Dear God, the ITCHING

[TragicMuse]

It's driving me absolutely insane. All day, all night, all the time.

I have the estradiol pessaries but that's all.

It's not thrush, I had a swab.

I'm so sore and so damn itchy, I don't know what to do with myself...

I've tried:
Vagisil
Yes VM
Sudocrem
Eurax

The only slight relief is from a cold flannel, but that's not particularly long lasting. And makes the bed damp.

Help! Any suggestions will be so gratefully received.

I get this op, drives me demented. Meno doc told me to use Ovestin externally (already using it internally via prescription), and not to use anything else in case that makes things worse. You can take an antihistamine too and see if that calms things.

I also have Lichen Sclerosis- I had decided it was peri and I needed local oestrogen but my GP checked it out and it’s LS.
Steroid ointment helps a lot.

I am not very surprised to see so many posters who have LS. I am also not very surprised to see the number of different treatments. We are all different and we all have different trigger points. I was prescribed a high potency steroid ointment (Dermovate) which is the gold standard all over the world for this condition, but it burned like hell so I had to run to the bidet to wash it off. I then joined Stuff that Works online and learned about alternative treatments. The thing with LS is that what works now, may not work in a weeks' time, so you have to rotate suitable effective treatments. You will find that many doctors and other medical people know next to nothing about this so you have to advocate for yourself

Actually, @NeedCoffeeNowPlease it's probably wiser to use to when you aren't having a flare, as it's there to prevent issues not just treat them. It's not a quick fix of using as required, it's more about building up the healthy layer of skin , because the cells it replaces are thicker and healthier than the ones that are starved of estrogen.

Yes, that's what I mean. Sorry it wasn't clear. If I start using it daily two weeks before I anticipate the big flare and keep going, it will tell me for sure if it is effective against that. If it's that good I can discuss with my doctor using it each day all month round. I don't see that would be a problem given she told me every second day for a full dose, and I would just need a little externally on the other five days.

Great! You don't need to discuss with your dr. There have been many posts on here recently, on a long thread by @mutterphore (she has terrible VA issues ) and many of us have replied to say consultants are happy with use of Ovestin as often as necessary. Once it improves the skin, you may only need to use it now and then - like 1-2 a week.

I'll look up those threads. Thanks for your input. It's the first time I've ever really been able to discuss this this deeply with anyone. Hopefully it's helpful for other readers too. I've only had Ovestin for a few months but it's definitely helping.

Sorry for leaving you all - the thread slipped off the top my list and I am easily distracted...

Oooh, a squirrel!

Anyway, I shall read all your comments and recommendations, thank you.

I do have diabetes and hadn't made that connection, so I need to speak to my nurse about that.

It's particularly bad at the moment, I try not to scratch but they can be so hard, especially if I'm half asleep. I still get some limited relief from a cold flannel on my nether parts, but it's not foolproof. And is losing its effectiveness.

@TragicMuse try dissolving some baking soda in warm water then dunk your bits in that for a while, then use Germaloids or similar to deaden the itch

Thank you, everyone for all your help and suggestions.

Vagisil has really helped.

I also took a dose of Fluconazole - even though the swab said there was no thrush I had had antibiotics recently so I decided it was worth a try, and I think that has really helped.

The itching is way better and the soreness has pretty much gone.

The relief! I can't tell you how amazing it is!

Thank goodness I've found this thread. Ive had burning/itching that's driving me insane (perinium/anal mainly, vagina sometimes) for about 18 months. Have been to doctor who said I look extremely healthy both front and back and sent me on my way.
I've used all sorts - sudocrem, aloe and which hazel, a Tropic wonder cream that solves all other skin problems but this just won't go away.
I'm going to have to go back to the doctor aren't I?

Yes, sorry, back to the GP.
important not to self diagnose as thrush, vaginal atrophy (as I did), cos if it is lichen sclerosus or lichen planus it needs specific treatment and monitoring.

could you see a different GP?

Be aware that many GPs know next to nothing about LS and will diagnose other more treatable conditions. You may have to plough through many drugs. creams, pessaries before you get to the bottom (!!!) of it. Do try bicarb and warm water in the meantime though. What have you got to lose (except the itch)

Thanks for those replies - will see a different Gp and try the bicarb

If you’re menopausal how come you’ve got a lady garden?!

Mine disappeared apart from a small ring of hairs at the edge. No waxing needed!

Oh I finally got a reply from the swab. Candida. Last time no results. This time yes, Candida.

Fortunately I had already taken a fluconazole in a last ditch attempt. So it had gone. And the blessed relief is unreal.

But I also had a hysteroscopy last week and the gynae suggested I request some estradol cream to go with the pessaries as that might help with the recurrent UTIs. So I will be doing that too.

My doctor gave me a steroid cream for the horrific intense anal itching I’ve had for 18 months. Nothing has got rid of it. 2 days on steroid cream and itching has totally gone…..haven’t needed to use it for the last week. How on earth does it work???

I was prescribed dermol 500 to wash with no soaps at all

Steroid creme 'emuvate'

I have a bidet and I fill it with salt water. That really relieves

Try not to scratch also I take an anti histamine every night. Reduces the itch

I used to put Eurax on. Great for itching although not supposed to be used on genitals. Mine were fine though!

Also Lanacane.

500ml plastic bottle frozen and covered with a cloth wedged between the legs is wonderful relief.

Took an antihistamine for hay fever and found the damned fanny ceased itching too, not completely, but enough to make it bearable. Try it, nothing to lose.

Ooh I have several tubs of coconut oil and a constant case of the lichen rash, I'm gonna try it..

Pending your appt with your GP try dissolving some bicarb in hot water, as hot as you can stand, then sit in it covering your bits. Sit as long as possible. Then try applying a cream with lidocaine (Germaloids/ Vegasil). Be aware that most GPs know little about lichens- so you might have to ask for a Dermatologist referral to get a proper diagnosis