An Experiment with Borax
Posted , 187 users are following.
So, I've been in Vietnam now for just over a month. Haven't had any itching, but the white plaque has expanded and looked like a bit more fusing had occured. Panic set in and of course I was trying not to. However, now that we're here, my husband has been able to start doing more research to help me. And he came across some stuff about borax. So we started an experiment 6 days ago. Not using any steroids, but instead each morning and night he's applying to one side a saturated borax solution and the other side a saturated baking soda solution (as we'd read that some people found baking soda helpful). We've been taking photos in order to compare as we progress. As mentioned, we are on day 6 and there is honestly some change! My clitoris which was quite white has returned to pink. And while the whole area still has some white, the pink is really starting to move in more. The biggest changes are on the side with the borax, with some change on the side with the baking soda (but since some of the borax can get rubbed off on that baking soda side we can't say for certain that the baking soda is having a major effect). We are feeling optimistic about this and I will keep everyone posted. During the day I do continue to add vitamin E oil to keep moisturized.
23 likes, 959 replies
Neldog alistar
Posted
I went to see a dermatologist yesterday. (Nhs). I had cancelled the appointment, but they kept sending me appointments so i thought i had better go along. the reason for going was to get a prescription for low dose naltrexone, to tackle the immune system. ( I have thyroid problems as well as LS). She was interested and said she would read the info i gave her and consult with... Who knows..... Tbh, i'm not that bothered, i have tried it and it makes me really dizzy.
She wanted to have a look and take a photo of the LS. I explained the reason my patches have shrunk and the skin looks fairly ok... ( i even have the beginnins of a crease comming unstuck). Is that i have been using a solution of Borax for a couple of months. She said ah! It was used a lot in my country but she believes it is banned in the uk. ( she was from Latvia). She asked how i used it, So i explained about the saturated solution. She then said that its used as a fix for candida and can be mixed with cocoa butter and used as a pessary.
I have mentioned using baking soda to other medics, but have received sceptical looks and the attitude of, its unproven, anectdotal... Etc etc..... But the woman from latvia was a breath of fresh air......
just thought i would let you all know.....
Xx
samantha1970 alistar
Posted
Ladies, my dermatologist advised me I have small inner labia - labia minora. Now I don't know what they were like before LS so I can't comment. I do know one side is much smaller than the other and both appear small compared to googling them.
'I've been putting the borax on for maybe 5 months now and although it helps overall symptoms. I'm wondering if any of you ladies have seen an improvement who have small labia. I'd say they don't appear to have fused, more shrunk away.
any thoughts here would be welcomed.
thanks
hanny32508 samantha1970
Posted
samantha1970 hanny32508
Posted
Thanks Hanny, good to hear from others and to know not to expect a return of parts. I guess it's about trying to keep what is left now.
alistar samantha1970
Posted
I was super freaked out at the onset of learning I had LS. Thought my labia minora was gone, only to realize I never had a big one to begin with either. I know mine haven't shrunk, I just didn't have a big small minora...that's things we're all different.
samantha1970 alistar
Posted
Yes we are all different, I think keeping up the treatment hopefully a little more of the little I have left on the left will come back to look a little more like the little one in the right. Then I'll be super happy! We live in hope as no other symptoms now too 😊.
I'm not yet confident to give up my protropjc but I have changed from a 0.1% tube to a weaker version of 0.03% so that's a start for me 😊
melissa0 alistar
Posted
Has everyone using Borax quit using the steroid? I have been following this discussion for some time now and have finally decided to try Borax. I guess I am a little scared about giving up the steroid. I know that sounds crazy as there are side effects with the steroid but doesn't the steroid prevent the spreading of LS? I am only a year into diagnosis and maybe I have the steroid use wrong.
hanny32508 melissa0
Posted
I do keep the steroid on hand, just in case. But since I'm using baking soda and borax I haven't needed it this far.
Neldog melissa0
Posted
joanna43- melissa0
Posted
I saw my gyno about three weeks ago, first time since I was diagnosed. I have been off the steroid since I started using the Borax, both in the bath and the saturated solution. I didn't need it as all my symptoms have stopped. I asked her how she wanted me to proceed and she said to keep up with the Borax and only use the Clobetasol if I had any symptoms. She also said I my area looked very healthy and was visually symptom free. I am still fused and am following advice from ladies on this forum to be patient so I am thinking in terms of a year. Hope this helps
alistar melissa0
Posted
I also have a container of steroid on-hand, but don't use it. I've found that the borax treatment has kept things under control for me. Yay!
Bridge_of_Sighs alistar
Posted
I keep a tube of steroid to hand as well. At the moment I seem to be a bit paler so I'm wondering if I should use a few doses for a week or so, however I've also got new seams where there was only smooth skin before. I'm going to experiment with alternate days; steroid and Borax for two weeks and see what happens. I haven't used steroid for a year and been fine. No flares, and I'm not flaring now, it's just a colour thing. Overall slightly paler, not white patches.
alistar Bridge_of_Sighs
Posted
I've got a tube of steroid on hand as well. but like you, for over a year I've not used the steroid, only the borax. I do remember reading that it's good to sometimes take a break from using the borax if you're not in a flare-up.
Sorry it took me a bit to get back to you, I've been super busy but also changed phones and now it's thrown everything off in my inbox.
Bridge_of_Sighs alistar
Posted
I did it for two weeks and didn't notice much change so I'm back to Borax topically one day and homeopathically the next. I do notice the slightest tickle of an itch on my non-borax days. I don't know if that's a healing itch or a symptom one.
I'd like to say that I have a yearly check-up with a vulval dermatologist, I'm determined to stay in the system if I'm going off piste with treatment. My last one was in September after not using the steroid since February. He told me I was doing so well that if I wanted I could come off his list. I refused and asked to stay with my yearly check-up. I also go to my doctor for a check-up so that I get looked at every six months.
I seem to be stable, but the architecture isn't coming back, though there are folds and seams which weren't there before. Maybe it will take years rather than months, I was in a bad way when diagnosed. Nevertheless, I can forget about it for days at a time and have the Borax to thank for that, plus the medical overview to keep an eye on things.
joanna43- alistar
Posted
joanna43- Bridge_of_Sighs
Posted
I like your plan to keep in the loop with your doctor!. I too am seeing crease's appear! God bless
Bridge_of_Sighs joanna43-
Posted
I didn't tell the specialist about the Borax, but I have just told my doctor. She said that she has to advise me to stop it. No Way! It's the only thing that's helped. I thought she'd be more open minded, she seems that way. Oh well, I'll stick with my checkups and just smile when they say I'm doing well. Sigh!
joanna43- Bridge_of_Sighs
Posted
That's too bad, and sad really, for all the woman she could be helping get relief! Are you in the U.K? I know it's banned over there, Big Pharm. had its way. I am so thankful I found this site where we may share our fears, hopes, successes and encourage one another! If you haven't already check out earthclinic and medical uses for Borax, please do so.
BTW my labia minora is returning, on both sides! God bless you and guide you and encourage you
alistar joanna43-
Posted
It was actually one of our contributors. She mentioned having gone to a naturopath I believe, and she knew of the benefits of borax, but mentioned that taking a break is good. I think she said 1-2 months, but I can't be positive. This thread has grown, so sometimes it's not as easy to track information.
alistar Bridge_of_Sighs
Posted
We can't expect doctors who aren't specialists to know everything. However, she may want to know that there is a pharmaceutical company in the states that has been granted license to sell a skin cream treatment that includes boron, which not isn't borax but is related (as per Nelys post 3 months ago).
Bridge_of_Sighs alistar
Posted
Thanks I'll check that out and tell her.
joanna43- alistar
Posted
Thank you for starting this thread, as you know it has been a godsend for so many people! God bless you and your family