oral lichen planus

Hi,

I have had oral lichen planus for over 15 years.  Mostly, I suffered with it, but finally, a few years ago, by accident my ENT, who thought I was biting the inside of my cheeks, but when I told him I wasn't, took a biopsy and confirmed it was oral LP. He sent me to a dematologist who prescribed Clobetasol Propionate Gel .05%. You must see a dermatologist because LP is a skin disease.  You must rub the gel in for at least a minute wherever you have the LP.  It doesn't cure it, but definitely relieves it for many days. I try to stay away from tomatoes, onions, and whatever irritates it.  Also, I have been a vegetarian for the past 3 years and since then, my LP has not been as bad as it was when I ate meat.  They say stress also aggrevates LP. I hope this helps.

I have both oral lichen planus and lichen schlerosis.  I was prescribed Clobetasol by my gyn for the schlerosis and it works well when I have a vaginal breakout.  The gel I have says "not for oral use".  Is that the same thing you use?  My tongue never seems to without lesions and my cheeks are sensitive to tooth paste, spicy food, hot or too cold food.  My ENT said I could try my flonase on my tongue and it says not for oral use also, but it does seem to help.

I do too! And I have the same RX for my vaginal outbreaks. I use it every week or so and so far that is totally under control. It's the mouth that is the problem. I was free from lesions for about 4-6 weeks and it was heaven! The underneath of my tongue tonight is sooo painful!!!! I can't eat anything spicey, salty, tomatoes, or most anything today. I have a good friend who was recently diagnosed with ALS so I know Litchen is nothing in comparison. I have tried not to complain but I guess pain is pain and tonight I'm just discouraged with it all!

Thanks! I think I will make an appointment with a dermatologist. I have seen my regular dr, my dentist (who made the DX) and my ENT who did the biopsy, but I'm just tired of hurting. I'll try a dermatologist! Thanks for the suggestion!

it makes me crazy all the medications they give us that say not for oral use and you get a oh don't worry about it form the doctors

it's tough because no one can see the oral but it makes life miserable

 

My dr prescribed Prednisone ... 20mg 3 X day ... after 2 months we are gradually weaning off. I'm now down to 10mg in the morning and 5 mg at night as my most recent outbreak is almost totally gone. I was also prescribed Acyclovir 3X day and I am now weaned off of it. It will take another 6 weeks to wean completely off but it will start all over if I get another outbreak. I just feel sooooo blessed it is in remission and you can bet I'll hit it hard and quickly if it starts up again. I hate the steroids but sooo much better than the pain that comes with an outbreak. 

Correction: 10 mg 3 X day ... not 20mg 3X day. 

about a minute ago

My dr prescribed Prednisone ... 10 mg 3 X day ... after 2 months we are gradually weaning off. I'm now down to 10mg in the morning and 5 mg at night as my most recent outbreak is almost totally gone. I was also prescribed Acyclovir 3X day and I am now weaned off of it. It will take another 6 weeks to wean completely off but it will start all over if I get another outbreak. I just feel sooooo blessed it is in remission and you can bet I'll hit it hard and quickly if it starts up again. I hate the steroids but sooo much better than the pain that comes with an outbreak. 

I know exactly what you mean that it makes life miserable. Two years I've had it and I don't remember what life was like without it. What frustrates me that the people who are close to me , I get the impression that they think can't be that bad because I'm used to the pain but it's not okey that Drs family think like this. I have day's that are so painful I feel like giving up, but when I come on here and read about all of us I don't feel like I'm alone. Much love Rabia.

I also was tired of it all. I found what works for me. Simple. Tumeric. About 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. in 2-3 ounces of warm milk. I could feel instant comfort but thought nah cant be. Then I started rinsing it around a spitting it out. Felt good. Then I discovered more uses for turmeric  so I would drink the  thing. Still rinsing aound cheeks etc. The leisions left though I remain sensitive to very hot liquids and very spicey stuff. But I can go fairly hot with liquids and light on pepper. All in all a major success. I do the turmeric once a day in  morning.Right now am using organic turmeric root powder.   It is very worth trying

Hello...I was lucky my dentist identified it and offered good suggestions:

avoid stress and try meditation, yoga, exercise. Also avoid spicy, hot, acid type foods (pineapple, tomatoes.)  Go on a gluten free diet! Consider going dairy free (to avoid inflammation). And going sugar free (as it messes with our immune system). And there is a medicine that worked well for OLP in the throat: fluticasone propionate

And:  Lichen Planus can be related to Candida therefore taking Clotrimazole 10mg helps with gum pain. And: Campho-Phenique helps with open lesions/sores in mouth. I may be going to a complete plant diet soon.....

Peggy, your fortunate you have a dentist that really understands the whole picture.

Incredibly  there are some specialists that actually treat Lichen Schlerosus and Oral Lichen Planus, and still think there is no correlation between diet and these two conditions, despite many woman telling them differently!  

I have both conditions, and can say without doubt that there IS most definitely a connection. I am now Gluten and Dairy free, and have been  for about 8 months now, and if I have an accident and ingest either of  the two, not only will I feel ill for days,  it will trigger a nasty flare up of Oral Lichen Planus and Lichen Schlerosus

Too much sugar in ones diet also plays a huge role with these two conditions.  Of course we all have some candida in our bodies, a healthy immune system should be able to keep Candida at bay, however, a diet rich in sugar actually depresses your immune system, leaving it vulnerable and allowing the Candida yeast to proliferate, and that's when the problems arise, literally opening the door for  Oral Lichen Planus and Lichen Schlerosus to enter.

Hello Guppy,

 It's nice to meet you...I noticed your other posts. Thank you so much for your comments! I am learning so much from reading these posts.

Yes, I didn't bother going into detail about all the frustrations of dealing with regular doctors! But isn't it fantastic that we can all share what works for us and by-pass the desperation for doctor's help? Before there were 'doctors' there were women and some men who pass this kind of knowlege (home remedies) along and now it's coming back full circle. Of course, we will still need doctors and prescribe medicines for many things but they need to learn from us too!

It helps to keep a journal of what is consummed and the symtoms or lack of symtoms and any stresful events. It can reveal patterns of cause and effect.

 

 

I just wrote above that I have had OLP for over 15 years and I am now a vegetarian.  I am also gluten-free, sugar-free, and dairy-free.  All of these things help, but do not cure it, but definitely help a lot!!  I have a streeful job and I think this is also the stress that aggrevates it.

I'm so sorry for the "luvmyfriend".  I do not have OLP nearly as bad as your dear friend. I'm so sorry for her.  She should see a wholeistic doctor. I'm sure he or she can help.