this has been mentioned a few times. Why do broad spectrum antibiotics reduce inflammation and pain when there is no bacteria present.
Thanks, Cheba. That link was a great resource for helping to understand why antibiotics can generally help with inflammation!
I would assume that all benefits with non-bacterial use of antibiotics would be short-term, and that good gut bacteria would also likely be an associated causalty with use. But, it's helpful to know why it may improve LS briefly.
Haven't a clue. Though I have experienced the result. It's only temporary, that's the sad part of it. No permanent gain.
Good article, Cheba! Cipped this:
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Antibiotics
Antibiotics decrease inflammation in the vast majority of cases because clearing an infection removes the reason for the inflammation. However, a number of studies since the 1990s have contributed to the idea that some antibiotics might also directly limit or change the inflammatory response, as discussed in the December 2007 issue of “Rhinology.” Several classes of antibiotics, including the macrolides, tetracyclines and the beta-lactams, when used in certain chronic illnesses, appear to decrease inflammation in addition to their antibacterial effects. This research represents a mix of experimental and clinical studies, some performed only on cell cultures rather than patients. The antibiotics mentioned show a variety of ways they might affect the inflammatory response, including changing inflammatory cell metabolism, altering cytokines and other chemicals that stimulate and help maintain inflammation, and speeding the breakdown and removal of inflammatory cells. Any or all of these mechanisms could act to decrease inflammation.
One question I would ask though is: Has the lesion/wound actually been thoroughly tested for the presence of bacteria? The reason I'm asking, is because I am reading more and more about various skin wounds provoked by diseases, getting colonized by antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. If SA is present, it may just be that taking an antibiotic causes a partial response, without entirely getting rid of the infection.
I have cured myself of LSC (Lichen Simplex Chronicus), which presents itself differently than LS, but is also considered a stress/immune-related and incurable skin disease. I used oral St. John's Wort to do so, without knowing in advance it might cure my condition. Later reading helped me discover that SJW had wound-healing properties, was anti-inflammatory, but most of all, that it contained a molecule called Hyperforin, known to be one of the most potent anti-microbial agents against SA (although not available in an approved prescription form).
My dermatologists never checked my LSC wounds for SA. However, I speculate that SJW may have helped my body combat such an infection, reduced inflammation, and perhaps helped repair the damaged skin barrier that would have allowed bacterias to colonize the wounds in the first place.
For reference, I suffered from LSC for 20 years, and nothing I tried in conventional or natural medicine provided a cure, until 6 weeks of oral treatment with SJW. I have now been free from all traces of LSC for over a year. All the info about skin wounds, their potential SA colonization, and SJW, is available on various scientific research sites on the Web.
Wow Greg. I learned again something new. Made big note on this one: Sint Johns Wort. Thank you for sharing.
I am happy to share Hanny! I obviously cannot know if St. John's Wort could be of any help for LS, however, I have found a very interesting article on the Pubmed Web Site where a 44 year-old female presented with recurrent vulvar lesions and pain. A diagnosis of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus in the setting of eczema was achieved with concomitant use of photography and dermatopathologic review. The woman was initially diagnosed with LS!
Simply type PMC4085041 in your search engine if you want to learn more.
Regards,
Greg
It was also staphylococcus aureus that caught my attention. Coconut oil, which I use a lot for LS seems to also kill this bacteria and kills the yeast Candida Albicans. I am using baking soda for rinsing and coconut oil for lubrication and apparently other. The LS is on retreat meanwhile. I'm doing this now for approximately four weeks.
By combining all our experiences here on this forum, a light may go up with many of us. Thanks again.
My post did not go through - moderation. Ordinary conversation. Don't understand. Anyway, I'll try again.
It was the staph bacteria you mentioned that caught my eye. It seems that coconut oil is doing the same, kills the same bacteria. I'm using a lot of coconut oil for lubrication and rinse with baking soda. The LS is on retreat. I have no proof of anything to be beneficial, it simply starts to show that it is beneficial.
Will have a look at your web findings. Thanks again.
Hi again Hanny. I decided to do some reading about Coconut Oil, and it appears its high content in Lauric Acid does give it some potency against Staph bacteria. As you were suspecting, the fact that you are feeling some relief by applying it, may indeed be indicative of the presence of bacteria on your lesions. Not necessarily Staph - since only an actual test could confirm that - but given the fact that we know SA is the usual culprit... The story gets interesting... And I would obviously suggest getting tested for the bacteria, if that is possible and economical for you.
I also found out that there are other interesting herbs, mainly those used in Chinese traditional medicine and containing Berberine, that might be employed to combat resistant Staph.
Finally, one of my readers on a different forum, who is currently affected by chronic eczema, decided to try SJW, but not through the systemic route I employed. She actually made herself a balm with 3 parts coconut oil and one part SJW oil, that she bought from her health food store. Her initial reaction to the first application was very encouraging. I will be looking forward to her follow-ups.
We are quite likely getting somewhere! All the best!
Thank you again, Greg. We indeed are going somewhere somehow in a good direction. All the time closer to understanding what causes it, what fights it.
I too have LSC and am my wits end! I can't take this anymore. I've tried EVERYTHING except SJW. This really was all it took to make it go away? Did you use any oils or creams? Eliminate soaps etc? Or just St.johns wort? I'm excited to come across this and give it a try. Thank you Greg!
Hi Katie,
600mg/day of SJW extract is all it took to get rid of a 20 year-old disease for which all the other tricks in the book had failed miserably! The symptoms were gone in 6 weeks, and the scars in 5-6 months. I wish I would have known in advance what SJW could do for me, because I would then have bought the cream or the oil for instantaneous relief on my lesions. However, the systemic treatment did a perfect job with a little time, and did so without any side-effects either. I have now been LSC-free for almost 2-1/2 years, to the disbelief of all my doctors!
You should read about potential interactions if you are going to try SJW while taking any other medication. I was on nothing else but SJW and my perfectly ordinary diet and lifestyle.
BTW, this is not my main thread for discussing LSC and SJW... I have posts both in the Alternative and complementary medicine AND the Eczema and dermatitis forums where I discuss the subject with other patients.
Best of luck if you elect to try SJW and please keep us posted on your progress!
Greg.
That is truly amazing! Thank you for the quick response I am going to try the oil and capsules as I am not currently on any medications. Well Benadryl so I can get at least a few hours of sleep with this horrible itch. I've had it for 8 years now and it is so out of control that I live on ice packs. I really hope this is my answer as it was yours. Happy for you that you got cured!! Thanks again.
I know exactly where you are coming from concerning the intolerable itch! I have much faith that the oil will provide you with immediate relief as there is so much evidence about this on the web, including the success of some small scale clinical trials using SJW cream against eczema.
However, please be patient with the systemic treatment (as long as you tolerate it well)... I'm convinced we are dealing with a very stubborn bacterial infection that taxes our immune systems, and getting rid of it takes time. A patient on another forum whose body was literally covered with wounds had to wait 12 weeks before experiencing any benefit, but he is now very happy to boast about a huge drop in the surface covered by the lesions, a disappearance of all the itching, and of course, the rediscovery of quality sleep. it's been a few weeks now since his latest update, and I'm hoping he will soon tell me the disease is completely gone.
Best regards.
You will be my hero if this works I can not live like this anymore. I'm so happy I stumbled on this thread. Haven't slept through the night in ages. I bought the capsules yesterday but had to order oil online. Can't wait for it to come.
That is amazing that it cured all his wounds. I've delt with this for so long that 12 weeks is worth the wait. Thanks so much
One other question if you don't mind :-) I bought 300mg capsules and it recommends 3 a day with a meal. Wpuld you suggest sticking to two for 600mg or take the 3
900mg is the typical daily dose of SJW one would take to treat depression, the most common reason why people would employ it. I initially took SJW to deal with a small anxiety issue following the loss of a job, and started the conservative way with only 300mg a day. I was a litlle "chicken" I must say, having read that some people experienced unpleasant side-effects. After 6 weeks, when I noticed the unexpected results on my skin and seeing that I had no unpleasant side-effects, I raised the dose to 600mg and stayed at that level afterwards.
Everyone reacts differently to medicine. If you are brave, go for it and take 900mg from the very start! If you wish to be conservative and to first test how your body generally responds to SJW, then start off low and increase the dosage little by little. It also depends if your LSC covers a large part of your body. In my case, the LSC only covered my lower legs below the knee, although it was very intense.
Hope this helps.
Thank you.
I think I'll try 600.
I have it in the worst place possible. Front and back. It's runing my life. I can't even play with my kids, exercise, do normal things sometimes (most times). I used to be embarrassed by it but now I'll shout it from the roof tops if someone will give me a cure.
I think it is wonderful that you have been cured for over two years and still continue to help others. You're a good person.
Thanks again!!