Lychen Planus versus Lychen Sclerosus

Hi Sue

This is how she said to tell the difference between LS and LP.  If the white patches, are the same all the time, and do not change, it is most likely LS.  If they change and sometimes are in one place, and then another, it is most likely LP.  Also you can get a rash with LP.  LP is more difficult to manage she said.  Which do you have. Regards. Jan x

Sue

Where do you live that there are no dermotolagists?

Everywhere has these specialists???

You must get one if you have the problem?

Do not delay.  This can be a serious illness.

Hi Powerwoman

I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

We do have dermotolagists but they don't like to deal in anything with the genitals. At least none in my area do.  Seems like a catch 22 as we get referred to Gyno's who somewhat now about LS/LP but say it is a skin disease.  We cannot also not just go to a specialist we have to be referred.  I was sent for a referral to a Gyno last Oct/15 and just got the appointment set for April 11th.  I am currently in Phoenix and was having a flare-up (more bum area) so was able to get into a GYNO right away.  She immediately prescribed CLOB without looking at me.  She did then examine me but only said it looked like I had Yeast and she did not see any white patches.  She also asked if I always 'looked like that' down there?  I was never in a habit of looking down there so I guess I am a little ignorant in how I should really look.  Now I do look and can see that my labia minora seems smaller and little white spots are appearing on the edge and down fold of the labia majora. This whole thing just confuses me and I feel quite stupid

 

Hi Sue

Is the  clob working for you?

If it isn't, when I get my medicine tomorrow I could let you know what it is.

You aren't stupid.  Do the spots change location or stay in the same place?  That is the quesiton to determine whether it is is LP or LS

It's not that easy power woman, actually to determine the difference. Three doctors, a gynaecologist and two biopsies gave me a diagnosis of LS. Many people have different symptoms, in fact, as many women as there are who have it, every one will have different symptoms.

if a doctor told you that information about the spots then he she is Ignorant of these conditions as you will find as you progress along your journey. They know nothing really and are spouting stuff they themselves have googled. At least dermatologists in vulval health are more clued up.

I live in a city of 137,000 but must travel to another city to my specialist, an hour away. It's not unusual. Not many specialist about who specialise in such a tiny area of medicine only! We only have half a dozen in the country here I would say.

theres a site called caredownthere you can access on this website that has a section on the differences ... And they  are many and varied.

I hope you are more comfortable today and used the many tips and advices people have offered you for soothing relief until you get proper medical help.

oh, the point of my post was.     I don't have LS. Even after all the biopsies and doctors.   I have LP ...... So it's not easy to tell the difference at first. Perhaps I didn't make that clear ☺️

How did you get the LP diagnosis in the end? Biopsy?

I think the stupid one is the dr who prescribes clob but then says you dont have LS.  I with you on not knowing what normal really looks like ,by the time we do look is it still normal??

 

Specialist vulval dermatologist is where I got my diagnosis.

She told me that biopsies only show that "a" Lichen is present and then the diagnosis is made by the look of the area.

Well my doctors and gynae didn't know by looking and assumed.

Vulval LP is very rare she said, she hardly ever sees it in the flesh.

Oh I always wanted to be a rarity. Not. 

But some people get it vaginally too, I am lucky as I haven't so far. Small mercies. 

Thanks for the explanation. I didn't know that biopsies don't distinguish between the two!

Lynne, I thought you had vaginal LP, I'm confused, can you remind me again of what you have, as I have totally misunderstood.

Hi Guppy

i have eroding vulval LP and have known since September. Before that it was thought I had vulval LS like you ladies. 

Yes, there can be vaginal LP as well and I have met a woman elsewhere on another site who has both vulval and vaginal. The vaginal type doesn't sound great, sores and boils right up inside and they have various medicines they must insert. Sex is difficult, if not totally off the menu I believe. 

 

No thank God haven't got that yet! My LP stops at  ....is it called introitus? entrance  to vagina and rash including clitorus and INNER vulval lips which have disappeared along with clitoral hood. And a large eroding lesion which grows slowly but never quite heals at the 7 to 9 o'clock position. It burns but never itches and I have red rash like patches and the lesions are shiny and slightly moist. 

I did did notice you mention I has LS above and thought you have made a mistake because I knew you knew I have LP lol .. even confusing  myself here. Well, not really.

But I am confused about power woman's diagnosis ... She says vagina sometimes and I have asked her is it REALLY vagina, as I know some people just call the whole area down there 'my vagina'. Once you have a condition like this you soon learn the whole area is quite complex and has many parts

Thank you Guppy for your suggestion a few weeks ago where you advised to stop all lubricants and emollients etc. I did and it's a HUGE improvement right now. I just use the steroid twice a week. 

Lynne 

Thanks for clearing that up! It is complicated no doubt, and as you say there are so many different areas within the vaginal area that can cause problems.  

Some women have had success using Manuka honey on lesions, that might be worth trying if you haven't already done so.

Glad to hear stopping the lubricants helped!

Hello

I am 60 and was on HRT for many years since I was 40, as I had to have a total hysterectomy due to peritonitis.  This was due to a failed IVF treatment that went terribly wrong.  I nearly died in fact.  Apart from that, I have had breast cancer, which I am clear of now.  So all in all, I know about illness, and pain.  This problem seems worse in some ways, as my immune system is fighting itself!  I do feel that it was good to see the specialist and will feel better when I get the new cream tomorrow.

I think that psychologically if you douch with water and bi carab every time, it is damaging to your mental health, as you can't get away from the illness.  In any case, it didn't work for me.  I accept it does for some.

I don't have oral lichen planus, but I have oral thrush presently she said!

Karen, how old are you? x BTW my name is Jan. x

Hi jan

I'm 58 this year and started the change in my early fortys, I had abnormal cells after a smear test and had colposcopy.... But they didn't recommend hrt don't think after having abnormal cells hrt goes well. Shortly after was diagnosed with LP.