chronic yeast infection

[tjaz]

I have a yeast infection which will not go away.  I went to my Gyn. and got a prescription for Terconazole 3 day which relieved symptoms but only lasted 1 day after treatment.  They called in a prescription for a 7 day treatment.  That didn't work and they treated me with Metrogel for a bacterial infection.  The yeast came back (or never left!) and I treated myself with 7 day Monostat.  One day later I have a raging yeast infection.  I am going to go see my internist but know I don't have diabetes or thyroid problems because they have been ruled out.  My question is how safe is it to continue to use these antifungals on a regular basis?  They seem to relieve the symtoms at least when I am using them.  Do you have any ideas of other remedies besides meds?  I have been eating yogurt and wearing cotton panties etc.  I am married, have 1 sex partner, but haven't had intercourse throughout this situation.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  

[Keith Downing, MD]

Hello,

It is safe to treat chronic recurrent yeast infections medically.  A well studied regimen is Diflucan (Fluconazole) 150mg by, mouth, 72 hours apart, then continue weekly Diflucan 150mg by mouth for six months.  Common side effect might include nausea, headaches, rash or possible an increase in liver enzymes.  Generally speaking it a safe medication.  Try the dietary changes suggested and know what I mentioned is one approach to take if things do not improve.

Best regards,

Dr. Downing

[Tif C]

It sounds like you have a systemic yeast infec., that is why it keeps coming back. The best way that I know to kill off the excess yeast systemically is to stop eating all refined sugars, decrease fruit intake (limited to low sugar fruit like berries), decrease dairy intake, take hi doses of "probiotics" that you can get at any health food store (search out "Lactobacillus Sporogines"... this particular strand is especially lethal to yeast) for 1 month, while also taking "oil of oregano" daily (this is a powerful yeast killer as well. I have seen this do wonders for women in my practice with similar problems. Good luck!

[tjaz]

Thank you for the response.  I forgot to mention that I am 51yo, wt 120 and  do not have HIV!   Is there any reason to not use antifungals fairly often?