Yeast infection that won't go away.....or something else????

[emsuc]

Ok ladies, I need some serious help/advice.  About 2 months ago I had this terrible itchy feeling in and outside my vagina that I thought was a yeast infection.  I couldn't get into the doctor right away so I took Monistat 3.  For some reason I didn't use the 3rd night but felt fine after a few days and my symptoms were gone for a few weeks.  Then it came back, just much less severe but won't go away.  There is hardly any discomfort on the outside only a tiny bit of burning every once and while.  It's a very subtle itch up inside that comes and goes and seems to come on later on in the day.  I have been to the doctor several times and at first she said she didn't see anything.  But when I still had the feeling she took a sample, saw a little bit of yeast,gave me a Diflucan pill, which seemed to work but then the symptoms came back a week later and I decided to try another dosage of Monistat 3.  During this I got a UTI and went in to get antibiotics for it, which cleared it up.  However, I still had the itch and again, went back to the doctor.  She took another sample and didn't see any yeast but saw some white blood cells which indicates an infection and gave me the Terazole cream to treat different strains of the yeast.  I took it all and it hasn't seemed to change anything.  I have been tested for everything else (STD's and BV) and everything is negative along with a normal pap.  I'm not on the pill, other antibiotics and don't douche or use scented tampons, pads, etc...any ideas on different treatments or what else it could be?  I'm starting to go crazy!...

[glad2bamom]

Well, the old wives tale of yogurt or lactobacillus don't work, so don't waste your money.
It's entirely possible that you have a chronic yeast infection, in which case, your doc needs to treat you more aggressively.  It's also possible that the antibiotic you took gave you another yeast infection.  You could try some dietary changes, look it up on the internet, and you can find lots of solutions for candida diets.
I can't remember if you said this...do you take baths or showers?
Sorry if you said..but try not to take baths too much.  Showers are better.
Sounds to me like you do have yeast...but let me ask you this.  Do you have itching just concentrated in the vaginal area, or is it on your entire genital area?

[mrs canada]

I beg to differ! Acidophilus (the active bacteria found in yogurt) is indeed a highly effective way to balance your yeast. Why not try taking an acidophilus supplement every day. In addition, processed/refined foods, foods containing white flour, and most of all foods containing sugar, can cause your yeast to go crazy. Try avoiding all these things, take the supplement, and I bet you end up just fine.

[emsuc]

The itching is mostly in the vagina, not outside....the bad one I had about 2 months ago was also outside, but this one is a little different.  I have done some research on candida diets, but I'm not sure how extreme I have to go with it.  I am trying to limit my sugar/yeast intake, but who would I talk to about this type of diet?  I've read that many doctors don't agree with it...???  The pill that you were talking about...how long did it take for you see results with that?  And how long do you have to take it for?  Are there any long term consequences?  Has anyone tried the diet and been able to successfully come off it at some point because I've also read that people have had to stay on it for years to keep their symptoms under control...thanks so much for your advice!

[lucylocket2]

Sorry, i can't agree either. I have used the yogurt and it worked for me. Maybe it's all in my head, Now, if that's true. it won't work. gosh!

Use the monistat that is more that 3 days. Also if your having sex with the same person , you can pass it to him and ge won't show symptoms. i know, men suck. Anyway he might need to go to the doc to get something. i don't think monistat cream would work for him. It might though. Hate your itchin..... I feel for ya.

[SNORCHY]

I used to have chronic yeast infections too...you might want to talk to you DR about trying something for a bacterial infection like cleocin because sometimes bacterial infections are mistaken for yeast. Terazol used to work for me sometimes, but not aleays. Good luck and I hope you're feeling better.

[emsuc]

Snorchy, did anything work for you when Terazol didn't?  I am afraid that she won't give me anything for a bacterial infection, as she said my pH is normal and that she didn't see any signs of BV when she looked at my sample.

[glad2bamom]

Quote taken from an herbal site: Dr.Greene.com

"While active-culture yogurt has proven helpful in many areas, and seems to be helpful in many others, it appears to do nothing to combat vaginal yeast infections. It has been recommended both orally and topically, but when evaluated no benefit is found.41 Perhaps this is because the normal population of Lactobacillus continues to thrive in the vagina even during a yeast infection.42

Lactobacillus can help prevent yeast, though, in the GI tract, diaper area and in the mouth.43 Probiotics can also help to prevent urinary tract infections.44"

The yogurt CAN help maintain a healthy level in your body, but cannot CURE a yeast infection.

From the archives of our own Dr. HHH~


"You are absolutely right that neither hygiene nor diet is the problem. Such issues as tight clothing (jeans in summertime) and diet influencing vaginal infections are urban legends. Ditto for re-using towels, direction of wiping after urination or defecation, etc. Given what I said above, it is simple common sense that putting lactobacillus into the vagina should help, right? Problem is, no commercial lactobacillus preparations contain the right kinds of lactobacilli. The strains common in dairy products (L. casei, L. acidophilus) do not survive in the vagina and have no preventive or curative effect; eating yogurt (or douching with it) is useless, as are lactobacillus products you can purchase in health food stores. Intensive research has been going on for a decade to convert the protective kinds of lactobacilli into products that will successfully colonize the vagina, but to date success has been spotty at best. So maybe someday, but not yet.

So what do you do? The yeast part is easiest: most women with recurrent yeast can take fluconazole (Diflucan) once a week and completely prevent symptomatic infections. If this hasn't been tried, you should discuss it with your ObG provider. Such preventive treatment appears to be safe and usually remains effective months or even years on end."

So, if yogurt, or lactobacillus has helped someone in the past with yeast, it is probably coincidental to whatever other treatments they were also using.  Yeast MAINTAINS a healthy body, doesn't repair an infected one.

[LadyKareese]

I, too, take Diflucan once a week as a preventative measure after battling chronic infections due to menopause and hormonal imbalances.  It's really helped me in the long run.  Definitely ask your doctor about this preventative treatment.

[SNORCHY]

Nothing else helped me but the terazol...sometimes I just had to wait it out and it cleared up on its own. I went from OB to Ob trying to find something to help. The cleocin didn't help me either, just thought I'd suggest it in case you wanted to talk to your Dr about trying it. I can really empathize with you...I know how awful it is. You might want to have your partner get tested for yeast to see if you guys are just giving it back & forth to each other. BTW...I tried eating yogurt daily...didn't help either but I guess it's healthy anyway!

[mrs canada]

Thanks for sharing that research, glad2bamom... the point of my post was that acidophilus supplementation helps to maintain your yeast balance. It sounds to me that the original poster does not have ongoing yeast infection, but rather an imbalance.

I maintain my position that if "emsuc" takes acidophilus (or yogurt) daily, and avoids a refined sugars diet, her problems will be solved.

[glad2bamom]

You're exactly right, and I apologize if it seemed as if I were arguing with you.  I'm so not arguing.  I just didn't want the original poster to think that she could "cure" her problem by eating some Yoplait!
I think that putting the yogurt into the diet is a fantastic way to keep yourself healthy...and there are many benefits.

Thanks for not getting angry when it seemed like I was being snippy.  My apologies!

[emsuc]

I really appreciate everyone's advice!  Let me make sure I understand you correctly...is it possible that I don't necessarily have a "yeast infection" but rather an imbalance of yeast?  Could this give me subtle symptoms like the itch inside without the discharge (by the way, I've never had the clumpy discharge associated with YI) and be why there are no signs of yeast on most of the samples my doctor took?  Is there a way to find this out for sure, i.e. a particular kind of doctor I should see besides my Gyn?

Also, one of you mentioned taking Diflucan on a regular basis (I think you said once a week) to prevent future YI's along with eating a better diet and plenty of yogurt.  However, I've read that taking too much of the Diflucan for too long can be dangerous to your liver and/or kidneys and you have to monitor them...has anyone heard of this or had experience with taking Diflucan for long periods of time?

Thanks so much- you guys are lifesavers!

[glad2bamom]

Taking any medication for prolonged periods of time can have side effects.  Of course, in a perfect world, we wouldn't need any of it.  However, for something chronic, sometimes the doc has to prescribe a longer term dose.  This is something that only you and your doc can decide.  Additionally, when they make a decision like that, you must be confident, first of all, that they know what they're doing (referrals, etc.) 2nd, know that they must feel that the benefits outweigh the risks.  There is risk in every medication.  Most meds are double-edged swords.

Also...I don't think we're thinking that you have an imbalance of yeast...but not an infection.  We can't possibly know what you have.  We were just having a "discussion" about what the purpose of the yogurt really is.  When a woman is not suffering from any symptoms, yogurt is a great way to keep things going along smoothly.  It is misunderstood that yogurt can "cure" a yeast infection.  It only helps keep you healthy, when you already are.  Does that make sense?  If I were you, and you were unhappy with the results you've gotten from your doc, then I would get another opinion.  It's your body.

[mrs canada]

Actually - if you can believe this - I have never had a yeast infection. I am just well-versed in natural remedies as my father had a health food company until he retired (he is the true expert in herbals and vitamins) and I worked there every summer til I graduated university.

So I just know a lot about natural alternatives. And sadly, this may be a permanent lifestyle change for you if your body chemistry is such that it cannot tolerate the processed diet of today's world! Sorry to say!

[emsuc]

Thanks...yes I think I'm going to try a different doctor and maybe ask them to culture it to figure out exactly what type of yeast is giving me the problem so we can go from there...

Just curious...many of you mentioned the low sugar/carb diet- has that worked for anyone and how long have you had to stay on it before symptoms were gone?  I don't want to have to avoid sweets forever!!!  Did you talk to any particular kind of doctor about it???

[mrs canada]

I actually DO think you could have an ongoing imbalance. Not enough to have a full-blown infection, but enough to cause some annoying symptoms. It's like when you have a mild bladder infection - not enough to make you cry, but symptomatic enough to be annoying.

I would strongly recommend trying the dietary changes for a month to see if there is any improvement. Go to the grocery/drug store and find some acidophilus (take the recommended daily dosage). Try your absolute best to avoid the following:
- junk food (chips, chocolate, fast food)
- food high in sugar
- foods made with white flour

I could give you a list as long as your arm of things to avoid, but start with these things. I know it might be difficult but if you want to avoid these ongoing problems, it might take a drastic change in your life.

Keep us posted and good luck!
p.s. You can visit a naturopath to learn more about treating yourself for this without taking medication.

[emsuc]

mrs canada- i'm guessing you had to try this too...how long did you have to follow it for???  Were you ever able to eat "normal" foods again without the symptoms starting up again?

[free spirit]

One point of clarity,  before running off and trying a long term yeast treatment, it is really essential to know what strain may be bothering you.  There has been a huge increase in drug resistant yeast strains.  You need to be cultured to make sure that you do indeed have yeast.  Many problems mimic yeast infections.  You truly don't want to set yourself up for some long term pain and discomfort, so diagnose before you treat.  

Also,  if you have recently used something to combat the 'yeast', if you do have it, it will not show up on any test or culture.  It is really best to be seen when things are at their worst. It sucks yes, but in the long term it can be worth it.

I would also suggest looking into Dr. Elizabeth Stewart's book,  The "v" Book.  It is an excellent read on how a woman's body works and easy to understand descriptions of what can go wrong.

To add to the yogurt confusion,  there is no product available at this time, that contains the human strain of lactobacilli that is needed to help return the vaginal ecosytem to normal.  Only the human strain contains the DNA neccessary for allowing the bacteria to 'stick' to the vaginal wall.  It is just an old wives tale.

emsuc,  you may just have to find a different gyn that deals with chronic vulvo/vaginal problems. Most gyn's out there really don't know alot about chronic problems. And try not to keep treating yourself willy-nilly.  The continued inflammation and reactions to the meds can lead to longterm pain and suffering from vulvodynia or vestibulitis.  You don't want that. Trust me.

[emsuc]

Again, thanks for everyone's advice.  I'm feeling a little better but from how the past 2 months have been going I am afraid that it is only a matter of days (or even hours) until I am uncomfortable again.  I agree that I do not want to keep treating it with the topical creams and whatnot because I am afraid I will become resistant to these.  I also certainly want to avoid any future problems such as vulvodynia, etc. I think if/when my symptoms come back I will try not to run to the doctor immediately so when they do check it out hopefully it will be more obvious as one of you mentioned. I'm also going to switch doctors for a second opinion and ask them to culture the yeast...sometimes I really wonder if it is even yeast giving me problems or something else that the doctor is missing or the samples aren't showing...no one happens to live in/around Connecticut and knows a good doctor that has experience dealing with this do they?

[emsuc]

Just wondering...today I noticed a burning sensation on my butt (sorry tmi), not right around the anus but a little further away where the skin of each cheek touches each other...it appears to be some kind of rash...has anyone experienced this with a yeast infection????  just a reminder, i've been tested for std's and they all came back negative...

[free spirit]

What you might try, is calling around to different gyn's offices. Ask the head nurse if the docs at that clinic deal with resistant or problematic vaginal infections. If they don't, ask them if they have heard of anybody in the area that does.  

If the symptoms come back and you need some relief, you can use a frozen bag of peas, frozen water bottle, or a bag of popcorn kernels that has been kept in the freezer.  I've also heard that oatmeal baths are soothing for irritated tissue.

good luck

[free spirit]

I get that occasionally.  More often when it's hot or I'm nervous and sweating alot.  It can be associated with yeast problems or vulvodynia etc.  Everything is connected and it may not seem intuitive, but if your having vaginal problems with itch, butt itching problems are common.    I usually use something like bagbalm (just a little) (it's an antiseptic ointment used on cows udders) to calm things down. You could try desitin or other similar ointments.

[emsuc]

thanks for the advice....i'm trying a different doctor but you all know how difficult getting an appointment is- the earliest I could get at any one of the many around me was for 9 days out....ugh

[themarcy73]

I have to disagree about the Acidophilus.  First of all, my physicians and pharmacists all recommend it, especially when I take antibiotics.  Secondly, I did a little experiment of my own on several different occassions.  I get yeast infections on my skin often.  So, I started taking Acidophilus twice a day when I had my first symptoms of a yeast infection.  It cleared up.  So, I stopped it for awhile, it came back.  I waited a few days, started taking it again and it cleared up.  I did this periodically for the past year.  Every time my yeast infection cleared up with the Acidophilus.  
I do not know much about the experts you quoted.  but, just because a couple experts say it does not get rid of yeast infections, does not mean it's true.  I can find experts who say it does clear up yeast infections to back up my claim.  on the website www.mdadvice.com it states that Acidophilus kills yeast and fungus on contact http://www.mdadvice.com/library/vita/vitamin283.html

[vol222]

I really sympathize with your problems because I suffered from recurrent yeast infections for three years. I don't know what your problem necessarily is and wouldn't suggest a treatment without knowing. It could be recurrent yeast infections (or sensitivity), vulvodynia, or lichen simplex chronicus or lichen sclerosis. I tried many treatments, drugs and natural. Although I'm sure many people are helped by acidophilous supplements and yogurt, I wasn't. I also visited a naturopath and tried the strict candida diet(no alcohol, sugar, wheat, dairy, vinegar, etc.) for three months and found it had no effect other than to disturb my social life. What I do recommend is finding a good doctor who specializes in vulvar diseases. Keep calling gynos until they recommend someone because it is not helpful to keep seeing new doctors and trying new treatments unless you find a doctor who does the appropriate tests and explains to you why they are prescribing a specific treatment, besides just trying it out and hoping it will work. I know the wait times to get appointments can be excruitiating but it's worth it for a specialist. I also cannot recommend "the v book" enough. It was the most helpful resource I found. Good luck and please keep talking to people about your vulvar problems because I can't help but think I wouldn't have gone through what I did if people (including doctors) were more educated on what are generally perceived as just minor female nuisances.