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[buffy26]

Hi Ladies,

I read through some previous posts on generic estrogen, there were just a few, so I am reaching out to ask again before I ask my GP to revert to Vagifem.

I did well on Vagifem, the gynae said you are well estronised now so you can cut back from 5 to 2 per week. Which didnt work for me, I went back to sore and red. Then, the GP changed the prescription to a generic brand, which I use 5 nights now but I am getting worse, the skin all around has turned very dark purple and everything is shrinking. I am using a steroid cream as I was recently diagnosed with LS. So I am not sure if this deterioration is down to the Vagifem change or not. I saw my GP and she said this isnt looking normal, and a swab was taken. I feel everything has gone downhill since switching to the generic. I know it is supposed to be the same, but I wonder if the balance of ingredients is off or the quality of them below par?

I am keen to know if anyone else has noticed a lack of efficacy. Thanks all

[CLKD]

It may be due to the LS -  . How often do you apply the steroid? 

Perhaps let us know, what is the name of the generic?  It may be the fillers that are different, also I would use every night as a reload.  Also Gynaecologists aren't always au fait with VA!

I had this problem recently with an anti-depressant - different manufacturer    .  Back to another company and all OK again. 

[buffy26]

It may be due to the LS -  . How often do you apply the steroid? 

Perhaps let us know, what is the name of the generic?  It may be the fillers that are different, also I would use every night as a reload.  Also Gynaecologists aren't always au fait with VA!

I had this problem recently with an anti-depressant - different manufacturer    .  Back to another company and all OK again.

Thank you CLKD, I was applying Clobaderm once a week as a prevention, commencing use the same time as changing to these new pessaries. The manufacture is Sun Pharmaceuticals and they are called simply Estradiol 10 micrograms. Ive asked for Ovestin from all the positive comments on here about it, the GP doesnt want to prescribe it yet until I have seen a dermatologist, but I am going to ask to try Vagifem again to see if it sorts things out.

[CLKD]

How long is the waiting list for a dermatologist these days?

[buffy26]

How long is the waiting list for a dermatologist these days?

I am not sure, I am already an outpatient for another on going skin concern with autoimmune issues so I brought up possible LS  and they offered to accept me if I had a letter, but the GP then decided to refer me to a Gynae for that and on the gynaes recommended protocol things started to go backwards. I have a routine follow up with the dermatologist in a fortnight so I am very grateful to able to be assessed by them too. I wanted to change to Vagifem again before that but maybe on reflection its best for them to see me at its worst to get a real perspective of it all.

[CLKD]

MayB give the Dept a ring for advice, I would hate to think that VA symptoms become worse for you 

[Wren]

Hi buffy26,
I posted last year I'd had a reaction - it was the brand you mention.  (I'd previously been using the generic, Vagirux, ok).  It took 3 days to react but 3 weeks for me to realise what the problem must be.  By then I didn't know where to put myself
I rang the GP surgery, told them, asked for Vagifem and got it.  But, the next time it was Sun Pharma again, so I told the chemist the problem I'd had and left it there. I used Ovestin for a few months instead.  I'm now 2 months in using another generic (MercuryPharma) and am ok - so far. 
Maybe some would be ok with that brand - we're all different.
Hope you get more comfortable soon.

[Jules]

I'm currently using estradiol.  I get vagirux too. They all work equally as well for me.

[Wren]

I've used 4 different manufacturers of estradiol pessaries.
The one I can't use is manufactured by Sun Pharmaceuticals.

Just have to remember to check at the Chemist what they're giving me before I walk away with it🫣

[buffy26]

Hi buffy26,
I posted last year I'd had a reaction - it was the brand you mention.  (I'd previously been using the generic, Vagirux, ok).  It took 3 days to react but 3 weeks for me to realise what the problem must be.  By then I didn't know where to put myself
I rang the GP surgery, told them, asked for Vagifem and got it.  But, the next time it was Sun Pharma again, so I told the chemist the problem I'd had and left it there. I used Ovestin for a few months instead.  I'm now 2 months in using another generic (MercuryPharma) and am ok - so far. 
Maybe some would be ok with that brand - we're all different.
Hope you get more comfortable soon.

. Thank you Wren good to know you are on the mend, this is so helpful and will be good to use as an example of it not being the same as Vagifem! The atrophy was all under control on Vagifem, so I was just handling the LS and now I have a double whammy. I hope they will believe me and let me have back the one thing that was effective in this ever harrowing situation of handling the assult on our womanhood

[Tinkerbell]

I was changed from Vagifem to the generic ones in September. The first box were applicator ones and I was fine on those but then I got the ones with the reusable applicator and had the worst flare up I have ever had since starting Vagifem a few years back. I am now back on Vagifem.

[buffy26]

Thank you everyone for your comments

[Dierdre]

A dermatologist or vulva specialist is better for Lichens sclerosus diagnosis, a biopsy will confirm for definate but these people can usually tell by looking at the vulva with a giant microscope. (that was a sight for sore eyes!) I had this diagnosis. Ovestin or estriol is usually prescibed with the Clobetasol, (Dermovate) as keeping the vulva area estrogenised is important. Vagifem is ok for internal (use most nights too) but doesn't reach the vulva very well. I use Ovestin every night and use Dermovate about an hour before applying Ovestin when I have a flare up, which is not too often, touch wood.

[buffy26]

A dermatologist or vulva specialist is better for Lichens sclerosus diagnosis, a biopsy will confirm for definate but these people can usually tell by looking at the vulva with a giant microscope. (that was a sight for sore eyes!) I had this diagnosis. Ovestin or estriol is usually prescibed with the Clobetasol, (Dermovate) as keeping the vulva area estrogenised is important. Vagifem is ok for internal (use most nights too) but doesn't reach the vulva very well. I use Ovestin every night and use Dermovate about an hour before applying Ovestin when I have a flare up, which is not too often, touch wood.

Thank you Dierdre, thats good to know. I am relieved to have that upcoming appointment after Easter. My symptoms were not apparent at the gynae clinic but had been historically as I had checked to see being that my mother has LS so I know what to look for. Also the fusing and loss of outer labia was very apparent. Everything looks so angry now compared to what was seen then on a huge tv screen! Ive just had a message to say the swab taken this week by the GP was for sexually transmitted disease! I was shocked as I am not in a relationship nor active, with all this to contend with I couldnt imagine being so either! I am keen to have ovestin and vagifem but I am not so hopeful as all the recommended creams the Gyne asked my GP to prescribe for me have been replaced with brands I have not heard of, apart from Clobaderm. I am concerned at what to do in the meantime, regarding applying the Clobaderm steriod when things appear in such a sorry state. I will try and reach the derm secretary to ask for a chance to speak to someone who can advise in the meantime before the appointment. I do have sensitive skin in general, so the array of different products I am using has caused things to flare up. I feel so sorry for young girls who get LS, what a distressing thing to navigate.

[MrsMitch]

Hello Buffy, I just wanted to add to what's already been said. I was diagnosed with LS by a GP quite early on in my long journey with horrendous VA.  But not by biopsy. Obviously I'm only going by my experience but because VA is often missed or diagnosed as something else,  it may be wise to be careful with the steroid creme until you know for sure you have it. My GP kept telly me to use more when it didn't work. So I did and because it will thin the tissue in an area that cannot afford to have it any thinner due to oestrogen loss, it can make things irreversibly worse. It did in my case. The fusing and loss of labia is also caused by lack of oestrogen. 
I'm not trying to confuse you with more info or say you don't have LS, particularly as you are familiar with it, but just wanted to share my experience in case it helps. Obviously I know we're all different.  I hope you get the right diagnosis and treatment.