Scared
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi everyone,
I was diagnosed with lichen sclerosus a few years ago butt after I was diagnosed I really had no symptoms for the last two to three years. Beginning about 6 weeks ago I started getting terrible flare ups with no letting up. Many of the stories I'm reading on the internet are so scary, I don't know if I should be reading them. My sister has been very ill and in and out of the hospital and my dad passed away a little over a month ago, is this it all stress related? I have had a steroid cream for when I do need it and now I've been using it every day. Do I use the steroid cream like it says daily or do I hold back because of the possible side effects from it. I can't get back into my Dr for a couple of months. I am really glad I found this forum and I'm hoping to learn more. Thank you
0 likes, 34 replies
Bchatham Lil09
Posted
Look into the threads about Borax. I've been using it for a couple of months and now swear by it. Stress definitely causes flair ups. The Borax I've been using has been way more effective than any of the creams I've used in the past. Good luck!
hanny32508 Lil09
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Don't know what happened to my initial replay. It simply disappeared, so I'll try again.
?Stress is definately a contributing factor for a flair up. Also the intake of sugar will do 'the trick'. Best result I have had using baking soda baths and rinses. That plus diet of no sugar, no alcohol, no gluten, limited diary. And I take hormone replacement.
?I use the smallest amount of steriod ointment, at present not even once a week. When the temperatures rise above 40 degrees Celsius the LS seems to want to get active. But a very small amount will already calm it down. Just be careful not to use too much of the steriod cream, More is not better.
Lil09 hanny32508
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Lil09 hanny32508
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Hello, this might be a dumb question, but if I'm not having any type of a flare-up am I better off not putting anything on at all, like any creams or anything? Thank you!
hanny32508 Lil09
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Not at all a dumb question. At first I was more regular with applying the steroid, but as LS started to become less active I started to use it less frequent.
?What I have learned that a person has to stick to a certain regularity, to be able to maintain the 'status quo' so to speak or LS will ever so gradually become more active again. (most recent experience while camping) All is well as long as I stick to my regular routine. (smallest amount of steroid once a week included)
Lil09 hanny32508
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Ok thank you. Do you use other things on other days, the days you're not using the steroid cream?
hanny32508 Lil09
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I also use hormone replacement.
mary09950 Lil09
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I would suggest you use the prescribed steroid meds as directed and see if it calms down. I was advised by my doctor to use more often at first then 2-3 times a week.
I don't think you should experiment with "borax" without discussing it with your doctor.
Call your doctor and speak to nurse if you need help asap.
Hope it gets better for you!
Bchatham mary09950
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I guess I should've mentioned I did discuss it with my doctor and she was so impressed by my results she's planning to share the info with a couple of her other patients who are also dealing with LS.
mary09950 Lil09
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FYI - Also- I tried the baking soda and immediately developed a yeast infection. I haven't had a yeast problem in years so I think the baking soda affects the ph balance.
hanny32508 mary09950
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Mary, we're all different. So can only speak from personal experience. It simply is not "one size fits all", What works for one, may not work for another.
?A few things are known though: LS likes an alkaline environment. The urethra prefers it more accidic for instance. Depending on what my body tells me, I rinse with baking soda and sometimes with apple cider vinegar. Both adjust the pH balance.
mary09950 hanny32508
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I hear you and I have heard others advise about baking soda and 'borax' . I know we are here to share info and experiences and knowledge. I think it is important to think critically especially when it comes to our health care and consult professionals. A physician should be advising on all methods of treatment, that is why I say to ask them before trying these home remedies, that is unless you distrust your physician more than you trust someone on this forum. It is very useful to discuss my problem with other women with this disease but I think we should be careful in giving and taking advise that may not be advised by the medical community or may interfere with the prescribed medical treatment. I know many may have good reason to be frustrated with their condition and the attention they get from their physician, but we must continue to do our research and look for what can treat our medical problem with the help of our medical professionals. I will discuss the baking soda at next appt, for now I am just washing with wet towel after urinating and applying Aquiphor oitment as a moisturizing barrier for the skin.
Lil09 mary09950
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I have aquaphor, I think I have the same stuff as yours, at least I hope it's the same stuff.. Do you use the steroid ointment? And I'm going to ask my doctor also about the baking soda. Have you ever heard of emu oil?
Lil09 mary09950
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Lil09 hanny32508
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hanny32508 mary09950
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My experience is that the medical world does not know all. Therefore I think that the patient has to stay alert and observant as well. Why do we all do breast examinations for instance. It should be the same for the vulva area. But at present this is not at all promoted by your doctor.
?What's more, I now know of some gynos who suggest the use of baking soda. Cause glob can not do it all either. There is simply not enough knowledge about our condition yet. And no research is done either.
hanny32508 Lil09
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hanny32508 Lil09
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Hard to say whether the steroid cream gives at times a negative result. Fusing is part of LS. Shrinking happens as well. That's why many of us try to de-fuse with for instance baking soda and apply coconut oil to prevent from fusing again. (doctor encouraged) I dilate to prevent from further shrinking. (doctor's advise) and take hormone replacement to keep all flexible.
Lil09 hanny32508
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hanny32508 Lil09
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Well, what happens is that the left and right side of the outer labia start to stick together. (my inner labia was already non exisitant) That's why for instance in my case the opening to the vagina and almost the urethra completely disappeared, hence the dilation procedure in the hospital and continued use of a dilator afterwards and still every other day.
?Would I have known all what I know now, perhaps I would have been able to prevent it from getting so bad. Thanks also to the accidental discovery of baking soda rinses, because I was afraid of infection after the procedure in the hospital, I'm now as good as fusion free and keep a regular maintenance of baking soda baths, baking soda rinsing after every bathroom visit and applying of coconut oil, and every other day dilation. All makes that it is very liveable. I can sit normal, ride my bicycle with a special saddle as not to irritate the sensitive area, and have intercourse with my husband. In other words, in spite of the heavy maintenance, I have my life back.
Lil09 hanny32508
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I am so sorry you have had to go through all of this. You have given me a lot of Hope and have helped me so much, and I thank you for that. I hope I can prevent this from happening. I'm learning so much from you!
Lil09 hanny32508
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hanny32508 Lil09
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When away from home I use my pouch, which I made especially for this purpose. It contains: a small container with coconut oil, a small container with baking soda, some small pads and a small towel. Plus a Perin bottle of course. The pouch goes in my sling bag. Easy to carry.
Glad to be of help.
Lil09 hanny32508
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mary09950 Lil09
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Yes I've heard of emu but not tried it.
After third visit with third physician, I have learned more as time goes. Surprising to me is that keeping the Aquiphor on my vulva and anus area I have only had one irritation that required using the Clobetasol in the last 10 days.
And I am on a hormone patch.
It is a day to day thing for me. I will keep all meds and creams available at hand I assume the rest of my life but that's okay.
At this point my biggest advise to share is the Aquiphor I purchased in a jar thru Amazon cheaper than what you can find st WalMart in the baby dept.
Resigned2B Lil09
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I'm REALLY new to this LS stuff. When I read about the fusing and shrinking I was terrified. I asked my Demetologist why this happens. There are microscopic cuts from the symptoms of LS that heal together and cause the fusing. Example: If you were to burn your fingers and then wrapped them together with gauze the skin would grow them together in the healing process. Something similar happens in the vaginal area. Often this is caused by the inflammation and cuts from itching the skin. The 'shrinking' appears to come from atrophy. Still working on figuring out the myriad things that can cause atrophy (or shrinking).
hanny32508 Resigned2B
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Thanks for that explanation regarding the fusing. I didn't know that. It explains a few other things to me as well - only use a very thin layer of the steroid for instance.