Do you deal with chronic yeast infections?

[Katrina]

It has been my experience that yeast infections can cause some of the worse flares. We also seem to be extremely vulnerable.

What are your favorite yeast treatments?

How do you know when those "yeast infection" symptoms are from something other than yeast?

Has a yeast infection ever been your worse IC flare?

Thanks a bunch!

[Sarojini]

I deal with yeast all the time. In vagina and in mouth/throat as well (oral thrush). I think the oral thrush happens when I don't rinse thoroughly after inhaled steroids for asthma, but I seem to be especially sensitive to it. Once I got a vaginal yeast infection so bad it spread up into my bladder -- that was an AWFUL AWFUL flare. My uro at the time thought I had just a vaginal infection but then took a cath sample and there was yeast in that too. I had to be on Diflucan once or twice a week for four weeks (I can't remember the dosing at the moment). UGH... :( I hate yeastie beasties!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Briza]

What are your favorite yeast treatments?
Best: gynelotrimin (clotrimazole)
Worst: monistat
Treatment with no effect: Diflucan

How do you know when those "yeast infection" symptoms are from something other than yeast?

Yeast: external itching, deep sharp internal itching, inflammation, thicker than normal discharge, but not usually the characterisitic "cottage cheese" discharge

Bacterial vaginosis: more burning than itching, inflammation, sometimes an unusual odor

Vulvodynia: burning at vaginal entrance, skin sensitivity, pubic hair sensitivity, uncomfortable to sit and wear anything constricting, usually no inflammation

Has a yeast infection ever been your worse IC flare?
many bad IC flares have been accompanied by a yeast infection, but not necessarily a bad yeast infection

[Katrina]

Thanks For Your Help!

[Katrina]

Ahhhhhh! I currently have a yeast infection in my vagina and a oral thrush....my body hates me right now but I don't know what I did???? (stress????) Anyway, Looking into some stronger/better probotics and want to gather all the info I can on patients with IC and yeast infections.

Thanks for voting!

[ICNJess]

What are your favorite yeast treatments?--Boric Acid capsules

How do you know when those "yeast infection" symptoms are from something other than yeast?--Well I have Vulvar Vestibulitis, and it is very difficult to tell the two apart...so I often end up going in for a culture.

Has a yeast infection ever been your worse IC flare?--No, but it certainly makes my V.V. horribly uncomfortable!

[sami4]

I tend to get mild yeast symptoms before period time, red vulvar area, stinging urethra after peeing. I get an acidopholis capsule or cut open a THREELAC and put 1 mg of estrace vaginal cream into an applicator, pull back the plunger a little and add the probiotic, add another 1 mg of estrace and insert into vagina at bedtime. Often this turns the tide and I dont develop the yeast.
I also take THREELAC every day. I think the moisture in the crotch during a period is also very bad for developing yeast and I change my pad every single time I pee and pour water over myself. I dont eat any sugar or fruit during this time either. If things look like they are getting out of hand I take a Diflucan and that usually stops it.
The two worst IC flares I ever had turned out to be yeast infections. It felt like that yeast went right into my bladder. I had to pee twice while the doc was trying to examine me. I had no cottage cheese discharge. I had no bacterial growth in a urine culture, it was all a yeast infection. Cleared up in two days like magic on Diflucan.
If Diflucan dont work for you remember vaginal yeast is not always Candida and can be other variety and need something else like Nystatin.
Also medications you take can also make you more likely to get yeast. Any medication that blocks estrogen means you are not able to keep a good vaginal PH and yeast can over grow. A product called ACIDJEL keeps the vagina acid and so does Replens.
If I ever douch which is rare I like the provodine iodine solution found at Walgreens or any drug store.
Sammie

[Dixiefireball]

Guess I'm one of the very few lucky one who don't get many yeast infections. Which I should with all the anti. I have to take for real uti's.
but when i do have a yeast infection I take one Diflucan and it goes away.
before i learned about diflucan a year or two ago I would wash my self down stairs with white vinger and water after each time i peed which helped. (mom use to do that.) I don't know how safe that would be for an icer tho. I believe I've only had one yeast infection since dx with IC.
Hope you feel better soon sending hugs and prayers for relief.
Rhonda

[Katrina]

Thank you to everyone that participated!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sami4]

Betadine is also a great douche or wash for vaginal infections either yeast or bacterial. It comes in premixed douches or in concentrate you mix. As a mild vulvar wash it is helpful and soothing also. buy it at Walgreens.
Sammie

[Katrina]

A lot of us cannot handle any douche at all...so be careful.

My sugeons best advise to prevent my Prolapsed pouch from getting so bad I do need surgery was to treat my IBD more agressively....and guess what that means...different Probotics! I am trying to find an affordable way to get the refrigerated capsuls. This doc recommended a brand (sorry don't have it with me right now but will get back to you all on how it goes)

ONCE AGAIN HUGE THANK YOU FOR ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!!

[ICNJess]

My gyn actually advised against douching...you get rid of the healthy bacteria in the process, and there was another reason but I don't remember! I used to after my period, but was warned not to.

[mela414]

Hey Sammie, Have you ever used Acidjel?
I have it but have yet to try it. I have been battling yeast for the longest time! It is there every day! I know I have a system yest problem as it show up in my nails too. I recently started on oral Nystatin Owwder and am hoping that with time I can get it to subside. the pain I get from the vag yeast is horrible! I use Nystatin Vag tabs for that but seem to need it every 2 days because as soon as I don't use it the damn yeast and pain return!
I'm taking a custom probiotic and keep upping the dose. I can't take Threelac because I am allergic to FOS ( it contains it)and get really sick from it.
Maybe I sould try the acijel.............but I am so afraid of getting irritated as i do with all vag creams that I keep away from it. I feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.
any ideas?

[Katrina]

Repost!

[Katrina]

Repost!

[Angeles]

I have chronic yeats infection. Yeast Infections on and off since August 05 and now it just doesn't go away since November 05. I have tried Dyflucan but since the yeast got resistant to it I don't take it anymore. OTC vag creams don't work on me at all (maybe it worked the first time I got yeast but that's it).
I have tried Nystatin powder, Candida diet, Probiotocs twice a day. My condition improved but the yeast is still there. It is really hard to get rid of it since it got so resistant.
I have read that Boric acid seems to work when nothing else works, but I haven't tried that yet, I haven't tried Aci jel either. Can you get them over the counter? I'm a little scared to try them but I have to give it a shot. Can anyone tell me if it works? I need some info please.I want to do this asap Thanks!

[Katrina]

I believe you can get them over the counter but I haven't tried them myself. I have heard they work. :grouphug: Good luck!

[Angeles]

Thank you! Has anyone tried Boric acid vag capsules?

[Katrina]

There are other kinds of yeast infection than Candida...Diflucan treats Candida which is the most common...but if you struggle with getting help you may have something else.

Sorry, I myself have not tried boric vag capsuls...I hesitate with treatments directly into the vagina since many IC patients are sensitive there and it can mean pain that leads to bladder pain.
If you have tried everything else: AZO Yeast, Probotics, Nystatin, Diflucan and your still having difficulty some do have great success with it.

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.

try waring only 100% cotten panties
no tight clothing.
try after each time you pee wash your self with warm water and white vinger. I have read to use apple cider vinegar like from a health food store. I know I would start out with a pretty weak solution to see how my skin reacts
(if you don't have any open sores down there)
try going without panties at night or when your just around the house by your self ware a night grown or a dress so you can go without panties for maybe an hour or two.
Avoid hot baths


Hope that helps you!

[mela414]

I tried Boric acid and got a terrible burn! I put it into a plain gelatin capsule and inserted it. About an hour later the pain started and became increasingly worse! I had to wash it out with plain water and I was still in pain for a couple of days. I would be very careful if you attempt this and use the tiniest amount.

[marsi4]

I also have chronic yeast infections and mucous which have gotten much worse lately. I have tried Diflucan for two weeks at a time twice and has not helped at all. I plan to go back to my gyno so he can have me try something else.

Marsi 4

[Katrina]

Have you tried Nystatin? Diflucan I hear works on Candida yeast but there are other forms and maybe that is what is going on with you? :grouphug:

[Katrina]

Repost

[CanadaMel]

I used to get them chronically. Like every other month or more, especially right before my period. It wasn't until I realized my immune system was overburdened by food allergies that it got better. I stopped some foods, and reduced others, and I haven't had an infection in years. I remember how horrible they were though - I felt like I was being eaten alive from the inside!

Might be worth a try to get food allergy testing done. I also find my food allergens bug my IC.

Mel

[Angeles]

How do I get an allergy test done? do I have to go to an allergist? or GP? I got yeast infections because of several rounds of antibiotics specially the pst year. I'm thinking that's the only cause but htere may be other causes. I'll definitelly check if I have food allergies. Are there other symptoms?

[Katrina]

I had to go to allergist but if you are on some meds you may be able to have a blood test kind that they send to Mayo or somewhere....it takes longer to have the results but it may be an option for you. With Yeast Gas, buring, frequency, urgency. Dairy can be a big one that causes problem with yeast as is sugar, refined carbohydrates, and colorings.

[rodriguez]

I have candida quite often and stop it with equinacea (everyday) and probiotics (everyday) and when it arrives, propoleum (at spain we call propolis) it is a natural antibiotic. I eat it and have a vaginal bath with propoleum and tea tree extract (very few). I can't tolerate any vaginal shower it trigger me

[atrocioustulip]

Hi I found this forum while searching betadine douche......I constantly get bladder infections or at least I feel like I have bladder infections. I never thought that yeast was a problem but after reading this forum I am wondering if my problem is due to yeast. Almost daily I burn before I urinate and after. I eliminated sex, sodas, certain soaps and so many other things. I have taken AZO Cranberry faithfully and drink a ton of water but I still manage to always be in pain. I have had cultures done and the doctor says that he doesn't know why I am getting the infections. Does anyone have any information that may help me. Is this due to yeast or is there something else wrong? My grandmother used to get bladder infections pretty bad and the doctor told her years ago to douche daily with the betadine..........I know what they say about douching and that it can kill your good bacteria, but I am desperate. This burning has ruined my life and the older I get the worse I become. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated on this topic. :grouphug:

[purpleviolet]

I don't think I get yeast, but I do get itchy butt (sorry), and I don't know what that is from. I get urethral pain, but don't know what that is from. I've always eaten a little yogurt, despite that it might be bad for IC. Especially if I have taken antibiotics, I try to get yogurt or prebiotics. Also this oil of oregano is supposed to be good for yeast. PV. Yeast must thrive in some sort of imbalance. PV

[Katrina]

atrocioustulip, I gave you and your questions your own thread here:
http://ic-network.com/forum/showthreadatrocioustulip .php?p=250365#post250365

[jensue973]

I have lately had so many yeast infections it isn't even funny as so tired of it..Not sure if it is from stress, medicine I am on or could my IC being causing it..I have an apt this week to go again back to the OBGYN and see what is going on..I wonder if anyone else notices this and try to make it come out the best I can explain it..Does anyone seem like they also just have a strong urine smell to them alot even when they do not leak urine? I have this problem and it is so unappealing... Just wondered if that is a OBGYN issue or issue I should ask my family doc or urologist about..Any info on this I would appreciate it..Thanks

Jennifer

[sami4]

You may be having slight dribbling or leaking of urine that you are not aware of having. It could be very slight and be mistaken for vaginal moisture. This often happens just after peeing or slightly before if you have to go bad. It could also happen from sitting, sneezing, or laughing. Maybe not much, just enough to leave the odor in your undies.
If you can consult a vulvar expert or a Yeast expert if you are not getting anywhere with your regular gyno. There is a cure, but it sure isnt two Diflucan every time you get it again.
Sammie