Do you deal with chronic yeast infections? - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

***Katrina*** · 01-02-2006, 04:30 PM

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*** · 01-03-2006, 03:41 AM

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 · 01-03-2006, 02:13 PM

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*** · 01-03-2006, 02:18 PM

Thanks For Your Help!

***Katrina*** · 01-13-2006, 10:53 AM

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** · 01-13-2006, 12:32 PM

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 · 01-14-2006, 07:30 PM

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 · 01-16-2006, 07:46 AM

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*** · 01-16-2006, 10:06 AM

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

sami4 · 01-19-2006, 06:19 PM

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*** · 01-20-2006, 07:47 AM

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** · 01-20-2006, 09:01 AM

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 · 01-20-2006, 09:15 AM

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*** · 01-21-2006, 04:56 PM

Repost!

***Katrina*** · 01-31-2006, 10:02 AM

Repost!