Is it yeast?

[ChristineW]

Hi all...been a LONG while since I have been on here, missed everyone but went away for the summer to NY w my 3 kids. Needed a change, with the past year being very bad with IC and all...a break was good. ANyway I am in remission with IC, but am starting to flare again..it is starting on my left side, like ovary area (however have no ovaries, been removed) so I know its my IC. Anyhow, I do have a question...for the past week I have had a problem with ITCHING in the vaginal area. Never have I had that! I never had a yeast infection but from what I read it doesnt seem to be that, no discharge and no white stuff fromm yeast (sorry for being graphic!) :ignore: however, I am itchy, even more at night where I am in pain to walk its so sore from itching. IS this yet again another thing from IC? OI havent changed detergent, I havent done anything new....but like I said tnite now I started with the pain in my lower left back and front left side...which is how I start before a flare...any feedback is great. I know I should call a dr, which I geuss I will tmorrow..Im just SO SICK OF DRS! :rolleyes:

Thanks and glad to be back!
\Christine :)

[vm]

Ugh. I hate that itching and not knowing what it is... :( Seems like at least once or twice a year I get a run of infections --- yeast and bacteria --- and really have no way of knowing which it is unless I get cultured.

It's probably worth going in and having the doc do a culture to rule out an infection. I feel your pain though --- I hate dealing with the vaginal stuff on top of the freaking bladder nonsense!!!! :lmao:

Glad you got away for the summer! :)

[ICNDonna]

I agree that you need to see your doctor. There may be a simple explanation for the itching.

There are some fairly simple things you might try if it turns out to be irritation and no "bug" ---

If you take tub baths, change to just showering
Check your toilet tissue to be sure it's unscented (and plain white, of course)
Wear dresses for a few days and no underpants
Double rinse your underpants (and no dryer sheets)

Also, sometimes placing a wet teabag on the irritation can ease the itching.

Good luck!
Donna

[ChristineW]

Thanks for your responses..so far its not been too bad..so will let ya know when I see dr.

Chris :)

[Katrina]

Hope you see a doctor...so glad you are back and that you had some time away. Remember the sooner you treat something the less suffering you go through and more chance they have of making all of your suffering end fast.

[ChristineW]

Hi Katrina and thanks for the nice email..its great being back.

I go next week for my 6th DMSO and talk to dr.,...Im still taking percocet but MAYBE one whole pill a day.....rather than 3 whole ones in a day. ACtually when the pain is severe the pills dont work for me anyhow.

Glad Im back..hope u r doing ok.
Chris :)

[robinrenee]

Hi Christine, I'm Robin and I'm pretty new here. Your post took the words right out of my mouth. I was just diagnosed with IC and Endo. about 3 wks ago. I started with the burning and itching last night and it has progressively gotten worse since then. I like you, have no other "yeast" symptoms. Seems like every new day I discover something new I HATE about IC; and being a newbie to it and after reading many other posts...I'm sure it only gets worse. :(! Guess I'll be going to the grocery to buy some teabags..since we can't have tea anymore. LOL! Good luck all and hope relief to you Christine.

[ChristineW]

So you go through that too...weird cause some days its not there and some days I can go crazy with it. I cant believe that...what else huh? LOL.
Keep me posted on you.

Chris : )

[ICNJess]

I get recurring yeast infections, but I just get the itch. I'm on a never ending course of Boric Acid vaginal capsules, and that seems to do the trick. My doctor thinks I get these recurrent infections because of how IC/Fibro/CFS and all those other pleasant disorders I have seem to be autoimmune, and that the immune system just can't keep up. Gosh, it seems like if you have one, you end up getting another one! Good luck! :)

[SunDaze83]

hi, i get that kind of itching too. I am glad that i am not the only one who gets it. And i simpathize with you i know how much it can irritate you to have this itching. Good luck:)

[Stefanie Capua]

Hi,
I'm sorry your going through all this, I can relate with you. I keep getting
yeast infections about a week or so after my period. I also get very irritated
after ovulation?? Maybe the hormonal change??

I started DMSO treatments last Friday and i go again tomorrow. I'm hoping to get
some relief. Right now i'm miserable w/ the IC and possibly another yeast infection.

I hope you feel better soon.
Best,
Steff

[Katrina]

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:
Big hugs to all the yeast infection suffering gals.....Together we will survive!!

[vabeachdebi]

There are several good natural things I have found that work for the yeast and itching. One is a warm tub bath (not hot) with a half cup of baking soda. Swoosh the baking soda around and just sit for a few minutes (5 or 10 minutes). That helps a lot. Also, if you are sure it's yeast (always check with your doc), a tub bath with 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup salt will put your vaginal PH back to the normal balance. Most soaps don't come anywhere near our normal PH. Never scrub the area with soap as that will cause more irritation. And kill that yeast in your panties....boil them in a pot of hot water for about 5 to 10 minutes. I know it sounds crazy but I did a lot of research on that one. I was cooking a pot of underwear when a friend stopped by and said, "what are you cooking" and I said, "my underwear"....that got a chuckle but it definitely kills the yeast.

[Katrina]

Youch.....wouldn't a bath in the neegar and salt hurt? It definatly scares me.

[vabeachdebi]

You know Katrina, you're right....I should rethink that vinegar and salt water bath for yeast with IC. That was before my dealings with the IC issue and the vinegar (even though it's highly diluted) might not be a good idea. I'm still new to all this, sorry folks!!!!

[vabeachdebi]

I posted a reply on another board about this but wanted to share with you also in case you don't read the others. I too had what I thought was recurrent yeast. I went to my gynocologist and she said I have Bacterial Vaginosis. They are similar but require different drugs to treat. Flagyl is the drug of choice to rid you of the Bacterial Vaginosis. Bacterial Vaginosis can cause the itching and burning but there isn't the cottage cheese like discharge associated with yeast. It's more of a milky (sorry for the gross details) discharge, very thin and often none. It's a simple test, just ask your doctor, they can tell by looking under a microscope in the office. Of course the Flagyl will give you a yeast infection because it is an antibiotic of sorts but my doc prescribed one week of Flagyl and two weeks of Terazol 7. She stated that the Diflucan and Monistat have become somewhat resistant to some yeast and that Terazol 7 is a broader spectrum yeast fighter. I know most hate the creams but it's worth getting rid of the Bacterial Vaginosis which only adds to the pain and discomfort of the urinary problems. Also, and this is just my doctors thoughts on this but the bacteria from the vagina can travel up the urethra and often cause more UTIs. So, if you're not diagnoses correctly....whether it's yeast or BV....or something else you will keep getting the recurrent infections. Find a doctor who is willing to test thoroughly and listen. I took in a three month calendar of symptoms and my doc put me through the ringer but it was well worth the time and trouble it took to document all the symptoms. I was so tired of buying Monistat and Diflucan.

[tigger_gal]

I too have posted on the same thing... many times it is not tested for ....
you have to ask... I have always been given metro gel.. and it works great for me... you explaination was wonderful
Brat

[vabeachdebi]

Thanks Brat, I was trying to explain as in depth as possible because it is so often mistaken for yeast or overlooked. It seems as though it's come to a time where we have to research our own symptoms and then take them to the doc and specifically ask what to be tested for. Thank goodness for this site!!!!

[khatinger]

I too get itching and I have used baking soda baths, I also use a steroid cream that the
doctor gave me, he tells me not to use it all the time, it seems like it goes through stages. I also use wipes that have nothing in them and that helps the itching and I have been free for three months. Everytime I read these boards I feel like I AM NOT ALONE!!!
It helps a great deal, I live in a very remote area in UPPER MICHIGAN, I would love a support group to attend, it there is anyone from Upper Michigan I would love to meet them.

Kelly