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
TexinSF alistar
Posted
How much Borax do you use? I am trying to do a bath with Borax but you sound like you are using quite a bit of it. I don't want to burn myself. Is it burning you at all? So glad it is working for you. I hope it really helps! I am a bit cautious about slathering it on. I was going to soak in a tub with it. I just don't have any idea on how much to put in. Do you have any idea? Thank you!
Btw your husband sounds wonderful.
alistar TexinSF
Posted
I actually haven't done the bath. I've only used the saturated solution for a direct application. If you have a little bit of time, I know some of the other contributors have commented about this previously. But I don't believe it is a lot, perhaps a tablespoon or two? I wish I could have a better answer for you.
PS. My husband is wonderful
l29609 alistar
Posted
hanny32508 l29609
Posted
l29609 hanny32508
Posted
Hi, Thanks. I thought I'd go with a course of steroids first just hoping to get it under control, but I'd love to use the Borax topically as well. My goal is to eventually just be Borax. I'm just wondering if its OK to use them both together for awhile???
micheline16004 l29609
Posted
No, not together. It was recommended to me on this thread quite some time ago to do the borax on the alternate days. I guess it's best to let the clobetasol do its work without anything interfering with it. I have to use clob three times a week, so I use 1/4 cup borax in a bath on the alternate two days. Hope that helps.
fran24104 l29609
Posted
I agree with the others that if you have just been diagnosed then it is best to stick with just the clob. Assuming you have been told to use it twice a day to begin with. I think I did that for about 3 weeks then started reducing the amount of clob. I didn't start using the borax until I had got rid of the itching using the clob and my skin wasn't red raw.
lynne91510 alistar
Posted
alistar lynne91510
Posted
There're quite a lot of posts now, so I'm sure the mixing/usage has gotten lost but it has been posted quite a bit! Regardless, you're making a saturated solution, so put some water into a container of your choice (which will depend on how you decide to apply it, some use a spritzer, some use cotton swabs), then you're going to add some borax and stir until the borax dissolves. Then you're going to add some more borax and stir until it dissolves. You're actually just going to keep doing this until the borax stops dissolving, ie. you have some sediment sitting in the bottom of your container. That's your saturated solution, it means the water is now full of borax and cannot absorb/dissolve any more.
I started by applying with a cotton swab. Then I eventually went to soaking a cloth and laying it upon the exposed area while I watched TV. I'm actually back using a cotton swab for any flare-ups because i like the way I can directly apply it. We're all a little different.
Any further questions don't hesitate to ask! Oh and make sure to take photos so that you can see if/when the changes occur!!
lynne91510 alistar
Posted
Thank you again for your support,
cadmum alistar
Posted
Hi, I have been trying your borax treatment for 3 weeks and it has had a dramatic effect on my LS. I have had LS for 4 years (since menopause) The Clobetasol had pretty much stopped working. My nether region was red and sore and I was getting pretty scared because doctors tell you there is nothing else that will help. I'm doing the borax treatment the same way you describe and it helped so much that I started taking an arthritis supplement that has some boron in it as well. I haven't used any Clobetasol at all since I started using the Borax. Every thing is much better and a normal pink color. I also have quit using my hormone patch and haven't had a single hot flash. The boron increases natural production of estrogen so that is a plus for me too. I have a question. Do you still use the borax solution twice a day? Do you ever need to use clobetasol? I know its different for everyone, but just wondered as a guideline for myself. Thank you so much for sharing your story. You are helping a lot of people. God Bless.
alistar cadmum
Posted
Such wonderful news Cadmum. Love hearing stories like that
As for my borax usage, I actually only use it if I feel a flare-up coming on. I have not used clobetasol since I moved to Vietnam. And I don't have flare-ups that often, but as soon as I use the borax thing subside quite quickly. It's just such a relief too, knowing that I don't have to rely on the clob!
susan39248 cadmum
Posted
Hi cadmum, brilliant news about the effects of the borax.
I know this is a LS forum but I am also hugely interested in your use of boron to increase estrogen. Were you still getting hot flashes when you were using the patch? I ask because I started with hot flashes approx 7 years ago, during peri-menapause and still have them now and again and issues with control of body temperature. I haven't come across the use of boron for assisting with menapause symptoms, do you have any links you could share?
Thank you for sharing :-) x
cadmum susan39248
Posted
Hi susan39248, Try [b]http://orthomolecular.org/nutrients/boron[b].html You may want to try googling "boron menopause" too because there are lots of articles out there on the many negative effects of boron deficiency. I was still having night sweats occasionally while I was on HRT. The supplement I'm taking has 5mg and I'm only taking one per day. No hot flashes, night sweats or any other menopause symptoms. My husband started taking them too because boron is supposed to help muscle cramps as well. He has had high blood pressure for many years and in less than a week after he started taking 5mg boron he was able to stop taking one of his blood pressure medications because his bp was too low. Everyone is different but if you have high blood pressure just be aware of this possible good side effect. My bp is normal and it has had no effect on mine.
susan39248 cadmum
Posted
I also suffer with leg cramps. I used to drink tonic water to control the cramps but then discovered magnesium malate, which I took religiously and that also controlled the cramps. I have been taking it less often of late and at present the cramps are still under control. My BP has been on the rise the last couple for years although not consistently. I self monitor, so I will keep an eye on that too. Many, many thanks :-)
cadmum
Posted
Update: I am still taking the boron supplement and the borax/water applied topically. I discontinued my hrt and have not been using any estrace creme either. I have had no hot flashes or night sweats but I am having vaginal atrophy which i did not have with hrt. I'm going to try using the estrace creme again to see if that fixes the problem.