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Not diagnosed but I have symptoms, dr says it's just dry skin?

Posted , 5 users are following.

patricia22367
patricia22367

I've been to the doctor twice and tested from herpes and hpv (negative) my doctor says to wait a month before sending me to a specialist, she wants to see if my symptoms go away with ointment.

I have white spots and my skin is turning white in patches in the shape of an oval. I have cuts and fissures, no itching but it burns and feels generally uncomfortable.

I looked at some pictures of LS and the white patches with cuts on them look like what I have.

I guess it's okay because I can get a referral in a month but is it okay to wait a month or should I try to find another doctor sooner on my own?

Thanks!

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • SnappyCat
    SnappyCat patricia22367

    Posted

    That sounds pretty standard. The problem is that if you treat with steroids, then go to the doc a) it could/would interfere with biopsy and b) the doc might not see the symptoms that would persuade a biopsy and proper treatment. You might take a few pics, and then, in the meantime, treat with otc hydrocortisone cream. It should help, albeit not as much as a stronger steroid. In fact, I'd be tempted to mix it with an antifungal because the steroid can make an environment for yeast. If you do this, I'd take weekly pics...then take them to the doc. Keep a log of what you're doing date, how many times you apply which cream.

    • patricia22367
      patricia22367 SnappyCat

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply, I've been waiting for a diagnosis for over two months already. My doctor didn't give me steroids, just a zinc oxide moisturizer.

  • beverly52803
    beverly52803 patricia22367

    Posted

    If you can see with your own eyes that your symptoms match photos of the disease I think I'd want to see a specialist who knows about LS sooner rather than later. I wish I had seen one sooner, but did not have access to medical care out of state. But I didn't have a clue about LS so thought I could just wait 4 months to get what seemed like a fleeting infection dealt with.

    I never had a biopsy as the specialist knew by looking at it what it was.

    I've been using hormone cream and steroids for over a year now and though I've never had bad symptoms visually I can feel that the disease is slowly progressing.

    So I guess the decision is yours to make. Some women have flare ups then apparently go back to feeling normal. I don't feel normal and can't help but think if I didn't let it advance I would have been better off.

    Re doctors telling you you just have dry skin, do they actually see women who just have dry genital skin?

    Best of luck.

  • patricia22367
    patricia22367

    Posted

    Just updating this in case anyone reads it...

    I went ahead and saw a specialist without waiting for a referral (just a gynecologist who knew what LS was) and she did a biopsy right away at my first appointment and I do have it.

    I thought it was strange that I had a feeling of what it was just by looking at pictures but the first doctor that I saw said it was just dry skin - but she wasn't a gynecologist.

    And my symptoms were pretty mild and actually did improve with the ointment she gave me so if it weren't for all the information on the internet who knows how long it would have taken me to get a real diagnosis.

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