Best Questions to Ask Specialist - TODAY IS THE BIG DAY (Biopsy?)

Women's health
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Hi Everyone -

I have spoken to a handful of you regularly and am so thankful for all of the advice and support I’ve gotten here.

I’m going back for my second appointment with the “best” specialist in Los Angeles today and will possibly be having a biopsy (I say possibly bc I have NO white patching and two secondary gynos I went to say they wouldn’t even know what area to biopsy/would be a shot in the dark). So I’ll see what happens today and keep you updated, IDK if she’s going to want to wait or if she will have a different opinion and think there is a good spot to biopsy.

I’m 32 - I’ve had no “official” diagnosis of LS - she had mentioned to me in my first appointment that it just must be LS because even though I have no visible signs of LS, we’ve ruled almost everything else out. What I’m hoping to get help on is a list of smart questions to ask to better understand this. This is what I have down so far:

  • What is a LS flare up ? Does that refer to the itching, white patching/fusing, or both?
  • My itching moves around my vulva within minutes, does this sound more like a nerve-ending issue?
  • Another way to describe my symptoms is it feels like there are worms under my skin/skin crawling. What about the secretions from my vulva?
  • Is it still possible its a form of candida at all?
  • How do I properly apply Clob/exactly where and how much? How frequently for my case?
  • What can I use for the itching if I don’t have white patching/fusing?
  • I hear some women don’t feel symptoms for years and then they come back, why is that?
  • If I have no visible signs, how do I keep it that way?
  • Sex is still pleasurable for me, how do I keep it from becoming painful? Is that related to outside fusing?

Any other questions or topics I should discuss with her? I always leave so overwhelmed and confused, I’m hoping these help me understand what to do.

THANK YOU ALL FOREVER AND ALWAYS!

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Hi hannah,
What ever happened re the allergist? Have you tried changing any products you might use? Or type of underwear, tight pants, etc? Any changes in your diet?
I just looked up unusual discharge in my V Book and came across cervical ectropion. I know you said the discharge was from your labia, but I’m not sure how you would determine that. Did the dr tell you it was? I can find nothing about discharge from labia as secretions come from inside typically.
Cervical ectopion is a condition that involves extra discharge because cells that line the cervical canal can grow out into the surface of the cervix creating ectropion. The cells are glandular so they make mucus leading to an increased amount. It’s common with women taking the pill, but also normal in women not taking it. It doesn’t require treatment.
So, could it be possible you have this and it is unrelated to the itch? I have no idea, but you might want to ask the doc.
There is a list of allergens re itch but these would be in medications or products: Benzocaine, Neomycin , Chlorehexidine (in K-Y jelly), Ethylene diamine, fragrances, Propylene glycol preservatives, Nickel and tea tree oil.
You can actually be allergic to semen. There’s too much info there for me to type, but ask.
You can also be allergic to yeast itself. Also latex.
Low estrogen is mentioned as a cause of itching, but you say your levels are fine, right?
And lastly there’s pinworms which I haven’t even heard of since a child. It’s mainly around the anus, but can also affect the vagina. I’m going to assume this would have been something that you would have already been tested for, but ask just in case.
Good luck tomorrow and let us know how you make out.
B.

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Good luck today hannah! Anxious to hear if you got your questions answered. Hugs to you.