I'm reading all your posts with interest. I'm 66 and I've had LS since 2002 that I know of, and it's getting better with changes in treatment, but I'm not all the way there yet. It's so hopeful to know some of you have accomplished a recovery. Good on you!
I just intend to confirm some of what I've read here by telling my story. I think my LS started with yeast infections decades ago. I was taking over-the-counter meds for years for recurring vaginal yeast infections. By the time LS was diagnosed by my integrative practitioner, yeast was systemic in my body. I'd also been a lifeguard in the 60's, so lots of exposure to chlorine! Just a theory but my alternative practitioner agrees that would be a factor. That and polyester swim suits.
As for my gut, I had five years of constipation before I was diagnosed with LS. I think that was related to the yeast. I also went through a spell of being acidic systemically. At that point my doctor said stop! just stop - there was too much stress in my life. Since I had very little energy due to acidity, that wasn't hard to do
Now I use digestive enzymes, psyllium twice daily and lactobacillus and drink plenty of alkaline water. Also drink green smoothies daily blended with seeds of all sorts incl. flax seed. Plus avocado, a small amt of beet (great to combat constipation) and tons of spinach and/or kale plus whatever other raw veggies I've got in my fridge. No more constipation and I'm feeling really good!
Diet: no dairy, wheat, flour, sugar for years now. The good news: I make my own "cheez" - cashew based - requires a high-speed blender. But it's tasty. The book I use is called Artisan Vegan Cheese by Miyoko Schinner. It even has a recipe for cheese fondue that tastes like the original. Only downside - using veggies to dip instead of French bread....
My mainstream doctor prescribed mometasone ointment twice a week but my alternative doctor said testosterone cream would be better because it's not a chemical (still cortisone though). So now it's testosterone. My systemic levels of testosterone were low anyway, he said.
My last flare-up was a doozy and it was after December holiday when I'd cheated on sweets. I cut way back on sugar and the symptoms started to subside. My sugar levels were still high and I was experiencing "brain fog" so I finally cut back on processed sugar altogether. I use stevia a lot and only eat the equivalent of two fruits a day, usually less. At the next appt my doctor told me I had been borderline diabetic the previous visit, so now I stick to minimal sugar and the brain fog's gone. That is such a relief.
I am retired, so have time for yoga, mindfulness meditation (both are relaxing) and exercise which allows me a good sleep at night.
That's me; hoping this info is helpful. Thanks for your posts. It would be so good to lose the LS.