Anyone dealing with oral lichen Planus?

I have to try that toothpaste, Crest 3D White Deep Stain Remover. I want to try anything, I just want it gone. I had gastrointestinal issues due to bacteria C Difficile and it triggered my OLP really bad. I have had it off & on a few years now, but never this bad.

New to olp diagnosed in May this year. Struggling to find help and answers. One question is how are you certain of a trigger? For example if I were to drink lemon juice my mouth would be on fire, but if I eat an apple (also acidic) my mouth is not on fire. Do the triggers happen internally and externally? I just did a 14vday prednisone taper which calmed down the irritation and pain but all the gum tissue disruption is still there. So it sorta worked? Any input is great, thank you.

@ginala Isn't that a minty toothpaste? I can't use anything mint as it irritates my mouth. And I've been told by dentist and periodontist to avoid it.

@zinnia55
Hi, I have OLP also. It tends to flare up and down. I always have a level of rawness in the tissue. It feels like the inside of my mouth was rubbed down with sand paper. At times my lips sting too. I also break out in lesions. Often there are lesions in the same areas each time.
I completely avoid citrus fruit and absolutely anything I think may be spicy., also mint. I'm very careful with salt too. There are days when even banana, avocado and soft foods you wouldn't expect would cause discomfort. The things that sting and are painful etc....can cause a flare up in my mouth. I want to say, it's very important you take in enough nutrients your body needs. I was taken to the hospital with serious symptoms which turned out to be a very critically low level of sodium. I lost consciousness. People don't realize how important sodium is to the body. Coma and brain damage can occur. I had no idea it was my sodium level making me so sick. Unfortunately my doctor's office had done blood tests a few days prior showing my sodium level was critically low and they failed to notify me.
Unfortunately I also have Esophageal Lichen Planus which is extremely rare. In addition I get Lichen Planus on my skin.
Although, the OLP is what really can make it hard for me to eat. Now if I can't hardly eat I will mix a protein powder with milk and drink that. If I ever suspect my sodium level is compromised I will put some salt in my hand and lick it. This is the fastest way to get salt in your other than drinking electrolytes which I also keep on hand and carry with me when I go out. I buy single serving packages on Amazon.
Also, I choose not to take steroids. If I got to a critical point with lesions I would have to.
FYI....many people don't realize that OLP, ELP etc...is an autoimmune disease. Your body is attacking the mucus membranes.
I want to mention that stress can definitely cause flare ups too. Stress and emotional upsets can definitely effect your compromised immune system.
I hope this helps you.
Take care ❤️

@sadea0208 Hi, thank you soo much for sharing your information. I appreciate it. I am so sorry this is happening to you too. It is such a mean disease. Can I ask are your reactions immediate? It seems like mine don't happen until days later so I struggle with figuring out my triggers. I am staying away from all citrus and anything spicy, salts (I am drinking trace minerals, like you said for electrolytes). I am also avoiding gluten, dairy and sugar. I am not sure if sugar triggers it but it was one of the places I started because I could not figure out why it kept spreading. Now that I have done steroids and tacrolimus ointment and am on the low dose naltrexone I am feeling so much better but I am still eating very bland I dont want to trigger anything and I am not sure if it will on the LDN. I really wish there was more information out there! Have you tried the low dose nalterxone? Thank you again for sharing. Take care. (❁´◡`❁)

@zinnia55 I was at a funeral luncheon recently. Have been carful what I eat cuz of olp and also going thru the implant route. I took a few weeks hotdish scoops that had tomato base. Boy did I pay for that! My mouth really flared up. Someone mentioned peppermint. I always have after dinner mints as my mouth gets so dry. At this point only relief I get is liquid lidicain. Helps for awhile. As for the mints, I’ll stop them. Sometimes chocolate will bother my mouth, so stay away from that. I know there’s no cure for olp, but love to hear what others do to help. Thanks. 😁

@zinnia55 Hi, like you, the reactions I have may not flare up for a day or so. For example, yesterday I really wanted to try a little piece of avocado. Unfortunately it stung my mouth. Today I have a new lesion under my tongue and my inner cheek area is swollen and raw. I have been under a lot of emotional stress also. I know I risked it by eating the avocado along with being upset.
I know for myself, without a doubt, I have to do all that I can to handle stress and upset. I know this effects me with this disease.
I do try to avoid sweet things. For myself, if I don't eat anything that takes a lot of chewing like french bread, iceberg lettuce etc... the more I chew my cheek rubs against my back molars then my cheek gets inflamed and painful. I will eat butter lettuce or the tender varieties. I tend to have a certain level of inflammation in my cheek all of the time. Warm cooked carrots is one thing I love and can easily eat.
The only medications I use are oral lidocaine rinse and dexamethasone oral rinse. The dexamethasone should only be used for ten days and not frequently. I choose not to swallow either medications. It's not good to use the lidocaine rinse frequently and swallow it! I also am taking an antidepressant and antianxiety medication. I have been taking the antidepressant for a couple of years now but adding the antianxiety medication has made quite a difference for me. I take 15mg. of Buspar twice daily. I'm so glad I started this med. because it helps my stress and upset which effects my immune system and mouth. I highly recommend trying the meds. My mouth used to be much worse. I lost a lot of weight. Now I've gained some weight which is good. I'm 5'5" and 130lbs.!!
Just avoid absolutely anything that stings or is painful initially!! Some days may be different than others but I don't want to risk it like I did with the avocado. Fresh banana's are a surprising culprit for me!
I'm here for you if you need to chat.
Take care ❤️

@muhlly I also absolutely avoid tomato anything, chocolate and peppermint. Also citrus and other fruits. The only juice I might drink if I need some quick sugar from not eating is apple juice.
I drink "Garden of Life Raw Organic protein powder with low-fat milk" and I mix the "Garden of Life perfect food Energizer, juiced green super food powder.". I mix the two together in the morning. I drink the protein powder 2-3 times a day. These are my best friends!!! LoL
Initially it doesn't taste good but I pushed it and got used to the flavor. I do drink the chocolate, it's extremely mild and doesn't bother me. I didn't like the vanilla and vanilla flavor is a favorite of mine!!
For what it's worth, ironically, I was an Oral Surgical and Endodontic assistant for 25yrs. We saw only a handful of patients with OLP. Also, if you go to the dentist and need to be numbed up, absolutely tell the doctor not to use a flavored topical ointment before giving the injection. The ointment is painful having OLP. I bring my lidocaine oral rinse with me and use that prior to having anything done in my mouth. It's helpful with OLP. Unfortunately the surgeon I worked with passed away from cancer. I know he would have helped me so much!! 😞. He was such a wonderful, caring and incredibly talented surgeon. We even volunteered together on our day off at the low income dental clinic twice a month. He taught me so much about living life and dentistry. I could have done surgery etc..myself.
I'm so fortunate.
If we all stick together we can help and support one another!
Take care ❤️

@sadea0208 Also, stay away from Italian dressings or anything with vinegar!!! Wow, this is a awful for me!!! Terrible!!😡. LoL
Try hard to keep your sense of humor everyone!! Go for walks, get some softer colored pencils and a coloring book for adults or anything else that can help you to relax and enjoy!
Try hard to keep your sense of humor everyone!! 🥰❣️

@spondee I had a mild herpes outbreak, thank god. I’m taking forever to heal. I took a break because I ended up losing two bottom teeth in the back. New crowns just breaking off too low to replace. It’s really terrible.
I do give myself b12 injections and take prescription vit d and OTC mag.
I have tested positive since 2017 on every ANA test but then they run it all and I have one slightly elevated as well since 2017. So, that is not changing making me think. I have no autoimmune diseases.
One day at a time and stay positive. Dentures won’t be the end of my world.