Lichen Planus: A Journey of Healing, Resilience, and Discovery

My journey with Lichen Planus began in the middle of a chilly New Jersey Winter in 2014. I began to notice the emergence of small papules on my arms, akin to the irritation one might experience after mosquito bites. These tiny, itchy bumps rapidly multiplied over the following days and weeks, gradually spreading to my legs, back, and ultimately, my abdomen. What initially started as minor itching evolved into relentless and unbearable torment, often keeping me awake throughout the night. I remember trying Benadryl, one of the only tools in my limited arsenal of home therapies, which failed to provide any relief. After enduring this ordeal for a few days (or perhaps weeks - I can't recall exactly), I made the decision to consult my primary care physician (PCP). My PCP prescribed methylprednisone in an attempt to alleviate my suffering. After two weeks of adhering to this regimen relief remained frustratingly elusive. I returned for another appointment and consented to a gluteal injection of more medicine hoping for deeper more systemic and lasting relief. Another week passed, and my condition continued to worsen without significant relief.

First appointment initiating naturopathic treatment plan (Early Spring 2014)

In the previous year, I had been in contact with a local naturopathic doctor (ND) through an informational interview, driven by my own curiosity about the profession. I decided to establish care with this ND. Having this professional guidance turned out to be a pivotal turning point in my story. Our initial consultation was nothing short of transformative, delving deep into my experience of stressors, dietary choices, lifestyle, exercise, emotional wellbeing, and relationships. I was also encouraged to explore and nurture my spirituality, which had traditionally served as a wellspring of solace for me. It provided reminders of purpose and optimism during the tumultuous periods of my life. My ND recognized this and simply encouraged me in my path of faith. Sharing my narrative with a healthcare practitioner who listened attentively and cared deeply was a profoundly gratifying and eye-opening experience. The treatment plan I then received was remarkable in its comprehensiveness. It empowered me to simply align with my body's innate healing capabilities, which had been elusive to my understanding up until that point. This newfound knowledge helped me navigate some of the confusion and shame that had enveloped me until that point. (For those who have experienced skin conditions, the shame associated with such plagues can be overwhelming to say the least. At that time, I was also still attending Rutgers University as a grad student and I vividly remember the inner misery I felt, viewing myself as some sort of zombified walking corpse. Just riding the campus bus was an agonizing experience for me. I resorted to wearing long-sleeved shirts and hoodies in a futile attempt to conceal what I perceived as a hideous condition.) 

 ".. Riding the campus bus was an agonizing experience" (Late Spring 2014)

After a few weeks, I decided to also consult a dermatologist, ensuring that I explored every possible avenue of care, both conventional and alternative. However, the dermatologist's approach was rooted in symptom suppression, in stark contrast to the naturopathic doctor's philosophy of nurturing the body's natural healing processes. This approach was understandable, from a conventional point of view, given that this was an advanced case of an autoimmune condition with an unknown etiology (previous labs were inconclusive in identifying a root cause, but a biopsy confirmed lichen planus). To comply with the new treatment plan I had to temporarily suspend my naturopathic protocol and embark on a course of higher-dose steroids. The initial days on this medication brought symptomatic relief, eradicating the incessant itching and flattening the plaques that had marred my skin. Although the hyperpigmented skin remained, the inflammatory process seemed to subside. Hope, albeit fleeting, blossomed within me, and I believed that my ordeal had finally come to an end.

However, my optimism was short-lived. About a month after commencing prednisone, as I began tapering off the medication, lichen planus reared its head once more. This time, it extended its reach over an even larger area of my body and the skin eruptions were more aggressive, a consequence of steroid withdrawal and it's temporary supprrssive affects on inflammation and the immune system. Frustrated and disheartened, I returned to my ND, who advised a comprehensive treatment once more that now included ideas such as water fasting, adopting a gluten-free and dairy-free diet, avoiding aluminum-based products (as a hair analysis had revealed significant levels of aluminum in my body), discontinuing the use of ibuprofen (which had been triggering lichen planus flare-ups), and reducing my sugar intake, as we suspected that intestinal permeability may be playing a role.

Lichen Planus (a couple months after flare up) (Early Summer 2014)

A few months passed and I remained resolute in supporting the natural healing process. With diligence, compliance, active communication with my ND, and patience the treatment plan gradually bore fruit. Over the course of a few months, the itching subsided, stress diminished, and I felt more in tune with my body. It appeared that not only my skin was showing healing, but more importantly, my mind and emotions underwent a healing transformation as well. I was also equipped now with newfound stress management techniques that I continue to incorporate into my daily life to this day. Despite the lasting scars from this experience, the growth and healing through that experience has been invaluable in my life.

Several months improvement after initiating naturoapthic treatment (late Summer 2014)

 

Lichen Planus scars (2022)

What I learned from my experience:

My journey with lichen planus, an autoimmune disease, was arduous, however, it bridged a profound expeirence of exploration of mind and body. I discovered the beauty of the human body and its intrinsic design for healing, resilience, and growth. Supporting this process can be one of the most intuitive experiences one can have. Unfortunately, we are repetitively exposed to suppressive solutions, not just from a physical perspective but in many aspects of life, be it socially, mentally, or emotionally. We are not encouraged enough to explore deeper avenues of healing and this can encourage dissociation between mind and body. I am grateful for the profound sense of love that was cultivated for my mind and body during my experience with lichen planus, and this love continues to resonate within me today. The lessons learned will be a continual reminder of my worth and value I believe the rest of my life. Additionally, I discovered a way of detachment from identifying with events occurring within my mind, body, and emotions. I learned that my experiences do not define me; instead, they can serve as a pathway to experiencing deeper connectedness. Today, as a naturopathic physician (preceptee), I am honored and deeply grateful for what I've learned. The support and comfort my faith provided along with the warm embrace of family and friends held me afloat during one of the darkest seasons of life. In the end, my journey with Lichen Planus became a testament to the fact that even in the darkest times, the night is temporary and will inevitably give way to the morning.