Newly diagnosed - help

Thank you so much for advice. I have been stressed for such a long time so that could well be a major factor. Used cream as soon as I got it and the soothing relief is unbelievable. A few weeks yet to break away so I will play it by ear. Fingers and toes crossed this all works if for no other reason than feeling comfortable again

Thank you again Petalangel - take care xx

Hi I was diagnosed April 2015 and my treatment worked really quick but I do get flare ups I've just read your reply thank you I'm gonna try and cut back on sugar to see if that's the reason I know it flares up when I'm due my period and during but I'm gonna give the sugar a try and cut back on it see if it helps Thank you xxo

Hi Guppy007. I couldn't have sex now even if my life depended on it. I am cut from nothing more simple than toilet tissue!!! Although had been sore there for quite a while. It just got beyond a joke really. Thanks for your advice. If not healed or a bit better by weekend break I will mention it to him when the time is right.

Thanks again for your wise words

Your right, I 'read' beginning of January instead of February.

Thanks Justine89448.

As I said in a previous reply all advice gladly accepted. I am going to relax and go with the flow. Oh the joys !!!!! Relieved I'm not out of service for the rest of my life..... Not ready to shuffle about in my slippers yet !!!

Thank you so much for replying and for advice. Much appreciated x

I agree with the lubricant but you need to wash it off after and use something calming my fav is hydromol xx

Hi there. Yes I have ruminate cream for twice daily application ; Aquasol cream for bathing; and Livial hormone tablets one a day ( that's to treat vaginal dryness. It's two days almost since diagnosis and so far cream has calmed the pain and itch. I have read that I have to try to find out what is triggering it so I have cut out coffee - I drank far too much of it anyway. We shall see. I've started using fragrance free baby wipes when I 'go' to stop area being touched by toilet tissue

I swear any other help or advice would be much appreciated.

Instant coffee is not great, real coffee is better, but even so it is a well-known allergen for some people.  Other issues for LS are Sugar, Gluten, and Dairy. Sugar is the main problem for LS in my opinion, and many women find cutting out sugar helps quickly, but for some women they need to stop eating Gluten, and for the unlucky few Dairy too.  I am Gluten, Dairy and Sulfite intolerant due to other health issues, but I do feel that is why my LS is manageable because I can't over indulge even if I wanted to.  If you plan on testing this theory, it is best to test one at a time, so that you will know what is causing you problems.  And so perhaps for a month you could start by cutting out any excess sugar in your diet and see what happens, you are looking for the "itch" to go away because  I believe that the "itch" occurs when there has been an excess of sugar in one's diet.  I also think there is a strong link between Candida and LS, brought on by an excess of sugar, and if you Google that you may find some interesting information. 

Did you have a biopsy to confirm diagnosis?

No I didn't. Doctor has referred me to Vulva Clinic but she said herself that could take weeks or months for the appointment to come through and that she had seen so many cases she was confident that it's LS. She had a good long poke around down there before telling me. Oh and that steroid cream was an auto correct mistake it should say Eumovate.

Positive note - I haven't itched there all day !!!

How long have you suffered from LS ?

I was diagnosed about a year ago. No biopsy, just a visual from doc.I have always been uncomfortable in jeans, and from age 45-50 started with dryness. I could have sex with lubrication, being told that I had vaginal atrophy and dryness from menopause. My significant other and I broke up about 6 years ago, and we're apart for 3 years. There was no sex for me, and that made the tightening start. We reunited 4 years ago, and have not been able to have sex. If you don't use it, it does make it tighter and years occurred. I am now 64 and have almost given up. I have not tried the clobetasol steroid, because thought it would cause more thinning. It gets tricky, at this age to know what to do.Is it post menopausal or LS. Maybe that Is the value of the biopsy. Not anxious for more trauma to that area. I spray with water after URINATION, and notice that sugar almost immediately causes some itching, for which I take an antihistamine. There is inflammation most of the time. I avoid coffee and acidic food. I never wear underwear or pants.I live in Florida where I can wear long skirts and dresses. I am very careful of how I sit and move around. It is a strange existence. This support group is full of great suggestions. I don't have the nerve to try most things, but would like to try coconut or emu oil. Lubrication is important. The hot humid weather here in the summer is the worst for itching. Not anxious for anymore poking around by doctors. Sorry this is so long. I am very interested in HRT therapy, but most docs say that it is better to use topical hormone cream, such as Estrace. It could burn, so would rather take a pull. If you take hormones with estrogen, you might bleed, so there is another problem. Would've to hear from ladies who may be in my age group, to see if they use HRT. THANKS FOR SHARING EVERYONE!!!! I am not giving up, just extremely cautious.

Hi thanks for getting back. I'm 59. I wonder if my mother suffered from this.... I have vague memories of her excusing herself fro dinner table etc and whispering to me 'women's trouble' when in her 70's I'll never know.

If I can get this under control soon I'll be content with that. Why do so few of us know about this ? It's debilitating x

Very debilitating physically and mentally. Some ladies have handicap stickers for car. It is so difficult to walk at times. Lower body exercise is not possible for me. I also have osteoporosis. I feel invisible to my boyfriend, and wonder when he will find someone else. On the outside I look normal, and not my age. Guys seem to notice me, but I know I have nothing to offer, so depressing.It really is very bad luck. I do not know why it is not well known, although I certainly never heard of it before. Maybe stem cell treatment is the only way to go. Very expensive, and needles in that area makes me cringe.