A definitive diagnosis (at last!!)

[Guest guest]

Ladies,

I saw my new gyn 2nd time yesterday-he had culture results back and all is

negative for yeast/fungus/bacteria.

His conclusion is I have lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. Treatable with

powerful steroids, and will take time.

But at least I have something definite!! ANYONE ELSE WITH THIS Dx THAT CAN POST

INPUT?

Using the dermatology links previously posted by other members (Thank you

again!!), I went and looked at

some photos of this lichen. Not a pretty sight. Most of the photos were of

penises, but my doctor said it is

more commonly a vulvar problem, especially post menopause.

He put me on Estrace and Prometrium orally, Temuvate E followed by Cutivate,

increased my evening

dosage of Desyrel, and encouraged me to continue the biofeedback for urine

control. We're going to to try

the steroids first, because I had previously been on TOPICAL ESTRACE and all it

did was cause me to

have a period (after going 16 months without one!) and there was NO change in

the tissue. I may have

applied too much and that caused the systemic hormone rise, thus a period.

By the way, the physical therapist who started the bio with me is really super!

After all, having to put in a

" plug " to see how well you can squinch your PCG muscle, and working on

controlling it, it not something

you'd feel comfortable with unless the rapport is established initially. My

resting average is 1.7 which is think

is good for a beginner. She said 2 or under was a good start. And though I

only averaged 7.4 on the

" squeeze " I feel sure I can increase the rate as I develop control.

I still have POC, red/rawness, burning but I feel better about getting help for

the condition, now that it has a

name!

I'd like to hear from fellow sufferers who are on biofeedback, and from those

who have been diagnosed with

the lichen.

By the way, that hormone comparison was excellent. I chose not to use Premarin

(nor eat veal) because of

the animal cruelty involved, but also, when I used other synthetic hormones

(Ogen and Provera) I had very

bad side effects. My former gyno scoffed at my explanation for stopping HRT;

but then he had never had a

menstrual period with cramps, never had PMS, never had to wear sanitary pads,

never had his breasts and

lower abdomen bloat, nor experience the emotional ups/downs that sometimes

accompany menstruation. Dr.

Trabin is not female, but he certainly has empathy. Very understanding,

compassionate. And damn smart

enough to make a diagnosis. Can you believe I've seen at least 5 other gynos

who never even speculated

lichen; they were hung up on yeast or psychobabble!!

Donna

[Guest guest]

" Boom-boom " , You crack me up!!

>It's only been a week since the diagnosis, but I must say that after 3 days

of

>using the Dermatop cream my boyfriend and I were able to have a little

" boom-

>boom " ..I was only just a tiny bit sore the day after.

[Guest guest]

What is Dermatop cream? Lainey

[Guest guest]

I know what you mean...it sure is nice when you can have a little boom boom

and not PAY for it dearly later!

hugs, Coleen )

Re: A definitive diagnosis (at last!!)

>

>

> " Boom-boom " , You crack me up!!

>

>>It's only been a week since the diagnosis, but I must say that after 3

days

>of

>>using the Dermatop cream my boyfriend and I were able to have a little

> " boom-

>>boom " ..I was only just a tiny bit sore the day after.

>

>

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>Come check out our brand new web site!

>http://www.onelist.com

>Onelist: Making the Internet intimate

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

I know what you mean...it sure is nice when you can have a little boom boom

and not PAY for it dearly later!

hugs, Coleen )

Re: A definitive diagnosis (at last!!)

>

>

> " Boom-boom " , You crack me up!!

>

>>It's only been a week since the diagnosis, but I must say that after 3

days

>of

>>using the Dermatop cream my boyfriend and I were able to have a little

> " boom-

>>boom " ..I was only just a tiny bit sore the day after.

>

>

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>Come check out our brand new web site!

>http://www.onelist.com

>Onelist: Making the Internet intimate

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>