Oral lichen Planus: What home remedies or medications help you?

Posted by lovebug61 @lovebug61, Apr 4, 2019

Anyone in the group suffer from Oral Lichen Planus. I am at my wits end with all these erosive sores in my mouth. I've had two biopsies , one in the inside cheek and one under the side of my tongue. The spot under the tongue is extremely sore to touch and has been for over a year. It scares me because the soreness never goes away, sometimes it isn't as sore but nothing helps. Any home remedies for this dreadful condition?

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@robinkani

I have been diagnosed with lichen planus and as a professional flutist, it is ruining my life!! I am now thinking of a nutritionist and doing an elimination diet. Any thoughts? My oral surgeon is suggesting going to University of Pa. to find out more info. Right now, I cannot perform professionally. thick lower lip, dry, scaly and numb. The inside has been getting better as I have been on steroids for almost one month.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks!

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@robinkani welcome to Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to this active discussion about oral lichen planus. I did this so that you can connect with other members like @maryz @cmtg @frane1939 and @bustrbrwn22.

As a professional flutist I can't imagine getting this. I'm a horn player and suffer from canker sores, but they go away. I agree with your doctor about going to a learning medical center. I hope they will have suggestions for you. How have the steroids be affecting you? Are they also helping the lower lip (so crucial for the flute)?

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The lips are the most important. So far the steroids have done nothing to help. Still stiff and inflexible.

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@robinkani

The lips are the most important. So far the steroids have done nothing to help. Still stiff and inflexible.

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@robinkani the dermatologist I see was utterly surprised about my lip complaints. They always feel bloated and wrinkled, like I was under water for hours. They look normal though. Basically she told me to use petroleum jelly or Aquafor. Nothing else to be done
Since this is the least of my issues I’m using petroleum jelly.

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@lichenplanussufferer

I have had Lichen Planus for over 2 years on my gums with extreme bleeding. A few months ago I developed a sore on the side of my tongue. Hurt to eat talk..ect. My sister who is an RN suggested I take Valtrex. After taking 2 tablets a day for 4 days all Lichen Planus vanished. This leads me to believe it is viral. 2 months later and very little symptoms of LP.

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Hi. I'm new to this group. I've had LP "flares" a number of times but it usually calms down after a couple of weeks. Now it has hit a different gear. In early Sept. the dermatologist had treated some precancerous places on my right hand and he said it "traumatized" my LP and created numerous problems. He prescribed Clobatosol cream but it has not helped. Please let me know what dosage of Valtrex and how long did you stay on it. I see my dermatologist again tomorrow and want to discuss it with him. Sounds too good to be true but I'm willing to try. Have a Blessed day.
Faye

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I suffered with this for several years. When my dermatologist put me on Methotrexate (I was taking eight 2.5mg tablets once a week) my lichen planus cleared up after about six months. But before that treatment I discovered that my lichen planus flared up any time I ate mushrooms. I don’t know if it is coincidental because my mouth flares up even now, if I eat mushrooms. It stays irritated for a week or two if I have eaten mushrooms. Needless to say, I don’t eat mushrooms in any form (e.g., gravy, etc.)

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See your primary, then a Neuro. I have MS. It needs to be checked. I have type 2 diabetes hard to test. It started out as innocent, essential tremors. But it turns out to be part of the bigger picture.

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@rashida

I suffered with this for several years. When my dermatologist put me on Methotrexate (I was taking eight 2.5mg tablets once a week) my lichen planus cleared up after about six months. But before that treatment I discovered that my lichen planus flared up any time I ate mushrooms. I don’t know if it is coincidental because my mouth flares up even now, if I eat mushrooms. It stays irritated for a week or two if I have eaten mushrooms. Needless to say, I don’t eat mushrooms in any form (e.g., gravy, etc.)

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@rashida I'm new to this group, and very grateful to have discovered a place where we can have discussions about lichen planus. I was recently diagnosed, after experiencing very painful mouth lesions since mid-December. I've been prescribed Oracort dental paste (Triamcinolone Acetonide) by two doctors, and used salt rinses extensively, all to no avail. My dentist suggested L-Lysine supplement, which didn't work. Finally saw an ENT specialist in late February, who diagnosed oral lichen planus and prescribed Clobetasol Ointment (anti-inflammatory topical steroid), which is helping a bit. I also apply pure CBD Oil to the lesions twice a day, which alleviates the pain for a while. I've researched extensively and am now taking Curcumin Ultra 237 mg once a day, as well as trying sesame oil and coconut oil rinses daily. I only use a baking soda toothpaste (no SLS) and a natural type mouthwash (no SLS, alcohol, fragrance, etc.). If I sound somewhat desperate, it's because I AM! I feel that the CBD Oil and Curcumin capsules are the most helpful so far, but eruptions are so painful and ongoing. I have GCA and wonder if anyone else has that? I found a medical article online outlining a case of both these autoimmune diseases. I can post that later, if you wish. Would love to hear from others with this awful condition.

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@rashida, I do not have your specific medical issue, but for my burning mouth syndrome, I take 2-3, clonazepam, .5 mg. daily. If you think this would be of benefit, you may wish to discuss with your doctor. I cannot imagine all the issues you have. Our mouthes mean so much to us. What terrible pain in such a sensitive area. May you find something that will help you. Best wishes, @joybringer1

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@artist01

@rashida I'm new to this group, and very grateful to have discovered a place where we can have discussions about lichen planus. I was recently diagnosed, after experiencing very painful mouth lesions since mid-December. I've been prescribed Oracort dental paste (Triamcinolone Acetonide) by two doctors, and used salt rinses extensively, all to no avail. My dentist suggested L-Lysine supplement, which didn't work. Finally saw an ENT specialist in late February, who diagnosed oral lichen planus and prescribed Clobetasol Ointment (anti-inflammatory topical steroid), which is helping a bit. I also apply pure CBD Oil to the lesions twice a day, which alleviates the pain for a while. I've researched extensively and am now taking Curcumin Ultra 237 mg once a day, as well as trying sesame oil and coconut oil rinses daily. I only use a baking soda toothpaste (no SLS) and a natural type mouthwash (no SLS, alcohol, fragrance, etc.). If I sound somewhat desperate, it's because I AM! I feel that the CBD Oil and Curcumin capsules are the most helpful so far, but eruptions are so painful and ongoing. I have GCA and wonder if anyone else has that? I found a medical article online outlining a case of both these autoimmune diseases. I can post that later, if you wish. Would love to hear from others with this awful condition.

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@artist01 I hear you! I tried all those prescription meds - I found Oracort the most inconvenient! My gums felt like I had razor cuts all over them and they stung when I ate or drank anything so for me salt water rinse was not an option (by the way, I discovered - in my case at least - that the lichen planus got vicious when I ate mushrooms)! I was referred to an oral surgeon at Sunnybrook Hospital (Toronto) who finally injected all around my gums with something (possibly a steroid) and within a week, not only did my gum inflammation clear up, but also the psoriasis all over my body! Unfortunately, about four or six months later lichen planus and psoriasis returned with a vengeance! Went back to the oral surgeon and asked for the injections again. She said it is not a long term solution and because I mentioned my psoriasis she referred me to the Dermatology Clinic in the same hospital. There I was put in Methotrexate - 8-2.5mg. Pills once a week - and it took about six month, but my lichen planus and psoriasis cleared up.

Unfortunately I have fatty liver disease so after three years they decided to titrate the Methotrexate dosage to four pills a week. Psoriasis returned in my scalp with a vengeance so now I am on two Methotrexate pills a week and Stelara injection 90ml every twelve weeks since last July. So far, no effect on my psoriasis, but I’m happy that the lichen planus is still under control!

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@joybringer1

@rashida, I do not have your specific medical issue, but for my burning mouth syndrome, I take 2-3, clonazepam, .5 mg. daily. If you think this would be of benefit, you may wish to discuss with your doctor. I cannot imagine all the issues you have. Our mouthes mean so much to us. What terrible pain in such a sensitive area. May you find something that will help you. Best wishes, @joybringer1

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@joybringer1 I had lichen planus - which felt like razor cuts all around my gums. Is that the same as burning mouth? Initially I was given a (steroid?) injection all around my gums by an oral surgeon I was referred to. This cleared up the lichen planus as well as my psoriasis, but both returned with a vengeance after four or six months and I went back to ask for another injection. She said the injection was not a permanent solution and referred me to a dermatologist who put me on Methotrexate, which kept it and my psoriasis under control. I had to titrate down on my dosage because of history of fatty liver disease and at the lowered dosage psoriasis has returned on my scalp with a vengeance - but my mouth is still clear! I find eating mushrooms causes a recurrence still, but not as severe while in Methotrexate.

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