Lichen Sclerosus Podcast

Today we are joined (again) by therapeutic nutrition consultant, LS warrior, and cancer survivor, Heather Cooan. Last episode we heard her diagnosis story. Unfortunately, Heather went undiagnosed for over 25 years, allowing her Lichen Sclerosus to develop into vulvar cancer. This was a gross failure of the medical system.

In today’s episode, we learn how Heather advocated for herself and fought for her values. Today her Lichen Sclerosus is in remission and she is now cancer-free! Her story reminds us of the importance of self-advocacy in the medical realm.

Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the next episode where Heather details how a Nutrition Therapist can help us get healthy.

I want to hear from you. What has advocating for yourself done in your life? Email me at kathy@lichensclerosuspodcast or DM me on Instagram @lichensclerosuspodcast.

I want to thank our sponsor, the Lichen Sclerosus Support Network (LSSN) for making this podcast possible. LSSN is helping bring awareness, information, education, and most importantly support to all Lichen Sclerosus warriors.

Be sure to follow them on IG and FB @lichensclerosussupportnetwork.

If you are in the Phoenix area, check out Dr. Joseph Brook’s here: https://www.arizonaspecializedgynecology.com/provider/joseph-brooks-md

Dr. Bhoola: https://arizonaoncology.com/covid19/

If you are battling vulvar cancer, check out the vulvar cancer awareness forum here: https://www.facebook.com/vulvarcancerawarenessforum/

For nutritional consultations, see Heather’s website: https://heathercooan.com/

If you haven't joined the email list for The Lost Labia Chronicles, a blog about beating Lichen Sclerosus, you want to do that today.

https://lichensclerosuspodcast.com/lost-labia-chronicles-landing-page/

Be sure to follow her on IG and FB @thelostlabiachronicles.

Mentioned in this episode:

Finally Get Clear Answers About LS, Menopause, and Your Treatment

If you’ve ever found yourself listening to this podcast searching for answers…

Today we are joined by therapeutic nutrition consultant, LS warrior, and cancer survivor, Heather Cooan. Heather’s journey from how the medical system let her down to self-advocacy and taking control of her health and body is nothing short of incredible. 

Her story will be told in two parts. Today, we begin with when Heather’s symptoms first began to manifest, how they impacted her life, and how she was repeatedly let down by the system.

Email me at [email protected] or DM me on IG @lichensclerosuspodcast and let me know what you thought of Heather's story so far.

I want to thank our sponsor, the Lichen Sclerosus Support Network (LSSN) for making this podcast possible. LSSN is helping bring information, education, and most importantly support to all Lichen Sclerosus warriors.

We meet every other Saturday from 2-4 pm and/or 7-9 pm Eastern Standard Time. This is your opportunity to share your diagnosis story, what is working for you and what isn’t, and ask a question to the group. Perhaps share your experience with the system letting you down!

I have met so many incredibly strong LS warriors through these meetups, and I would love for you to join our community. 

Sign up at lssupport.net/connect for notifications and updates! Our next meetup is on March 20th, 2021. I cannot wait to meet you!

Resources:

For nutritional consultations, see Heather’s website: https://heathercooan.com/

If you are battling vulvar cancer, check out the vulvar cancer awareness forum here: https://www.facebook.com/vulvarcancerawarenessforum/

If you are in the Phoenix area, check out Dr. Joseph Brook’s here: https://www.arizonaspecializedgynecology.com/provider/joseph-brooks-md 

Dr. Bhoola: https://arizonaoncology.com/covid19/

Mentioned in this episode:

Finally Get Clear Answers About LS, Menopause, and Your Treatment

If you’ve ever found yourself listening to this podcast searching for answers…

Hey! Welcome.

I'm excited to bring you the second part of my conversation with my LS sister, Jaclyn. In this episode, she shares what it took to go from suffering so bad she had to stop having sex with her new husband to having multi-orgasm sex multiple times a week.

I hope this story inspires you because you can do this too! I truly believe you can. It won't be easy but you absolutely can.

Please let me know if you're ready to start down the path back to health. We're here to support you.

Email me at [email protected] or DM me on IG @lichenslcerosuspodcast.

Join our next LS Support Virtual Meetup from 2-4 and 7-9 PM EST. at https://lssupport.net/connect.

Ready for 24/7 support? Join the waitlist for LS Warriors. A family that understands what you're going through. https://lssupport.net/lswarriors

Reach ou/t to Jaclyn by email at [email protected] or DM her on IG @thelostlabiachronicles.

Also, be sure to join her email list so you get notified when she releases a new blog post. https://lssupport.net/jointllc

Support our sponsor Lichen Sclerosus Support Network by following them on IG @lichensclerosussupportnetwork and check out their website https://lssupport.net for all the ways they can support you on your LS journey.

Heather’s website: https://feminapt.com/ and her Instagram @theladypartspt

Want to buy Heather's book? Buy it at http://sexwithoutpainbook.com/ – use code LICHENS20 for 20% for a limited amount of time.

Mentioned in this episode:

Finally Get Clear Answers About LS, Menopause, and Your Treatment

If you’ve ever found yourself listening to this podcast searching for answers…

Hey! Welcome to the Lichen Sclerosus Podcast. I have a very special LS Warrior with us today, Jaclyn, who is going to share the story of her journey with Lichen Sclerosus. Her progression from feeling alone and hopeless to empowered and thriving is captivating! Jaclyn is truly a beacon of light in our Lichen Sclerosus community and her story is sure to captivate you.

This is the story of how Jaclyn began her Lichen Sclerosus journey with little information. While she had started to compile a team (i.e., her doctor, her sex therapist, her pelvic floor physiotherapist, her husband, friends, and family), she felt very alone in her diagnosis. She longed for community and connection.

Come back next week to hear about how Jaclyn found her community and how she is now able to have amazing, pleasurable, pain-free sex!

Join us at our next virtual meetup. We meet every other Saturday from 2-4 pm and/or 7-9 pm Eastern Standard Time. This is your opportunity to share your diagnosis story, what is working for you and what isn’t, and ask a question to the group. I have met so many incredibly strong LS warriors through these meetups, and I would love for you to join our community. 

Sign up at https://lichensclerosuspodcast.com/connect for notifications and updates! Our next meetup is on March 6th. I cannot wait to meet you!

Need immediate help email me at [email protected] or DM me on IG @lichenslcerosuspodcast.

I want to thank our sponsor, the Lichen Sclerosus Support Network (LSSN) for making this podcast possible. LSSN is helping bring information, education, and most importantly support to all Lichen Sclerosus Warriors.

Be sure to follow them on IG and FB @lichensclerosussupportnetwork.

I am super excited to announce that Jaclyn will be starting her blog called The Lost Labia Chronicles, sponsored by the LSSN, which will go live next Tuesday (March 2nd, 2021).

Jaclyn is freaking amazing, and you will definitely want to follow her blog. I have watched this woman go through an amazing transformation, and her stories, her advice, and her wisdom are next level. In her blog she will take you through her journey, you will get all the raw, unfiltered emotions and feelings and learn how she got out of that dark space. Her story is one of hope.

Subscribe to her blog at lssupport.net/jointllc to get updates and notifications. Her first blog post will go live on March 2nd, but if you sign up before, you’ll get a sneak peek at her first post.

If you want to reach out to Jaclyn, you can DM her on Instagram or Facebook @thelostlabiachronicles or via email at [email protected].

Mentioned in this episode:

Finally Get Clear Answers About LS, Menopause, and Your Treatment

If you’ve ever found yourself listening to this podcast searching for answers…

This week we talk about an awful drive I recently had to the doctor's office.

I was overtaken by negative thoughts and emotions of what the future might bring. Eventually, I pulled myself out of those negative thoughts and emotions so I could do what I needed to do.

I want to share with you my technique for staying in the present and changing my focus.

This podcast is brought to you by Lichen Sclerosus Support Network, providing information, education, and support for people with Lichen Sclerosus.

Find the full show notes at https://lichensclerosuspodcast.com/appointmentanxiety.

Follow me on IG @lichensclerosuspodcast or FB https://www.facebook.com/lichensclerosussupportnetwork

Announcing new Spanish LS podcast coming March 1, 2021. Linquen Escleroso, hosted by two LS Warriors bringing you the information and realness behind LS en español.

Signup now to be notified of updates at https://lssupport.net/spanish and follow them on IG @liquenescleroso.

Also announcing The Lost Labia Chronicles. A young woman's fight from crippling sexual pain, and vulvar dysmorphia to self-love, and multiple orgasm lovemaking. Learn how to beat LS at its own game.

Signup early for email notifications and get a peek at the first post before everybody else. https://lssupport.net/jointllc/

And follow her on IG @thelostlabiachronicles.

Mentioned in this episode:

Finally Get Clear Answers About LS, Menopause, and Your Treatment

If you’ve ever found yourself listening to this podcast searching for answers…

Does Lichen Sclerosus make penetrative sex painful for you? Has LS been a factor in a relationship breakup? Are you single and wonder if you'll ever be in a healthy relationship again?

These are all questions this week's guest had to confront. After the demise of her 10-year marriage, she was determined to find out what was happening to her body. It took many more years for her to get a diagnosis, find acceptance, and ultimately love. Not just romantic love but love for herself.

I invite you to listen to this brave woman's journey because it may just inspire you to take the first step on yours.

Carrie Bock is an anxiety and OCD counselor at By The Well Counseling. She also hosts Hope For Anxiety and OCD Podcast, which is all about decreasing shame, increasing hope, and developing a healthy relationship with God and others. Her podcast is available on all podcasting platforms.

If you would like to get in touch with or work with her you can follow her on IG @hopeforanxietyandocdpodcast, on FB @hopeforanxietyandocd, or check out her websites www.bythewellconsouling.com and www.hopeforanxietyandocd.com.

To get in touch with Carrie's doctor near Nashville go here. https://centerforpelvichealth.org/specialist/

Find the full show notes for this episode at https://lichensclerosuspodcast.com/hopeforanxiety.

Or if you would like to watch the video of this interview go to https://youtu.be/ziURuvnx81M.

If you haven't yet, sign up for our virtual meetup at lichensclerosuspodcast.com/connect. I am now offering the virtual meetup two times every other Saturday, 2-4 and 7-9 PM EST – come and connect with us! We'd love to have you be a part of our community. Share your story and ask questions in a safe space with others that get you.

I look forward to talking to you again next week.

Bye!

Mentioned in this episode:

Finally Get Clear Answers About LS, Menopause, and Your Treatment

If you’ve ever found yourself listening to this podcast searching for answers…

Welcome to season 2 of Lichen Sclerosus Podcast.

For our first episode, the esteemed Dr. Jill Krapf and I discuss new research into women of reproductive age with LS. This under-studied group is often misdiagnosed or turned away being told ridiculous things.

If you're between 18 and 50 and want to be part of the research head over to lichensclerosuspodcast.com/survey and fill out the questionnaire. Make your voice heard.

We also discuss how the proper application of steroids can make a difference to our disease. She lays out exactly how to use, when to use, and how often to use the medication.

I hope you enjoy this first episode back because I missed you and can't wait to start talking to you again.

If you haven't signed up for the virtual meetups yet, do it now! Go to lichensclerosuspodcast.com/connect. we meet every other Saturday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM EST.

You can follow Dr. Jill on IG @jillkrapfmd, the CVVD @the.CVVD, and myself @lichensclerosuspodcast.

To read the full notes go to lichensclerosuspodcast.com/drjill.

I hope you have an amazing week and I will talk to you next time.

Bye!

Mentioned in this episode:

Finally Get Clear Answers About LS, Menopause, and Your Treatment

If you’ve ever found yourself listening to this podcast searching for answers…

I woke up this Thanksgiving with a message of gratitude on my heart.

Please don't let the fear and anxiety of Lichen Sclerosus pull you from the joy and happiness in your life. Find and focus on the pockets of gratitude and positivity.

Make sure you sign up for next months virtual meetup at https://www.subscribepage.com/lsconnect

And don't forget to follow me:

IG - https://www.instagram.com/lichensclerosuspodcast/

FB - https://www.facebook.com/lichensclerosussupportnetwork

Mentioned in this episode:

Finally Get Clear Answers About LS, Menopause, and Your Treatment

If you’ve ever found yourself listening to this podcast searching for answers…

Fresh off the first Lichen Sclerosus Podcast Virtual Meetup I'm excited to bring fresh insights.

As I'm sure you know because you live it Lichen Sclerosus does terrible things to our sex life. Sometimes stopping it completely.

This week we look at how our libido is impacted by LS and how we can get it back.

There's tons of information to look at. All links will be on the website show notes page at https://lssupportnetwork.org/is-lichen-sclerosus-lowering-your-sex-drive/.

Make sure you sign up for next months virtual meetup at https://www.subscribepage.com/lsconnect

And don't forget to follow me:

IG - https://www.instagram.com/lichensclerosuspodcast/

FB - https://www.facebook.com/lichensclerosussupportnetwork

Here is the list of resources I used for this week's episode.

The Impact of Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus on Sexual Dysfunction

Decreased Desire

9 Drugs That Can Affect Your Sex Drive

Low Libido and Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

3 Ways Subconscious Mind Learns

8 Successful Mental Habits to Defeat Fear, Worry, and Anxiety

Ten ways to fight your fears

Mentioned in this episode:

Finally Get Clear Answers About LS, Menopause, and Your Treatment

If you’ve ever found yourself listening to this podcast searching for answers…

I'm so excited to bring back one of my favorite guests. Lou!

If you don't know who Lou is go back and listen to the episode "Lou's Diagnosis Story". She is so much fun and I could not wait to speak with her again.

We go in-depth on my story and discuss some of the decisions I made.

My hope is that you learn something from my experiences or at the very least know that you are not alone.

Please reach out:

IG - https://www.instagram.com/lichensclerosuspodcast/

FB - https://www.facebook.com/lichensclerosussupportnetwork

Website - lichensclerosuspodcast.com

Don't forget to signup for the virtual meetup. - https://www.subscribepage.com/lsconnect

Mentioned in this episode:

Finally Get Clear Answers About LS, Menopause, and Your Treatment

If you’ve ever found yourself listening to this podcast searching for answers…