Oral Lichen Planus/ Lichen Planus

Barb - I'm so sorry you are suffering so much.  I've had lichen planus for about 15 years.  My dentist first diagnosed it, but didn't know what to do. Finallly, like you, a dermatologist did a biopsy and confirmed it.  I have not gone through what you have though. The dermatologist gave me a steroid--clobetasol propionate. I have to really rub it in for a couple of minutes and it relieves the pain. I am now a vegetarian and live dairy-free and gluten-free.  Doing this has really helped. And, i'm not starving--I eat all kinds of vegetables, fruits, and nuts (and soy milk). I really do think that nutrition is the answer.  I haven't fasted yet, but I think ridding our systems of toxins can help.  LP is an autoimmune disease. I wish you well and will keep you in my prayers. Suffering the way you are is very sad.

I was diagnosed a few weeks ago after 2 months of OLP appearing. I immediately started to change my diet to soft food. No spices or alcohol. I went to see a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner. She has been giving me acupuncture and herbs twice  a week. My mouth is much better already. Am also taking VitaminD and probiotics, all of which help.

I hope this is of some use to you. 

Vitamin D3 is the answer for me.  I developed OLP back in 2008 just a few months after I retired.  Five years and 2 biopsies later, I discovered that at least 4,000 IU of Vitamin D3 with breakfast and again 4,000 IU with dinner keeps all of the sores away.  I'm a recovering alcoholic since 1988 so quitting any kind of alcohol was not an issue for me.  I DID quit juices and other acidic types of food.  I hope Vitamin D3 works for you too, or at least helps somewhat.

Also, I'm an ex-smoker.  I quit back in '94 so that wasn't an issue either.  I think the OLP is related to our diets and lifestyle.  I'm sending positive thoughts your way.

THANK YOU all sooooo much for your comments!!!! As tears roll down my face. I am having such a hard time seeing a "light" at the end of the tunnel. When I first started the Prednisone I did not sleep for more than an hour and a half per night.....I couldn't even drive. Have you all ever taken Plaquenil??? I HATE pills    You are all helping me more tha you know!!!! Only a handful of freinds know what I am going through, because NO ONE gets it!!!! They all just think...."well, you're not dying". But I am....inside...everyday   

I need all of you !!!! God Bless  <3>

Bless you too!  We know what you're going through.  Don't give up.  You WILL get through this and be stronger and happier for it.  Be your own advocate.  We all know what's best for our own bodies.

 Hi,

mine started about 4 months ago.  One morning i noticed my gums looked funny, white in some areas and red also, and a little swollen.  I waited about a week to see if it was going away but it did not, so I went to see my dentist and he is the one who told me it was oral lichen planus - i had never heard of it.  At about the same time it appeared in my mouth, it showed up in my genitals but i did not know it, i thought i had a flare up of yeast infection.  It is only after i researched online and saw pics that i realized it was genital lichen planus.  I am scheduled to see a specialist of head and neck on Thursday (that's where my Kaiser primary referred me to).  I am not on any medications right now and honestly, i would prefer not to take any if i can help, i am reading a lot of information on the subject on Google France, the French, it seems, prefer natural medicine and treatment so i want to go with that first.  I am glad that i am not alone.  You are in good company luchanadonna..pls be careful with all that medications, don't overdo😏

 

With this condition you have to do your own research.  Digging around on the internet can sometimes unearth things to try, because often doctors are clueless and will prescribe stuff even when they don't really know if it will work.  Personally, I don't think I would want to take more pills, but that is your decision.  Crying, whilst understandable is causing you more stress, and stress is really, really bad for this condition.

There are some things you can do that may help.

Firstly, I believe there is a very strong connection between thrush (Candida) and the lichen planus family.   You need to make sure that you are completely clear of thrush vaginally and orally, as for some folks it is a trigger, and will make things much worse!  Take a look online at Candida and the problems it can cause.....

Diet often plays a huge role with this condition for some people, and so it may be worth keeping a food diary for a while and trying to eliminate some foods, I would start with completely cutting out sugar, and making a note of how your symptoms feel and seem, and then you could try going Gluten free for a month and see what happens, and if there is no improvement you could try going Dairy free, I know people often don't want to hear this, but your body is in crisis, and you need to listen to it.

Find a Homeopathic doctor, I have had some good results with this...again, look at Homeopathic treatment online. 

Also, it might be worth finding a Naturopath doctor, they will help you, as it sound like you need some support close to home, and they should help you to evaluate your diet too.

Good luck, I am thinking of you! x