It's not lichen sclerosis, so what is it?
Have had the horrible burning and itching and dry plaque like lesions around the outside of my vulvar area for 4 years or so. Seen nurse practitioners, OB/GYN practitioner, 3 GYN of which 2 were female and totally ignored by pleas regarding my symptoms, and the male GYN told me I had herpes, but did not address the burning/itching, nor did he really address the herpes diagnosis; although his NP that I saw first was certain it was lichens and gave me a prescription for Clobetasol Proprionate Cream which did nothing for me. Saw another NP a few years later who gave me 2 different medications for the herpes which did nothing (Acyclovir, famvir and neurontin with famvir). Still the horrible burning/itch. A year later this same NP told me I probably had vulvodynia and gave me lidocaine which she said would numb me enough I would not feel the burnin/itching. This did nothing. I finally agreed to see another GYN, but decided no more doctors after this one. She listened to my symptoms and almost automatically decided it to be lichen sclerosis and said she would give me a prescription for the Clobetasol (which was one of the best medicines for this problem). When I told her I had gone that route already and it did not work, she was surprised. So, she examined me, and did a biopsy from 2 different areas, but was almost positive it was lichen sclerosis. A week later she called me and told me that IT WAS NOT LICHEN SCLEROSIS and said that it could be hyperkeratosis. However she prescribed me some Gynazole-1 which was a one time vaginal yeast infection cream that was to be inserted some in the vagina, but to use most of it on the outside and on the actual areas that were the problem. Used it Tuesday, by Thursday afternoon the symptoms were back, although they were somewhat diminished the day I used it. She said as long as it worked to try a refill. 2 days later I am about to go crazy even as I write this. HORRIBLE BURN/ITCHING. I have noticed also that around the area that is the most problem, the skin/tissue is a light grey all around my labia, vulva, clitoris area. And did I say that it HAS A BURN/ITCHING THAT IS DRIVING ME CRAZY? Help!!!! If it has the symptoms of lichens, looks like lichens, but the biopsy says NO LICHENS what is the diagnosis? Right now I am not sexually active, but I don't think I could be, as this burning/itch would cause so much distress that I could never enjoy being sexual again. I am 51 years old. I need help. Thank you ever so much.