no rest for the yeast-y!

[tabby3578]

Okay, sorry for the gross title, just trying to make a troubling topic a bit lighter. I am 25 years old, and about a year ago I started getting yeast infections (I had never had one before on my life). At first it was once a month, then twice a month, and for the past 4-5 months I am never, ever without one. It is MISERABLE. My boyfriend is very supportive and understanding, but since I now always have one, we really can't ever have sex and I just don't see that being good for our relationship long-term. Anyway, not asking for relationship advice really, just wondering if anyone else has had this severe of a problem with yeast infections, and if so how they were finally cleared up. I have tried EVERYTHING - over the counter creams, suppositories, Diflucan, tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract, switching to organic, dye and fragrance-free tampons, showering after sex, low-sugar diet, you name it. My GP tells me to take the Diflucan, but right now for instance I am taking that, PLUS over-the-counter monistat, and am not getting anywhere. This is absolutely horrible to live with for so long, and is really affecting my body image and making me extremely depressed. I don't know how much longer I can live with feeling like such a sickly, gross person who is unable to be a normal 25-year old. Your help and advice is much appreciated.... thanks to all.

peace, love, and empathy,
*tabby*

[loopylu]

Hi

My heart goes out to you, have had this a couple of times and that was bad enough!

Now this may sound awful and you may have to approach the conversation with caution but have you tackled your boyfriend on his bits? It may be that he is using a bath product or wash powder on his undies or contraception that may be irritating you. If i remeber right the yeast infection occurs because the very delicate ph balance in that area is upset (and it does not take much to do this, it can be from things on the outside i.e. bath products etc and things on the inside i.e diet , medications etc)

Hope this helps even just a little and i hope you find a solution soon

Love & Hugs

Loopylu

[Lily]

Hi Tabby,

No fun at all I agree! One question though, has your boyfriend been treated too? If not then he can pass the infection back to you, men dont often have symptoms because of the way their anatomy is, however we have a perfect breeding ground for thrush infection.

love
Lily

[hollyhk]

I had this problem too. Once my partner started using condoms (he has a vasectomy and birth control not a concern) i stopped having yeast infections

[goats]

when I was younger , 20 or so, I used to think I was allergic to myself.
or to my b/f after husband

I found out few things.
1. men can pass it back to you, he might not know he has it.
2. all soap bothered me,
3. I could not have baths,only showers
4. bathing suits or panty hose helped bred more or tight clothes
5.dyes from toilet paper helped cause it
6. I had to sleep without panties to have the fresh air clean things up
7. I learnt to eat two yogurts a day to help the natural process
8. using tampons can make it worse. and pads should be changed often and use non scented ones

all this took a miserable two years to deal with.
now I only have minor problems.

I know it can drive a person crazy with the pain and itchy.
I hope your b/f will be understanding. and you find some relief
oh I also carried baby wipes in my purse and washed often during the day,it helped to keep the irrational down a bit

[Raglet]

hi there

something I can definitely identify with at the moment, I just stocked up on some treatment today. With me it's the combination of prednisone and antibiotics that does it.

Definitely have your boyfriend treated, as Lily has suggested. Have you had swabs taken to make sure it is yeast you are dealing with? Hmmm, that's about all I can think of, sorry you are fighting this beastie, it is a nasty one

raglet

[hopefull1]

My heart goes out to you, have had this a few times.There have been times that it was so bad I had to take the Diflucan 2 times a 4 days apart to clear things up.

The last one I thought I had I called the Dr and had them call in Diflucan, When it didn't go away I called again DR WANTED TO SEE ME, turned out to be a bactria infection instead. Then I took antibiotics and got a yeast infection :lol: but I had the meds to take for it when I stoped the treatment for the bactria infection .So have that checked out to make sure that it is a yeast infection.

As many have said your b/F needs to be treated to if it is a yeast infection.Men can pass it back to us with out them having any symptoms. Goats gave you some good tips also. But 1 more ,my dr said don't douch very much it washes out the good bactria that should be in there that fight infections.(said if you must only after your period)Make sure you have not changed anything that you use in the last few months from meds, bath with or wash with and ect.... Stay away from body wash down there,use soap with anti-bactria in it.

((((hugs))) Hope things clear up for you soon.

[mummy of 2 amazing kids]

Hi Tabby,Believe me I know EXACTLEY what you are going thru.I get Thrush every 2 weeks!!!!!Yay lucky us....My Gyno ended up putting me on a 6 month course of Nizoral it is very strong and in Australia it has to be approved by the Government (it isn't just a normal perscription).I am into my 2-3rd mmonth and I am noticing a difference,my last swab 2 weeks ago still came back with thrush but not as heavier growth.I have an IUD(Mirena)in also and my gyno is unabl;e to determin if the cause of the severe Thrush is from this or connective tissue.I also take Acidopholus(sp) and dont eat Bread and yeast based foods very often,I opt for lavish bread that is Yeast free.You sound to me that you have tried all things so far as I have also.I have come to the conclusion that it is bearable at the moment nothing like what it was I think that it has only been made possible because of the Nizoral(I would hate to see the state I would be in without it)So mayby you could ask your doctor about this.Let me know how you go.Good luck and I'm so sorry that you are going thru this.:(

[rudi]

Hi Tabby,

I have had Candida - yeast infection,which is pretty bad when I have had an antibiotic treatment. Most times I have managed to bring it under control by applying Natural Yogurt twice a day. I know it sounds gross but for me it has really helped. Eating natural yogurt also helps.
I actually use a syringe to put the yogurt up my Vagina and it has helped me in most cases. Wash with cool water when you have Candida as warm water just makes the yeast more active.

Hope you will feel better soon.

Love,
Rudi

[RubyRed444]

i agree with Rudi totally

Antibiotics is known to strip the delicate flora in the gut and strip all the good bacteria leaving the bad bacteria to multilpy causing candida/thrush, so natural yoghurt all the way, eat/use before during and after antibiotics, fore warned forearmed ....You can also buy from healthstores Acidhoplus supplements which have the same igredients as natural yoghurt. I personally supplement my diet with these on a daily basis rather than using the pessaries and creams.

This is my own solution , you should check with the pharmacist or GP for on going problems

RR444

[kiley]

Hi Tabby-
You've gotten some great info. here. Here is my experience w/ med.s, etc....
I have systemic, chronic fungal problems due to years of antibioics and prednisone. I've tried all the anti-fungals (OTC, Rx. and natural). Some of the long-term Rx.s may have caused me some liver troubles but didn't rid me of the infections.
Now, what HAS worked for me (not cured, but really keeps it in check) is a natural vegetarian enzyme product called Candex--by Pure Essence labs. They're capsules that I use vaginally (at night) and orally, and don't seem to lose their effectiveness.
I am also a big believer in a good, multi-organism pro-biotic (acidophillus). The one I like, though expensive, is Healthy Trinity by Natren.
Nystatin was the least harsh Rx. for me, and can sometimes keep an infection under control, even if it doesn't actually cure it.
I wish you GOOD LUCK and GOOD HEALTH!!
Kiley

[Mootie]

Hi there,

I have had a lot of success with apple cider vinegar. The vinegar has to be unpastuerised and with live mother in it. The vinegar is fizzy and tastes awful but it is the only thing that works for me.

Take one tablespoon morning and night after food, mix with cordial if you like. Dont forget to change your toothbrush as you can reinfect yourself.

I am on antibiotics again but I will wait until I finish this course then I will start the vinegar again. It is a natural product and very inexpensive, available from health food stores. Good Luck

Mootie