moving fast, so there's no time to try alternatives to the steroid cream. It's for life.

Do use lots of oily creams and ointments as well.  No soap.

I believe all these auto-immune things are thanks to our poisoned world. We're the first generation to live our whole life in the soup. Let us know how it goes. I'm sure you'll get comfortable soon!