lichen sclerosis

[Guest guest]

Hey...

I got a diagnosis of lichen sclerosis today so I rejoined your list Dee. I had known before I had some type of lichenoid dermatosis but today she showed me the whitish areas with a mirror. And she said that my labia minora had fused to the labia majora... I think I got that right.... from the scarring.

I'm using the corticosteroid cream now so that should help.

I remember now some emails going back and forth about the hormones... I'm not postmenopausal... I'm 37.... and she had tested my hormones in January and said my levels were normal. But, at that time I was taking DHEA supplements and I wonder how that affected my hormone levels for the test. I haven't taken the supplement in months.

You use the topical testosterone, right, Dee?

[Guest guest]

HI .

Yes I did use the testosterone hon... much as some doctors say it doesn't work or it's a placebo and I say that's rubbish. I've seen it help far too many (more the Estrace tho) By the way that also works for those with vulvodynia so it's not just for LS at all. I recently sent something that talked about the loss of T. receptors in those with V pain as well. (and E receptors by the way with Vulvodynia (maybe it was vestibulitis I forget right now.

The T. can help strengthen and toughen up that tissue where the Estrace is more for restoration and giving us back the tone, color and elasticity or 'give'. So both can work wonders for that tissue and again it's not just for LS but for vulvar pain IF it's in the skin and not from some radiating cause or pelvic floor dysfunction or other pathogenic cause.

Anyway hon glad you joined the LS group as well, and sure wishing you the best. you'll learn a lot and the group is very active but lots of good people just like there are here *smile* always willing to give a hug or support or information hoping it'll help.

HugsDee~

PS........ about the blood levels and you saying yours were fine? I was just now in the process of writing something else to Dusty about that. *smile* since the blood levels can be just fine as she suggested getting our hormones tested and I 'totally' agree...... BUT....... if the hormone 'receptors' aren't functioning correctly or if we have less of them or none (whether LS or vulvodynia) it doesn't matter if the blood levels are ok.

It means without those 'receptors' properly operating the hormones are blocked (even if the blood stream is fine with them) and so they aren't activated to do their job. It's the receptors that activate everything.

But what can work and be beneficial is if those same hormones (E & T) *estrace & testosterone* are applied (just a small dab) from an external source and it's not usually systemic (unless it's overused). Tho the T can enhance the libido so that is somewhat more systemic but rarely the estrogen (Estrace). I just know I'd never give up mine. *smile* they sure keep me well.

Dee~

..

[Guest guest]

, (for Janelle, too)

Can you tell us what kind of yeast you are being

tested for? There is so much confusion about

yeast--edible yeast (baker's and brewer's which is

also known as saccharomyces cerevisiae which is

believed by some to be responsible for crohn's

disease). There are other edible yeasts--many. My body

has an autoimmune reaction to this (IgA).

There is of course the big troublemaker --candida--and

its various varieties that are not edible and many of

us have constant problems vaginally with (also

believed to cross react with gluten). Everybody should

be " allergic " to this.

It is just a good idea to know what they are doing and

what kinds of yeast they are testing for and besides

that it will clear up perhaps the questions I have

always had about these " Yeast " allergies.

I had what was diagnosed as Lichen Sclerosis after

twelve vulvar biopsies. It was a mess. I had the

classic whitened butterfly pattern of burning and

itching and excoriations. I knew that I had always had

vaginal yeast and in those days it was so difficult to

get treatment as one trip to the doc gave me one

prescription for creams when I needed constant

treatment. I also become very allergic to the creams.

Finally a lady urologist gave me a handfull of

diflucan samples and some prescriptions for refill

where I could take it for awhile. I consider that

Diflucan saved my life. As I took it I could see the

whiteness slowly disappearing and since then (about

six years ago) my mission in life is to see that I

have enough oral antifungals to treat my chronic yeast

which I expect I will never totally get rid of as I

often have to take antibiotics. It is hard as the docs

don't want to prescribe this for some reason. There is

that belief that the little ladies who think they have

yeast are slightly bent because they often can't see

it. Fortunately at that time I also discovered I was

gluten sensitive and the combo of oral antifungals and

no gluten made my vulvar problems go totally away--no

lichen sclerosis at all--no itching, burning, clitoral

nerve pain, no problems. The estrace at the end of the

whole process almostly immediately took away the last

vestiges of burning. It is a healing miracle but one

still have to find the cause.

They say there is no cure for LS. There is no cure

until they find the cause. I don't think anybody is

productively looking. You may have to find it for

yourself but I encourage you to keep looking and look

in the area of food intolerances and not allergies. It

is all different. Allergy testing for food has never

been very productive.

Just my opinion and experiences. I was mostly

interested in what kind of yeast they are testing you

for.

Janelle, I suspect you know best -- that yeast is one

of your problems but you should look into gluten stool

testing at Enterolab. It is a combination I bet. The

two things cross react apparently.

Best,

Arline

--- Berry Home wrote:

> I have LS too...

> I think LS is manageable if you use the Clobetasol

> ointment a couple of times a week on a regular

> basis. Also, Estrace used topically to help keep the

> tissue healthy so you don't atrophy. Dee can tell

> you more about that.

> Check out lichensclerosis

> I've been wondering about the yeast connection too

> and think that might be one of my triggers so I'm

> getting allergy tested on Tues of next week. I'll

> let you know. : )

>

> Re: Lichen Sclerosis

>

>

>

> >

> >

> > Hi girls

> >

> > I was wondering if anyone else on here has this

> awful disease, I had

> > a punch biopsy done and it came back as a mild

> licheoid reaction

> > amongst other things ( rather large medical

> terms that i have no

> > idea how to pronunce lol) and inflammation, they

> concluded i had

> > Lichen Sclerosis.

> >

> > I can't help wondering though that as ive been

> also diagonsed with

> > systemic candadia that this may be causing most

> of the pain and

> > symtoms im feeling " down there " . The first time

> i took difulcan i

> > was nearly pain free, it was bliss but then had

> to go on a series of

> > very high dose antibiotcs and now my problem is

> at the worst its

> > ever been.

> >

> > Has anyone else had or having a similar

> expereince? the mere

> > thought of LS scares me to death, all the

> shrinking, fusing tearing

> > and the no cure.

> >

> > Big hugs to you all

> >

> > Janelle

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

To Janelle,

I also had a biopsy done that showed a lichenoid reaction. My first

diagnosis was lichen planus, but I saw a second dermatologist who told

me that lichenoid reaction does not necessarily mean a lichen disorder

(lichen sclerosis or planus). It just means that the skin has taken a

particular texture and/or gone into a specific pattern due to

inflammation. I did not have the patters that are characteristic of

lichen schlerosis or lichen planus, and I'm also not in the vulnerable

age group (I'm 25) so I think my problem was due to a severe allergic

reaction to either antibiotics or the number of antifungals that I

applied and took because I kept being misdiagnosed with yeast

infections. Corisone creams did not help me at all and in fact made my

problem worse because they damaged the skin further. I would think

that if what you have goes away and does not recur, then probably it's

not lichen sclerosis but just a lichenoid reaction. (lichenoid

reactions are also a side effect of many medications, so I would check

and see if that's something to consider).

bestest,

mara

Mara Fortes

(New York)

011-52-55-55-54-22-95 (Mexico City)

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

To Janelle,

I also had a biopsy done that showed a lichenoid reaction. My first

diagnosis was lichen planus, but I saw a second dermatologist who told

me that lichenoid reaction does not necessarily mean a lichen disorder

(lichen sclerosis or planus). It just means that the skin has taken a

particular texture and/or gone into a specific pattern due to

inflammation. I did not have the patters that are characteristic of

lichen schlerosis or lichen planus, and I'm also not in the vulnerable

age group (I'm 25) so I think my problem was due to a severe allergic

reaction to either antibiotics or the number of antifungals that I

applied and took because I kept being misdiagnosed with yeast

infections. Corisone creams did not help me at all and in fact made my

problem worse because they damaged the skin further. I would think

that if what you have goes away and does not recur, then probably it's

not lichen sclerosis but just a lichenoid reaction. (lichenoid

reactions are also a side effect of many medications, so I would check

and see if that's something to consider).

bestest,

mara

Mara Fortes

(New York)

011-52-55-55-54-22-95 (Mexico City)

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

To Janelle,

I also had a biopsy done that showed a lichenoid reaction. My first

diagnosis was lichen planus, but I saw a second dermatologist who told

me that lichenoid reaction does not necessarily mean a lichen disorder

(lichen sclerosis or planus). It just means that the skin has taken a

particular texture and/or gone into a specific pattern due to

inflammation. I did not have the patters that are characteristic of

lichen schlerosis or lichen planus, and I'm also not in the vulnerable

age group (I'm 25) so I think my problem was due to a severe allergic

reaction to either antibiotics or the number of antifungals that I

applied and took because I kept being misdiagnosed with yeast

infections. Corisone creams did not help me at all and in fact made my

problem worse because they damaged the skin further. I would think

that if what you have goes away and does not recur, then probably it's

not lichen sclerosis but just a lichenoid reaction. (lichenoid

reactions are also a side effect of many medications, so I would check

and see if that's something to consider).

bestest,

mara

Mara Fortes

(New York)

011-52-55-55-54-22-95 (Mexico City)

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Arline and girls

Wow 12 biopsies, were they all postive? ive had two (done at the

same time) 2 years ago, the only white i have is from scars when i

had unidentafiable blisters 8 years ago, was tested 11 different

times for herpes and all negative, my doc ( who is a godsend) seems

to think it was an allergic reaction, to answer you question on

yeast you know i have no idea what type it is as i didnt realise

there were so many different ones, my doc diagnosed me with systemic

candida as i have every symptom ever listed for candida ( aprt from

the men problems hehe). I've had numerous blood tests that keep

changing in results, one test my estrogen level was that low it

barely made it on the chart the next one wasnt to bad, one test im

gluten intolerant the next im not, the only constants have been low

iron, low b12 and inflammation in my body, i tested negative to any

food allergies but positive to every type of grass, animals, dust

mold etc.

I to had a remarkable episode with diflucan the first time ever i

took it and i was 95% pain free for the frist time in years until i

got UTI's and had to go on stronger and stronger antibiotcs, the

uti's turned out to be a massaive kidney stone which i had to have

surgery for ( still getting UTI's though). Unfortunately i seem to

have become immune to difulcan and all the thrush creams. All my

problmes started when i contracted Glandular Fever as as a result my

immune system is nearly no existant.

I'm so happy that you got rid of your LS, did you have any fusing or

shrinkage at all? I have always thought this supposed " LS " is

actually candida based, as ive noticed nearly every case histroy ive

read the women have had thrush at some stage. I'm a little wary

about using Clob, as i've used steriod cream before for years and my

doc seems to think ive done more damage than good and that most of

my pain is nerve related as ive thinned the skin so much with the

steriod that they are exposed, and that the LS is just the damage to

my skin from having the constant thrush infection. I'm constantly in

pain and red, sitting, walking wearing pants is near impossible as

its a 24/7 burn and irritation maybe VV?

Sorry to have rambled on, juast so glad i found this site as no one

i know has my trouble and im just looking for hope that i can find

out what i have and be healed and not have to be in this pain for

the rest of my life

Healing hugs and wishes to you all

Janelle

> > >

> > >

> > > Hi girls

> > >

> > > I was wondering if anyone else on here has this

> > awful disease, I had

> > > a punch biopsy done and it came back as a mild

> > licheoid reaction

> > > amongst other things ( rather large medical

> > terms that i have no

> > > idea how to pronunce lol) and inflammation, they

> > concluded i had

> > > Lichen Sclerosis.

> > >

> > > I can't help wondering though that as ive been

> > also diagonsed with

> > > systemic candadia that this may be causing most

> > of the pain and

> > > symtoms im feeling " down there " . The first time

> > i took difulcan i

> > > was nearly pain free, it was bliss but then had

> > to go on a series of

> > > very high dose antibiotcs and now my problem is

> > at the worst its

> > > ever been.

> > >

> > > Has anyone else had or having a similar

> > expereince? the mere

> > > thought of LS scares me to death, all the

> > shrinking, fusing tearing

> > > and the no cure.

> > >

> > > Big hugs to you all

> > >

> > > Janelle

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Arline and girls

Wow 12 biopsies, were they all postive? ive had two (done at the

same time) 2 years ago, the only white i have is from scars when i

had unidentafiable blisters 8 years ago, was tested 11 different

times for herpes and all negative, my doc ( who is a godsend) seems

to think it was an allergic reaction, to answer you question on

yeast you know i have no idea what type it is as i didnt realise

there were so many different ones, my doc diagnosed me with systemic

candida as i have every symptom ever listed for candida ( aprt from

the men problems hehe). I've had numerous blood tests that keep

changing in results, one test my estrogen level was that low it

barely made it on the chart the next one wasnt to bad, one test im

gluten intolerant the next im not, the only constants have been low

iron, low b12 and inflammation in my body, i tested negative to any

food allergies but positive to every type of grass, animals, dust

mold etc.

I to had a remarkable episode with diflucan the first time ever i

took it and i was 95% pain free for the frist time in years until i

got UTI's and had to go on stronger and stronger antibiotcs, the

uti's turned out to be a massaive kidney stone which i had to have

surgery for ( still getting UTI's though). Unfortunately i seem to

have become immune to difulcan and all the thrush creams. All my

problmes started when i contracted Glandular Fever as as a result my

immune system is nearly no existant.

I'm so happy that you got rid of your LS, did you have any fusing or

shrinkage at all? I have always thought this supposed " LS " is

actually candida based, as ive noticed nearly every case histroy ive

read the women have had thrush at some stage. I'm a little wary

about using Clob, as i've used steriod cream before for years and my

doc seems to think ive done more damage than good and that most of

my pain is nerve related as ive thinned the skin so much with the

steriod that they are exposed, and that the LS is just the damage to

my skin from having the constant thrush infection. I'm constantly in

pain and red, sitting, walking wearing pants is near impossible as

its a 24/7 burn and irritation maybe VV?

Sorry to have rambled on, juast so glad i found this site as no one

i know has my trouble and im just looking for hope that i can find

out what i have and be healed and not have to be in this pain for

the rest of my life

Healing hugs and wishes to you all

Janelle

> > >

> > >

> > > Hi girls

> > >

> > > I was wondering if anyone else on here has this

> > awful disease, I had

> > > a punch biopsy done and it came back as a mild

> > licheoid reaction

> > > amongst other things ( rather large medical

> > terms that i have no

> > > idea how to pronunce lol) and inflammation, they

> > concluded i had

> > > Lichen Sclerosis.

> > >

> > > I can't help wondering though that as ive been

> > also diagonsed with

> > > systemic candadia that this may be causing most

> > of the pain and

> > > symtoms im feeling " down there " . The first time

> > i took difulcan i

> > > was nearly pain free, it was bliss but then had

> > to go on a series of

> > > very high dose antibiotcs and now my problem is

> > at the worst its

> > > ever been.

> > >

> > > Has anyone else had or having a similar

> > expereince? the mere

> > > thought of LS scares me to death, all the

> > shrinking, fusing tearing

> > > and the no cure.

> > >

> > > Big hugs to you all

> > >

> > > Janelle

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Arline and girls

Wow 12 biopsies, were they all postive? ive had two (done at the

same time) 2 years ago, the only white i have is from scars when i

had unidentafiable blisters 8 years ago, was tested 11 different

times for herpes and all negative, my doc ( who is a godsend) seems

to think it was an allergic reaction, to answer you question on

yeast you know i have no idea what type it is as i didnt realise

there were so many different ones, my doc diagnosed me with systemic

candida as i have every symptom ever listed for candida ( aprt from

the men problems hehe). I've had numerous blood tests that keep

changing in results, one test my estrogen level was that low it

barely made it on the chart the next one wasnt to bad, one test im

gluten intolerant the next im not, the only constants have been low

iron, low b12 and inflammation in my body, i tested negative to any

food allergies but positive to every type of grass, animals, dust

mold etc.

I to had a remarkable episode with diflucan the first time ever i

took it and i was 95% pain free for the frist time in years until i

got UTI's and had to go on stronger and stronger antibiotcs, the

uti's turned out to be a massaive kidney stone which i had to have

surgery for ( still getting UTI's though). Unfortunately i seem to

have become immune to difulcan and all the thrush creams. All my

problmes started when i contracted Glandular Fever as as a result my

immune system is nearly no existant.

I'm so happy that you got rid of your LS, did you have any fusing or

shrinkage at all? I have always thought this supposed " LS " is

actually candida based, as ive noticed nearly every case histroy ive

read the women have had thrush at some stage. I'm a little wary

about using Clob, as i've used steriod cream before for years and my

doc seems to think ive done more damage than good and that most of

my pain is nerve related as ive thinned the skin so much with the

steriod that they are exposed, and that the LS is just the damage to

my skin from having the constant thrush infection. I'm constantly in

pain and red, sitting, walking wearing pants is near impossible as

its a 24/7 burn and irritation maybe VV?

Sorry to have rambled on, juast so glad i found this site as no one

i know has my trouble and im just looking for hope that i can find

out what i have and be healed and not have to be in this pain for

the rest of my life

Healing hugs and wishes to you all

Janelle

> > >

> > >

> > > Hi girls

> > >

> > > I was wondering if anyone else on here has this

> > awful disease, I had

> > > a punch biopsy done and it came back as a mild

> > licheoid reaction

> > > amongst other things ( rather large medical

> > terms that i have no

> > > idea how to pronunce lol) and inflammation, they

> > concluded i had

> > > Lichen Sclerosis.

> > >

> > > I can't help wondering though that as ive been

> > also diagonsed with

> > > systemic candadia that this may be causing most

> > of the pain and

> > > symtoms im feeling " down there " . The first time

> > i took difulcan i

> > > was nearly pain free, it was bliss but then had

> > to go on a series of

> > > very high dose antibiotcs and now my problem is

> > at the worst its

> > > ever been.

> > >

> > > Has anyone else had or having a similar

> > expereince? the mere

> > > thought of LS scares me to death, all the

> > shrinking, fusing tearing

> > > and the no cure.

> > >

> > > Big hugs to you all

> > >

> > > Janelle

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Mara

Thank you for giving me hope, you know i never thought to get a

second opinion, my report said (amongst other things lol) there was

a mild lichenoid reaction, inflammatory infiltrate??? and they could

see the effect or rubbing and scrtching, but said the features were

those of lichen sclerosus, and the comprehensive summary was LS

aswell, so im not sure if i have the juts a reaction and like you

said its showing up a different skin pattern or if i really 100% do

have LS. I alway find it strange that i have a postive reaction to

Diflucan, ( esp the frist time i took it, i was nearly 100% pain

free it was great). Every blood test i have always comes up with

showing inflamation in my body.

I guess i dont fit the group either as i was 22 when this all

started ( im now 30) and have also had problems with steriod creams,

yes they take the itch and inflammation away abit but my docs says

ive thinned the skin that much that the nerves are exposed and have

been dmamaged, that along with the 24/7 thrush infection ( i have

systmeic candida) is what is causing my pain and that the " LS " is

just the damage that it has all done to my skin, which fits in

perfetly with what you said.

I hope and pray this is right as the thought of LS scared me to

death but also having this forever is just as bad. How are things

for you now? i hope you are better

Thank you again for your post and also to everyone else who replied

Big hugs

Janelle

>

> To Janelle,

>

> I also had a biopsy done that showed a lichenoid reaction. My

first

> diagnosis was lichen planus, but I saw a second dermatologist who

told

> me that lichenoid reaction does not necessarily mean a lichen

disorder

> (lichen sclerosis or planus). It just means that the skin has

taken a

> particular texture and/or gone into a specific pattern due to

> inflammation. I did not have the patters that are characteristic

of

> lichen schlerosis or lichen planus, and I'm also not in the

vulnerable

> age group (I'm 25) so I think my problem was due to a severe

allergic

> reaction to either antibiotics or the number of antifungals that I

> applied and took because I kept being misdiagnosed with yeast

> infections. Corisone creams did not help me at all and in fact

made my

> problem worse because they damaged the skin further. I would think

> that if what you have goes away and does not recur, then probably

it's

> not lichen sclerosis but just a lichenoid reaction. (lichenoid

> reactions are also a side effect of many medications, so I would

check

> and see if that's something to consider).

>

> bestest,

> mara

>

>

>

> Mara Fortes

> (New York)

> 011-52-55-55-54-22-95 (Mexico City)

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Mara

Thank you for giving me hope, you know i never thought to get a

second opinion, my report said (amongst other things lol) there was

a mild lichenoid reaction, inflammatory infiltrate??? and they could

see the effect or rubbing and scrtching, but said the features were

those of lichen sclerosus, and the comprehensive summary was LS

aswell, so im not sure if i have the juts a reaction and like you

said its showing up a different skin pattern or if i really 100% do

have LS. I alway find it strange that i have a postive reaction to

Diflucan, ( esp the frist time i took it, i was nearly 100% pain

free it was great). Every blood test i have always comes up with

showing inflamation in my body.

I guess i dont fit the group either as i was 22 when this all

started ( im now 30) and have also had problems with steriod creams,

yes they take the itch and inflammation away abit but my docs says

ive thinned the skin that much that the nerves are exposed and have

been dmamaged, that along with the 24/7 thrush infection ( i have

systmeic candida) is what is causing my pain and that the " LS " is

just the damage that it has all done to my skin, which fits in

perfetly with what you said.

I hope and pray this is right as the thought of LS scared me to

death but also having this forever is just as bad. How are things

for you now? i hope you are better

Thank you again for your post and also to everyone else who replied

Big hugs

Janelle

>

> To Janelle,

>

> I also had a biopsy done that showed a lichenoid reaction. My

first

> diagnosis was lichen planus, but I saw a second dermatologist who

told

> me that lichenoid reaction does not necessarily mean a lichen

disorder

> (lichen sclerosis or planus). It just means that the skin has

taken a

> particular texture and/or gone into a specific pattern due to

> inflammation. I did not have the patters that are characteristic

of

> lichen schlerosis or lichen planus, and I'm also not in the

vulnerable

> age group (I'm 25) so I think my problem was due to a severe

allergic

> reaction to either antibiotics or the number of antifungals that I

> applied and took because I kept being misdiagnosed with yeast

> infections. Corisone creams did not help me at all and in fact

made my

> problem worse because they damaged the skin further. I would think

> that if what you have goes away and does not recur, then probably

it's

> not lichen sclerosis but just a lichenoid reaction. (lichenoid

> reactions are also a side effect of many medications, so I would

check

> and see if that's something to consider).

>

> bestest,

> mara

>

>

>

> Mara Fortes

> (New York)

> 011-52-55-55-54-22-95 (Mexico City)

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Mara

Thank you for giving me hope, you know i never thought to get a

second opinion, my report said (amongst other things lol) there was

a mild lichenoid reaction, inflammatory infiltrate??? and they could

see the effect or rubbing and scrtching, but said the features were

those of lichen sclerosus, and the comprehensive summary was LS

aswell, so im not sure if i have the juts a reaction and like you

said its showing up a different skin pattern or if i really 100% do

have LS. I alway find it strange that i have a postive reaction to

Diflucan, ( esp the frist time i took it, i was nearly 100% pain

free it was great). Every blood test i have always comes up with

showing inflamation in my body.

I guess i dont fit the group either as i was 22 when this all

started ( im now 30) and have also had problems with steriod creams,

yes they take the itch and inflammation away abit but my docs says

ive thinned the skin that much that the nerves are exposed and have

been dmamaged, that along with the 24/7 thrush infection ( i have

systmeic candida) is what is causing my pain and that the " LS " is

just the damage that it has all done to my skin, which fits in

perfetly with what you said.

I hope and pray this is right as the thought of LS scared me to

death but also having this forever is just as bad. How are things

for you now? i hope you are better

Thank you again for your post and also to everyone else who replied

Big hugs

Janelle

>

> To Janelle,

>

> I also had a biopsy done that showed a lichenoid reaction. My

first

> diagnosis was lichen planus, but I saw a second dermatologist who

told

> me that lichenoid reaction does not necessarily mean a lichen

disorder

> (lichen sclerosis or planus). It just means that the skin has

taken a

> particular texture and/or gone into a specific pattern due to

> inflammation. I did not have the patters that are characteristic

of

> lichen schlerosis or lichen planus, and I'm also not in the

vulnerable

> age group (I'm 25) so I think my problem was due to a severe

allergic

> reaction to either antibiotics or the number of antifungals that I

> applied and took because I kept being misdiagnosed with yeast

> infections. Corisone creams did not help me at all and in fact

made my

> problem worse because they damaged the skin further. I would think

> that if what you have goes away and does not recur, then probably

it's

> not lichen sclerosis but just a lichenoid reaction. (lichenoid

> reactions are also a side effect of many medications, so I would

check

> and see if that's something to consider).

>

> bestest,

> mara

>

>

>

> Mara Fortes

> (New York)

> 011-52-55-55-54-22-95 (Mexico City)

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Janelle,

You poor kid!!

>

> Wow 12 biopsies, were they all postive?

Yes they were all positive and all at the same

time--totally unnecessary. They thought I had cancer I

think and that must be why they did it. I have been

very wary about docs and vulvar disorders ever since.

These diagnoses are often off the wall.

ive had two

> (done at the

> same time) 2 years ago, the only white i have is

> from scars when i

> had unidentafiable blisters 8 years ago, was tested

> 11 different

> times for herpes and all negative, my doc ( who is a

> godsend) seems

> to think it was an allergic reaction,

(I think it is not an allergic reaction but an

autoimmune reaction but he is getting closer) Gluten

causes blisters sometimes, too.

I had blisters also on my vulva at the time, not many

and not when the doc was there to look at it

fortunately or they would have given me four hundred

tests for herpes which I don't have.

to answer you

> question on

> yeast you know i have no idea what type it is as i

> didnt realise

> there were so many different ones, my doc diagnosed

> me with systemic

> candida as i have every symptom ever listed for

> candida ( aprt from

> the men problems hehe

(He he he yourself--;O)

I am glad he knows that you have all this terrible

yeast. That is way ahead of most.

I've had numerous blood

> tests that keep

> changing in results, one test my estrogen level was

> that low it

> barely made it on the chart the next one wasnt to

> bad,

The gluten is destroying your ovaries--thus that is

likely why you had low estrogen.

one test im

> gluten intolerant the next im not,

If they even only one time found the antibodies

specific for gluten, you are definitely gluten

sensitivie and I hope that you are not eating ANY of

the stuff as it is poison to you. You should also be

tested (stool tested at enterolab for IgA reaction) to

dairy. It can do the same things.

the only

> constants have been low

> iron, low b12 and inflammation in my body,

These are all typical of food intolerances--the IgA

reactions destroy the villi in the small intestine

which makes you unable to digest and absorb the iron,

b12 and the inflammation is what causes it all.

i tested

> negative to any

> food allergies but positive to every type of grass,

> animals, dust

> mold etc.

You are just super sensitive to them likely because of

constant gluten attacks and dairy?

>

> I to had a remarkable episode with diflucan the

> first time ever i

> took it and i was 95% pain free for the frist time

> in years until i

> got UTI's and had to go on stronger and stronger

> antibiotcs, the

> uti's turned out to be a massaive kidney stone which

> i had to have

> surgery for ( still getting UTI's though).

Because of the fat malabsorption caused by gluten

destroying the intestines, the body can't absorb

calcium and often stones develop.

> Unfortunately i seem to

> have become immune to difulcan and all the thrush

> creams.

Wow! I wonder how long you took diflucan. Maybe you

have a weird kind of yeast. Have you had the yeast

cultured for a long time--special culture--to see if

you have another yeast that is doing this that needs a

different kind of antifungal. I have to tell you to

please not use the antifungal creams. Have you tried

to use boric acid capsules. I make my own and use them

frequently. They work really well and also work well

apparently with a different kind of candida--glabrata.

All my

> problmes started when i contracted Glandular Fever

> as as a result my

> immune system is nearly no existant.

You really have to stop eating any gluten (and dairy

too even if you haven't been tested).

>

> I'm so happy that you got rid of your LS, did you

> have any fusing or

> shrinkage at all?

Yes, but the fusing went away and the shrinkage seem

to mostly comeback.

I have always thought this

> supposed " LS " is

> actually candida based, as ive noticed nearly every

> case histroy ive

> read the women have had thrush at some stage.

I don't know about everybody but it certainly was with

me.

I'm a

> little wary

> about using Clob, as i've used steriod cream before

> for years and my

> doc seems to think ive done more damage than good

> and that most of

> my pain is nerve related as ive thinned the skin so

> much with the

> steriod that they are exposed, and that the LS is

> just the damage to

> my skin from having the constant thrush infection.

> I'm constantly in

> pain and red, sitting, walking wearing pants is near

> impossible as

> its a 24/7 burn and irritation maybe VV?

You sound just the way I was. It is all gone except

for the yeast.

>

> Sorry to have rambled on, juast so glad i found this

> site as no one

> i know has my trouble and im just looking for hope

> that i can find

> out what i have and be healed and not have to be in

> this pain for

> the rest of my life

Gluten and dairy likely is the cause of all these

problems. You must stop eating them. ALL of them.

>

> Healing hugs and wishes to you all

And to you, Janelle.

Arline

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > Hi Arline,

> > I'm looking at the food testing sheet the

> allergist gave me with a

> list of all of the possible food allergies and the

> yeast I see here

> is saccharomyces (yeast mix). I'm guessing that's

> the baker's and

> brewer's yeast and maybe others too? I think those

> would be edible

> yeasts though since this is a food allergy test.

> I've never been

> tested for candida at all that I'm aware of. I

> actually don't get

> many yeast infections. But,

> > back months ago when I took that probiotic

> supplement I had a very

> strong reaction to it... and the baker's and

> brewer's yeast was in

> the probiotic supplement. I think you suggested

> since I was gluten

> intolerant I might have an allergy to this strain of

> yeast as well.

> I did have a terrible flare when I took the

> probiotic supplement so

> I'm trying to pinpoint what might have caused that.

> > How would I go about being tested for candida?

> >

> > Re: Re: Lichen Sclerosis

> >

> >

> > , (for Janelle, too)

> >

> > Can you tell us what kind of yeast you are being

> > tested for? There is so much confusion about

> > yeast--edible yeast (baker's and brewer's which

> is

> > also known as saccharomyces cerevisiae which is

> > believed by some to be responsible for crohn's

> > disease). There are other edible yeasts--many.

> My body

> > has an autoimmune reaction to this (IgA).

> >

> > There is of course the big troublemaker

> --candida--and

> > its various varieties that are not edible and

> many of

> > us have constant problems vaginally with (also

> > believed to cross react with gluten). Everybody

> should

> > be " allergic " to this.

> >

> > It is just a good idea to know what they are

> doing and

> > what kinds of yeast they are testing for and

> besides

> > that it will clear up perhaps the questions I

> have

> > always had about these " Yeast " allergies.

> >

> > I had what was diagnosed as Lichen Sclerosis

> after

> > twelve vulvar biopsies. It was a mess. I had the

> > classic whitened butterfly pattern of burning

> and

> > itching and excoriations. I knew that I had

> always had

> > vaginal yeast and in those days it was so

> difficult to

> > get treatment as one trip to the doc gave me one

> > prescription for creams when I needed constant

> > treatment. I also become very allergic to the

> creams.

> > Finally a lady urologist gave me a handfull of

> > diflucan samples and some prescriptions for

> refill

> > where I could take it for awhile. I consider

> that

> > Diflucan saved my life. As I took it I could see

> the

> > whiteness slowly disappearing and since then

> (about

> > six years ago) my mission in life is to see that

> I

> > have enough oral antifungals to treat my chronic

> yeast

> > which I expect I will never totally get rid of

> as I

> > often have to take antibiotics. It is hard as

> the docs

> > don't want to prescribe this for some reason.

> There is

> > that belief that the little ladies who think

> they have

> > yeast are slightly bent because they often can't

> see

> > it. Fortunately at that time I also discovered I

> was

> > gluten sensitive and the combo of oral

> antifungals and

> > no gluten made my vulvar problems go totally

> away--no

> > lichen sclerosis at all--no itching, burning,

> clitoral

> > nerve pain, no problems. The estrace at the end

> of the

> > whole process almostly immediately took away the

> last

> > vestiges of burning. It is a healing miracle but

> one

>

=== message truncated ===

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Janelle,

You poor kid!!

>

> Wow 12 biopsies, were they all postive?

Yes they were all positive and all at the same

time--totally unnecessary. They thought I had cancer I

think and that must be why they did it. I have been

very wary about docs and vulvar disorders ever since.

These diagnoses are often off the wall.

ive had two

> (done at the

> same time) 2 years ago, the only white i have is

> from scars when i

> had unidentafiable blisters 8 years ago, was tested

> 11 different

> times for herpes and all negative, my doc ( who is a

> godsend) seems

> to think it was an allergic reaction,

(I think it is not an allergic reaction but an

autoimmune reaction but he is getting closer) Gluten

causes blisters sometimes, too.

I had blisters also on my vulva at the time, not many

and not when the doc was there to look at it

fortunately or they would have given me four hundred

tests for herpes which I don't have.

to answer you

> question on

> yeast you know i have no idea what type it is as i

> didnt realise

> there were so many different ones, my doc diagnosed

> me with systemic

> candida as i have every symptom ever listed for

> candida ( aprt from

> the men problems hehe

(He he he yourself--;O)

I am glad he knows that you have all this terrible

yeast. That is way ahead of most.

I've had numerous blood

> tests that keep

> changing in results, one test my estrogen level was

> that low it

> barely made it on the chart the next one wasnt to

> bad,

The gluten is destroying your ovaries--thus that is

likely why you had low estrogen.

one test im

> gluten intolerant the next im not,

If they even only one time found the antibodies

specific for gluten, you are definitely gluten

sensitivie and I hope that you are not eating ANY of

the stuff as it is poison to you. You should also be

tested (stool tested at enterolab for IgA reaction) to

dairy. It can do the same things.

the only

> constants have been low

> iron, low b12 and inflammation in my body,

These are all typical of food intolerances--the IgA

reactions destroy the villi in the small intestine

which makes you unable to digest and absorb the iron,

b12 and the inflammation is what causes it all.

i tested

> negative to any

> food allergies but positive to every type of grass,

> animals, dust

> mold etc.

You are just super sensitive to them likely because of

constant gluten attacks and dairy?

>

> I to had a remarkable episode with diflucan the

> first time ever i

> took it and i was 95% pain free for the frist time

> in years until i

> got UTI's and had to go on stronger and stronger

> antibiotcs, the

> uti's turned out to be a massaive kidney stone which

> i had to have

> surgery for ( still getting UTI's though).

Because of the fat malabsorption caused by gluten

destroying the intestines, the body can't absorb

calcium and often stones develop.

> Unfortunately i seem to

> have become immune to difulcan and all the thrush

> creams.

Wow! I wonder how long you took diflucan. Maybe you

have a weird kind of yeast. Have you had the yeast

cultured for a long time--special culture--to see if

you have another yeast that is doing this that needs a

different kind of antifungal. I have to tell you to

please not use the antifungal creams. Have you tried

to use boric acid capsules. I make my own and use them

frequently. They work really well and also work well

apparently with a different kind of candida--glabrata.

All my

> problmes started when i contracted Glandular Fever

> as as a result my

> immune system is nearly no existant.

You really have to stop eating any gluten (and dairy

too even if you haven't been tested).

>

> I'm so happy that you got rid of your LS, did you

> have any fusing or

> shrinkage at all?

Yes, but the fusing went away and the shrinkage seem

to mostly comeback.

I have always thought this

> supposed " LS " is

> actually candida based, as ive noticed nearly every

> case histroy ive

> read the women have had thrush at some stage.

I don't know about everybody but it certainly was with

me.

I'm a

> little wary

> about using Clob, as i've used steriod cream before

> for years and my

> doc seems to think ive done more damage than good

> and that most of

> my pain is nerve related as ive thinned the skin so

> much with the

> steriod that they are exposed, and that the LS is

> just the damage to

> my skin from having the constant thrush infection.

> I'm constantly in

> pain and red, sitting, walking wearing pants is near

> impossible as

> its a 24/7 burn and irritation maybe VV?

You sound just the way I was. It is all gone except

for the yeast.

>

> Sorry to have rambled on, juast so glad i found this

> site as no one

> i know has my trouble and im just looking for hope

> that i can find

> out what i have and be healed and not have to be in

> this pain for

> the rest of my life

Gluten and dairy likely is the cause of all these

problems. You must stop eating them. ALL of them.

>

> Healing hugs and wishes to you all

And to you, Janelle.

Arline

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > Hi Arline,

> > I'm looking at the food testing sheet the

> allergist gave me with a

> list of all of the possible food allergies and the

> yeast I see here

> is saccharomyces (yeast mix). I'm guessing that's

> the baker's and

> brewer's yeast and maybe others too? I think those

> would be edible

> yeasts though since this is a food allergy test.

> I've never been

> tested for candida at all that I'm aware of. I

> actually don't get

> many yeast infections. But,

> > back months ago when I took that probiotic

> supplement I had a very

> strong reaction to it... and the baker's and

> brewer's yeast was in

> the probiotic supplement. I think you suggested

> since I was gluten

> intolerant I might have an allergy to this strain of

> yeast as well.

> I did have a terrible flare when I took the

> probiotic supplement so

> I'm trying to pinpoint what might have caused that.

> > How would I go about being tested for candida?

> >

> > Re: Re: Lichen Sclerosis

> >

> >

> > , (for Janelle, too)

> >

> > Can you tell us what kind of yeast you are being

> > tested for? There is so much confusion about

> > yeast--edible yeast (baker's and brewer's which

> is

> > also known as saccharomyces cerevisiae which is

> > believed by some to be responsible for crohn's

> > disease). There are other edible yeasts--many.

> My body

> > has an autoimmune reaction to this (IgA).

> >

> > There is of course the big troublemaker

> --candida--and

> > its various varieties that are not edible and

> many of

> > us have constant problems vaginally with (also

> > believed to cross react with gluten). Everybody

> should

> > be " allergic " to this.

> >

> > It is just a good idea to know what they are

> doing and

> > what kinds of yeast they are testing for and

> besides

> > that it will clear up perhaps the questions I

> have

> > always had about these " Yeast " allergies.

> >

> > I had what was diagnosed as Lichen Sclerosis

> after

> > twelve vulvar biopsies. It was a mess. I had the

> > classic whitened butterfly pattern of burning

> and

> > itching and excoriations. I knew that I had

> always had

> > vaginal yeast and in those days it was so

> difficult to

> > get treatment as one trip to the doc gave me one

> > prescription for creams when I needed constant

> > treatment. I also become very allergic to the

> creams.

> > Finally a lady urologist gave me a handfull of

> > diflucan samples and some prescriptions for

> refill

> > where I could take it for awhile. I consider

> that

> > Diflucan saved my life. As I took it I could see

> the

> > whiteness slowly disappearing and since then

> (about

> > six years ago) my mission in life is to see that

> I

> > have enough oral antifungals to treat my chronic

> yeast

> > which I expect I will never totally get rid of

> as I

> > often have to take antibiotics. It is hard as

> the docs

> > don't want to prescribe this for some reason.

> There is

> > that belief that the little ladies who think

> they have

> > yeast are slightly bent because they often can't

> see

> > it. Fortunately at that time I also discovered I

> was

> > gluten sensitive and the combo of oral

> antifungals and

> > no gluten made my vulvar problems go totally

> away--no

> > lichen sclerosis at all--no itching, burning,

> clitoral

> > nerve pain, no problems. The estrace at the end

> of the

> > whole process almostly immediately took away the

> last

> > vestiges of burning. It is a healing miracle but

> one

>

=== message truncated ===

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Janelle,

You poor kid!!

>

> Wow 12 biopsies, were they all postive?

Yes they were all positive and all at the same

time--totally unnecessary. They thought I had cancer I

think and that must be why they did it. I have been

very wary about docs and vulvar disorders ever since.

These diagnoses are often off the wall.

ive had two

> (done at the

> same time) 2 years ago, the only white i have is

> from scars when i

> had unidentafiable blisters 8 years ago, was tested

> 11 different

> times for herpes and all negative, my doc ( who is a

> godsend) seems

> to think it was an allergic reaction,

(I think it is not an allergic reaction but an

autoimmune reaction but he is getting closer) Gluten

causes blisters sometimes, too.

I had blisters also on my vulva at the time, not many

and not when the doc was there to look at it

fortunately or they would have given me four hundred

tests for herpes which I don't have.

to answer you

> question on

> yeast you know i have no idea what type it is as i

> didnt realise

> there were so many different ones, my doc diagnosed

> me with systemic

> candida as i have every symptom ever listed for

> candida ( aprt from

> the men problems hehe

(He he he yourself--;O)

I am glad he knows that you have all this terrible

yeast. That is way ahead of most.

I've had numerous blood

> tests that keep

> changing in results, one test my estrogen level was

> that low it

> barely made it on the chart the next one wasnt to

> bad,

The gluten is destroying your ovaries--thus that is

likely why you had low estrogen.

one test im

> gluten intolerant the next im not,

If they even only one time found the antibodies

specific for gluten, you are definitely gluten

sensitivie and I hope that you are not eating ANY of

the stuff as it is poison to you. You should also be

tested (stool tested at enterolab for IgA reaction) to

dairy. It can do the same things.

the only

> constants have been low

> iron, low b12 and inflammation in my body,

These are all typical of food intolerances--the IgA

reactions destroy the villi in the small intestine

which makes you unable to digest and absorb the iron,

b12 and the inflammation is what causes it all.

i tested

> negative to any

> food allergies but positive to every type of grass,

> animals, dust

> mold etc.

You are just super sensitive to them likely because of

constant gluten attacks and dairy?

>

> I to had a remarkable episode with diflucan the

> first time ever i

> took it and i was 95% pain free for the frist time

> in years until i

> got UTI's and had to go on stronger and stronger

> antibiotcs, the

> uti's turned out to be a massaive kidney stone which

> i had to have

> surgery for ( still getting UTI's though).

Because of the fat malabsorption caused by gluten

destroying the intestines, the body can't absorb

calcium and often stones develop.

> Unfortunately i seem to

> have become immune to difulcan and all the thrush

> creams.

Wow! I wonder how long you took diflucan. Maybe you

have a weird kind of yeast. Have you had the yeast

cultured for a long time--special culture--to see if

you have another yeast that is doing this that needs a

different kind of antifungal. I have to tell you to

please not use the antifungal creams. Have you tried

to use boric acid capsules. I make my own and use them

frequently. They work really well and also work well

apparently with a different kind of candida--glabrata.

All my

> problmes started when i contracted Glandular Fever

> as as a result my

> immune system is nearly no existant.

You really have to stop eating any gluten (and dairy

too even if you haven't been tested).

>

> I'm so happy that you got rid of your LS, did you

> have any fusing or

> shrinkage at all?

Yes, but the fusing went away and the shrinkage seem

to mostly comeback.

I have always thought this

> supposed " LS " is

> actually candida based, as ive noticed nearly every

> case histroy ive

> read the women have had thrush at some stage.

I don't know about everybody but it certainly was with

me.

I'm a

> little wary

> about using Clob, as i've used steriod cream before

> for years and my

> doc seems to think ive done more damage than good

> and that most of

> my pain is nerve related as ive thinned the skin so

> much with the

> steriod that they are exposed, and that the LS is

> just the damage to

> my skin from having the constant thrush infection.

> I'm constantly in

> pain and red, sitting, walking wearing pants is near

> impossible as

> its a 24/7 burn and irritation maybe VV?

You sound just the way I was. It is all gone except

for the yeast.

>

> Sorry to have rambled on, juast so glad i found this

> site as no one

> i know has my trouble and im just looking for hope

> that i can find

> out what i have and be healed and not have to be in

> this pain for

> the rest of my life

Gluten and dairy likely is the cause of all these

problems. You must stop eating them. ALL of them.

>

> Healing hugs and wishes to you all

And to you, Janelle.

Arline

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > Hi Arline,

> > I'm looking at the food testing sheet the

> allergist gave me with a

> list of all of the possible food allergies and the

> yeast I see here

> is saccharomyces (yeast mix). I'm guessing that's

> the baker's and

> brewer's yeast and maybe others too? I think those

> would be edible

> yeasts though since this is a food allergy test.

> I've never been

> tested for candida at all that I'm aware of. I

> actually don't get

> many yeast infections. But,

> > back months ago when I took that probiotic

> supplement I had a very

> strong reaction to it... and the baker's and

> brewer's yeast was in

> the probiotic supplement. I think you suggested

> since I was gluten

> intolerant I might have an allergy to this strain of

> yeast as well.

> I did have a terrible flare when I took the

> probiotic supplement so

> I'm trying to pinpoint what might have caused that.

> > How would I go about being tested for candida?

> >

> > Re: Re: Lichen Sclerosis

> >

> >

> > , (for Janelle, too)

> >

> > Can you tell us what kind of yeast you are being

> > tested for? There is so much confusion about

> > yeast--edible yeast (baker's and brewer's which

> is

> > also known as saccharomyces cerevisiae which is

> > believed by some to be responsible for crohn's

> > disease). There are other edible yeasts--many.

> My body

> > has an autoimmune reaction to this (IgA).

> >

> > There is of course the big troublemaker

> --candida--and

> > its various varieties that are not edible and

> many of

> > us have constant problems vaginally with (also

> > believed to cross react with gluten). Everybody

> should

> > be " allergic " to this.

> >

> > It is just a good idea to know what they are

> doing and

> > what kinds of yeast they are testing for and

> besides

> > that it will clear up perhaps the questions I

> have

> > always had about these " Yeast " allergies.

> >

> > I had what was diagnosed as Lichen Sclerosis

> after

> > twelve vulvar biopsies. It was a mess. I had the

> > classic whitened butterfly pattern of burning

> and

> > itching and excoriations. I knew that I had

> always had

> > vaginal yeast and in those days it was so

> difficult to

> > get treatment as one trip to the doc gave me one

> > prescription for creams when I needed constant

> > treatment. I also become very allergic to the

> creams.

> > Finally a lady urologist gave me a handfull of

> > diflucan samples and some prescriptions for

> refill

> > where I could take it for awhile. I consider

> that

> > Diflucan saved my life. As I took it I could see

> the

> > whiteness slowly disappearing and since then

> (about

> > six years ago) my mission in life is to see that

> I

> > have enough oral antifungals to treat my chronic

> yeast

> > which I expect I will never totally get rid of

> as I

> > often have to take antibiotics. It is hard as

> the docs

> > don't want to prescribe this for some reason.

> There is

> > that belief that the little ladies who think

> they have

> > yeast are slightly bent because they often can't

> see

> > it. Fortunately at that time I also discovered I

> was

> > gluten sensitive and the combo of oral

> antifungals and

> > no gluten made my vulvar problems go totally

> away--no

> > lichen sclerosis at all--no itching, burning,

> clitoral

> > nerve pain, no problems. The estrace at the end

> of the

> > whole process almostly immediately took away the

> last

> > vestiges of burning. It is a healing miracle but

> one

>

=== message truncated ===

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Janelle,

When I was treated for Lichen Planus I was prescribed all these high

potency steroid creams which made the problem worse because they did a

lot of damage to my skin. I then used immune suppressant creams which

also did not work and burned like hell. Then I was put on tricyclic

antidepressants and neurontin (for nerve pain) which really just doped

me.

So finally I stopped taking everything, and focused on eating well,

doing yoga and excercising, and I used only pure almond oil to

moisturize the skin.

This made me improve significantly. Lichenoid reactions are

inflammatory reactions and not necessarily the sign of a skin disorder

per se. I also took vitamin B complex, which is miraculous for the

nerves. If you say you have nerve damage, I would consider taking

vitamin B supplements. RIght now I'm 99% pain free (usually right

before my period I get itchy and inflamed). Sometimes when I'm supper

stressed or when I take antibiotics, I get another long standing

inflammation. I have not tested positive for yeast except once in my

life, so I really don't know if my inflammation is yeast related (I

have taken diflucan to little avail). I also am very suspicious of my

diagnosis for lichen planus, especially after getting a different

opinion from another dermatologist. ANyway, sorry this is so long, my

point is that being diagnosed with an incurable skin disorder is

depressing, and might just make you feel worse. So think that it might

be the wrong diagnosis, and focus on getting better and doing things

that feel good.

mara

--- Janelle wrote:

>

>

> Mara

>

> Thank you for giving me hope, you know i never thought to get a

> second opinion, my report said (amongst other things lol) there was

> a mild lichenoid reaction, inflammatory infiltrate??? and they could

> see the effect or rubbing and scrtching, but said the features were

> those of lichen sclerosus, and the comprehensive summary was LS

> aswell, so im not sure if i have the juts a reaction and like you

> said its showing up a different skin pattern or if i really 100% do

> have LS. I alway find it strange that i have a postive reaction to

> Diflucan, ( esp the frist time i took it, i was nearly 100% pain

> free it was great). Every blood test i have always comes up with

> showing inflamation in my body.

>

> I guess i dont fit the group either as i was 22 when this all

> started ( im now 30) and have also had problems with steriod creams,

> yes they take the itch and inflammation away abit but my docs says

> ive thinned the skin that much that the nerves are exposed and have

> been dmamaged, that along with the 24/7 thrush infection ( i have

> systmeic candida) is what is causing my pain and that the " LS " is

> just the damage that it has all done to my skin, which fits in

> perfetly with what you said.

>

> I hope and pray this is right as the thought of LS scared me to

> death but also having this forever is just as bad. How are things

> for you now? i hope you are better

>

> Thank you again for your post and also to everyone else who replied

>

> Big hugs

> Janelle

>

>

>

> >

> > To Janelle,

> >

> > I also had a biopsy done that showed a lichenoid reaction. My

> first

> > diagnosis was lichen planus, but I saw a second dermatologist who

> told

> > me that lichenoid reaction does not necessarily mean a lichen

> disorder

> > (lichen sclerosis or planus). It just means that the skin has

> taken a

> > particular texture and/or gone into a specific pattern due to

> > inflammation. I did not have the patters that are characteristic

> of

> > lichen schlerosis or lichen planus, and I'm also not in the

> vulnerable

> > age group (I'm 25) so I think my problem was due to a severe

> allergic

> > reaction to either antibiotics or the number of antifungals that I

> > applied and took because I kept being misdiagnosed with yeast

> > infections. Corisone creams did not help me at all and in fact

> made my

> > problem worse because they damaged the skin further. I would think

> > that if what you have goes away and does not recur, then probably

> it's

> > not lichen sclerosis but just a lichenoid reaction. (lichenoid

> > reactions are also a side effect of many medications, so I would

> check

> > and see if that's something to consider).

> >

> > bestest,

> > mara

> >

> >

> >

> > Mara Fortes

> > (New York)

> > 011-52-55-55-54-22-95 (Mexico City)

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

Janelle,

When I was treated for Lichen Planus I was prescribed all these high

potency steroid creams which made the problem worse because they did a

lot of damage to my skin. I then used immune suppressant creams which

also did not work and burned like hell. Then I was put on tricyclic

antidepressants and neurontin (for nerve pain) which really just doped

me.

So finally I stopped taking everything, and focused on eating well,

doing yoga and excercising, and I used only pure almond oil to

moisturize the skin.

This made me improve significantly. Lichenoid reactions are

inflammatory reactions and not necessarily the sign of a skin disorder

per se. I also took vitamin B complex, which is miraculous for the

nerves. If you say you have nerve damage, I would consider taking

vitamin B supplements. RIght now I'm 99% pain free (usually right

before my period I get itchy and inflamed). Sometimes when I'm supper

stressed or when I take antibiotics, I get another long standing

inflammation. I have not tested positive for yeast except once in my

life, so I really don't know if my inflammation is yeast related (I

have taken diflucan to little avail). I also am very suspicious of my

diagnosis for lichen planus, especially after getting a different

opinion from another dermatologist. ANyway, sorry this is so long, my

point is that being diagnosed with an incurable skin disorder is

depressing, and might just make you feel worse. So think that it might

be the wrong diagnosis, and focus on getting better and doing things

that feel good.

mara

--- Janelle wrote:

>

>

> Mara

>

> Thank you for giving me hope, you know i never thought to get a

> second opinion, my report said (amongst other things lol) there was

> a mild lichenoid reaction, inflammatory infiltrate??? and they could

> see the effect or rubbing and scrtching, but said the features were

> those of lichen sclerosus, and the comprehensive summary was LS

> aswell, so im not sure if i have the juts a reaction and like you

> said its showing up a different skin pattern or if i really 100% do

> have LS. I alway find it strange that i have a postive reaction to

> Diflucan, ( esp the frist time i took it, i was nearly 100% pain

> free it was great). Every blood test i have always comes up with

> showing inflamation in my body.

>

> I guess i dont fit the group either as i was 22 when this all

> started ( im now 30) and have also had problems with steriod creams,

> yes they take the itch and inflammation away abit but my docs says

> ive thinned the skin that much that the nerves are exposed and have

> been dmamaged, that along with the 24/7 thrush infection ( i have

> systmeic candida) is what is causing my pain and that the " LS " is

> just the damage that it has all done to my skin, which fits in

> perfetly with what you said.

>

> I hope and pray this is right as the thought of LS scared me to

> death but also having this forever is just as bad. How are things

> for you now? i hope you are better

>

> Thank you again for your post and also to everyone else who replied

>

> Big hugs

> Janelle

>

>

>

> >

> > To Janelle,

> >

> > I also had a biopsy done that showed a lichenoid reaction. My

> first

> > diagnosis was lichen planus, but I saw a second dermatologist who

> told

> > me that lichenoid reaction does not necessarily mean a lichen

> disorder

> > (lichen sclerosis or planus). It just means that the skin has

> taken a

> > particular texture and/or gone into a specific pattern due to

> > inflammation. I did not have the patters that are characteristic

> of

> > lichen schlerosis or lichen planus, and I'm also not in the

> vulnerable

> > age group (I'm 25) so I think my problem was due to a severe

> allergic

> > reaction to either antibiotics or the number of antifungals that I

> > applied and took because I kept being misdiagnosed with yeast

> > infections. Corisone creams did not help me at all and in fact

> made my

> > problem worse because they damaged the skin further. I would think

> > that if what you have goes away and does not recur, then probably

> it's

> > not lichen sclerosis but just a lichenoid reaction. (lichenoid

> > reactions are also a side effect of many medications, so I would

> check

> > and see if that's something to consider).

> >

> > bestest,

> > mara

> >

> >

> >

> > Mara Fortes

> > (New York)

> > 011-52-55-55-54-22-95 (Mexico City)

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

Janelle,

When I was treated for Lichen Planus I was prescribed all these high

potency steroid creams which made the problem worse because they did a

lot of damage to my skin. I then used immune suppressant creams which

also did not work and burned like hell. Then I was put on tricyclic

antidepressants and neurontin (for nerve pain) which really just doped

me.

So finally I stopped taking everything, and focused on eating well,

doing yoga and excercising, and I used only pure almond oil to

moisturize the skin.

This made me improve significantly. Lichenoid reactions are

inflammatory reactions and not necessarily the sign of a skin disorder

per se. I also took vitamin B complex, which is miraculous for the

nerves. If you say you have nerve damage, I would consider taking

vitamin B supplements. RIght now I'm 99% pain free (usually right

before my period I get itchy and inflamed). Sometimes when I'm supper

stressed or when I take antibiotics, I get another long standing

inflammation. I have not tested positive for yeast except once in my

life, so I really don't know if my inflammation is yeast related (I

have taken diflucan to little avail). I also am very suspicious of my

diagnosis for lichen planus, especially after getting a different

opinion from another dermatologist. ANyway, sorry this is so long, my

point is that being diagnosed with an incurable skin disorder is

depressing, and might just make you feel worse. So think that it might

be the wrong diagnosis, and focus on getting better and doing things

that feel good.

mara

--- Janelle wrote:

>

>

> Mara

>

> Thank you for giving me hope, you know i never thought to get a

> second opinion, my report said (amongst other things lol) there was

> a mild lichenoid reaction, inflammatory infiltrate??? and they could

> see the effect or rubbing and scrtching, but said the features were

> those of lichen sclerosus, and the comprehensive summary was LS

> aswell, so im not sure if i have the juts a reaction and like you

> said its showing up a different skin pattern or if i really 100% do

> have LS. I alway find it strange that i have a postive reaction to

> Diflucan, ( esp the frist time i took it, i was nearly 100% pain

> free it was great). Every blood test i have always comes up with

> showing inflamation in my body.

>

> I guess i dont fit the group either as i was 22 when this all

> started ( im now 30) and have also had problems with steriod creams,

> yes they take the itch and inflammation away abit but my docs says

> ive thinned the skin that much that the nerves are exposed and have

> been dmamaged, that along with the 24/7 thrush infection ( i have

> systmeic candida) is what is causing my pain and that the " LS " is

> just the damage that it has all done to my skin, which fits in

> perfetly with what you said.

>

> I hope and pray this is right as the thought of LS scared me to

> death but also having this forever is just as bad. How are things

> for you now? i hope you are better

>

> Thank you again for your post and also to everyone else who replied

>

> Big hugs

> Janelle

>

>

>

> >

> > To Janelle,

> >

> > I also had a biopsy done that showed a lichenoid reaction. My

> first

> > diagnosis was lichen planus, but I saw a second dermatologist who

> told

> > me that lichenoid reaction does not necessarily mean a lichen

> disorder

> > (lichen sclerosis or planus). It just means that the skin has

> taken a

> > particular texture and/or gone into a specific pattern due to

> > inflammation. I did not have the patters that are characteristic

> of

> > lichen schlerosis or lichen planus, and I'm also not in the

> vulnerable

> > age group (I'm 25) so I think my problem was due to a severe

> allergic

> > reaction to either antibiotics or the number of antifungals that I

> > applied and took because I kept being misdiagnosed with yeast

> > infections. Corisone creams did not help me at all and in fact

> made my

> > problem worse because they damaged the skin further. I would think

> > that if what you have goes away and does not recur, then probably

> it's

> > not lichen sclerosis but just a lichenoid reaction. (lichenoid

> > reactions are also a side effect of many medications, so I would

> check

> > and see if that's something to consider).

> >

> > bestest,

> > mara

> >

> >

> >

> > Mara Fortes

> > (New York)

> > 011-52-55-55-54-22-95 (Mexico City)

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

I have LS too...

I think LS is manageable if you use the Clobetasol ointment a couple of times a week on a regular basis. Also, Estrace used topically to help keep the tissue healthy so you don't atrophy. Dee can tell you more about that.

Check out lichensclerosis

I've been wondering about the yeast connection too and think that might be one of my triggers so I'm getting allergy tested on Tues of next week. I'll let you know. : )

Re: Lichen Sclerosis

>> > Hi girls> > I was wondering if anyone else on here has this awful disease, I had > a punch biopsy done and it came back as a mild licheoid reaction > amongst other things ( rather large medical terms that i have no > idea how to pronunce lol) and inflammation, they concluded i had > Lichen Sclerosis.> > I can't help wondering though that as ive been also diagonsed with > systemic candadia that this may be causing most of the pain and > symtoms im feeling "down there". The first time i took difulcan i > was nearly pain free, it was bliss but then had to go on a series of > very high dose antibiotcs and now my problem is at the worst its > ever been.> > Has anyone else had or having a similar expereince? the mere > thought of LS scares me to death, all the shrinking, fusing tearing > and the no cure.> > Big hugs to you all> > JanelleHi Janelle:I have Lichen Sclerosis, but it's "inactive" right now. I never fusedor had tearing. However, I also have Vulvar Vestibulitis, so I haveburning from that. The Clobetasol ointment has helped me a lot. Iused to have burning 24/7, but now it's just once in awhile except forwhen I have a pelvic exam/pap and pain from having a transvaginalultrasound. It's been several years since I've attempted sex b/c Ihaven't had any libido for quite awhile and b/c I'm afraid of the painfrom intercourse. I'll be having my hormone levels tested in January.I use Estrace cream daily and it helps for the most part. There's nocure for Lichen Sclerosis, but it can be controlled with medication. I hope you find some pain relief. Sue>

[Guest guest]

Hi Arline,

I'm looking at the food testing sheet the allergist gave me with a list of all of the possible food allergies and the yeast I see here is saccharomyces (yeast mix). I'm guessing that's the baker's and brewer's yeast and maybe others too? I think those would be edible yeasts though since this is a food allergy test. I've never been tested for candida at all that I'm aware of. I actually don't get many yeast infections. But,

back months ago when I took that probiotic supplement I had a very strong reaction to it... and the baker's and brewer's yeast was in the probiotic supplement. I think you suggested since I was gluten intolerant I might have an allergy to this strain of yeast as well. I did have a terrible flare when I took the probiotic supplement so I'm trying to pinpoint what might have caused that.

How would I go about being tested for candida?

Re: Lichen Sclerosis> > > > >> > > > Hi girls> > > > I was wondering if anyone else on here has this> awful disease, I had > > a punch biopsy done and it came back as a mild> licheoid reaction > > amongst other things ( rather large medical> terms that i have no > > idea how to pronunce lol) and inflammation, they> concluded i had > > Lichen Sclerosis.> > > > I can't help wondering though that as ive been> also diagonsed with > > systemic candadia that this may be causing most> of the pain and > > symtoms im feeling "down there". The first time> i took difulcan i > > was nearly pain free, it was bliss but then had> to go on a series of > > very high dose antibiotcs and now my problem is> at the worst its > > ever been.> > > > Has anyone else had or having a similar> expereince? the mere > > thought of LS scares me to death, all the> shrinking, fusing tearing > > and the no cure.> > > > Big hugs to you all> > > > Janelle__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Arline,

I'm looking at the food testing sheet the allergist gave me with a list of all of the possible food allergies and the yeast I see here is saccharomyces (yeast mix). I'm guessing that's the baker's and brewer's yeast and maybe others too? I think those would be edible yeasts though since this is a food allergy test. I've never been tested for candida at all that I'm aware of. I actually don't get many yeast infections. But,

back months ago when I took that probiotic supplement I had a very strong reaction to it... and the baker's and brewer's yeast was in the probiotic supplement. I think you suggested since I was gluten intolerant I might have an allergy to this strain of yeast as well. I did have a terrible flare when I took the probiotic supplement so I'm trying to pinpoint what might have caused that.

How would I go about being tested for candida?

Re: Lichen Sclerosis> > > > >> > > > Hi girls> > > > I was wondering if anyone else on here has this> awful disease, I had > > a punch biopsy done and it came back as a mild> licheoid reaction > > amongst other things ( rather large medical> terms that i have no > > idea how to pronunce lol) and inflammation, they> concluded i had > > Lichen Sclerosis.> > > > I can't help wondering though that as ive been> also diagonsed with > > systemic candadia that this may be causing most> of the pain and > > symtoms im feeling "down there". The first time> i took difulcan i > > was nearly pain free, it was bliss but then had> to go on a series of > > very high dose antibiotcs and now my problem is> at the worst its > > ever been.> > > > Has anyone else had or having a similar> expereince? the mere > > thought of LS scares me to death, all the> shrinking, fusing tearing > > and the no cure.> > > > Big hugs to you all> > > > Janelle__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Arline,

I'm looking at the food testing sheet the allergist gave me with a list of all of the possible food allergies and the yeast I see here is saccharomyces (yeast mix). I'm guessing that's the baker's and brewer's yeast and maybe others too? I think those would be edible yeasts though since this is a food allergy test. I've never been tested for candida at all that I'm aware of. I actually don't get many yeast infections. But,

back months ago when I took that probiotic supplement I had a very strong reaction to it... and the baker's and brewer's yeast was in the probiotic supplement. I think you suggested since I was gluten intolerant I might have an allergy to this strain of yeast as well. I did have a terrible flare when I took the probiotic supplement so I'm trying to pinpoint what might have caused that.

How would I go about being tested for candida?

Re: Lichen Sclerosis> > > > >> > > > Hi girls> > > > I was wondering if anyone else on here has this> awful disease, I had > > a punch biopsy done and it came back as a mild> licheoid reaction > > amongst other things ( rather large medical> terms that i have no > > idea how to pronunce lol) and inflammation, they> concluded i had > > Lichen Sclerosis.> > > > I can't help wondering though that as ive been> also diagonsed with > > systemic candadia that this may be causing most> of the pain and > > symtoms im feeling "down there". The first time> i took difulcan i > > was nearly pain free, it was bliss but then had> to go on a series of > > very high dose antibiotcs and now my problem is> at the worst its > > ever been.> > > > Has anyone else had or having a similar> expereince? the mere > > thought of LS scares me to death, all the> shrinking, fusing tearing > > and the no cure.> > > > Big hugs to you all> > > > Janelle__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I'm beginning to think that the older we get the easier it is for everything in the body to get out of whack...

just thinking about all of the years of eating things we might be intolerant of, and the different strains of bacteria we carry around in our bodies. And allergens, too. And I was also reading somewhere about how the acid can build up in our bodies too.

I'm becoming more interested in all of these naturopathic remedies. It does seem that we can avoid some of these things by changing our diets and taking things like the Samento I'm taking now that is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, etc. Or doing a detox diet every once in a while. I believe there are some naturopathic anti-fungals, too.

I was just talking on one of the other medical lists about rosacea and how I got rid of mine with a sulfur-based treatment you rub on your face after rubbing a layer of jojoba oil on.... the website there seemed to indicate that the rosacea could be caused either by bacteria or genetic causes and diet. I don't know how accurate that information is. A friend of mine had severe heartburn and went to a naturopathic doctor and he taught her how to change her diet so that she did not get too much of any one food at one time and she hasn't had heartburn for years. I think that has to do with the Ph levels in the body. But, as frustrating as this is, it's interesting to me finding out all of this stuff. I think I must have high acid levels in my body too because I eat and drink a lot of acidic things.

And, even though I've read enough to know the scienc if probably faulty behind the Eat Right 4 Your Blood Type diet... that book got me started on all of this and put me on the right track. So much of what he said is bad for a Type O person to eat does seem to be accurate.... like the gluten. And the dairy. : )

Re: Re: Lichen Sclerosis> > > > > > , (for Janelle, too)> > > > Can you tell us what kind of yeast you are being> > tested for? There is so much confusion about> > yeast--edible yeast (baker's and brewer's which> is> > also known as saccharomyces cerevisiae which is> > believed by some to be responsible for crohn's> > disease). There are other edible yeasts--many.> My body> > has an autoimmune reaction to this (IgA).> > > > There is of course the big troublemaker> --candida--and> > its various varieties that are not edible and> many of> > us have constant problems vaginally with (also> > believed to cross react with gluten). Everybody> should> > be "allergic" to this.> > > > It is just a good idea to know what they are> doing and> > what kinds of yeast they are testing for and> besides> > that it will clear up perhaps the questions I> have> > always had about these "Yeast" allergies.> > > > I had what was diagnosed as Lichen Sclerosis> after> > twelve vulvar biopsies. It was a mess. I had the> > classic whitened butterfly pattern of burning> and> > itching and excoriations. I knew that I had> always had> > vaginal yeast and in those days it was so> difficult to> > get treatment as one trip to the doc gave me one> > prescription for creams when I needed constant> > treatment. I also become very allergic to the> creams.> > Finally a lady urologist gave me a handfull of> > diflucan samples and some prescriptions for> refill> > where I could take it for awhile. I consider> that> > Diflucan saved my life. As I took it I could see> the> > whiteness slowly disappearing and since then> (about> > six years ago) my mission in life is to see that> I> > have enough oral antifungals to treat my chronic> yeast> > which I expect I will never totally get rid of> as I> > often have to take antibiotics. It is hard as> the docs> > don't want to prescribe this for some reason.> There is> > that belief that the little ladies who think> they have> > yeast are slightly bent because they often can't> see> > it. Fortunately at that time I also discovered I> was> > gluten sensitive and the combo of oral> antifungals and> > no gluten made my vulvar problems go totally> away--no> > lichen sclerosis at all--no itching, burning,> clitoral> > nerve pain, no problems. The estrace at the end> of the> > whole process almostly immediately took away the> last> > vestiges of burning. It is a healing miracle but> one> === message truncated ===__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I'm beginning to think that the older we get the easier it is for everything in the body to get out of whack...

just thinking about all of the years of eating things we might be intolerant of, and the different strains of bacteria we carry around in our bodies. And allergens, too. And I was also reading somewhere about how the acid can build up in our bodies too.

I'm becoming more interested in all of these naturopathic remedies. It does seem that we can avoid some of these things by changing our diets and taking things like the Samento I'm taking now that is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, etc. Or doing a detox diet every once in a while. I believe there are some naturopathic anti-fungals, too.

I was just talking on one of the other medical lists about rosacea and how I got rid of mine with a sulfur-based treatment you rub on your face after rubbing a layer of jojoba oil on.... the website there seemed to indicate that the rosacea could be caused either by bacteria or genetic causes and diet. I don't know how accurate that information is. A friend of mine had severe heartburn and went to a naturopathic doctor and he taught her how to change her diet so that she did not get too much of any one food at one time and she hasn't had heartburn for years. I think that has to do with the Ph levels in the body. But, as frustrating as this is, it's interesting to me finding out all of this stuff. I think I must have high acid levels in my body too because I eat and drink a lot of acidic things.

And, even though I've read enough to know the scienc if probably faulty behind the Eat Right 4 Your Blood Type diet... that book got me started on all of this and put me on the right track. So much of what he said is bad for a Type O person to eat does seem to be accurate.... like the gluten. And the dairy. : )

Re: Re: Lichen Sclerosis> > > > > > , (for Janelle, too)> > > > Can you tell us what kind of yeast you are being> > tested for? There is so much confusion about> > yeast--edible yeast (baker's and brewer's which> is> > also known as saccharomyces cerevisiae which is> > believed by some to be responsible for crohn's> > disease). There are other edible yeasts--many.> My body> > has an autoimmune reaction to this (IgA).> > > > There is of course the big troublemaker> --candida--and> > its various varieties that are not edible and> many of> > us have constant problems vaginally with (also> > believed to cross react with gluten). Everybody> should> > be "allergic" to this.> > > > It is just a good idea to know what they are> doing and> > what kinds of yeast they are testing for and> besides> > that it will clear up perhaps the questions I> have> > always had about these "Yeast" allergies.> > > > I had what was diagnosed as Lichen Sclerosis> after> > twelve vulvar biopsies. It was a mess. I had the> > classic whitened butterfly pattern of burning> and> > itching and excoriations. I knew that I had> always had> > vaginal yeast and in those days it was so> difficult to> > get treatment as one trip to the doc gave me one> > prescription for creams when I needed constant> > treatment. I also become very allergic to the> creams.> > Finally a lady urologist gave me a handfull of> > diflucan samples and some prescriptions for> refill> > where I could take it for awhile. I consider> that> > Diflucan saved my life. As I took it I could see> the> > whiteness slowly disappearing and since then> (about> > six years ago) my mission in life is to see that> I> > have enough oral antifungals to treat my chronic> yeast> > which I expect I will never totally get rid of> as I> > often have to take antibiotics. It is hard as> the docs> > don't want to prescribe this for some reason.> There is> > that belief that the little ladies who think> they have> > yeast are slightly bent because they often can't> see> > it. Fortunately at that time I also discovered I> was> > gluten sensitive and the combo of oral> antifungals and> > no gluten made my vulvar problems go totally> away--no> > lichen sclerosis at all--no itching, burning,> clitoral> > nerve pain, no problems. The estrace at the end> of the> > whole process almostly immediately took away the> last> > vestiges of burning. It is a healing miracle but> one> === message truncated ===__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I'm beginning to think that the older we get the easier it is for everything in the body to get out of whack...

just thinking about all of the years of eating things we might be intolerant of, and the different strains of bacteria we carry around in our bodies. And allergens, too. And I was also reading somewhere about how the acid can build up in our bodies too.

I'm becoming more interested in all of these naturopathic remedies. It does seem that we can avoid some of these things by changing our diets and taking things like the Samento I'm taking now that is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, etc. Or doing a detox diet every once in a while. I believe there are some naturopathic anti-fungals, too.

I was just talking on one of the other medical lists about rosacea and how I got rid of mine with a sulfur-based treatment you rub on your face after rubbing a layer of jojoba oil on.... the website there seemed to indicate that the rosacea could be caused either by bacteria or genetic causes and diet. I don't know how accurate that information is. A friend of mine had severe heartburn and went to a naturopathic doctor and he taught her how to change her diet so that she did not get too much of any one food at one time and she hasn't had heartburn for years. I think that has to do with the Ph levels in the body. But, as frustrating as this is, it's interesting to me finding out all of this stuff. I think I must have high acid levels in my body too because I eat and drink a lot of acidic things.

And, even though I've read enough to know the scienc if probably faulty behind the Eat Right 4 Your Blood Type diet... that book got me started on all of this and put me on the right track. So much of what he said is bad for a Type O person to eat does seem to be accurate.... like the gluten. And the dairy. : )

Re: Re: Lichen Sclerosis> > > > > > , (for Janelle, too)> > > > Can you tell us what kind of yeast you are being> > tested for? There is so much confusion about> > yeast--edible yeast (baker's and brewer's which> is> > also known as saccharomyces cerevisiae which is> > believed by some to be responsible for crohn's> > disease). There are other edible yeasts--many.> My body> > has an autoimmune reaction to this (IgA).> > > > There is of course the big troublemaker> --candida--and> > its various varieties that are not edible and> many of> > us have constant problems vaginally with (also> > believed to cross react with gluten). Everybody> should> > be "allergic" to this.> > > > It is just a good idea to know what they are> doing and> > what kinds of yeast they are testing for and> besides> > that it will clear up perhaps the questions I> have> > always had about these "Yeast" allergies.> > > > I had what was diagnosed as Lichen Sclerosis> after> > twelve vulvar biopsies. It was a mess. I had the> > classic whitened butterfly pattern of burning> and> > itching and excoriations. I knew that I had> always had> > vaginal yeast and in those days it was so> difficult to> > get treatment as one trip to the doc gave me one> > prescription for creams when I needed constant> > treatment. I also become very allergic to the> creams.> > Finally a lady urologist gave me a handfull of> > diflucan samples and some prescriptions for> refill> > where I could take it for awhile. I consider> that> > Diflucan saved my life. As I took it I could see> the> > whiteness slowly disappearing and since then> (about> > six years ago) my mission in life is to see that> I> > have enough oral antifungals to treat my chronic> yeast> > which I expect I will never totally get rid of> as I> > often have to take antibiotics. It is hard as> the docs> > don't want to prescribe this for some reason.> There is> > that belief that the little ladies who think> they have> > yeast are slightly bent because they often can't> see> > it. Fortunately at that time I also discovered I> was> > gluten sensitive and the combo of oral> antifungals and> > no gluten made my vulvar problems go totally> away--no> > lichen sclerosis at all--no itching, burning,> clitoral> > nerve pain, no problems. The estrace at the end> of the> > whole process almostly immediately took away the> last> > vestiges of burning. It is a healing miracle but> one> === message truncated ===__________________________________________________