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Soreness/tenderness and thinning - overuse or atrophy?

Posted , 12 users are following.

Jess415
Jess415

What are the effects of overuse of Clobetasol? I haven't had much/any itching since beginning treatment but in the past few weeks have been a bit more red than usually and also have pain/tenderness/soreness in a certain area where I apply Clob. I don't know if this a symptom of LS or steroid overuse. I was suppose to taper down to three times per week a few weeks ago but forgot and have continued using it every other day. I've been using Clob every other day for about 8 weeks. My only symptoms were itching and a tear, so it's hard for me to tell what is healthy versus non-healthy skin, so I do apply it everywhere.

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  • tuppermom2
    tuppermom2 Jess415

    Posted

     "What are the effects of overuse of Clobetasol?" According to my GYN the effects of overuse is a rebound effect. He says that it will actually cause more thickening and/or ichy-ness if we over use the Clob. I had been using it nightly for a couple months, because of itching. He claimed that I was just making it worse! He wants me to use it 2x a week, unless i have a real flareup.

     He also wants me to use premerin 2X weekly, and keep things moisturised.

     Please don't throw out Drs advise to use Clob because of some one persons advise. I don't want to appear mean or petty, but the use of Clob seems better than the alternative. I had a dr tell me that I was to young to have LS and to stop using Clob. I followed his advise, because I didn't know better. After seeing him for 1 1/2 yrs, he finally told me that he would have to send me to a different dr. His advise wasn't working! I lost much structure, and got much worse during that time! The next Dr said when he saw me that to him it looked obvious that it WAS LS. He did do a biopsy to double check though. It was LS.

     Sometimes you have to pick and sort through the advise that people give. 

     All the best to you! 

    • tuppermom2
      tuppermom2 jillery

      Posted

      I'm sorry! I am glad that you found something that works!
    • Jess415
      Jess415 jillery

      Posted

      Thanks Tuppermom2 and Jillery. I'm now thinking my soreness and redness is a result of Clob overuse and not atrophy (hoping at least). I see my doctor in 2 weeks, thankfully! 

      I've already taken a bath and put some coconut oil on the area to soothe the area. Hoping for the best. 

    • hanny32508
      hanny32508 tuppermom2

      Posted

      I have not yet been couragious enough to talk about overuse of Globetasol.  And now I read what your doctor told you about a so called rebound effect.  It makes total sense to me.  Therefore I use just the minimal amount each time.  Thanks for that disclosure. 
    • Guppy007
      Guppy007 tuppermom2

      Posted

      tuppermom2, Your advice is good, but I would just like to remind you of something if I may..

      Your first doctor clearly was clueless, and unfortunately, there are a lot like him, and your second doctor sounds like he is far more informed, but I think it is important to heed your own advice here concerning doctors..

      With regard to the statement..  

      "What are the effects of overuse of Clobetasol?" According to my GYN the effects of overuse is a rebound effect. He says that it will actually cause more thickening and/or ichy-ness if we overuse the Clob." 

      I agree with him regarding ichy-ness, but isn't that just common sense, that over applying such a cream over time is bound to cause that when you think of how potent the cream is!! But, the part about causing more thickening, I have trouble understanding how he came to that conclusion, has he done research on this? I doubt it, my point is that some doctors do have a good bedside manner and we want to believe them, but when it comes to LS I don't think you can, I don't believe everything the doctors say, why would I? I have lost count of the posts on this site from women with terrible stories, usually involving their physicians.  All I am saying is keep an open mind, do not believe everything your doctor tells you because they are often guessing in most cases.

    • tuppermom2
      tuppermom2 Guppy007

      Posted

      I had wondered about that! The ichyness isn't near so bad, since using the Clob only 2x a week, though! I have seen the good, bad, & terrible Drs, when it comes to LS. I have had this condition for 15 - 16 years. I am 36 now. .
    • lee12629
      lee12629 tuppermom2

      Posted

      I thought over use was supposed to caus thinning of the skin.
    • Guppy007
      Guppy007 tuppermom2

      Posted

      Glad to hear your ichyness is better.  I think I have had LS for quite a few years, I can remember having painful sex ten years ago and wondering why, but it has really been dormant for many years.  On the whole I don't stress with regard to LS, but that's because most of the time I behave myself and don't eat the wrong things that cause problems for me..cheesygrin
  • lorraine61491
    lorraine61491 Jess415

    Posted

    Hi, I can't use clob had a very bad skin infection which I'm still recovering from . very inflamed , blistered weeping skin. I hope there is an alternative.
  • lee12629
    lee12629 Jess415

    Posted

    As far as itching,i used benedril at times,took the itch right away,also moisturise. I am still not cofirmed to have ls,i do have vaginal atrophy. Course benedril could dry out tissues..what to do?
  • Guppy007
    Guppy007 Jess415

    Posted

    Jess, I am going to tell you what I personally would do in your shoes...I would stop the Clob immediately.  I would soak a couple of times a day in a cool salt water bath, and then carefully and thoroughly pat the whole area dry, making sure there is no moisture down that at all, that's really important, and then I would put nothing on it, nada!   If after a couple of days you still feel a bit sore maybe try a tiny tiny bit of vaseline.  I'm of the view that you need to leave your Vjay alone, no creams or oils, until you see your specialist in two weeks.  This of course is just my suggestion, and I hope that whatever you decide to do you start to feel better soon.
    • lynne1945
      lynne1945 Guppy007

      Posted

      Hi Guppy, just wanted you to know your advice to Jess re the overuse of steroid cream was a eureka moment for me. I stopped every night applying and use every third night now. It's much improved and I'm starting to recognise when I need to think about reapplying. 

      I have read this advice before I know, but sometimes you just need to be in the moment yourself to take it in!  

      Thanks! 😀

    • Guppy007
      Guppy007 lynne1945

      Posted

      Hi Lynne, glad to hear it.  We all offer suggestions based on our own experience, and often that does help, but It can take some time to figure out the best course of treatment for yourself, and I think that is probably the most stressful time of all with LS, because you are never quite sure you are going to be able to get on top of it.

       

  • lynne1945
    lynne1945 Jess415

    Posted

    Oh my gosh! I was just going to start a post on this very concern this morning (it's NZ here) and have been mulling over what to do about my Vulval LP, it's been at a manageable state for a month, that is, no pain, little burning and that's with Mometosone nightly and prednisone. But lately I'm red and stinging, the lesion is more weepy and clitorus has little stingy cuts. It's very hot and humid here lately. Maybe it's that? I use mometasone no alcohol cream as Clobetasol is way too strong, also ointment based anything (blisters on top of lesions). I'm having a patch test done at the hospital in winter to find out why.

    Now I am taking Guppys advice, I have been worried about overusing for days, but after I use it it's fine overnight then red and stinging all day. I already wash and dry thoroughly all day, use emu oil (Silberhorn, NZs finest). Very discouraging setback! I will stop the steroid for a time. Don't see dermo for 4 weeks, will have to see how it goes.

    thanks ladies for your suggestions and advice as always X good luck Jess with yours! 

    • lee12629
      lee12629 lynne1945

      Posted

      Its been said over washing is not good. Can actually dry out the area.
    • lynne1945
      lynne1945 lee12629

      Posted

      I wash my urine off with spray bottle after I pee. Urine burns me when it stays on my skin and unfortunately I have to pee very often due to drinking loads of water for my IBS-C. I guess as has been said over and over, everyone is different and what's posted on here should be taken as suggestions and tips from personal experience as to what works. Not gospel.  I've taken loads of tips from here, some work, some don't. 
    • lee12629
      lee12629 lynne1945

      Posted

      I pat dry with a wet piece of toilet paper and use protectant ointment..and i still dont feel good..sigh
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