Hi! Is it possible to have an on-going yeast/candida issue for 2 years without the discharge or testing "Positive" for it? My doctor is now retracting her idea that it was LS because steroids don't help me and I also have no visible signs of LS, just the itching. Now she wants another yeast test (last few have been neg but i have itching). I can't seem to find clear info on the web about how you can completely rule out yeast/candida. Any help is much appreciated!!!
I have the same. Just itching, no visible signs, negative biopsy and steroids only somewhat help at times. My yeast test came back negative also, someone here mentioned about a yeast infection of the vulva skin so going to ask about that at my next appointment. Update me!
Hannah,
When I first was diagnosed, I had itching and a little bit of fusing on my labia. The steroid only worked the first month then it threw me into an endless yeast infection until I completely stopped it. I do not take the steroid anymore, I control my Ls by staying away from bread and sugar and do baking soda baths 1/2 cup to a tub 2X a week. Also start on a good probiotic. It will help take care of yeast and help build up your gut. You are most likely experiencing a flare up due to LS.
Also, work on keeping your stress levels down. If you do everything else and keep the stress, your body will not get better.
Good Luck!
How long did you have the itching for before you were diagnosed? Also how long after the itching did the fusing start? Do you have symptoms today or its completely managed?
I’m going tomorrow to my regular Gyno, and I’ll have him retest yeast and see if I am starting to have physical signs.
I then see my specialist Aug 8th and I’ve told her to be prepared to take a biopsy. My biggest concern is NOT using steroid cream bc it doesnt help and no clear diagnosis, then it progresses to when the fusion or white patching starts. The fact that a negative biopsy doesn’t really mean anything freaks me out too 
I’ll def keep you updated after tomorrow AND after Aug 8
Interesting - how do you know you 100% have LS? Do you have visible signs or just the symptoms. If you don’t use the steriod cream wouldn’t that progress the fusing/whitening?
Thank you all for helping educate me!!!
Sorry - I Just reread your post and see that you said you had some visible fusing.
Those are my fears also and I cant even get LS out of my mind despite the negative biopsy, because so many people have had false negatives. All very frustrating. My issues all started 4 months after my c section, so I dont know if this is all hormonal and hopefully runs its course because im only 28!
Also the fact that you had it for two years and dont see any skin changes could maybe indicate it isnt LS. Have you scratched? Maybe it could be Lichen Simplex Chronicus from scratching? I have managed not to scratch since it started 3 months ago, but its hard! I am also wondering if my itching and irritation is from shaving and hair regrowth rubbing on the skin, so I am trying to grow it out. I noticed I feel better once its shaved and there are no prickly hairs, thats why im giving it a try
Interesting! I saw another thread on here that had a few women talking about this popping up after birth - you can maybe find it if you search on here? If I come across it again I will pass it along!!
I totally understand. I’m only 32 and this started when i was 30. I haven’t dated and only had sex 2 times since it started - at first i thought it was an STD, then it was just super uncomfortable BV/yeast - then it never went away, so now they threw LS out and i’m just like WTF.
I feel like its almost a death sentence and I’ll never be able to date or find a man that wants to deal with this. I already have Herpes which has been difficult to discuss with partners or people I’m dating and has kept me from being super active in dating and now THIS! I was seriously thinking the other day if I need to maybe meet someone who also has some sort of sexual dysfunction/disorder/asexual for me to ever be in a relationship again - this is all coming from my extreme anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder - but its so confusing to deal with.
I haven’t had sex for 2 years because I feel uncomfortable and my sex drive has just gone down bc I feel like crap - not because sex is painful. the two times I have, it was incredible lol
I am just being grateful that I can still really enjoy it! Is your itch constant, even if you are sitting or laying down? Mine seems to be more with friction like when im walking, doesnt really bother me sitting down.
The steroid cream gives me yeast growth on my skin but it shows up when my doctor swabs my vulva. I have to use an antifungal cream in conjunction with the steroid to keep itching at bay.
I am in the exact same boat! 2 years ago i had my first ever “flareup”. Had constant itching for 4 months straight (all tests came back negative) before my doctor put me on clobetasol. Clobetasol stopped the itching within 6 weeks and i was in remission for 2 years! But all of sudden my itching came back 7 weeks ago and the clobetasol hasnt help. All test have came back negative again. i have no other symptoms of LS. I never had a biopsy so that may be my next step. i have a doctors appointment this coming tuesday with my doctor who is a specialist in LS. 2 years ago she swabbed by vuvla for yeast but she has not done it this time around so i am going to ask if she can do that. Also going to ask her about protopic as i have read people have had success with that!
although my test was neg
my GP says I do have LS but as id been using clob steroid cream it was being suppressed but I found i was still itching so I tried a combo of clob and 2% external thrush cream
i started daily but now about twice a week but if I stop using the combo the itch comes back. I also use YES virginal moisturiser at least once a week
so far so good hope this helps
I haven’t had a yeast infection in years, but from what I remember there was always a cottage- cheesy discharge and incredible itching. Did you hv a biopsy to diagnosis LS? If you did, that can’t be denied. I was biopsied in 6 different sections and all 6 came back positive. Sometimes the outward signs of LS, such as white patches, architectural changes, come later. My symptoms initially were a buzzing in my clit, extra sensitive there ( cushioned it with cotton makeup wipes in my panties), and a little itch that would come and go. Oral sex occassionally sent sharp- shooting pains into my clit, and I always felt like I needed to pee, but I still had no visual symptoms for MONTHS! Please keep an eye on it! The sooner you get a definite diagnosis the better!
Hi Sylvia -
I’m not allowed to use Steroids the next few weeks until I have the biopsy. I’ll ask about clob, they have only given me a lower grade steroid called Mometasone but it hasn’t seemed to help. I went to the gyno this AM and he found no white patches/fusing or indication of LS. I’m still just so confused. I have the biopsy/follow up with the specialist on Aug 8, hopefully more clarity then!
Hi Staci -
I’m curious, how old are you? I’m going to the specialist on Aug 8th and going to do a biopsy and ask for clob to try that - I’ve been using Mometasone and it doesnt help. They keep going back and forth on if they think this is LS - I have no visible signs. I saw my normal gyno today and he said everything looks normal. i asked about yeast on vulva and he said he would be able to see it and he didn’t see anything - I might ask the specialist to do that too. My normal gyno and I kinda fight back and forth on this bc he doesn’t seem to think I have an issue - he keeps alluding that this is all in my head… infuriating
Im only 27 randomly started when i was 25! I would definitely try clobetasol though! Worked for me the first time around and helps a ton of people!
Omg so frusterating for your doctor to think its all in your head!! i had a doctor tell me its just anxiety and wanted to put me on meds once! I was livid!
Hi Staci -
Ugh, I feel you girl, I was like I’m too young for this, but clearly not I’m gonna ask for it with the specialist this month - the gyno today swore he gave it to me before and I said it didn’t help, but i looked at my past prescriptions at Walgreens and that is NOT one I tried. LMK if you end up getting a biopsy too!
BLAHHHHHHHHHHHHH WHYYYYYY IS THIS SO HARD TO FIGURE OUT.
Glad we all have each other here