Candida/UTI????

[JJJ77]

Can someone please help me??

My LLMD prescribed Omnicef for me and after about three weeks I started having urinary urgency. Went to OB to test for UTI and yeast..both negative.

Two days after the test I ended up with a massive yeast infection. Took diflucan for 7 days and got better. Then on day 10 LLMD changed med to Biaxin.

Three days after starting Biaxin uninary issues started again!!! I started diflucan immediately and stopped biaxin but now,on day 5, still no relief of urinary issues, though no itching yet.

I am going going crazy here!! Have any of you had such experiences?

I called my LLMD and he says "its just the Lyme" though it seems strange that the urinary urgency came just 2 days before a TERRIBLE yeast infection. It resolved when treated with Diflucan, gone for a week and then back.  Maybe it wasn't completely gone after a week of Diflucan??

I have done some reading about Candida UTIs.  Anyone ever dealt with one of these?  Any thoughts?

[JackieCalifornia]

I'm going through something similar.  I don't have an answer for you, but some more data that might be useful in talking to your drs.

When I started on abx about 18 mos ago, I noticed some fairly low level redness and itchiness in the vulvar area.  Mentioned it to my LLMD but said I could tolerate it.  It went on like that for about a year, taking abx and Florastor (which is a 'good' yeast [S. boulardii] and protects against very bad intestinal colonization by unfriendly bacteria).

Then I started taking extra Florastor under its generic name, not realizing I was doubling up on the same thing, and all of a sudden my gut bloated and got painful.  (No dr has confirmed this, but I think I just put too much 'good' yeast into my gut and it set up a factory.)  I just lived with the situation for about a month but it kept getting worse, so finally went to the gastroenterologist.  Got a colonoscopy two days ago, and all is well -- but he's not one of those drs who says what he thinks is going on, only what it's NOT.  So it's not colitis, but that's all he would say.  Thanks, dude.

In the meantime, a month ago I cut ALL carbs out of my diet:  no sugar, no fruit, no dairy -- just protein [eggs, salmon, chicken] and low sugar vegetables [zucchini, spinach] and lots of onions and garlic [yeast hate onions and garlic].  I dropped 15 lbs and lost my sugar cravings, which had been pretty strong, I realize now, and have been starving the yeast out of existence.  I also am not getting any calcium, but will fix that soon either with no-sugar yogurt or supplements.

Almost a week ago, my LLMD also put me on 100mg of Diflucan every day (instead of the vaginal infection dose of 150mg once a week, which I had been on for 3 weeks with little result).  Getting the drs to focus on this being something more than an itchy vaginal inconvenience has been difficult, so you'll have to keep after them it you believe you're not getting effective treatment.

I still feel like h*ll, but hope to crawl out of this hole soon.  I don't regret taking the abx, I just regret not addressing the yeast thing much much sooner with more persistence with the drs.  I've been scouring the internet for 'home remedies' and such, and haven't located anything for certain, so for now it's just Diflucan.  I've been on the no carbs diet for a month, and sometimes feel faint and out of it ... I just 10 min. ago read that Diflucan can deplete potassium, so I sprinkled some potassium chloride [a salt kind of thing] on my eggs, and feel a bit better, but remains to be seen.  I'm pretty worn out by all this.

Keep after your docs to fully treat the yeast infection -- badger them about the fact that it's not just a little vaginal discharge, if it's something more.  My dr did blood tests to see if the yeast is in my blood, but results are not back yet.  So, this is just my situation; your doctors will have to speak to yours specifically, of course, but don't be afraid to bother them until they really pay attention if you know you're not progressing.

Post back with your progress, okay?  

[JackieCalifornia]

PS the urinary urgency is something I get from time to time too, the little tweak in the urethra that says 'I need to go!'  I can't tell if it's from the Lyme, or the yeast infection, so perhaps the dr is making an assumption.

About 15-20 years ago, I bought a book called The Yeast Connection by a Dr Crook -- it was a lifesaver for me, because I had been very ill and on extended abx, ending up with a massive yeast infection, which NO ONE took seriously in those days.  Diflucan had just been invented around then, and I talked my doc into prescribing it for me and it worked wonders.  My ex laughed at me and said I had these fantasies of little 'bugs' running around in my system ... when actually, it was true.  So the same kind of disbelief that Lyme is met with by MDs is what you may face to some extent with regard to yeast.  Don't be deterred.  You know your body; they don't.  Hang in there.

[JJJ77]

I can see that you understand my frustration!!  I just never realized that yeast could cause such urinary issues.  It seems a little coincidental that the yeast and urinary issues show up at the same time and leave at the same time. My LLMD didn't even take the time to try to put those two pieces together :(  Like I said before, I am hoping to have caught it early enough this time to prevent the itching but man oh man, this is my 5th day of Diflucan and still not much improvement with the constant urge to pee!  I guess maybe just starting to fight it the last round of Diflucan really angered it :(  Thanks so much for your feed back!  I will definitely keep you posted...hopefully with some good news soon!!!  

[patsy10]

It sounds like the yeast may be irritating the urethra, causing  the frequency.  Antibiotics kill the good bacteria as well as the bad.  Then the yeast overgrows.  Some people are more prone to it than others.  

[JJJ77]

As always, thank you!  I know we don't dianosis but at least we hear each other out and listen to the ENTIRE story before drawing conclusions.  I am sorry if I seem a little bitter but I am not used to having to deal with doctors in this capacity and it is FRUSTRATING...almost as much so as having to pee all the time :)  

[patsy10]

I hear you......It's so frustrating!

[JJJ77]

Well my issues continue....
I am going to see a urologist tomorrow to see what she thinks.  I have now been off antibiotics and on Diflucan 200mg for 3 weeks.  I am still having urinary issues. Now I am also running a low grade fever and my head feels like it is going to explode. I don't know if any/all of this relates back to candida but I am kind of freaking out.  If the yeast is systemic shouldn't the diflucan be doing the trick??  I try to stay calm but I just don't know what to do!  I don't even know if the urologist will be able to help at all! I am sorry to rant to all of you but I think the hubby is a little worn out with it.  I have NO CLUE WHAT TO DO!!!  Gotta love the unknown!!!!  Thanks for listening!!!

[patsy10]

Let us know what happens.  I'm sorry you are going through this and hope you get some answers.

[patsy10]

It is not uncommon to get interstitial cystitis with lyme.  I know people who have this. I don't know if you have this as I am not a doctor but a urologist should be able to tell you if this could be causing your problems.

[Tired480]

For the last 15 years I've been dealing with a number symtomps such as : Dry mouth, bad breath, extreme fatigue, recurring vaginal infections, urinary problems of all kind, hair loss, pale skin color, low body temperature, bloating, gas, anal itching and some more syptoms (symptoms). I saw a number of doctors over the years but most of them thought and still think I'm crazy and it's all in my head. In 2007 I was googling my symptoms and voila the Candida infection was the most likely issue I had. I put my self on a strict yeat and suger free diet. I also found a family doctor and an obgy who were willing to perscribe Diflucan. The vaginal and urinary issues get better with Diflucan but they never clear completely and the minute I'm off the diet even for a little bit, all the vaginal pain, burning, itching and fatigue get worse. I feel I'm fiting a loosing battle. I feel there is something else that's keeping me from getting over the Candida. I'm right now taking probiotics, Nystatin and I'm on still on my diet but my vagina still hurts andburns. I went to a urologist Thursday for a Systoscopy but it was negative. All the tests I had previously done were negative. Over the years I gad 2 ct-scans, MRI, ultrasound, plenty of blood work, and stool tests, all negative. I don't know what to do. I can't have sex because it hurts, bf didn't want to marry me because he can't have sex and it affects him as well. I feel like I'm loosing this battle. I'm giving up on finding the cure for this problem and feeling good just once. If anypne has more info about this please help.
Thanks

[JackieCalifornia]

What kind of probiotics are you taking?  Acidophilus, or something else?

[gorbybelle]

I think it would be worth you researching 'parasite symptoms' - a large infestation can cause all the symptoms you list - inc. yeast infections - itching - bloating - pale skin - the parasites feed off whatever we consume - so even though we may eat healthily etc; we wouldn't feel the benefits.

Just a thought

Gorbs

[gorbybelle]

.... forgot to mention - www.shanti.com. - is a good place to start.

[Tired480]

I take a brand called Renew life ultimate flora 50 billions. I get it at the health food store. I can take 10 pills a day and I feel it doesn't make a difference.

[Tired480]

Thanks for input. I've been trying to conveince doctors that I have parasites but they think I'm crazy and it's all in my head. Even when I eat I still feel weak. I should one of the healthiest people on the face of this earth but I don't feel good.
When I was 11 or 12 years old I saw a warm coming out of my rectun but I tried to grab it and it went back in. I never told anbody about it, even my family doesn't know about it. Since then I've living in terror, of the idea that something is livingin me and I feel it moving in my rectum but I did a colonoscopy and nothing was seen in there. For the last 15 years I started having problems with Candida. Omly people that dealt with this can tell you how it feels not being able to get out bed, to cry at least 3 times a day, feel alone in this and not be able to live. I'm afraid I'm going to live like this and I will never know how it feels being normal and healthy. Any suggestions will be great.
Thanks for your help

[gorbybelle]

Hi, - regarding the 'worm' coming out of your rectum - have you told a doc. about this  - you say you have mentioned 'parasites' but what about the exp. when you were a child.

From what I understand some types of 'worms' can live in the intestines for a long time.

If it was a 'worm' that you saw - it wouldn't just stay in your 'rectum'  - it would move around your intestines.

[Tired480]

This year I started telling doctors about it including a ND but they all said warms don't live that long. I think they are wrong because I can feel it and I know the reason why I'm unable to get over the Candida infection is because of the presence of parasites in my system.
I don't know how to get a diagnosis for this. All stool tests came back negative for parasites. My primary care doctor tried some anti biotics last 3 months and the anal itching improved and my nails started growing again and looked and felt helthier. Of course the yeast got worse but I took Diflucan. The issue is once I was done with the antibiotics my nails went back to looking brittle and to my hair falling off again. I feel like I have poison in me just because of how tired I feel, my hair loss is massive but doctors think it's all in my head.

Thanks for replying

[gorbybelle]

Hi, the doc. saying 'worms don't live that long' - is prob. right but they can/do multiply.

What did the doc. say about your improvement with 3 months of abx.?

Have you had any lyme tests or seen a ' lyme literate ' doc.?

Have you ever taken any over-the - counter 'worm' treatment - the one that springs to mind is 'mebendazol' - it is used to treat different species of worm - not sure on all the details - it is given to children as well as adults - perhaps ask your doc.

I guess you have researched - vitamin/mineral - deficiency.

Here is a list of poss. symptoms of 'parasites'

Inability to gain/lose weight - chronic candida - yeast inf.- chronic sinus or ear inf.- urinary tract inf. - itchy ears or nose - anal itching [esp.at night] - digestive probs - mucousy stools - heamorroids - constipation - grinding teeth during sleep - numb hands - pain in navel - pain in back/thighs/shoulders - burning in stomach - drooling whilst asleep - menstrual complaints - cysts & fibroids - eating more and still feeling hungry - skin probs. - forgetfulness - depression - chronic fatigue - water retention - crawling feeling under skin - floaters - liver/gall bladder probs.

Another one of those long lists  - almost as long as the 'lyme symptom' list !!

Gorbs.

[Tired480]

I'm trying an over the counter parasitic cleanser. I started it about 3 weeks ago. I'm still pale but my nails are getting better so I hope that's the begining of getting of the end of a miserable life.
I have almost all the symptoms you listed and some more. The fatigue and the vaginal infections are the 2 symtoms I can't handle. Even on Diflucan or Nystatin my vaginal infections don't clear and the test results are most of the time negative for yeast, BV, parasites and STD's. I'm on Nystatin now and i still have burning, itching and pain in the vagina as well in the urethra. I'm going back to see my  tomorrow to see what she's going to say about my symptoms.
Thanks for the over the counter warm med. I'll try it once I'm done with this cleanser I'm on right now.
Please keep writing. It keeps me going.
Thank you
K

[gorbybelle]

The three week cleanser sounds a good idea - I hope you see some improvement with that - I know how 'miserable'  vaginal/bladder probs. can make us feel.

Maybe your doc. will come-up with something - sometimes - I found - we have to keep on pestering the docs. to get something sorted.

Have you tried drinking plenty of 'cranberry juice' - that seemed to help me with a recent UTI.

Gorbs.

[Tired480]

I can't take Cranberry juice because it has sugar. My Doc doesn't know what to do. She persercribed Diflucan since I feel somewhat better when I'm on it and anti histamine gel. So we'll see if this works.
Thanks a lot for your help
K

[Funkhouse]

Sorry to hear about all your troubles.  The best remedies are always the simplest!  I believe what you said about the worm...and try this out for size.  Take as much garlic cloves as you can handle...at least three or four.  And then sit in a sitz bath of milk.  The worm will leave your body and its new world of garlic..for the sweet sweet smelling milk just outside. Trust me..this will be gross and you will see the worm all over again..but at least you will live knowing that it is no longer inside of you!

Also..antibiotics make yeast infections much much worse.  We have to replenish our good bacteria afterward with enteric coated probiotics..but only once is needed to reestablish positive digestive flora.  

Good luck!

[JackieCalifornia]

You can get sugar-free cranberry juice, but it's not cheap.  Try a health food store kind of place.  I put a splash in a glass of water and sometimes a bit of fresh lime juice and it's pretty tasty.

Cranberries naturally have some carbs in them, but not much.  So what you want is just the plain juice.  Check the label.

[Tired480]

Are you saying I shout eat the garlic. Cooked or not and do I fill up my bath tub with milk. I'm sorry I've never heard of such a thing. You know if this works, you would save my life.
Thank you
K

[Tired480]

I'll check for sugar free cranberry juice. I don't know if it will help because I tested last month positive for Group B Strep. I took antibiotics for 7 days. I finished taking them the 1st of October. Most of my old symptoms are already coming back.

Do you think I should get tested for lyme?? I don't know what to do???. I think I'm never going to feel normal again. I'm 38 years old. I feel I'm done. I spent 15 years trying to find out what's wrong with me but no answers. Years that were suppose to be the happiest, healthiest ever but they were years I wouldn't want to think about or relive.  

Sorry just upset & frustrated about everything.
Thanks for your help.
K

[gorbybelle]

Hi, - you know that - eating garlic and milk bath - sounds worth trying - garlic is a good cleanser - I would have someone in the house with you if you do give it a try - just being sensible - a lot of garlic might give you some stomach pain - maybe try eating a smallish amount first just to see if you get any sort of reaction - raw garlic - crushed - is apparently the most beneficial way to eat it.

[Tired480]

Istarted taking garlic 3 to 4 cloves 3 days ago. Nothing happened yet. Tonight I did the milk bath but no results. Do I need to give time? how long? how many times do I need to try the milk bath and how often do I need to eat garlic?
Thank you
K

[gorbybelle]

Sorry I don't know the answer to your questions - [Funkhouse will hopefully reply too].

Have you completed the cleanse you were doing?  

Generally people with 'worms' tend to get bowel problems - diarreah/constipation - bloating/gas etc; - I don't know if this is the case for you?
Have you tried 'mebendazol' tablets - you can ask a pharmacist about them - not sure they treat all  types of human worms - they are o.k. for children to take so I shouldn't think there would be any risk to your health or anything.

You said that some of your symptoms improved whilst taking antibiotics - have you discussed this further with your doctor?

Have you looked into possible vitamin/mineral deficienies?

I hope you get a reply from 'Funkhouse' with more info. on the -garlic/milk baths.

gorbs. x

[Tired480]

Thanks for your concerns. I've been having digestive problems almost all my life. Constipation, bloating, gas and most of the time mild pain in addition to other symptoms.

I haven't tried the Mebendazole yet. I will next week AND I'll let you know how it goes. The cleanser I used before helped got a rid of the constipation for about the 1st week only and then constipation came back.

When I took the antibiotics, the rectal itching got a lot better as well as my nails grew longer especially my tumb nails that didn't grow for a least 15 years. The weired thing is when I broke my thumb nails they didn't grow back. The same thing happens when I take a new vitamins or iron, the nails will grow and look somewhat healthy but maybe a week or so into taking the vitamins, my nails start to break again and go back to looking brittle. So I don't understand why this happens. I feel like what ever I have in me that's making it hard for me to get over the candida infection and other symptoms is in some ways eating my vitamins and my minerals. As per my blood work, everything is normal; however I don't feel good. I get some weired hunger pains. When I wake up in the morning I have to eat immediately otherwise I feel very weak and I have to apply pressure to my stomach while I'm making breakfast. There is also a pain on my right side where big & small intestines meet. I had a ct scan done but everything looked normal. I don't know what to do and who to see about this.For now,  I'm taking garlic every morning. The rectal itching is back but very mild. I don't know what that means. I'm very lost..

Thanks for caring
K