Has anyone with OLP used Gengigel and did it work. I found using baking soda to brush my teeth is much better than any toothpaste. I just can't find anything to help relieve some of the pain on my tongue. It feels like it has been sliced with a razor blade all the time. Any help you can give me is welcome.
Dear Merckx,
I've used baking soda to brush my teeth followed by salt water rinse when I have a lot of painful lesions.
But recently I've been using oral care products with tea tree oil, and taking valacyclovir.
I have gone from 9 active lesions down to 1 in less than a month. And, I have almost no pain.
It could be a coincidence. I could just be in remission.
But, I'm hopeful my new routine is the cause.
Gengigel did not work for me. In fact, it burned....
Hi Noni9:
I'm so happy you have found relief. That is great news. I tried tea tree straight on my tongue and I ws pain free for a good 24 hours and then it strted up again. Is Valacyclovir a steriod? If it is that is what I am trying to avoid. I heard salt is good to rinse with then heard salt is bad so I'm at a loss at what to do. Coincidence, remission or maybe a God thing. Keep up the good work.
Hi Cookie:
Thanks for the info. I was ready to order some Gengigel. That was disappointing to hear but good to know.
Valacyclovir is an anti-viral. I've researched olp and found that herpes viruses and human papilloma virus have been linked to olp. I have hsv2 and hpv. There are few if any adverse affects from valacyclovir. I went to a intectious disease specialist who prescribed 1 gram a day. I take 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 in the evening.
I seen many people post foods you should avoid. However, I haven't found that any food caused my lesions. But, I've found some foods like acidic or spicy can irritate raw lesions. So, I avoid them when I have open sores in my mouth. A solution of warm salt water as a mouthwash is soothing to me.
Praying you find relief. Have you had a biopsy?
PS-I've used tea tree oil directly on my sores and ulcers too.
I use a q-tip and put a drop on it and apply to my lesion. I do that several times throughout the day.
Tea tree oil is an anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal. Each and every one has a different life/reproductive cycle. So, I'm thinking that it would take several applications to be effective. Depending on what is causing your olp would determine what would get rid of it. Anti-viral medications would help if it's caused by a virus. However, they don't "cure" anything they just interrupt the reproductive cycle, and help keep them at bay. When I first got on the support group, everyone was saying olp is an autoimmune disorder and no one knows what causes it. A lady named Karen told me there is a connection between olp and hpv. Have you ever had a positive Pap smear? I researched olp and found there are also links to herpes viruses.
I was hopeful. I tried both the wash and the gel. I think some people may have had ok results, but not me🙁
I did have a biopsy about 2 years ago. I shall try the salt water mouthwash and see how that works. My gums were so red and inflammed that when I brushed my teeth my gums just bleed out. Right now it is my tongue that really hurts. I put some tea tree on a Q-tiop and applied it and found relief immediately for a good 24 hurs and then the hurt came back and no amount of tea tree has stopped the pain. I'm thinking of tryhing the Gengigel and see if that helps. It is worth a try. I hat a revision knee surgery 2 years ago and read it is possible I could have gotten OLP for some of the pain killers I ws given to take. It is all a mystery. I going to pray for your relief from this horrible stuff also.
This OLP is a horrible thing. I'm sorry the gengigel didn't work. If I decide to get some I'll let you know if it helped. I'm just trying to avoid the steriods but may have to give in.
I have the same problem with my gums. They bled when i brushed. I started a small dose of doxycycline and it has stopped the bleeding gums. OLP is still there, still painful, but thankfully the bleeding has subsided and am able to brush my teeth without too much pain.
Ok, prednisone is last resort to me....won't take it unless its really really unbearable.
I just did a search on Tumeric Ointment being good fr OLP. Have you ever looked into that option? Plus it was suggested to me that I go see a Pathuropath. I"m trying to find a good one. I've been to 5 different types of doctor and all they want to give me steriods. There has to be something natural we can take at least to control the pain issue.
I don't want to scare you but I had to put a cat of mine on prednisone long time ago and he ended up getting diabeties from it.
Just wish someone could find out why we get this and find a cure!
I have found coconut oil to be soothing for the tongue and also making a mouthwash with marshmallow root, Teaspoon of marshmallow root steeped in 250ml boiling water, leave until cool. Strain and use as a mouth rinse after teeth cleaning. Marshmallow is very soothing to the mucous membranes.
Sorry I know nothing about Gengigel.
Yes! Coconut oil is soothing. Have not tried the marshmallow root rinse yet.
Dear Mercky, so sorry for your suffering.
Olp is so painful. I found out recently that olp falls into the category of denistry under US Medicare and doesn't qualify for coverage; therefore, doctors aren't interested in providing coverage, because there is no money for it.
The research I've done links it to various virus strains, not medication. However, I think medications can exacerbate olp. I recently was on steroids for 3-1/2 months for ulcerative colitis. My olp worsened as a result. But, it seems to have improved with anti-viral treatment I'm getting for herpes virus 2. I have a history of anal cancer caused by human papilloma virus, which is the primary cause of cervical cancer and positive Pap smears. My main concern right now is getting some form of oral cancer. Some research shows increased incidence of oral cancer in olp patients. It's a puzzle I'm trying to solve.
Dear Cookie,
If you like to do online research, look up:
Herpes virus and oral lichen planus
And
Human papilloma virus and oral lichen planus
Very enlightening.
Hope you feel better and find relief from your suffering.
You are so right about coconut oil being soothing for the tongue plus it tastes so good. I;ll hve to get some marshmallow root and try that. Thanks for the info.