Yeast causing flare up?

[crysann]

Has anyone related a yeast infection to a flare up? I have a slight one for the past few days, and and my IC has been worse than ever. Maybe just a coincidence!

[ICNDonna]

It's not unusual to flare from yeast infections. How are you treating the yeast?

Donna

[crysann]

I am just using he over the counter Vagisil cream. It seems to do the trick until I get rid of the yeast naturally. Most of the time I use Gynozol cream. It is a perscription medication. This YI is not bad enough for that medicine. If I see a corrilation between the two, I will use it next time.

[Katrina]

MOst over the counter creams are not tollerated well by ICers and I think a lot of us flare from yeast infections....OUCH! If I were you I would be careful about over the counter yeast creams...and use other things usch as AZO yeast, Probotics, or a prescription...please keep in touch on how you are doing. I hope you feel better soon.
:grouphug:

[sami4]

One of the worst IC flares I ever had turned out to be a bad yeast infection. Once on Diflucan the whole symptoms returned to normal like a miracle. I had to pee so bad I had to leave the examining room twice and thought for sure I had a bad UT infection. The Urine culture was negative except for trace blood (usual for me), I had a vulva so red it looked like I had lipstick on it.
They did a culture for Mycoplasm, Ureoplasm also which they are finding out has exactly the same symptoms as IC and has to be treated with certain antibiotics as all of them dont kill it. Thank God mine was negative.
I think yeast gets into the bladder during a bad infection. It gets into your mouth, vagina, intestines and who knows what else so it is just logical it gets into the bladder as well.
It took 4 Diflucans to fix it and then I had to go on Estrace vaginal cream 2 mg for two months to restore all the damage.
Sammie

[ICPrincess]

I have noticed that nearly all of my really severe flares are triggered by either a bacterial or yeast infection of the Vagina. Once I get those cleared up, the flare is almost always gone. Fluconazole is awesome for yeast. Now I do a preventative thing that has helped keep my flares down. I take an applicatorful of Metrogel (Vaginal Flagyl and so much more tolerable then the oral kind) a day or two after my period. Wait a day or two then take an applicatorful of Monistat. This has helped keep the yeast and bacteria from turning into anything big each month after my period. I still always flare the day before my period but then I soothe it with Pyridium for that day (and the Calcium Citrate helps alot too). :)

I truly believe that some women who have these monster flares that won't go away for weeks and weeks at a time are not food induced. I think bacteria or yeast is in the vaginal area and they cannot get any peace until that is abated. I can't cound the times I have had something like this vaginally that I felt in my bladder. My doctor keeps me refilled with Metrogel (which does not bother my bladder when I take it...the gel does not burn like Monistat can). I also keep Monistat on hand but grin and bear it once a month to stop yeast from getting in. I am big on preventative. I am a firm believer that any amount of bacteria in the vagina is not IC friendly and is at the forefront of the problem. Hormonal changes can bring on bacteria even if you are the cleanest person in the world.

[sami4]

Me too Princess. I think every time I had what I thought was a UT and vulvodynia it turned out to be yeast, gardinella or no vaginal estrogen. I think as the yeast goes untreated it goes into the bladder and urethra and causes a whole bunch of problems. I also took a blood allergy test and found out I was allergic to yeast and molds.
I also found out that vaginal yeast can be a number of varieties and Monillia is only one of them. When they re occur a culture should be done but most Gynos dont do that.
I too take Diflucan at the first sign of red vulva and burning. It has been working so far. Yeast can get embedded in tissue and be very stubborn.
I am also using a new product called THREELAC from Japan which does not dissolve in the stomach but in the intestines. It is supposed to be the most potent probiotic ever as most of them dissolve in the stomach and never get into the system.
Sammie

[curlycue]

OH my I never thought Yeast can get in some ones mouth? YUK that really grosses me out. I too have had my share of several Yeast Infections and it happens everytime I have sex wich is not offten enough mabey 3 to 4 times a month its they are awful I was thinking that mabey I can use the diflucan as a preventitive Medication does any one have any ideas? I would love to hear from you ladies.

[Katrina]

Oral thrushes are quite common actually.
Diflucan has been used as a preventative treatment. It usually isn't a doctors favorite option though because it can cause liver dammage if used for a long time.

I would try other things first such as AZO yeast and probotics like acidophilus since they are much safer to take long term.
You may want to have your husband checked to make sure he isn't passing the yeast infection to you since that can happen without him having any symptoms.

I still have a Diflucan prescription but only use it when I have symptoms these days because my doctor feels it was the cause of some of my changes in blood work.

:grouphug:

[ICPrincess]

The other thing that is tricky is telling whether or not is is Bacterial Vaginosis or yeast. They can mimic one another. I seem to get more pain from the becterial infection then I do yeast. Bacterial makes the vagina burn like it's on fire. You feel this rawness, soreness and burning. I used Monistat thinking it would help one time and it didn't. I then realized that every month after I get my period, I would begin to get a damn bacterial infection. Even though I am clean, change my pads often (cannot use tampons) and still....I would get them. They can make you flare terribly. Yeast too. I started experimenting and noticed that my long term flares would almost always clear up once I used either Metrogel and Monistat (Or Fluconazole). I have since learned to nip it in the bud by doing the preventative and I am flaring ALOT less!

I have such a gut feeling....very strong gut feeling that IC began because of bacteria that either went untreated too long, or was not erradicated by the medicine. I think this bacteria literally attacked the bladder wall burrowing itself deep into the bladder itself which is why it does not show up as an infection. It isn't really. It was at one time but now it mutated and did it's damage to the delicate walls of the bladder leaving it vulnerable to even more attacks so that any bacteria whatsoever is EXTREMELY painful to it. I seem to do fine...even eat the foods I like (with the Calcium Citrate) if I keep all the bacteria at bay vaginally. I honestly think that most (not all) flares are from new bacteria in the uro/vaginal area which is like pouring salt on an open wound. Many times we think its a bladder infection but its yeast or vaginal bacteria. Any amount can make you double over. I always feel so soothed by the Metrogel or the Fluconazole. I remember a woman out here (maybe she will see this) who said she doesn't understand this but that her IC gets so much better if she remembers to use Cleocin cream vaginally (Alternative to Metrogel). She said her doctor didn't understand that but I do. It's exactly what I am experiencing. I think a great many of us are barking up the wrong tree for relief. We are taking all these pain meds for pain but the infection may be in our vagina's and growing which is why the flare will not go away. Food for thought.

[curlycue]

WOW Princess the doctor that I went to back in 1997 he is located in Tijana Mexico said the same thing that he thought IC was a Bacterial Infection that was never treated correctly and then with in time is screws with you bladder. He put me on 100mg of bactrim and something else I cant remember, but I took it for around 6-7 months and it helped me for 5 years I did not get a flare or anything I was great.

How do I find out if it is a bacterial infection?

I am going to take the AZO stuff Kat thanks

What kind of preventitive meds are you on now if you dont mind me asking

Where can I get Metrogel

Thanks

[ICPrincess]

Hey Curly :)

In most cases, the infection is gone, but the imprint it leaves behind is what we call IC (at least that's what I suspect pretty strongly). It attacks the bladder and leaves it vulnerable and scarred. It becomes so sensitive that any bacteria at all makes it go into high gear. I was flaring terribly this past year and then I began to make the connection. I finally started to keep Metrogel on hand as well as Monistat and my doctor ordered me Fluconazole to have on hand as well in my arsenal. Metrogel is the vaginal version of "Flagyl" which is given for bacterial vaginosis. I could not tolerate oral Flagly. Made me sick everytime. I also thought, why take the oral version systemically when the bacteria is in my vagina. Metrogel is prescribed by Gynecologists. It is so much gentler on your system and does not really irritate the bladder (didn't me). You usually take it for 5 to 7 days for a full blown bacterial infection (I take one applicatior full a month is all and that has kept the bacteria at bay....women often get this around their periods amd may not even realize until it gets really bad).

There is a school of thought that the bacteria is not truly dead just un-culterable (Not sure that is a word but thought I'd go for it..lol) and so they believe you need to be on antibiotics for months ( I am not so sure how I feel about that theory but I do think you can control the damage already done by making sure you are bacteria free whether that be vaginally or urologically...they go hand in hand). I am just so sick of doctors shaking thier heads and saying I dunno....I think the answer is right in front of them and I truly think this may be it. If you think about it (and I have had twenty years of this disease and alot of time to think about it), it makes sense. It may not be the way that everyone got thier IC, but I would lay odds it's how the majority did. A bad bacterial infection that was never treated properly could attack the tissue and later leave scars and pain behind. In any event, I think women that are having horrible flares should skip the urologist who will only smile weakly and nod a lot and go to the Gynecologist and have their vaginal area swabbed to see if any yeast or bacteria is present. I would bet there is.

[curlycue]

Thanks Princess I am going to bring this up to my Uro but they dont usually like to be told what our findings are, pretty sad. I might bring it up to my moms Gyno she is Tijuana Mexico and is really understanding and usually if I come in with some compond info wich I think this is she listens to me and gives me what I want.

[Katrina]

I agree...dammage from infections is very definatly one aspect of IC. Unfortunatly I have been on antibiotics for years...didn't cure me but it did help at first.
Thanks Princess for the detailed info you shared. I don't really want to get into the problems yeast causes me.

When I first diagnosed I would still get actual UTI's frequenty....after each one I would be worse off than before. I asked the doctors at ICA about this and they agreed that bacterial infections can do some dammage to the bladder that even after the infection is gone your bladder may not be "all better" so to speak. That was about 5 years ago.

[ICPrincess]

I agree. I tend to believe that taking antibiotics for months on end can do more damage then good. I also believe that it may halp some in some cases but that for the majority, the infection is now gone. It's what that infection leaves behind that is so painful for us to deal with. The scarring, ulcers and pain. The sad truth is that many doctors are not even interested in what causes IC. They just seem to not care all that much. It's a strange little disease to them that they would like to sweep under the carpet if they could. Doctors almost always resent being told something they never thought about or didn't know because they hand out ego's when they hand out medical licenses. The truth is that we have to learn for ourselves most of the time. Earler this year, I did a full course of Monistat, Metrogel and then finally took a Fluconazole tablet. After that month passed of doing a one two three punch like this, I felt better then I have ever felt....literally. I didn't want to pussyfoot around. I figured let's not take chances and go for all three one time and it worked. I knocked out whatever bacteria was hanging around and I felt so much better. There is no doubt that it has helped me tremendously. It's odd how the gynecologists seem to understand the seriousness of bacteria more then the urologists do. They seem to be more aware of just how much damage it can cause beyond the infection stage.

[curlycue]

Princess how do the dr know that it is a vaginal infection is there a test?

[Katrina]

yes there is a test. If you do a search on this board for bacterial vaginosis you can find out some of the symptoms....although anytime you seem to have a yeast infection that won't go away you should see your doctor because their are other things than just bacterial vaginosis that mimic a yeast infection.

[curlycue]

Thanks Kat

[ICPrincess]

Hey Curly :)

I only know because I have gotten so used to it that I can almost guage it myself (though you are not supposed to). What I would do is to go to your gynecologist when you are flaring badly, have them test you for Yeast and bacteria and see what comes up. Chances are one or the other will show up (usually a bacterial infection for me directly following my period). Then your Gynecologist is more likely to give you a prescription with refills of Metrogel. I have searched high and low and cannot find an over the counter test for vaginal bacteria. If anyone finds one, please let me know...I would love to be able to test myself. What I do is just stave it off by using an applicator full of both (MetroGel and Monistat a few days apart of course) and that seems to be doing it for me. If I start flaring, I do this again believe it or not and it's been helping me. It seems to sap whatever is starting (or trying to anyway). Most gynecologists realize that bacterial infections are very common and tend to repeat so they will usually give you either Flagyl or Metrogel (ask for Metrogel...so much easier on your system and not half as irritating either) with refills. The refills is so that when you feel it coming on, just refill it and use. I can usually tell because if the Metrogel is not helping much after a day or two, I wait a day and switch to Monistat. It's not a perfect system but then again nothing is and it really has helped me keep most of the truly horrible flares from going as full blown as they used to.

A bacterial infection usually gives off a strong fishy odor. You get a soreness and burning in the vagina that almost feels like it's in your bladder and urethra too. The yeast infection can sometimes mimic this to some degree but there is more itch and less odor usually (and there is usually a discharge that is very noticeable). Katrina had a good suggestion in using the search engines here. They are great! Good luck :)

When I use either, I really feel as if I am cleansing myself.....helping to heal my vagina which in turn makes my IC better.

[Katrina]

oh what I meant is that a doctor can see it with a swab under his microscope...I don't know of a test that you can buy.

[mela414]

OK.......I'm reading this thread as I flare again from yeast! I can't seem to get it under control. I take nystatin vag tablets all the time! as soon as I am off of them for about 3 days the yeast comes back. I thought I was doing better because of the new probiotics that I have been religiously taking. I've been upping the dose as I go. I got this custom probiotic blend which cost a foturne but I thought...hey what the heck if it helps it's worth it.
Yesterday afternoon I started burning again and by the time I got home and checked I was appalled at the white thick discharge! I was so upset! I did a home douche with colloidal silver as my nutritionist recommended. I've also been taking the colloidal silver daily (2 teaspoons) to help kill bacteria, viruses and funghi and it hasn't bothered my bladder so I thought I would be ok. Boy was I wrong. It burned the heck out of me and the pain went through the ceiling. I couldn't sleep all night and had to take something for the pain and anxiety. today I am swollen and sore and now it is burning again. I even used a Nystatin tab yesterday....and then rinsed and douched again at 2:00 am because the burning was so bad. I figured I'ld wash out the silver but I'm sure I disrupted the flora even more so. This morning I put a probiotic capsule internally...........I think I am losing my mind! The pain and burning is getting worse. I am afraid that although I don't see discharge right now it might have turned into a bacterial infection I just don't know but it is burning like crazy! Oh...there is no odor either so............bad yeast then????? I have an appt with an Integrative dr on Monday to help me fight this yeast and help with my other health problems. something is going on . I feel awful. I need a total make over!
don't know what to do right now as the pain is getting unbearable. I may hve to brak down and call the gyn
:(

[Katrina]

I did a home douche with colloidal silver as my nutritionist recommended. Most IC patients don't tollerate douche well. Sounds to me like a yeast + douche flare. I hope you feel better soon. ((hugs))

[mela414]

Thanks Katrina,
I called the gyn but of course they wouldn't see me today. they gave me an appt for tomorrow at 2:00pm but suggested that if I have that much pain to go to the ER! I told them that I definately need something as this will not get better on it's own but waiting 24 hours for an appt meant waiting to start treatment.
Anwyay, I did nystatin vaginally just now and am going to lie down and rest the entire evening....praying that it will get better by tomorrow. I will go see him anyway and discuss some other prophylactic meds. I asked my husband to come with me so that the dr does not catch an attitude and make light of it. This is painful! and I am trying so hard with the probiotics but it is not enough. He had put me on diflucan weekly (about 2 months ago) for 3 months but I had to stop because of side effects. I also never really got any relief from diflucan. I my case it doesn't kill the yeast! I also get a lot of external burning that also goes down my legs to my feet! it feels like everything is on fire? does anyone else get this too? I guess it's from the inflamation. :(
Thanks again,

[Katrina]

I don't think I have a yeast infection although I did have burning last night...I think it was my PFD. I have pain radiating down to my toes atm...but this is both my bladder and my pouch (the part of me acting like a colon) both flaring together. (working together to make me misserable? :hmm:) I'll make a deal with you, if you find a wonderful probotic that doesn't make you flare or go broke but does help...you tell me...and I will do the same for you ok? Right now I am slowly upping my acidophilus to find a dose that is right for me (since this helps to treat my pouch I guess) but I am not thrilled with the thought of trying a probotic that I need to refrigerate and take orally.

My yeast infections don't normally burn all the way down to my feet...don't think that has ever happened yet...but I do get that from Pelvic Floor flare ups...it is so bad I can hardly move at times. Are you sure all of this is from yeast? Maybe you have more going on (don't want to scare you but it may help you figure out how to feel better).

Anyway, prayers hoping you feel better...or that we feel better :grouphug:

[ICPrincess]

Oh Mela....so sorry to hear how much pain you are in :(

Personally, I would try the Diflucan one more time. Ask for (2) 150 Mg Tablets and take one each day for two days. That may help you even if taking it before had not. Also, I was in a similar predicament once and nothing helped until I had them also swab my vagina for bacteria. THAT may be the culprit here. Turns out I was right that time and I was fighting both at the same time. I took Diflucan (Fluconazole which is cheaper) and inserted Metrogel every day for 5 days for the bacteria. I had no pain at all from the Metrogel...none. I felt so much better after a few days. I hope you feel better soon. I really feel for you :(

[mela414]

well katrina,
I do have pfd but didn't think that it cold burn like that. It all seems to coincide together. I noticed that I get the burning a lot more when I eat something that is not good for me.... like when I dare to have something in a restaraunt and they say that it is fresh...no preservatives.... and then I get really sick right after eating it. ....and the bladder pain started right away too! It's happened several times when I ordered steak. Initially I was told there were no preservatives only later to find out they were those pre-packaged ones that come in the vacuum sealed packages! so it seems that a lot of things sets off the burning, yeast is one, preservatives another...I guess pfd too but it seems to happen more when i eat something. When I am eating home and eating organic it stays under control...
Do you only take acidophilus? why not the other strains too? I found that acidophilus alone was not enough. Now I take a probiotic with 7 strains and I am hoping to add an 8th strain. It's a powder that i mix with water twice a day. It's really expensive but I figured I'ld use it for a short while to get this under control......so far my nails are better!
If you want to check out their site it is: www.customprobiotics.com
They are free of allergens, additives and preservatives.
which one do you take?
talk to you later,

[Katrina]

Right now I am waiting for a gastroenteroligist to work with me about the probotics. From my research on how probotics treat IBD dose is the thing that makes the big difference. It is too hard to know what I need to do with that until my prolapse is helped by surgery...so everything is on hold because of that grrr.

[mela414]

Thanks ICPrincess,
I too have had BV unsuspectingly in the past. The metrogel cleared it up but then I wound up with yeast from it! I guess it killed everything and let the yeast have a party!
The past few times I went in it was negative for BV but I just never know anymore. The cultures also came back negative for yeast which I find hard to believe. Yesterday there was not doubting the yeast as it was as plain as day! I'm not sure which it is ....that's why I wanted to go in today. I do know however that whenever I've used Nystatin Tabs in the past ...it helped. I think I am getting resistant to it now...or rather it knowcks it out but doesn't kill it.
As for the diflucan I've tried it in the past for 3 or 4 days straight and it didn't even put a dent in the yeast! I continued with the weely therapy just to be compiant but eventually I couldn't take the dizziness and side effects from it. Let's see what the gyn has to say tomorrow.
Is anyone familiar with Nizoral? Do you think it would help I feel that I might have to change things up if it is yeast.
thanks again,

[ICPrincess]

That's why I took the Fluconazole and Metrogel at the same time. I know what you mean Mela. Now I have heard that Cleocin cream is much stronger and may be the thing to finally knock what you have out. There's another lady out here who swears by it.

As painful as it is, you may have to use a vaginal yeast cream for 7 days because sometimes direct contact is what helps. I know it sucks. It makes you flare for a few days but it might be the lesser of two evils until this thing goes away. I really feel awful for you here. Here I was feeling so sorry for myself with my sore throat until I read your messages. I hope you feel better soon. Don't give up hope!

Also, make sure that the awful discharge you are getting is not from Chlamydia or something. The reason I say this (and believe me not to offend you in anyway) is that I had just read an article where a doctor was saying they rarely culture for this and if you have a stubborn infection that won't go away, culture for Chlamydia as well as other seemingly far fetched possibilities.).

Aloe Vera Juice (To drink) helps with the burning...it soothes me. Also as strange as this sounds, Elle (Another poster out here) told me about this stuff called Band Aid Wash and at first I thought she was crazy.lol...but she is onto something. I also use it now when I feel burning or soreness sometimes that the Calcium Citrate does not always abate totally (Calcium Citrate kicks ass too). Its a gentle no ouch formula for scrapes, cuts wounds etc. Its only a gentle antiseptic and lidocaine. I squirt it on a paper towel or a few sheets of toilet paper and hold it there for a few moments. It soothes the hell out of that area. Both Elee and I asked our doctors about it on separate ocassions and they both came back and said they could see no harm to it because of the ingrediants (helps with germs too).

Also try some nice warm sitzbaths (In a very clean tub). That helps to soothe as well.

Again, hoping so much you feel better. Let us know what happens tomorrow. :)

[mela414]

Thanks for all the suggestions..........gotta run and take my calclium citrate now......Is it ok to take right after dinner? I forgot to take it before.
As for the sitzbaths..........last night I felt that I needed to do one so I sat in very shallow running water to "soothe". I felt better when I was in there but sure enough about an hour after I got out the pain got worse. Mind you , I can't take baths because they cause me to flare and I can't swim in pools because it causes extreme pain afterwards. I'm sure it's probably the chlorine. Anyway, I put a chlorine filter in for my shower and tub about 2 months ago and hadn't taken a bath yet for fear of pain. I am so sensitive to so many minerals that getting the chlorine out alone is not enough. Well........last night was the first time I was in the tub since I got the filter. I made sure I only stayed in 5-6 minutes and coincidentally the pain started up again, So...I'm not sure if maybe the warm (tepid) water allows bacteria to grow and then causes pain or if it's something else in the water that irritates me. This is so crazy! I am sooooo sensitive. I also put a reverse osmosis water filter in my kitchen for drinking and cooking.....so far so good.
I am going to need to lie down and rest tonight...it is really burning and my entire pelvic area is swollen and tender. It is also giving me lower back pain. In a way I hope the dr finds it to be BV tomorrow...it's an easier cure.......but then you have to worry about yeast......so...I really don't know anymore.
I'm taking hubby with me to the drs office tomorrow.......just in case he gets an attitufe like I am bothering him or making a bigger deal than what it is. Artheu can tell him about my miserable night!

[mela414]

OK ..so I took 2 calcium citrate and used the squirt bottle with cool water after dinner. It actually helped! yeah! things are starting to calm down..........Oh I also did the nystatin vag tab earlier this evening but was still burning like crazy. things calmed down after the calc citrate. hhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmm maybe both things together with the cool water, loose cotton jammies and time to rest helped.
let's see what the gyn has to say tomorrow.
g'night!

[ICNDonna]

Please check the information at http://www.quackwatch.org before taking colloidal silver by mouth. I have read reports that there are some significant side effects, including the skin turning gray.

Donna

[mela414]

thanks donna,

I haven't noticed any discoloration and haven't had any reaction taking it orally. It's actually tasteless and has only filtered water added to it unlike many of the others that have other ingredients.I just quickly looked at that site but will have to sepnd some time and do more research. In the meantime I will keep a close watch on my symptoms and skin color. Thanks for the heads up. I remember tryng colloidal silver a few months ago but it was a different brand that had other stuff in it. I remember reacting at the time but am not sure what it was from. I was still trying to figure things out. (and still am)
:)

[sami4]

I went to an alternative physician (MD and ND). He did a stool test on me which showed that I was full of yeast in the colon. This meant that no matter how often I kill it vaginally I reinfect myself. He also cultured the yeast and found out it was not reactive to Diflucan and we had to use Nizorol.
After my stool tested clear I went on a product from Japan for two months called THREELAC which is a state of the art probiotic that only dissolves in the intestine. Most probiotics dissolve in stomach acid and dont get into the intestines where you need them.
I also took an allergy test and found out I was allergic to yeasts and molds and so I am more suseptible that most.
One of the worst IC flares I ever had turned out to be yeast, not IC. It felt like it was even in my bladder. After a week on Nizorol it all dissapeared like magic.
Be advised that candida albicans is only one type of yeast, there are others. A lot of doctors think candida is the main one and it is pretty common. But, if you have repeated problems you probably should get a culture to see just what kind you have in the vagina, and then find someone to do the stool culture.
When yeasts are in the mouth they are called thrush, in the vagina, jock itch or the nails-different varieties of yeast an fungus.
William Crook wrote a interesting book called The Yeast Connection and womens Health which has a chapter on yeast an IC. Very interesting.
Sammie

[Katrina]

I know of Treelac since there are people with my form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease that take it. Well Yeast infections will hurt and bother your bladder...it does to most of us. I have been cultured a few times...usually to find out what I thought was a yeast infection wasn't...none the less the culture can really help get the answer we need. I am glad you finally figured things out.

[sami4]

Katrina:
How interesting, and how are they doing with the THREELAC? I have had excellent results with it.
Sammie

[Katrina]

Hard to say....they seem to like it but this is kind of complicated since they all lost their colon's to Inflammatory bowel disease already...and pouchitis normally is mild since it is usually caught very early. Their are complaints about it but not regarding results that I know of.

[Cheries]

I tried all of those meds, the metrogel, the monistat etc. and get contact irritation from them!! Help! I have a terrible yeast infection and even took a diflucan (and have been taking it off and on for months) and I am worse than ever. I am so frustrated withthis. I have not been taking any antibiotics. I am also allergic to molds, so I get an all over body sensitivity with this. I am going to try and find the THREELAC. I also am going to go in and see my gynecologist on Monday to try and figure this out. I also am supposed to take vaginal estrogen but can't tolerate it. I am sure that if I could get it figured out I would feel so much better. Any ideas?

[Katrina]

Don't take over the counter yeast creams....most IC patients cannot tollerate over them.
YEAST LIST: Boric Acid, Aci-gel (insert it at night, it maintains the ph of the vagina & yeast can't live when there's an acidic environment - or can use apple cider vinegar in water TAKE CAUSION IF YOUR URETHRA IS SENSITIVE!!!!!!!!!!) and also washing externally with tea-tree oil diluted in water. \acidopholous tablets, a wet towel with s AZO yeast, http://www.ghtbiz.net/rescue/nocandida/lead.html, Any probotics, Flora-Q The Flora-Q is made by Kenwood Therapeutics. It contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus paracasel, and Streptococcus thermophilus -- these are all bacteria that normally live inside your digestive tract. What you do is take a capsule a day for a few days during antibiotic treatment and then a couple afterwards, and this replaces your normal flora, making it much less likely to to get yeast infections. http://www.ic-network.com/iclifestyles/july01.html list of ideas (Nystatin, Diflucan by prescription.) For oral thrush that keeps coming back: change your tooth brush
For the yeast infection that won't go away: Make sure it is a yeast infection, get a culture done maybe your doctor can find out what medicine your yeast will respond to. Look into possible hormone problems if you are post metapousal. THREELAC or other probotics that are different than the capsul or oral ....probotics come in many kinds and if simple kids don't work out there are other options.

You can also try things that generally help with fighting off most things such as a garlic suppliment. I also sugest that when you talk to your gynocologist you bring up the possibility of Vulvodynia.

Don't worry you are not alone.

[glenda]

you mean kind of like an auto-immune thing? When your body is reacting and producing a substance to fight a 'bad bacteria' even when the bacteria doesn't exist anymore? That substance being produced is destroying our protective linings and
leaving our organs inflamed and predesposed to another infection---repatitiously?
I relate to your thoughts perfectly! I've thought this to be the cause so many times
I can't count. The doctors I've mentioned this theory to, just disreguard my thought,
or say, "thats not possible".

Keep Talking To Us!!!!!!! These infections are insanely aggrivating!!!!!
I too, am a very clean person!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mela414]

My vag culture came back negative for yeast but the dr said that it didn't mean anything. He said that is is difficult for yeast to grow on the petri dish. he said that he was sure I had it because he saw it.... and my bacterial analysis was negative.
I've been using a strong probiotic but had a set back from the round of antibiotics I took for a UTI. I'm stating over again and hoping that it resolves a little faster. I see it in my nails too. Vaginally I've been using Nystatin Vag tablets. My gyn has me taking them as a maintence treatment for now. I take it at least twice a week, there are times that I miss taking it by a day and I start to feel that all too familiar peliv pain and immeditaley insert one. By the next morning I have some relief. I don't want to be dependent on it....but for now it's the only thing that is saving me.
Glenda, I think that you are right about there being some auto immune component. I also think that the yeast does a number on the immune system making it harder to keep the yeast and other things in check. Throw in the stress that we have from all this and the immune system is further compromised. I also think that the weak immune system gives way to further allergies which is what I am going through. It is like a snowball effect. I have become sooooooo allergic to mold that if I ingest anything related to it I am sick for days. I am also now intolerant to shellfish. I got so sick this holiday from shrimp and lobster........I'll never have it again! It's noe big viscious cycle....the thing is we have to keep trying to break it or we'll never get anywhere!

[grace 2]

Katrina , I hate to sound so dense here, but referring back to you comment on husbands getting checked for yeast, what kind of test do they do on them?