LS diet that is working for me
Posted , 12 users are following.
I have suffered from LS for over 3 years. Took 4 specialists to finally diagnose me. Was prescribed clobetasol, hydrocortisone suppositories and told to continue my HRT. I read forums and visited other websites trying to find answers. Cutting back on sugar helped a little. I was so frustrated and ready to give up on ever feeling better. This past January my husband had watched a few documentaries on going plant based eating. I thought why not try it. So we cut out all meat, dairy and eggs. My husband lasted a week but I continued to follow the lifestyle of plant based eating because I noticed my LS symptoms were improving. But after 4 months of no meat, I felt sluggish and tired. I chose to add meat back to my diet, but only turkey and chicken that is antibiotic and hormone free. I chose to still not eat or drink any dairy and eggs. I am 6 months into it and I have not had any LS symptoms return! I stopped the clobetasol and suppositories to see if symptoms would return and so far they have not. I believe staying away from all dairy and eggs helped . I also believe eating poultry that is antibiotic and hormone free are really important to help symptoms. As long as it is cleared up I am going to continue to do what I am doing. I go back to my specialist next week and look forward to hear what she thinks and I am curious how test results will show my ph levels and white blood count to be. I can't guarantee that my symptoms won't return, but as long as it is working for me at this time, I will continue to eat this way. I wanted to share my experience in case anyone else wants to try. You have to read all ingredients on foods to watch for dairy and eggs. I am not a doctor, just a patient wanting to share my results.
1 like, 22 replies
Staci0120 lindajoy11
Posted
So glad to hear this diet worked for you! How many weeks/ months did it take for you to start seeing improvements? i just started eating plant based this week in hopes that it will help!
lindajoy11 Staci0120
Posted
It took about 6-8 weeks when I noticed I was not having any flare ups. At first I did not connect it was how I was eating, but then I realized it was the only change I had done. I see my OB/Gyne specialist this Tuesday. I am not sure what she will think of it being my diet that seems to have helped. I have been guilty of eating a ton of sugar lately which usually triggers a flare up, but it has not happened. Only time will tell if my plant based eating is truly helping. I buy mostly organic foods. Good luck, I hope it works for you. Please keep us posted on your results.
beverly52803 lindajoy11
Posted
I think it's nearly impossible to tell if dietary changes are curing anything unless it's a very radical change. There are so many variables. I do think most are in agreement nowadays that sugar and processed food offer little nutrition and actually encourage diabetes. Other than that I guess it leaves gluten and unless you have celiac I guess it's debatable....unless as I say the elimination causes an obvious remission.
My LS seemed to go away for months then returned despite my diet getting healthier if anything. same is true re supplements. I am breaking the bank with those.
I would be happy to see an FM doctor if I could see one who accepted insurance. Good luck with that!
Guest lindajoy11
Posted
Lindajoy, That is great news! I am so happy for you that the plant diet is working. May I ask what symptoms you suffered from? And, what bearing did the white count have on the LS? Was your WBC count high? I know I have eliminated Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and nitrates but I also learned that carageenan, an additive in many types of foods is a cause of inflammation and so have avoided that too. I stopped all alcohol but that did not seem to make a difference. biscuit
lindajoy11 Guest
Posted
Eggbicuit- Yes my WBC was high. I believe the white blood cell count elevates when your body is trying to fight what it thinks is invading, which can happen with autoimmune. I will have to question this at my next appointment so I know I am sharing correct information.
My symptoms started with a thick yellow/green discharge that hardened like cement. My undergarments were stuck to me like brick and mortar. This then caused irritation. This mostly affected the vagina area. At the same time I started to notice clusters of 2-4 small bumps on different areas of my body, wrist, lower arm, calves, chest, neck. Dermatologist said probably bug bites, but I know they were not from bugs. They did nit itch. I think it was part of the LS. Then the skin on my vulva area tore easily and itched horribly. Intercourse became horribly painful. About a year later it affected my anal area, itching, tenderness, hurt to sit. That was when I found that caster oil helped relieve some of the irritation, but the clob helped more. I am not 100% free of LS, but the worst of my symptoms have subsided. Maybe I am in a honeymoon stage, only time will tell. But after going plant based for the few months and now cutting out all dairy, eggs and cheese I do have major improvement in my symptoms. My doctor appointment is tomorrow, I will post an update afterwards to let all know if she sees any significant changes.
lindajoy11
Posted
So I had my doctor visit yesterday. She was very pleased at how well my LS is under control. She felt I was 90% improved on the outside from 1 year ago. I still have a lot of tightness and tenderness inside the vaginal area but outside looks great. She is requesting I keep up maintenance by applying clobetasol once a week and insert vagifem once a week. She worries about developing cancer, which can happen from LS. So I will begin the maintenance routine again
. I plan to continue to eat plant based with antibiotic and hormone free poultry since it seems to be working for me. She suggested I use dilators to help with the tightness. I still remember when I was first diagnosed and the doctor had to use the child size speculum because I had closed up so much. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, so I will count each day a blessing . I know for now we have no cure, but lets never give up hope. I am so happy to have found this community after feeling so alone on the LS island for so long. Having others to share with helps both physically and mentally.