Oral Lichen Planus and Life Update

Time for an update!

Aside from making my yearly review and scripture posts, I haven't been on this blog much for the past couple of years, so I decided I better get in here and let you know I'm still out here! 

Even though my last update was almost two years ago, I still have many visits here every month looking for information on Lichen Planus. My posts, My Oral Lichen Planus Diet, Living With Oral Lichen Planus, and my Oral Lichen Planus Resource lists are some of my most popular posts. I hope these posts have been helpful to all who are seeking information about this terrible illness. I belong to a few groups online and hear so many stories of suffering far worse than I've experienced, so I do hope I've been a help.

How have I been the past two years?

I really wish I had taken the time to keep a record of how my OLP symptoms have been. I do know that at Christmas 2021, I decided to try an orange, something I hadn't risked eating in a few years. I was surprised to find that it didn't cause a flare up. Over the next months, I started adding other foods that had previously been on my list of foods to avoid, number one on the list being tomatoes. For several months I enjoyed eating a lot of foods I probably shouldn't have, and I still do. I've even been able to eat pizza! But eventually, I ended up with a flare up and that scalded feeling, although it never went away completely, it did intensify again. So, I had to go back to being more careful. I have to say, I did enjoy it while it lasted!

At this point, in January 2023, I'm feeling pretty good. Yes, I can feel the OLP, but it isn't in a flare, so it's manageable. I'm still able to eat tomatoes, citrus fruits, and a bit of spice in moderation. The one thing I've realized I need to avoid more than anything else is SUGAR. I know, I know, that should be a given, but sometimes I just want a bit of chocolate! Well, I need to find some other food to treat myself, because I'm guaranteed a flare up if I eat sweet things.

What do I attribute my progress to?

Supplements! I really do believe the supplements I've been taking for years now are the reason not only my OLP is milder, but I just feel good, for the most part. I have more energy in my 60s than I ever did 20 years ago! 

Supplement List:

 I take 8 supplements, some of which are blends or combinations of vitamins etc. The ingredient list is long on some of them, so I won't include the amounts of the ingredients in each one. 

Multivitamin & Mineral: Beta caroten, Vitamins C,D,E,B6,B12, Thiamine,Riboflavin, Niacinamide, Folate, Biotin, Pantothenic acid, Calcium, Iodine, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Manganese, Chromium, Molybdenum, Boron,

High EPA Fish Oil 

Broad Spectrum Antioxidant: Mixed carotenoids, Vitamin C, Mixed tocopherols concentrate, Lycopene, Olive extract, Grape extract, Calcium (carbonate)

Inflammatory Support: Turmeric, Ginger, Green Tea, Devil's Claw, Calcium

Anthocyanin Rich Antioxidant: Grape seed, Resveratrol, Green Tea, Protease, Bromelain, Quercetin, Bilberry Extract, Ginko Extract

Probiotic

Extra Vitamin D3

Immune Function Support: vitamin C, E, zinc, Echinacea extract, Astragalus, Black Chokeberry extract

I can't say for sure why these supplements have helped me, but I do know the last three on the list seem to have made the most difference. I added these to my regimen a few years ago, and that's when I started to see improvements. These are also the supplements recommended to strengthen the immune system against a virus and I had a very mild case. Coincidence? Perhaps. But I do seem to be sick a lot less frequently than I used to be, so I'll take the win! 

What am I doing these days instead of blogging?

As much as I've always loved writing, I just can't seem to get back into it. Even in the last two years I was blogging, I'd start off the first of the year with plans and ideas, but had a hard time following through. Our granddaughter was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in March 2020, at the age of 6. At that time, I started a Facebook page called Team Emberley, and I guess that took more of my focus. It was a way to update family and friends on her progress through the ups and downs of treatment. It also became a way to raise funds to help support our son and his family. With all the trips to the city, and long stays in the hospital or Ronald MacDonald House it was impossible for him to work full time. Two months later, his second daughter was born, making things even more difficult. 

We're looking forward to our granddaughter ringing the bell after her last chemo in June, 2023, God willing.

We've been overwhelmed with the support and encouragement we've received during this time, but we didn't want to depend on the generosity of others indefinitely, so we started brainstorming other ways to raise funds. My husband came up with a novel idea; start a YouTube channel! In March 2022, he uploaded his first video on  Coffee Walks and Whatever.

I'm mostly behind the scenes, but as time goes by, I've started taking part more in the videos. It's a long road to monetization for two old fogies like us, but it's something we can do together, and guess what? We're having fun! 

I hope you'll come over and check out the channel, and you can also follow our FB page.

Coffee Walks and Whatever (FB page)

Will I be back to blogging?

I never say never! When I see how many people still visit here, it really does make me want to come back. And who knows, that need to write may return someday and I'll make my way back here on a regular basis. For now, I'll try to at least make an update now and then. I may even share some videos from Coffee Walks and Whatever. 😁

To whoever is reading this, Thank you so much for stopping by my little corner of the blogosphere. I hope you've found a little help and encouragement during your visit. 

Until next time, Bye for now ~~~Deb

Living With Lichen Planus and It's Many Forms

One of my main reasons for starting this blog was to document my Wellness Journey.  The impetus for beginning that journey was a diagnosis of Oral Lichen Planus. Since there have been changes in my condition, I thought it was time for an update.

My experience with Lichen Planus

My Oral Lichen Planus Diet

 In my post, 5 Steps to Living Well, I wrote a little about my diet, as well as some of the supplements I take that have helped me keep my Oral Lichen Planus in check and avoid the need for medication.

  

  "I've eliminated citrus fruits, spices, vinegar, tomatoes and tomato sauces. I also try to avoid soy, and for now, I've reduced my gluten and lactose intake, cut added sugar and sugary foods, quit junk food such as chips and other empty snacks, and fast foods."

Today, I thought I'd share a little of what I've learned.

 Food choices and specific foods that I've found helpful.

Wellness In Every Aspect

  This morning, I was blessed to be able to enjoy a brunch with the ladies at our church and to hear from our special speaker, Melanie Sasek. Her topic was Building Faith in God's Purposes, and she spoke on the inevitability of change, and how God uses it in our lives. It's funny how God can use a stranger to speak to me about things I didn't even know I needed to hear or be reminded of, and to get my focus back to where it should be.

Finding Wellness Through Good Nutrition

 Garden tours, taking pictures, landscaping our yard, and working on DIY projects are some of my favorite things to do...and to write about. But for the past 4 months my focus has changed...for good reason. 

 After years of ignoring my health, as well as my doctor, I finally realized I had to listen to my body. There's something about a chronically sore mouth that gets a person's attention...or at least it got mine. 

And that put me on a new path...one to finding wellness.

My Journey To Wellness, 6 Key Areas

 This is a journey I'm just beginning, and only time will tell where it will take me...and what better place to document my progress than on a blog, and maybe get some accountability to stay on track!? I hope you'll follow along and if you have any personal experiences, or advice to share, please do! Even better, why not join me, and we can help each other.

I've never been one to go to a doctor on regular basis, and very seldom go to a walk in clinic when I have a cold, sore throat or other minor issue. I know that I am allergic to penicillin, amoxicillin, and sulphas, so it seems pointless to go to a doctor when I can't take most of what they will prescribe! However, about three years ago I had a complete physical and found that I had some more serious health issues beginning...I had high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and low liver function. The doctor wanted me to go on medication, but also said some lifestyle changes would help each of these issues...losing some weight through a better diet, and being more active were at the top of the list. I didn't want medication, so I said I would make the necessary changes. I don't drink, smoke, or use any medications, so those are all a plus. I went home determined to do better, but life happened, I got busy, and all my good intentions went by the wayside.

Recently, I had a health issue that required a visit to the doctor, and that is where this journey began.

My mouth had been sore for a few weeks, and then I got sick with a terrible cold and irritating cough that lasted a couple of weeks. Before I even went to the doctor, I had figured out that I had Oral Lichen Planus (Yes, I know, it's never good to google your own symptoms!) I won't go into detail, but this link explains what OLP is-

Oral Lichen Planus. It's thought to be an autoimmune disease and can be triggered or made worse by stress. I'll be seeing a skin specialist in November to confirm the diagnosis, which is done through a biopsy. 

Something else that showed up when I saw the doctor was high blood pressure...which may or may not have been caused by white coat syndrome! Whatever caused it, it got my attention....and reminded me that I can't just ignore health issues. I may not be able to do anything about the OLP, but I CAN improve my overall health.

I'm going to focus on a few key areas on this journey to wellness 

• Natural treatment of Oral Lichens Planus 

The only treatment seems to be to manage symptoms. What I have been doing is making my own mouth rinse, using tea tree, lemon, and peppermint essential oils. I'm also applying Frankincense to the sides of my tongue and inside my cheeks...wherever there's discomfort! I don't know if these oils can help with OLP, but I do know there are many benefits of essential oils, so I think they are worth trying. I use other essential oils for various purposes, such as pain relief and help with sleep, and I may experiment with more for the lichen planus, but until I have time to do some research, these are the ones I'm using.

• Start taking nutritional supplements

Brian is joining me in this one. While I would like to think that we get all the nutrients we need from our diet, I really don't believe this is the case. 

This article gives some reasons why we probably need to take supplements. 

• Try to get more physically fit

The hardest part for me, always, is getting enough physical activity. If only I could get in shape without working out!  I am not an active person, and at this point, I haven't come up with a plan that I feel I can stick to...so that may be addressed in a future post. I'd like to start walking more, but my focus for now will be more on nutrition and finding ways to help my body heal itself. 

• Make some dietary changes

Although I didn't keep up with my daily exercise routine from a few years ago, I did make some changes that I have continued, even if only sporadically....we bought a juicer, and I started making fresh fruit and veggie juices...and found some delicious combinations. Sometimes I just throw in whatever is on hand and come up with what we call caboodle juice! Juicing can be a great way to get more nutrients. One benefit of having a sore mouth is it has helped me to get back to this!

I also started having a smoothie for breakfast a couple of years ago...usually a banana, blueberries, and some milk...not completely healthy, but way better than corn flakes or toast and jam! I'm now switching to meal replacement shakes that are specifically formulated to support balanced glucose uptake, normal insulin activity, and slow the absorption of high glycemic foods.

• Intermittent fasting 

This is something else I've been researching. Basically, I try to keep my meals within a 6 - 8 hour window, ...somewhere between 10 am and 6 pm. This allows my digestive system to rest for a longer period than a normal night's sleep. A 16 hour fast is not difficult, and from everything I've read, the health benefits definitely make it worth trying. I've fasted in the past, and always feel better for it, and I know that cutting out snacks in the evening is the best way to lose weight. Not that weight loss is my main goal, but it IS important to my overall health, so I'm recording my weight today at 160 lbs. 

Of course there is one other aspect of my life that needs to be addressed, and that is....

• Reducing stress

I don't have a specific plan for that, since we aren't quite ready to retire to a quiet cottage on a deserted island, but finding some time for just Brian and I wouldn't hurt. Spending more time in prayer and Bible reading, I'm sure would benefit..... Maybe getting back to my songwriting would help too...it's always been the best way for me to express my thoughts, feelings, and worship....my own form of therapy. I'll let you know how that goes!

In a few months, I'll go back to the doctor for another physical, to see if there's a change in my blood work. I'm hoping the changes I've made will start to make a difference that can not only be felt and seen but documented.

Until then, I'll continue with the changes I've made, and try to make a post in about a month to record any progress or changes I notice. Thank you for stopping by, I hope you'll follow along in my Journey to Wellness.