I am ready to scream!!!

[steelerfan]

:help I have had this yeast infection for about a week now and it doesn't seem to be getting any better!!!! My gyne gave me 2 pills to take...insurance gave me a generic brand, I can't remember the name of the pills, I threw the packages away. I was so swollen and sore it was redic, the swelling went down but im still very sore when I wipe, and still a little itchy:cussing: It seems like everytime I get a yeast infection anymore it takes me forever to get rid of it. Does anyone on the boards have any advice for me? I know you all know what im going through right now, so any advice would be greately appreciated. Why do us women always have to go through this kind of crap? men have it sooooo easy.


Steelerfan

[Jessica9379]

Hi Steelerfan,

Oooh, I soooo feel you pain! Does Fluconazole sound familiar? Its the generic form of Diflucan. That is what I take (or what I took before getting pregnant)


Starting from about 7 years ago (around the same time that I was diagnosed with IC - I still don't know if there is a connection or not) I started getting recurrent yeast infections. I was in college at the time, so one of the campus doctors gave me Diflucan. Which worked, but over time, when the infections kept coming back -- she just increased the dosage to 2 pills .... 3 pills. The reasoning was - we must not be getting rid of it entirely - so it comes back. Over time, it must have built up my tolerance because it now takes me at least 4 Diflucan pills, sometimes 5, to get rid of a yeast infection.

So, if your doctor just tries to increase the dosage - I'd think twice. Thats what I did, and now I'm screwed! Plus, my insurance doesn't cover that many pills - another fun story.

And its not even a severe yeast infection ... it just doesn't friggin' go away!!
So strange.

I'm almost 4 months pregnant, and my doctor just told me that I have a yeast infection ..... (I didn't even realize I had one, I must be so used to it)
I'm off right now actually to call my OB .. I have no idea what I'm going to do now that I can't take Diflucan and Monistat is a joke. I'd have to drink a gallon of the stuff.

[steelerfan]

Yes Jessica it was the generic Diflucan. The last time I had a yeast infection it took me about 4 pills of the Diflucan. I went 8yrs without having one and now I have had 3 in the past 3 or 4 months, and it takes me forever to get rid of them!!! I don't think im getting rid of the infection thats why they keep comming back. This really stinks! I am going to call my gyne in the morning and see if he can give me some more Diflucan, I just cant stand it any longer, I am soooo sore and red it hurts to wipe. I am so sorry you are pregnant and have a yeast infection, is there something they can give you? that is awful, believe me I know the feeling. I hope you feel better soon. I will keep you in my prayers.

Steelerfan

[Bluheaven]

Have your gyno send a culture off for two things. One: to check what kind of yeast it is. They aren't always C. albicans. I've had a yeast infection since the end of January and after two months of trying to treat it with Diflucan and OTC creams I went to a new Doc who cultured it to find out my yeast was C. glabrata... it's not very common in healthy women and it's hard to get rid of because it has a more natural resistance to most yeast meds.

The second thing they need to do with the culture is see what meds it's resistant to and what meds will kill it. There are TONS of azole meds out there and each is slightly different. Diflucan and creams don't work for my yeast but Itraconazole and boric acid vag. capsules kicked it's ass.

Of course right as I got rid of it I had my cysto and they put me on antibiotics which kick started another infection.

yay.

See about having those done though and that'll help much more than just tossing Diflucan pills at it.

[Preacher-Girl]

Great advice Bluheaven! I would only add...no soap, no deodorant in your nether-regions - like vagisil powder, spray etc. no scented toilet paper and no sex until it's over. Also, try a bath with baking soda and water...it helps balance your Ph etc. - not sure what that means but it stops my itchiness.:)

[Bluheaven]

Also, try a bath with baking soda and water...it helps balance your Ph etc. - not sure what that means but it stops my itchiness.:)

Hmmmm.... I'll have to try that tonight! How much backing soda do you add? and full bath or just a 'sit' bath?

[Preacher-Girl]

I take a full bath. I just toss it in there. It's how I cook too and my baths turn out better. :smile tee

[purpletomorrow]

1. douche with vinegar and water to change the PH of the vagina to one that's inhospitable to yeast

2. If you are approaching menopause, consider vaginal estrogen (Vagifem, Estrace) to change the PH of the vagina to one that's inhospitable to yeast

3. Sugar free low carb diet, mostly lean protein and vegetables; no sugar or pasta or bread or grains or fruit that feeds the yeasties

GOod luck to you, I know that can be awful...

laura

[vm]

Another reason to ask about a culture is to make sure it is yeast and not bacterial. They've done lots of studies showing how hard it is for doctors to tell the difference just by looking.

[TexasHoney]

:grouphug: I hope you get some relief soon.

[Mrs. Peel]

I agree about having a culture taken if you can.

For yeast, the home remedy all my girlfriends use is, put about a teaspoon of nonfat plain yogurt in a douche of tepid water (not too hot or you'll kill the culture) and shake it up well. Quick, cheap, easy to repeat. Much gentler on your system than drugs. One dose usually does it for me.

Men can carry the infection. I think that's true in my case. Your doctor can give you both a prescription to take at the same time so you both get a "clean" start.

Good luck and feel better soon!

Karin

[amaranthe]

Great advice, ladies! The only thing I'd add is that whenever I take Diflucan, I also go ahead and take the Monistat too to speed things up. Also, Monistat (or generic) has a little tube of cream to apply that really helps with the itching alot for me.

Hope this clears up soon, I know how awful it is!

Hugs,
Amaranthe













G

[an0bgobeloba]

grr, that sucks for you! i'm sorry! and i hope you are feeling better soon. have you looked into femdophilis? you can take two a day when you have an infection and then just one a night as maintenance. when i get an infection i insert one vaginally and that REALLY helps!!

[JennyBird]

Steelerfan,
I've had my share of yeast and bacterial infections, and here's what works for me. All the yeast creams irratate me more than the infection. Generic diflucan (fluconozole) irratates me horribly to the point where I can't sleep. You might want to try the Brand-name Diflucan...it's the only treatment that doesn't irratate me further.

Also, my doc says that people are starting to become resistant to yeast meds. She puts me on diflucan (brand name) for 2 weeks, one pill each day, then once a week for a few months to prevent it from re-occuring.

I hope you get rid of it soon!!

[steelerfan]

Thanks guys for all your advice, I really really appreciate it. I was just diagnosed with Vulvodynia!! now if I could get that under control i'll be alright. Thanks again.



Steelerfan

[dverba]

some women, like me can not completely get rid of yeast. some of it lays dormant in my system. I have to have test run to see what type of yeast it is each time. Many times it is bacterial and I need antibiotics ( I know, cause yest) but they treat me for the bacteria and the yeast. Also eat lots of yogurt containing asadofalus (spelling?) or you can get in capsules. When I was pregnant years ago my mid-wife had me put the yogurt directly in my vaginal area. gross but works.

[Bluheaven]

oooo! I didn't think of that. I take femdophilus too. I should try that and see if it helps because my doc has me using boric acid and that's really not very vag or IC friendly.

insert one vaginally and that REALLY helps!!