Open sores,help, can hardly walk.

Posted , 6 users are following.

Inwas diagnosed with VA around four years ago,I had blood in urine and went for a cystoscopy.

My GP put me on oestrogel and I was fine with it then.

A couple of years ago I had a rectocele repair, and the burning after that was horrendous, all of perineum, rectal area right to front of urethra, I was told I had pudendal neuralgia caused by prolapse repair So have been treated for that in pain clinic. In the meantime, my vulval area has become very sore and swollen, seems worse when I use oesrogel. Wasn’t sure where the pain actually was coming from, so severe, so came off Nortriptyline, to see what happened. Pain at the moment is inside labia, tried to have a look with specs on and magnifying mirror. Inside labia is very red and swollen, and there are open sores, looks like the skin is breaking down, and is so painful. Sitting has been a problem for years, and now I am struggling. On top of this, the last two nights I have woken up scratching like mad, which hasn’t helped.

My gynae said I have fair fragile skin, but that was about a year ago, and he wants me to see a vulval dermatologist. I have an appointment in a couple of weeks. I have tried every cream I can think of to soothe it until then. Any suggestions?

I have a couple of appointments with my daughter, I have to drive to take her and will have to sit for a while, don’t know how!

I am 72, so menopause well behind me.

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • Posted

    Hello Laura

    I'm so sorry about your troubles, sounds really awful. I have lichen sclerosis which was diagnosed about 12 yrs ago. It's an auto immune disease usually with older ladies, but I got it at 30. It causes inflammation around the labia, vuvla and rectum, it's itchy, can present with white patches but it makes the skin incredibly fragile. So much so that I can easily cut myself with toilet paper. Now I'm not sure if this is similar, but certainly a dermatologist will work it out. I was advised not to use any cream other than a steroid one prescribed. To wash I use only perfume free and it helps if you use a pH emoliant in the bath to keep the area hydrated. I wouldn't use anything else while you're waiting. I hope that helps but wish you a speedy recovery xx

    • Posted

      Hi Sassy, thanks for answering. I tried some steroid cream I have in for excema on my legs, but really stung and rinsed it off, tbh I don’t know if it’s the touch or the cream that feels so bad.. I wondered about LS, don’t have any white patches. 

      I bought some baby flannels, and don’t use toilet paper, just dab with a damp one when I wee,as if any runs over the raw bits it’s like acid! I think the oestrogel has def made it worse,and triple the size. 

      Hope the dermatologist does have an answer.

       

    • Posted

      Hi Laura

      The cream I've had for excema and psoriasis is different to the one for LC, but who knows. Sounds like you're doing all you can for now, but maybe try antihistamine as well? May take the reaction back a notch, also keep the area cool if you can and wear only cotton drawers. I know it can be incredibly painful, I feel sorry for you. Any idea how long it will take to see the dermatologist? Xx

    • Posted

      Hi Sassy, Taking fexfenadine anti histamine, and long skirts and no knickers all summer. Don’t use soap or anything but showers and water down there. Yes, week after next, can’t come soon enough!
    • Posted

      Have been to dermatologist, have to go back in three weeks, he gave me a combined steroid cream and said I was too inflamed for him to do anything, but he has thoughts it might be lichen planus.
  • Posted

    Hi Laura,

    Have you thought about a compounded estriol cream? Estriol is the safest of the estrogens and seems to be very mild. You can get two different creams, one for the inside which you insert with a applicator at bedtime and another for all around the outside parts. Might be worth a shot. Maybe the estrogen cream you have been using is too strong and causing more irritation. If you do find something like this that gets things feeling better you should continue using it or your problems will come back. Our bodies just don't produce enough of these good estrogen to keep us healthy in these parts after menopause. Sounds like you've really been suffering. Coconut oil might add some relief of the pain in between but I would try the compounded estriol creams. Good Luck.

    • Posted

      Hi Jude, yes you could be right, I do need oestrogen in some form,but have never been rescribed oestriol cream,not that I could get an applicator near there at the moment,I need to see my Dr, but am trying to hang on to see the dermatologist. I went into quite an early menopause and took strong hrt for around ten years,and was ok with it, but oestrogel just doesn’t seem to agree with me.

      I have some coconut oil but was worried I might introduce infection where it’s very raw.  Thanks for your help.

  • Posted

    Hi laura , you need to see a vulva dermatologist. I am part of a group Vaginal atrophy on FB a lovely lady called Jane  has excellent advice. x
    • Posted

      Hi Amanda, yes, that’s who I am seeing. I am also a member of Janes group.
  • Posted

    I have nothing helpful to add, only wanted to say I am sorry you are going through this.
    • Posted

      Thankyou, I have seen dermatologist and have to use a very strong steroid cream for three weeks and go back, I have also been referred to a vulval pain clinic.
    • Posted

      Hi Laura

      I'm glad they have a plan and I'll keep my fingers crossed that you start to get some relief soon. Keep us posted xx

    • Posted

      Thankyou, at the moment the steroid is asking the burning worse, but have to use forthe whole three weeks.
    • Posted

      Oh Laura, I bet that's dragging you down. Hope it feels better xx

    • Posted

      Hi laura do not put steroid cream down there it made my burning worse, amitriptyline was the only thing that helped me xx
    • Posted

      Hi Amanda, it was a vulval dermatologist I saw, and yes it is making me burn more, but he said I needed a strong steroid to make the inflammation go down,the one I am taking is 

      CLOBETASOL PROPIONATE WITH NEOMYCIN SULFATE AND NYSTATIN

      It is very strong. 0.3 %. Compared to a normal steroid cream of 0.01%

      He also assured me it would not cause thinning in inflamed areas, so I need to stick with it, he also said the skin was breaking down and weeping, so of course it is going to hurt like hell.

      I have been using it for almost a week, and don’t look as swollen, so fingers crossed it will work..

    • Posted

      Hi Laura i hope it continues to work and ease your pain. its hard to concentrate on anything when your in so much pain. xx

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