Lupus help

[Star34]

This is quite personal but I’m going crazy. I was recently diagnosed with lupus and I was suffering really bad, I’m not so bad now but I now have genital sores is this common for women with lupus? I had them first a couple of months ago, the dr gave me antibiotics thinking I had herpes (sorry for tmi) she didn’t know about my lupus as I went to a walk in and didn’t think to mention it. They didn’t really work so I went back she then she asked me if I had health problems and I told her. She then said it was lupus that was causing it. I didn’t think to ask if I’d keep getting them and what could I do about it. Do any other ladies have this problem and what treatment do you take and how long do they last?

Thank you

[Hidden]

Hi Star, ouch! Yes, I’ve read that this can be a symptom. I’ve not experienced this particular symptom, but yes, I think I definitely read it is one. So I hope someone in here can share with you their solution for this. It’s a huge community, so I’m sure that someone can help, and will. 🙏Best of luck.

[24izzy in reply to Hidden]

Is their a over-the-counter cream for this?

[Ironmytherapy]

Hello Star34 I’ve had problems and had swabs etc taken to rule out nasties. It turned out to be severe thrush. I was given a specific prescription from my G.P of internal soft gel pessaries for the treatment of thrush over 3 days plus an oral antibiotic for 7 days.

I was told that it’s very highly possible linked to my MCTD. I hope this helps?

[maeows]

Hi ! I’m so sorry, that sounds awful! I have never had them, but I was checked for them when I was very unwell and in hospital and had many many mouth ulcers- I think it’s a rarer manifestation of the same mechanism that causes mouth, nose and general mucus membrane ulceration- it probably is a lupus thing. My mouth and nose ulceration healed with a massive steroid dose so it may also for you when your lupus gets more under control. (It was actually the first symptom to go!)

[happytulip]

It can often be a symptom of Bechetes Disease aswell, another AI condition. Cholchicine is a medication that helps in this instance. It might be worth asking you Rheumatology Team to rule out Bechetes. There is a good Bechetes community here on Health Unlocked if you want more advice.

But, yes, it can be a sign of lupus too.

[Hidden]

Hi, I have suffered with these. First I thought it was thrush as I had been on antibiotics. But after both oral and topical treatment it got worse. It appears I react to something in creams rather than ointments. I was then diagnosed with Sjogrens as well. I was about to hit menopause which added to it, but the dryness of the area caused the sores. As a lady before has stated it is very similar to the mouth ulcers and sores on eye lids that people experience. I was given anti histamine ointment. Also lubricants help when it goes. If it continues, when the country settles down, ask for a gynae referral. Good luck.

[Ironmytherapy in reply to Hidden]

This is interesting as I too am very similar and although I had severe thrush due to dryness as my GP told me I have had sores which you can get with severe thrush although I didn’t have “classic thrush symptoms” I will definitely keep this in mind regarding anti histamine ointment to ask my GP. Thank you for this added info even though you replied to Star34

[Rosemary76210]

You might try a topical zinc cream or zinc supplement in the meantime. Diaper (nappies?) cream sometimes helps.