LS Symptoms Returning
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi Everyone,
I recently posted a discussion about my symptoms and in regard to having LS https://patient.info/forums/discuss/new-to-ls-and-need-some-help-734770?page=0#3701621.
I went and sought advice from a gynaecologist and I had then been on steroid treatment for a month she said I looked pretty much normal (expected after a month of steroid use) apart from some slight redness and that I probably have some form of dermatitis. I had a big reduction in the burning (still some irritation) from using the betamethasone dipropionate ointment 0.05% for a month daily. The gynaecologist told me to keep using it but to cut down to every second day for now and then go back to daily if it gets worse in a few weeks. I've noticed the burning sensation returning (It's been about a week since I've started applying every second day), especially in the afternoon and at night. She also told me to use a sorbolene no soap bodywash, which I have been doing.
I've also noticed I'm developing a rash/pimples (they look like little ingrown hairs/pimples) along the crease of my buttocks and I think it's from the steroid ointment as I have symptoms all around my anus area and I am applying ointment on that spot (the anus area, not my buttocks).
I have an appointment with my GP doctor for this week.
Has anyone had this issue before when they've reduced steroids? Also, has anyone gotten a rash or anything on their healthy skin from the ointment getting warm and ending up on healthy skin? Should I be using that body wash at all instead of just water in that area?
Thanks for your advice.
0 likes, 4 replies
Vita23 Sarah9048
Edited
Hi, LS is not so simple, where steroids can take care of it indefinitely. It is autoimmune, so it will be flaring up. I barely use steroids any more. Maybe once or twice a month. I use castor oil and sometimes an antifungal mixed in. Clotrimazole or any other. You may consider Tacrolimus treatment. It does help a lot, not completely. Maybe I had to use it beyond the 6 weeks, but I started antibiotics for Lyme and did not want to mix it all up. check yourself for Lyme. Intracellular bacteria loves the vaginal area. I also sometimes use a little bit of frankincense oil mixed with the castor oil. Hope that helps. Also, general things for inflammation, like quercetin or valerian root, any activity or tea to calm down your inflammation and improve gut function. Vaginal antibiotics may help, too. I did a few treatments, and one that really helped me was a tea tree natural treatment I bought at CVS, but it burned terribly at first, which told me my skin barrier was compromised and I need to use thick creams to protect. As the barrier improved, the burn was no more there. Your doctor may at least consider a vaginal antibiotic, but do not use Flagyl. Also, my gyno prescribed me once a combination cream of bethamethasone/clotrimazole, which took care of the white patches and inflammation when I had them. Hope that helps!
Sarah9048 Vita23
Posted
Dear Vita,
Thank you very much for that informative reply. I've gone out of my way for quite some time to eat a proper diet and include natural probiotics/prebiotics but this is all new to me with the skin care. I'll definitely look into these things as I think a lot of the burning is from just general irritation, along with the rash. I don't have a rash like lyme disease (the bullseye looking rash) but I'll mention it to my GP as who knows.
It's so hard to tell when you have thrush with this condition too, so the tea tree may come in handy for that.
These are very interesting options I'll look into to wean off the constant steroid treatment and make it more bearable (and hopefully get less rashes).
Thanks for your help.
Guest Sarah9048
Edited
Hi Sarah,
Some people can be infected with Lyme disease and not have the rash. You won't know until you get tested. And, the other 2 ladies on here are right, you have to experiment with what works best for you. Teat Tree oil can be too strong, it is a "hot" oil. When in doubt, mix the hot oil with coconut, olive, or may be the castor oil as she says. I wouldn't use body wash at all on that skin as it's full of preservatives that can trigger all sorts of bad stuff. If you're already eating well and caring for yourself, are there unsettled emotional issues? Some of us have found that solving these problems helps quite a bit. A dermatologist will likely be necessary as most GPs barely can pronounce LS. Best of luck.
Sarah9048 Guest
Posted
Hello,
I didn't realise that, I'll be sure to ask. I'm looking to book an appointment with a vulvar disease specialist in the city near me that do specifically these sorts of issues. I was not happy with the gynaecologist I saw. I agree with you about the wash, I think I will stop using that. I've bought some virgin coconut oil and I am applying that every now and then. I believe my symptoms also get worse due to a haemorroid I have in that area too and the steroid cream is probably exasperating that as I never had problems with the haemorroid once my diet was sorted out.
The first time I had this was before important exams and this time I've gotten it in a time where I was not sleeping/very stressed. Although, I also have important exams soon too. I think it's a combination of those things but I'm aware of them.
Thank you so much for your response and best of luck to you too.