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weird year-long yeast symptoms- I am desperate!!!!
Hi! I am already desperate so I decided to post a question here.
A year ago my initial symptoms occurred- vaginal burning, burning on urination, thick, white discharge, etc. I was cultured and laurels of candida non-albicans showed up . She also noteiced I had no lactobacillus bacteria.
Then they treated me with fluconazole (50 mg) for 7 days + clotrimazole. No effect.Then they tried Nizoral, it didn't work again.
I was tested for BV probably 10 times, all my tests come as negative. I am 22 and have never been sexually active. I have been tested for STDs at least 5 times though (all tests were negative). I was also tested for diabetes and UTI, all negative.
My burning has been severe, it's always there and gets worse during urination. Also I have a very thick, white, abnormal discharge, my skin is very irritated and swollen.
I've been treated for an yeast infection with every possible medication (fungolon, nizoral, diflucan, terconazole,- no relief). Since last summer that shopwed the candida on my culture, I haven;t had any other yeast cultures. I had one 2 weeks ago; it was negative, my lactobacillus were very high. Another swab test I did in the fall showed a high number of lactobacillus too.
Is it possible that I have a very resistant strain that doesn't show up in cultures? (my symptoms were severe at the time the culture was done 2 weeks ago)
A year ago my initial symptoms occurred- vaginal burning, burning on urination, thick, white discharge, etc. I was cultured and laurels of candida non-albicans showed up . She also noteiced I had no lactobacillus bacteria.
Then they treated me with fluconazole (50 mg) for 7 days + clotrimazole. No effect.Then they tried Nizoral, it didn't work again.
I was tested for BV probably 10 times, all my tests come as negative. I am 22 and have never been sexually active. I have been tested for STDs at least 5 times though (all tests were negative). I was also tested for diabetes and UTI, all negative.
My burning has been severe, it's always there and gets worse during urination. Also I have a very thick, white, abnormal discharge, my skin is very irritated and swollen.
I've been treated for an yeast infection with every possible medication (fungolon, nizoral, diflucan, terconazole,- no relief). Since last summer that shopwed the candida on my culture, I haven;t had any other yeast cultures. I had one 2 weeks ago; it was negative, my lactobacillus were very high. Another swab test I did in the fall showed a high number of lactobacillus too.
Is it possible that I have a very resistant strain that doesn't show up in cultures? (my symptoms were severe at the time the culture was done 2 weeks ago)
Hello, I have had a problem that seems very similar to yours for a year and seven months now. My ph has been very acidic, gets worse end of 2nd week thru third week of cycle. Alot of white discharge, not clumpy like a yeast infection though. Since vaginal environment is very acidic the smell is cheesy. I am sick and tired of it. I either have cytolitic vaginosis or lactobacillosis. I went to the clinic at my university last yr and they gave me doxycline for lactobacillosis. I think I developed an overgrowth of lactobacillus (good bacteria) from taking 1000 mg of vitamin c everyday for 6 weeks. I did this bc it was flu season and didnt want to get sick. I know vitamin c is water soluble, but I tried to limit my water intake so I wouldnt have to urinate frequently in attempts to absorb the vitamin c longer. I am positive that this is what caused my problem. I went in for a follow up and they said I was back to normal which was in Feb 2009. Then in May 2009 my roommate got swine flu from going to mexico. I was paranoid about getting sick so I took 1000 mg of vitamin c again. What do u know I ended up with the same annoying symptoms again. This time I was told I had CV and had to do sitz baths. At first I tried baking soda douches and/or filling gelatin capsules with baking soda and inserting them vaginally.The relief was temporary. Months later I tried sitz baths, this seemed to work best but again relief only temporary. I gave up since April 2010 and have been dealing with this. I must add I have gotten tested for STDs and all negative. I have not been sexually active this entire time bc it makes it worse. I am going to a real dr tomorrow to see what the hell is up bc now it seems I have lower abdominal pain. I think the bacteria may have caused PID. BV can cause PID if untreated so my logic is CV can do the same. I am frustrated beyond words. Hopefully doxycline or augmentin will help me, but I think that only works for lactobacillosis and not CV. I hate this!
cytolitic vaginosis look up how to treat online w bath in baking soda. Your dctor can test for this. SOme doctor's dont know anything about it.
I only cultured once for an oddball strain, Candida albicans dublienesis. The 2 other times, it was just albicans. There are alergists that can do yeast sensitivity tests, but woman usually do that after trying almost everything else. Couldn't hurt, but it's best to rule everything else out first.
I'm still hopefull that I will be relieved of all pain. Others have done it. I was lucky to get in to see one of the big brains who work with vulvar/vaginal issues (she was my 5th doc).
I really think you need to see a doc who knows what vulvodynia is. Check out Dr. Glazer's website, and go get Dr. Stewart's book. Read up on things while you go get yourself an appt.
Feel free to e-mail me at: free_spirit_05158***@****
kallina, I used to have the same symptoms. Things only hurt when I had the pasty white discharge. My ph was 4.0 which is normal, but things burned really bad. After a while, it didn't matter if the discharge was there or not. My pelvic floor muscles had tightened up so much that I ended up with the pain 24/7.
Keep it in the back of your mind. Many of my cultures came back, heavy growth - normal flora. That didn't mean there wasn't some sort of immune reaction going on. For me, I became hyper sensitive to vaginal yeast.
Keep it in the back of your mind. Many of my cultures came back, heavy growth - normal flora. That didn't mean there wasn't some sort of immune reaction going on. For me, I became hyper sensitive to vaginal yeast.
i too am dealing with similar problem. every month like clock work i get a yeast infection, then when i treat it i get BV, I treat that then i get my period, then i may get a UTI, then i get treated with antibiotics, then i get a yeast infection, then again BV(which my doc says is a result of yeast treatment) us there anything i can do?? sometimes my boyfriend doesnt even want to touch me!! i cry all the time over the frustration of never getting it resolved!!!
freespirit, is there any way that I can test my yeast sensitivity? Do you think that your pain will go away after a while? It's just been traumatized now. Also did you fight a resistant yeast or candida albicans?
Thank you all for the advice. My doctor is pretty confident that I have lacto overgrowth (my symptoms drastically decrease at the time of my period). But there are many other doctors who believe that the condition is non-existent.
I don't think I have vulvodenia or VV because I have no pain when the discharge is not present(which happens very rarely). The burning starts when the discharge occurs. I've never had itching, only burning and I wonder if that may be a discharge that's too acidic ((due to some hormonal changes). ButI'll see another ObGyn and hopefully he will be able to figure it out (7 other drs couldn't)
I don't think I have vulvodenia or VV because I have no pain when the discharge is not present(which happens very rarely). The burning starts when the discharge occurs. I've never had itching, only burning and I wonder if that may be a discharge that's too acidic ((due to some hormonal changes). ButI'll see another ObGyn and hopefully he will be able to figure it out (7 other drs couldn't)
Peekawho - that's fine. I don't think Dr. HHH and I are in a terrible amount of disagreement here. I'm not a doctor, and no one here is looking at the lab reports, but I will venture to say he also wouldn't agree with treating a patient with high lacto counts, and no evidence of a yeast infection, with a fungicide. Whether or not he believes that lacto itself is the problem, I don't believe he (she?) would continue to treat Kallina's symptoms with a medication for yeast overgrowth.
I was treated with an antiobiotic for three months, in college, for a yeast infection. Unbelievable still to me, and I'm glad I went off campus and away from the health center and got appropriate medical care. And raised eyebrows. ;D
I wish her well, and I hope she gets this solved.
I was treated with an antiobiotic for three months, in college, for a yeast infection. Unbelievable still to me, and I'm glad I went off campus and away from the health center and got appropriate medical care. And raised eyebrows. ;D
I wish her well, and I hope she gets this solved.
Dr. HHH is the mod of 2 of the forums, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV Prevention. He's pretty well credentialed.
Constent vaginitis that does not respond to treatment may not be organic in cause (i.e bug related). I think you might want to find a vaginal clinic. A place where the doctors actually work with these sort of problems all the time.
If you start out with what appears to be a simple yeast infection and things never clear up, get only worse, you may have vulvodynia or vestibulitis going on. Burning inflammed tissues, 24/7, lots of unexplained discharge are all symptoms. It's worth looking into. If you keep on treating yourself with all of these harsh chemicals, if you don't have it, you will end up with it.
Find a good doc. Don't stop until you get answers. You will have to be persistent. And don't let any doctor tell you that it's 'normal', that it's all in your head, because it's not.
check out vulvodynia.com, or Dr. Elizabeth Stewart's book, 'The 'V' book. There is alot of good information in that book, even if you don't have vulvodynia or one of it's many forms.
Don't give up.
If you start out with what appears to be a simple yeast infection and things never clear up, get only worse, you may have vulvodynia or vestibulitis going on. Burning inflammed tissues, 24/7, lots of unexplained discharge are all symptoms. It's worth looking into. If you keep on treating yourself with all of these harsh chemicals, if you don't have it, you will end up with it.
Find a good doc. Don't stop until you get answers. You will have to be persistent. And don't let any doctor tell you that it's 'normal', that it's all in your head, because it's not.
check out vulvodynia.com, or Dr. Elizabeth Stewart's book, 'The 'V' book. There is alot of good information in that book, even if you don't have vulvodynia or one of it's many forms.
Don't give up.
Kallina - I agree again, about the second opinion and about not douching - see a different doc.
And when you go, bring in documentation of lab results, and medications you were given after those lab results, that didn't work. You'll get a raised eyebrow, I think. And probably a lot of help, pretty quickly.
Best wishes.
And when you go, bring in documentation of lab results, and medications you were given after those lab results, that didn't work. You'll get a raised eyebrow, I think. And probably a lot of help, pretty quickly.
Best wishes.
You did misunderstand her post, actually, HHH. Read through it again with an open mind.
Are you a registered physician on this site? I know there are several in the moderates boards. If you're not, it's against the rules to have "dr." or MD in your handle. Just a heads up.
You might be interested in this link. It discusses lactobacillis overgrown, actually called Cytolitic vaginosis, at the General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.
It's real.
http://www.newsrx.com/newsletters/Womens-Health-Weekly/1995-07-10/1178643WW.html
Are you a registered physician on this site? I know there are several in the moderates boards. If you're not, it's against the rules to have "dr." or MD in your handle. Just a heads up.
You might be interested in this link. It discusses lactobacillis overgrown, actually called Cytolitic vaginosis, at the General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.
It's real.
http://www.newsrx.com/newsletters/Womens-Health-Weekly/1995-07-10/1178643WW.html
I misunderstood; apparently lactos were observed after the previous negative culture. Still, lactobacillus overgrowth isn't an issue.
HHH, MD
HHH, MD
Candida non-albicans usually is C. glabrata, which commonly is resistant to the garden-variety yeast medications like fluconazole.
There is no such thing as lactobacillus overgrowth syndrome. Such claims aren't exactly quackery, because there is some controversy about it. But existance of the condition is not accepted by the majority of ObG infectious diseases specialists or vaginal infection researchers. Anyway, you say that cultures for lactobacillus were negative--so that suggestion doesn't make much sense anyway.
I agree with the person who implied you should get a second opinion. Ask for referral to an ObG who also specializes in infectious diseases. There are such people at most major medical centers, especially places associated with medical schools.
HHH, MD
There is no such thing as lactobacillus overgrowth syndrome. Such claims aren't exactly quackery, because there is some controversy about it. But existance of the condition is not accepted by the majority of ObG infectious diseases specialists or vaginal infection researchers. Anyway, you say that cultures for lactobacillus were negative--so that suggestion doesn't make much sense anyway.
I agree with the person who implied you should get a second opinion. Ask for referral to an ObG who also specializes in infectious diseases. There are such people at most major medical centers, especially places associated with medical schools.
HHH, MD
With respect, the source of the article you cite (Women's Health Weekly) is not exactly a scientific journal. And the article refers to a 12-year-old presentation at a scientific meeting, which is very different than a peer-reviewed journal. Almost anything reasonable-sounding can be presented at even the most scientifically rigorous research meetings.
I stand by my previous comments about lactobacillus overgrowth, including its other names (e.g., cytolytic vaginitis). Lactobacilli are the dominant normal flora in women with healthy vaginas and are largely protective against other, potentially harmful organisms. It is probable that there is no such thing as having too many of them.
HHH, MD
I stand by my previous comments about lactobacillus overgrowth, including its other names (e.g., cytolytic vaginitis). Lactobacilli are the dominant normal flora in women with healthy vaginas and are largely protective against other, potentially harmful organisms. It is probable that there is no such thing as having too many of them.
HHH, MD
That's fine. I just always feel the need to warn people if it looks like they might be violating, because then their posts get yanked and the conversation ends. ;D
I just think the power of internet med boards is the power of the whole population looking at stuff - because her own doctor can't figure out what's wrong with her for a whole year, it's time she got help. Sounds like a misery!
Best wishes.
I just think the power of internet med boards is the power of the whole population looking at stuff - because her own doctor can't figure out what's wrong with her for a whole year, it's time she got help. Sounds like a misery!
Best wishes.
One final thought -
According to the link I posted, your case sounds textbook. First, you had a yeast infection and no lacto. You were given many antifungals, which cured the yeast but gave you the lacto overgrowth that is now causing all your symptoms.
Best wishes. Hope you are able to clear this up.
According to the link I posted, your case sounds textbook. First, you had a yeast infection and no lacto. You were given many antifungals, which cured the yeast but gave you the lacto overgrowth that is now causing all your symptoms.
Best wishes. Hope you are able to clear this up.
kallina, this almost seems too obvious to mention, but has your doctor ever considered the problem is very simply that you have a lactobicillis overgrowth, and that's the entire problem?
It's like not seeing the forest for the trees. ;D
I did a quick google search, search terms vaginal lactobicillis overgrowth, and it sounds exactly like your entire problem. All your symptoms are there.
First hit up, not sure if this is the best source, but:
http://www.lifetimetv.com/shows/strongmed/expert/expert1_4.html
best wishes.
It's like not seeing the forest for the trees. ;D
I did a quick google search, search terms vaginal lactobicillis overgrowth, and it sounds exactly like your entire problem. All your symptoms are there.
First hit up, not sure if this is the best source, but:
http://www.lifetimetv.com/shows/strongmed/expert/expert1_4.html
best wishes.
My doctor thought my condition was lactobacillus overgrowth. I haven't started the baking soda baths because I've heard it's non-existent and I am not sure what to do. I've tried all medications (fungolon, nizoral, gynazole, terconazole, diflucan, mycosist (an european one-similar to diflucan, clotrizamole,etc.). Ive even tried citrocidal and tea tree oil. Nothing helps. My symptoms are getting worse.
I have another question. I remember that when my problems started I used a body lotion that contained citrus peel.(I remember applying it to my whole body and part of the genital area I think). I've heard that a rare candida specis, candida lusitinaie, has been isolated from citrus peel. Is it posible that I've become infected with the yeast though that lotion? It's a rare one and many labs can't differentiate it probably.
I have another question. I remember that when my problems started I used a body lotion that contained citrus peel.(I remember applying it to my whole body and part of the genital area I think). I've heard that a rare candida specis, candida lusitinaie, has been isolated from citrus peel. Is it posible that I've become infected with the yeast though that lotion? It's a rare one and many labs can't differentiate it probably.
I can only repeat my suggestion above: ask for referral for a second opinion, preferably from an ObG infectious disease specialist. In the meantime, don't use intravaginal treatments or any medications of any kind, including douches; maybe even consider not using tampons for the time being.
HHH, MD
HHH, MD
I have had two cultures - one this past summer that showed no lactobacillus, but it grew laurels of candida non-albicans. The microbiologist wasn't sure if that was canida at the very beginning.
Then I had a microscopic testing again- it was negative and showed a very high number of lactobacillus (only three months ago I didn't have any; I wonder how that happened).
My second culture and microscope tests were done 2 weeks ago at a different lab- they showed no yeast, BV, or something else (only a high nimber of lactobacillus). I've heard that candida glabrata or other type pf candida non-albicans don't show up on a culture so I am very confused. My symptoms and discharge have been severe. I wonder how they haven't found anything yet :(
Then I had a microscopic testing again- it was negative and showed a very high number of lactobacillus (only three months ago I didn't have any; I wonder how that happened).
My second culture and microscope tests were done 2 weeks ago at a different lab- they showed no yeast, BV, or something else (only a high nimber of lactobacillus). I've heard that candida glabrata or other type pf candida non-albicans don't show up on a culture so I am very confused. My symptoms and discharge have been severe. I wonder how they haven't found anything yet :(
kallina - have you only been to the one doctor and one lab? Whatever this thick discharge is, it contains the answer to your problem.
What does your doctor and lab say this discharge is? Do they just say it's negative for what they're testing, and do they acknowledge they can't identify it?
This isn't as if you have some weird symptom they can't see. It's right there, under the microscope. Who knows why they can't tell what exactly it is, and treat it.
If you've only been to one facility, try another one. This doesn't seem like it should be so hard to diagnose.
Best wishes.
What does your doctor and lab say this discharge is? Do they just say it's negative for what they're testing, and do they acknowledge they can't identify it?
This isn't as if you have some weird symptom they can't see. It's right there, under the microscope. Who knows why they can't tell what exactly it is, and treat it.
If you've only been to one facility, try another one. This doesn't seem like it should be so hard to diagnose.
Best wishes.
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