Yeast infections caused by Tx

[Valtod]

A month ago I started having sore tongue and mouth and my Doc prescribed Mycelex Troche tablets. I took them for a week and most of the symptoms seemed to disappear. Unfortunately, last week they came back. I went to a Dermatologist; they took culture from the back of my tongue and confirmed some yeast infection.

They prescribed Diflucan (Fluconazole) 100mg daily (2 tablets first day). But they advised me to talk with my Hep Doctor before starting the anti-fungal Tx.

I read that the drug is "associated with severe or lethal hepatotoxicity", also "may lead to serious cardiac arrhythmias". Additionally, it's contradicting with lorazepam (Ativan), which I take regularly in the last 6 months. Also, it can "cause severe liver damage, sometimes resulting in death".

It seems to me it's the last poison I should be putting in my body right now.

I called my Doc's office and spoke with the nurse. She dismissed all my concerns saying they had other HVC patients on Peg Tx who also took Diflucan and "none of them died yet".

Does anyone have experience with Diflucan during Tx? How do you deal with yeast infections caused by Tx?

Thanks!

[sfbaygirl]

I have been experiencing ongoing yeast infections lately. Driving me nuts! I have used monostat twice this month. Havent' had this happen for years until tx. What happens with a fungal infection that takes over? That sounds scary. I also think fungal infections happen on our heads, armpits etc. I have been using T gel shampoo which helps a bit, but it keeps coming back too. Welcome, I haven't seen you before!

[robindayton]

The thing about fungal infections, is that it is always the aim to prevent a systemic, overwhelming, fungal infection. That's the kind of thing that would take us off tx.

I've had both pre-tx and during tx experiences with fungal infections. For lots of years, I had a vaginal yeast infection right after my period. Once Diflucan came on the market, I always refused it and treated with the vaginal creams. The old fashioned 7 day creams always worked while the new 3 and 5 day creams never worked for me. Ick, always a mess.

I've also had the oral infection since starting Int/Ribavain in Sept. I recognized it right away and started on both the lozenges and the swish and swallow. It worked for me and I haven't had a repeat but I asked for and received a standby rx for both, so I can start it right away at first sign of return.

I too, would be really hesitant to take Diflucan and I agree with the other poster that Nizoral would be really scary. But in the end each person must weigh the risks themselves: compare your current liver status with the pain and aggravation of the infection, along with the ongoing risk of experiencing a whole body infection.

[willows]

I had the same trouble with yeast infection in my mouth, I took diflucan for three days, infection went away.  Came right back and took 5 days of diflucan to stay away.  Now, honestly, I eat a yogurt every day, I take it like medicine and the infection seems to stay away.  Good luck, and I want you to know the diflucan did not seem to hurt me at all.

Willow

[merlino]

Can I reach you tonight? D

[MissMiss]

I found that often it is the pharmacist who can give better advice about these things.  

I developed oral thrush (your yeast infection) after a surgery once and was told to get liquid acidopholis (sp) and swish it.  I have used that for my kids and it always works.  Are you drinking lots and lots of water?  That should help too.  Dunno about the mouth bumps NYG mentions unless it is the same thing to a lessor degree.  I never had such while txing.

Good luck.  I hope you find a good answer and resolution.

miss

[NYgirl]

Yes I should be home all night!  I just read your news I am ecstatic!!!!!!!!!

[chcnme]

I don't know about Diflucan being hepatotoxic, but Nizoral by mouth can be very bad for the liver (deadly for someone with an impaired liver.)  So, don't dare ever take that one in the pill form.  We used to use the mycelex troches - standard - in the prison for the immunocompromised patients (AIDS / on treatment).  Some didn't respond; some did.  Since it worked for you  (if it's OK for your liver, and your liver doc should know this) it'd be worth checking into again.  There's a "Dukes Mouthwash" for the glossitis (red painful tongue) and for fungal infections in the mouth, too (swish and spit for some;  swish and swallow for others - depending how bad the fungal infection is.) I think it's got nystatin, benadryl, hydrocrotisone, and.... something else -maybe some antibiotics  (not sure, cant' remember.)  Might be worth asking your doc about that one, too.  Hope you find something.  It can be really painful, (and a pain to treat, too.)

[SJL]

I fought the mouth problem through 2 rounds of therapy. I was prescribed by my Hepatologist a dose pack of Diflucan, which helped. I also used Magic Mouthwash, ask your Doctor for a script for this. The Pharmacist makes this up for you. I also was prescribed fluconazle.

I still have to be very careful after being off of maintenance therapy for over 6 mths., as my mouth still remains sore & inflamed. It definitely isin't nearly as bad as it was, but I still have to watch closely what I eat.

I hope this helps some, I know it drove me to only eating ice cream, milkshakes, yogurts and icees.
Sandy

[Forseegood]

have you tried some high-powered pro-biotics? sometimes yogurt alone isn't enough to replace the "good bacteria" that can be destroyed by meds of many kinds...just my two cents...HR could expand on this if he is a mind to and catches the thread...

[Valtod]

All you may want to know about Candida... Scary.

http://www.gilbertssyndrome.com/candida.php

Fluconazole may infrequently cause severe or lethal hepatotoxicity. Liver function studies should be obtained regularly. Patients showing clinical signs of liver damage should be IMMEDIATELY withdrawn from the drug.

[Valtod]

Thanks everyone for the advices. Willows, SJL when you took Diflucan (Fluconazole), were you on Peg TX too? Did you have any additional side effects from the anti-fungal? The words "severe or lethal hepatotoxicity" give me chills.

On the other hand, the more I read about chronic and systematic yeast infections, the scarier it seems. I never had (or knew I had) yeast infection before, but now I'm really freaked.

Forseegood, I've just started taking pro-biotics too.

NYGirl, it's just unbelievable you're on week 64! I'm 30 weeks behind you and almost every other day I feel like I won't be able to make it to the finish line...

[NYgirl]

I've had the $%@#@#%!! tongue bumps all through treatment.  I HATE them. I mean i just HATE HATE HATE them they hurt so MUCH if someone doesn't have them = they can't get it.

I haven't found anything that might be a perm cure to them.  If you try the med and it works OH PLEASE POST TO ME ABOUT IT.

I HATE THEM SO MUCH

I am on week 64 of 72 so I don't have too much time left - I've been hesitant to take any med that hasn't really been studied in conjunction to treatment that I don't "have" to take so I've pretty much ignored them as best as I can.

My hep doc told me to go to an ear nose throat guy but Dr. Jacobson when I was there told me it's a common reaction to the interferon - one patient of his had them SO BAD they had to stop tx.

I'm SO sorry you have them too. Have I told you I just HATE them?

[Alady1620]

I can't answer your questions about the medicine but I know that yogurt is a natural cure for yeast.  You might try adding some to your diet.  Look for an all natural kind.