I am 40yrs old and had the symptoms for around 3months. I was using Caneston cream thinking I had thrush. After plucking up the courage I went to my GP and they have diagnosed me with LS. I have been prescribed Dermovate cream which has appeared to help with the symptoms that I was experiencing, but the spots seem to have spread and gotten bigger, Im really scared and so have booked in at the GUM Clinic near where I live without being referred by my GP. Does LS normally spread so fast? Hope to hear from someone soon.
Gayle
Hi Gayle, Sorry your having such a rough time. I went to my doctor for years and was never diagnosed. I had to go to a special vulva clinic where they took a biopsy and got a definate result. It takes time to get your medication just right and a good daily routine. It seems we all have slightly different symptoms, rashes, patches of white skin, bright red skin,swollen,burning or just sore. Hense a lot of us ladies did hit the caneston cream mistakenly. I would suggest you go back to your GP, Your cream may not be right for you. If you are unhappy ask to be refered don't be fobbed off. Good luck your not on your own.X Lisette
Hiya Gayle, I did exactly what you are doing and went to the GUM clinic and i also was being treated for thrush. My GP was usually writing the prescription for thrush as i was walking through the door. To cut a long story short the doctor at the GUM clinic suspected LS but i didn't have any white patches at that time, but paper cuts , extreme itching and splits down both sides of the labia. When i got to see the dermatologist she visually confirmed LS as i had developed the tell tale white patches right down the perenium and that was in between the GUM appointment and the dermy appointment , so for me , 'yes' , the patches came quickly.
I would go along to the clinic as you planned and see what they say. As you read through all the old posts you will see that different steroid creams,washes etc are used by different sufferers and it's prettty much trial and error as to what works for you as an individual. It would be so easy if one size fitted all (as it were) . It is a huge shock to discover you have LS , but read plenty and keep asking questions. You're not alone as you have friends out here in cyberspace. Take care
I was diagnosed at our GUM clinic about 4 yrs ago - like a lot of others I kept using canestan until it became unbearable & was shocked to realise I had so many skin changes. It took several months to get everything looking normal & get the itch & soreness under control. Since then I've been largely symptom free but over the last 5 months or so the itch & soreness has returned, with a bit of skin splitting. No white patches though, so my GP's not really convinced it's the LS & she's not very willing to send me to the vulval clinic. She is giving me steroid cream though & will refer me if I insist. I'll see how things go over the next month or so & if it's not under control I'll ask for a referral.
Good luck with your treatment