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An Experiment with Borax

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alistar
alistar

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.

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  • joann64846
    joann64846 alistar

    Posted

    After using borax and baking soda sitz baths in hot water every day until it cleared up...I am in remission for about 7 months...and pray every day never to suffer like that anymore... 1 teaspoon borax and about 1 teaspoon of baking soda in fairly hot water every single day until it cleared up....and I had a biopsy and confirmed LS...but I am paranoid it will come back sometime.  But for now its a gift not to deal with this awful disease...I also used 

    vitamin b and vitamin e together in a bottle,,,,applied with q tip along with the sitz baths ...it worked... you can get vitamin b on Amazon also...using Sodium Bicarbonate for Borax...hope this helps my friends dealing with this 

    • susan74822
      susan74822 joann64846

      Posted

      I am praying for you too Joann.  I just start the sitz bath using your recipe!   My biopsy site is still open so I may have to take a step back.  I have not picked up clobetasol prescription yet. I am going to speak with doctors office tomorrow as she is going to prescribe some estrogen cream too. Not sure if I want to use the steroid cream . I have given up sugar and wheat as many people find this a trigger. 
    • kathy74930
      kathy74930 joann64846

      Posted

      Thank you Joann 64846 for the glimmer of hope! I have not tried vitamin B but I will.. I have to admit that I’m so afraid to do the borax, but with all the stories of how it’s working for so many, it’s inspiring! Thank you! 
    • joann64846
      joann64846 kathy74930

      Posted

      Oh dont. be afraid to use it...its mild ..1 teaspoon and 1/2 to 1 teaspoon baking soda in a hot water sitz bath ..

      Cannot hurt you...everyone is different...everyone may react differently..

      But it is fairly mild..

      If you think too strong just use less...but. keep doing it...wishing you well..hope this works for you...believe me I use to cry my heart out...but was persistent..and the good care I was getting from the love of my life...my husband

    • julia2017
      julia2017 susan74822

      Posted

      How has your results been? I been on fire and itching all week. Finally getting a chance to do my first sitz. I dont know how long or do I rinse?

      I just want to be able to sleep all night, and wear regular clothes that dont agrivate. sad

      Sex again one day would also be nice. Right now I cant stand the thought .

    • joann64846
      joann64846 julia2017

      Posted

      Sitz. Bath helps a great deal...hot water just not so hot to be uncomfortable...and 1/2 teaspoon of the borax and same with. the baking soda..for 15 to twenty minutes every day until no need to....so refreshing also...as you get use to it increase each to one teaspoon gradually...good luck Julia
    • joann64846
      joann64846

      Posted

      Just hot up sorry Julia...out with the kids last night got in very late overslept. Good luck Julia
  • Paradis
    Paradis alistar

    Posted

    I'm so new to this board, that I'm a little confused as to where I should actually post, so I'll try here. 

    Thank you, JoAnn for your kind words.

    I have been using the borax saturated solution - morning and night - for the past 2 days (I think I've done 5 applications), and really shockingly, the area that I have been very concerned about is unfusing... for sure. So, now, I think that that area has been fusing/tearing apart/"unfusing" over and over and over again for a month and I have seen it as almost a fissure/tear area. It is red and raw and sore. It is essentially my labia fusing to my clitoris. (I have SO much damage after my 2 vaginal deliveries that I honestly can't tell wth is happening down there.) I'm taking this as a positive, but I do have another question, for those that have experienced unfusing, can you relate to this very raw, almost open skin being 'trapped' for lack of a better term between the fusion? That probably isn't the way to ask that, but overall how was the skin as it was unfusing? I know most have mentioned using a lubricant oil/emolient as you go through this process, is it because the unfusing skin is still quite sticky?? Raw? Red? Painful?

    I react poorly to both coconut oil and olive oil. Castor oil seems to help me unfuse, but it also burns for at least an hour after application. I've just ordered emu oil and vitamin E oil. I used them years ago and thought 'they didn't help that much', so as they ran out, I never replenished my supply. It would now seem that all the work I put in years ago made so much improvement, I forgot how bad I had been, and how far I'd come. (I'm in my 12th year with the disease, so there's a LONG rotten history.) So, gonna bring those back into the mix. 

    I'm also transitioning to full GAPS diet, with the plan of doing 3 months, then into the Intro process... so long-term diet changes and trying to get healing inside and out. 

    I also am wondering, does anyone think the topical application of the borax would have any adverse effect for nursing? I'm still nursing both my girls (7 mos and 4 yo) and am forgoing soaking in it for that reason. Any thoughts?

    Thanks again for any ideas. I will post on my progress, and would still love to hear any success stories from people that had extremely advanced cases of the disease. (I currently look worse than all the scary images in the image search.) sad

    • joann64846
      joann64846 Paradis

      Posted

      Hi keep doing what your doing...vitamin e and emu oil is what I used...very gentle to the area...still using. both oils every day after my shower...paranoid me...wishing you continued healing..just a note. Used sodium bicarbonate with baking soda...in hot Seitz bath every single day until I got better...works...I know you have more than a difficult time with this disease...pray for you that you start to heal...keep in touch...JoAnn
    • Paradis
      Paradis joann64846

      Posted

      JoAnn, thanks so much! I think that it is good to continue with the oils indefinitely. I absolutely wish I had. My post-partum experience was filled with a lot of denial and the decline was rapid, but I was not as vigilant with my health as I should have been. Now, it is affecting my relationship and family, so I’m going all out. 

      Just to clarify... baking soda is sodium bicarbonate (aka sodium hydrogen carbonate). Borax chemically is sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, and disodium tetraborate. Borax is the salt of boric acid, different of course from the acid. I’m assuming that you used borax + baking soda in your sitz baths. Am I incorrect about this as your mix?

    • joann64846
      joann64846 Paradis

      Posted

      Yes used both along with the oils...but I was diligent with my health...how many times my husband saw me crying over this...he helped me through this crisis...I was determined to heal my body...steroids did nothing. for me...and be careful with steroids...can have bad effects the more you use it ...but I did this ever single day until it was gone..and sometimes my husband would have to push me ..but he was always there for me...so hang in there...so many angels on this site are getting better with borax and baking soda....and you will too my friend...and the hotter the water the better...but be careful also...too hot is no good either...I know its a pain ..but we all want to get better...if that's what we have to do ..so be it...al least there is hope for you and all of us...Jo Ann from NJ

  • sherry71187
    sherry71187 alistar

    Posted

    Hi there,

    i have to thank Alistar, and everyone else who posts, for daring to share your stories and how you're working through all this.

    A bit of my story.... years (maybe even close to 20) ago I started getting fissures along my inner lips. Was always diagnosed as yeast. 

    Around  two years or so ago the itching got unbearable. And there were a couple of fissures that never healed. I started looking around the web, and came across LS, but was scared by what I saw, so I would put it away. And scratch. And scratch. And scratch.  Finally about a year ago it was becoming even more unbearable.  Plus, I was noticing changes (I haven't been sexually active in many years, so did not have a partner to notice changes, so I started looking in a mirror, taking pics, etc) to try to see what was happening.  Again, got scared, because I noticed changes. 😳 I did some more reading and searching on LS, and eventually found this forum.  And so I thought, before I go to the dr and he prescribes  me meds, I'll give Borax a try.  Before I did, I did a lot of research on Borax first, and became excited that maybe  it would help! 

    I have been trying it for 7-8 months, and I have to say- when I am very faithful with it, it really does help to keep it mostly in check.  Once in a while I get a major fareup - I don't know why - and so around 3 months ago, after my sister found a very good gyno, I went to my dr for a referral, and finally got in.

    i saw him today.  And he confirmed what I've been fearing - that it does look like I have LS. He did a biopsy, and I'll have results in a few weeks.  But his reasons for thinking I do is because of the deterioration of the structure of my vulva - left inner lip gone.  Right inner lip damaged. Little bit of closing in happening over clitoris.  Vagina fairly ok, but a wee bit of closure.  I don't have the white skin. I have fissures from hell. 

    I told him about the Borax, and he found it interesting. Hadn't heard of it being used for LS. For vaginal yeast, yes, but not LS. 

    I have to be honest.... this saddens me deeply.  I am 51 and single.  I had hopes of maybe one day being in a relationship.  But this has really stolen my confidence in that.  How would I tell a man? What if I lose my clitoris? 

    I Know there are people who are facing far more horrific things than this.  So I don't wallow in it.  But it does sadden me.

    i will continue with the Borax.  Perhaps become even mroe diligent with the routine.  I'll have to see what he says when the results come back.  Perhaps I'll take meds to try to get the fissures under control. 

    Im glad I'm seeing a dr.  He is really an awesome guy. But I'm very glad I found this forum.

    May we each be blessed with a peace and strength to take this and life one day at a time.

    With great care,

    Sherry

    PS.... most reading says it's not hereditary, yet my mom has it -Diagnosed, my sister has it-Diagnosed, and I have it (most likely). 

     

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