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[Pa2ita]

Hello all, I'm hoping someone with a similar experience can help me. Forgive the long story, but I think it's probably good to have a chronology!

I started with what i thought was a UTI 2 months ago: urgency to pee, feeling itchy around the vagina, burning sensation after peeing. I was given ABs (nitrofurantoin) for 3 days which GP prescribed without taking a look or a sample, over the phone.

After this 1st course, symptoms did not go away so I returned to GP who this time took a sample and gave me a second course of antibiotics. I had no fever or chills, just feeling out of sorts, very itchy, urgency to urinate, and a constant sensation of feeling my urethra - I hope this makes sense!
The urine sample came negative for infection from lab

I continued to feel increasingly itchy and was told it was probably thrush (yeast infection) due to two courses of ABs. Took Canesten but itch remained. This has been going on for 2 months now

I have reddish, raised patches of rough skin and what looks like little tiny bumps in my inner labia, and the itch is un-bear-able.

The GP gave me oestrogen cream as she thought this might be vaginal atrophy due to perimenopause. This seems to have made things MUCH WORSE after a few days.

Some googling is throwing out lovely stuff such as Lichen Sclerosus and Lichen Planus. Has anyone had similar symptoms and could you let me know how you've coped with it? I'd be really grateful, as it's driving me nuts and I don't have another appointment with the GP for a week. And then I'll probably need to be referred to a dermatologist, so another wait!

Thank you!

[AngCho]

Hi Pa2ita. You describe my symptoms exactly, including all the negative tests, and the Estriol reaction.

I saw a private gynaecologist in desperation and she is treating me for lichen sclerosus even though my vulva does not the classic symptoms. I have a few very red patches of skin.

 I am two weeks into the three month steroid cream treatment and am feeling much better. I am a bit worried about using potent steroids but my Googling suggests that it is not harmful. I have vaginal atrophy as well, and will continue with Vagirux, Hydromol ointment and coconut oil.

You do need someone to have a look though. I have joined the Lichen Sclerosus Facebook page. A few ladies have mentioned that they went to a walk in sexual health clinic and received a diagnosis that way. I hope you manage to get some help and feel better soon.

[Suziemc]

Hi

I have LS and VA. I was fortunate that my GP recognised LS when I went in complaining of severe itching and burning a few years ago. I didn't have white patches (that you often read about as LS symptoms) but red raised 'tramlines' down  between my labia minora and majora.

If your GP hasn't already considered it might be LS then it may be that they don't know much about it, which sounds as if is often the case. As AngCho suggests, it might be worth a visit to a sexual health clinic if you have one near by. The FB group that she mentions is fabulous, lots of info in there - Lichen Sclerosus UK Support Group for Women

If it is LS you'll need steroid ointment to treat, a loading dose is usually prescribed daily for a few weeks then tapering down to once a week for 'maintenance'. Steroid cream is safe to use regularly on vulval skin that is affected by LS.

Some members of the LS group use antihistamines to help with the itching, I've never needed to try them myself but it would be a safe thing to try whilst waiting on your GP appt.

If you currently use perfumed bath/shower gel try changing to something unperfumed and non bubbly, LS is often aggravated by 'smellies' Lots of hints and tips on washing and barrier creams in the FB group.

Fingers crossed you get the support you need from your GP,  even if they rule out LS!

Suzie

[SGNW]

I have had these symptoms before (and still do) and it was a severe yeast infection.
Did they swab for this to check that's not what it is? Sometimes you need a much longer course of antifungal so just seeing they did test for you!

[CLKD]

I would rule out LS then get a lot of VA treatment up there. 

There is a thread about a yeast which didn't clear as it was an unusual strain, sorry can't remember the name of the thread.

Pa2ita: how are the symptoms this morning?  Do read the bladder issues and vaginal atrophy threads on the Forum.  Make notes ;-)