Has Anyone Ever Used Rephresh?

[JennyBird]

My VV flares up right after my period, and I tend to get infections more around that time (both yeast and bacterial) , which also causes my IC to flare. Has anyone ever used rephresh after their period to re-balance their PH levels? Does it work? Does it cause your IC to flare? I'm worried b/c I know the vaginal PH s/b 4.5, which I'm afraid will make my urethra/bladder hurt. Also, if you start to use rephresh, do you become dependant on it to re-balance your ph...or is it safe in that respect.

If anyone has ever used...I'd reallly appreciate your thoughts/feedback!!

:pray:Thanks!!!

[curlycue]

Me to, I thought I was the only one. I like to know as well.

[Houdini1220]

I would also love to know more about this as I am suffering from yeast issues as well as mild IC

[sissygirl]

I have used Rephresh after taking antibiotics at the suggestion of my GYN. I really can't say it did too much for me, but I noticed the many reviews of it on an drugstore online retailer were postively glowing.

It is very expensive--it creates the proper pH for as long as it sticks to the walls, so has to be used every three days.

I think it is best at killing the bacteria that needs a high pH to thrive--BV--so if that is your issue, it may be great. Yeast like the normal pH, so I'm not sure it as successful at that

I do really like their Rephresh probiotic capsules that are taken orally. Unlike the probiotics in yogurt etc, they are made of the same beneficial bacteria that inhabit the vagina and keep the unwanted bacteria and yeast at bay.....

[LithEruiel]

I started using it right before I was diagnosed with IC. I had horrible yeast infections constantly and when they finally cleared up I had BV and when that finally cleared up I felt like it hadn't cleared up at all - my doctor said my pH and hormone levels were probably off from all the infection, so she gave me rephresh samples and Premarin cream. I was supposed to use the rephresh twice a week (a least 3 days apart) for two weeks and the Premarin everyday for two weeks. It helped tremendously. I kept using them as needed after that (when I had non-infection itching or just felt ick) and they both helped alone. The rephresh is much more convenient to use since it's in a pre-filled applicator that you just throw away when you're done and it's a clear gel instead of a messy white cream (like Premarin - I also had to keep cleaning the applicator...). It doesn't bother my IC either. I rarely use it now and my pH seems to be staying balanced on it's own, especially since I haven't had any yeast infections or BV for almost a year (yay!)

Btw, after the whole continuous yeast infections/BV thing I was still getting yeast infections when my period started and my doctor said I could either use OTC cream to prevent it right before my period started or take fluconazole which she gave me a prescription for with refills. I take birth control so I'd just take a fluconazole the day I started the placebo pills and then another one 72 hours later and I didn't get yeast infections. Now I use BC continually except for every third pack and that's helped the situation also and I haven't had to take the fluconazole or use OTC cream. Your period throws off your pH/hormones so it's very common to get infections around your period...I'm not sure what to do about the BV, but you could ask your doctor about getting a fluconazole prescription with refills to take around your period to prevent yeast infections.

I hope that helps.

[ICNDonna]

I encourage you to ask your doctor before trying a new product.

Donna

[mandycgirl91]

I am feeling really bad. I had a uti test done 2 weeks ago and it came back saying i had ecoli and that is why I was in pain. Then I had my instill last week (wed) and now its hurting really bad again. I don't think my infection is gone..could I have a uti/ or yeast infection. I am begining to think its a yeast infection. I have distarge and I didn't before when they thought I had an infection.
This makes me think I do. What does it feel like?
thanks

[sissygirl]

I am feeling really bad. I had a uti test done 2 weeks ago and it came back saying i had ecoli and that is why I was in pain. Then I had my instill last week (wed) and now its hurting really bad again. I don't think my infection is gone..could I have a uti/ or yeast infection. I am begining to think its a yeast infection. I have distarge and I didn't before when they thought I had an infection.
This makes me think I do. What does it feel like?
thanks


ARghhh. This is what I went through in the spring--UTI, then antibiotics which caused vaginal imbalance/infection, etc etc.

Yeast doesn't usually HURT--more itchy and uncomfortable and has a yeasty odor, but everyone feels different. Could be BV brought on by antibiotics or something else... I would see your URO and or GYN and have them sort it out--it can near impossible to self diagnose...
You might want to insist on new cultures so they don't just hurry you out with a "try this" prescription as my first GYN did...

[Want2BPainFree]

I've used it before b/c I'm prone to BV and yeast, but it was used for the BV. Yeast can thrive in either acidic or basic conditions, but BV loves the basic pH. Honestly, I didn't have that much luck with it because I have vulvar vestibulitis, and as most vulvodynia sufferers do, I suffer with severe senstitivity to many of the "bases" or inactive ingredients that are used for topicals. Otherwise, it would probably have helped me.

I think you should mention it to your doctor first and see what he/she says about whether or not it would be beneficial. If your issue is yeast, adding more moisture to the vagina, may actually make things worse for you.

I advise you to never self-diagnose.

[LithEruiel]

You might want to insist on new cultures so they don't just hurry you out with a "try this" prescription as my first GYN did...

Yeah, I had SEVERE yeast infections which I was talking about earlier and they were just like ok take this and when it did nothing ok take this. I tried everything and it was like there has to be something else going on here, it's not normal to have a yeast infection for 5 mos and they didn't think it was any big deal.

[sissygirl]

I hear you, LithE! My doc put me on horrid Flagyl for BV when I didn't have any of the symptoms of BV just because it was a quick "solution" to my vaginal symptoms. Now I am pushy and ask for cultures and slides etc. The squeaky wheel gets the (correct) grease....

[LithEruiel]

geez, did your doctor even do an exam?

[RazzleDazzle]

Im right there with you. Around the same time as my "monthly gift" my vv and ic tend to go crazy and I also am prone to yeast infections. I kept seeing the ad on tv for rephresh so i gave it a shot. The only thing I could tell that it did was coat the wall and help with sometimes gross smells from the infection gives off but it did kinda help with the burning. I decided to use both meds to clear up infection and rephresh and got way better results than just using it alone. It lasts for three days and its kinda expensive. Hope it helped. Feel better. P.S. I still use it

[Angeles]

Rephresh is my live saver . I have chronic yeast infections, IC and V V.
When l started using refresh it burned me to the point i had to use cold packs, i used sporadically, adding some A&d onitment on the outside to protect fro
the acidic discharge. As time passed I started using it every 3 days as indicated, and it burned less and less. However if i miss ONE dossage, yeast start growing again!
It is expensive but worth every penny. I wish it was covered by the imsurance. I also usef Femdophilus capsules vaginlly ( i had to empty de original capsule and transfer it to another clear gelatin capsule, a lot of work, but you should Not insert the original probiotic capsule in your vagina b/c it is designed to disolve in the stomach, not the vagina )
i ran all of this by my gyne and she was fine w ut b/c saw progress...
It may be worth the try, i warn you though it may burn so you can star by using just a bit, dont squeeze the whole tube!
Good luck and i hope it helps

[Briza]

I can vouch for this product helping me.
Got a yeast infection couple weeks ago and treated it successfully with my usual clotrimazole cream. But I was still left with dryness and itchiness a week later.
I had read about RepHresh here on ICN and figured it was worth a shot, otherwise I was going to have to continue with clotrimazole to help control the itchies.
With first dose I could tell the difference immediately. No more itchies! And it did not aggravate my VV...and I have major issues with things for use down there causing contact irritation. I was still somewhat inflamed so this was a good test for me to see if it caused contact irritation. I have used 3 doses of it spaced 3 days apart as recommended in the instructions.
It seems this product is more geared for help with BV, but it sure has helped me with recovering from this yeast infection. I rarely to never get them anymore just because, but am as always prone getting one due to sex after being abstinent for a while, which is what happened with this one. Some things never change.
It is kind of pricey but I will be keeping some in stock in my med cabinet. It is worth it. I don't plan to use it on regular basis, only as needed. One thing that it causes is a white crumbly discharge a few days after application, the same as its sister product Replens. A minor annoyance. I have used Replens before but never got the good results I am getting from RepHresh.

[LithEruiel]

Glad it works for you...my urogyno told me to use it once a week while I have a yeast infection. I'll be on fluconizole 100 mg for two weeks because I have a resistant strain (as usual).

[Angeles]

Glad to hear it worked for you!!!

Rephresh is a MUST after sex, for me, to prevent an infection and I recommend it b/c it makes sense, you can check with your doctor, bring a box. I don't remmeber what is the PH, it is a little low....I'll look and post it.

Also if you are not going to be using it every 3 days, you can use it right before your period and right after (not during).

Using refresh has helped me tremendously managing yeast and as a result my V V symtoms. When my V V was very bad, I was not able to handle Rephresh so be cautious when you start.

The white d/c can be annoying ad that can irritate sometimes too, so rinse after you pee and use something like A&D ointment on the outside.

All the best and happy thanksgiving!