Vaginal Yeast Infection - not clearing up with flucanazole - HELP!

Hello,

I self diagnosed a yeast infection and my LLMD gave me flucanazole for 5 days, which I took. When there was no change, I went to a gynecologist per his instruction and was diagnosed with Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and a vaginal Yeast infection (apparently the five days of flucanazole didn't do much…). My symptoms are pain/discomfort during sex and swelling inside my vagina - no discharge, no odors. It almost looks like a prolapse it is so swollen! The gynecologist prescribed more flucanazole 3x per week for two weeks. I also took metrodizanole gel suppository for the BV, and I was given boric acid capsule suppositories for the yeast infection. I finished the metrodizanole gel, and today is my last dose of the flucanazole and the swelling is still there!

I am really hoping that this will be possible to heal while I'm on antibiotics for lyme. Has anyone been able to get rid of a yeast infection while on treatment? I hope so, because who knows when the end of lyme treatment will be! I could ask my LLMD for a continuous prescription of diflucan (assuming this really is a yeast infection…), but I would love to beat this more naturally if possible as I am already on so many antibiotics and the flucanazole doesn't seem to be doing much. Does anyone know how much time before the diflucan would work for a vaginal yeast infection? It's already been weeks and nothing has changed. What should I try? I'm not sure if it is systemic - a stool test came back negative, and I'm most concerned about getting my vagina back to normal.

I already eat gluten free, dairy, free, and sugar free (I'm really bad at sticking to 0 sugar, and cheated on easter a little. I've limited but not eliminated carbs, as both my naturopath and LLMD have told me to eat carbs in moderation due to being relatively underweight already.

I haven't been able to have sex with my husband in a few months because of discomfort, and lyme is hard enough on the relationship without this problem added on top!

Post Edited (Kickin'Lyme) : 3/29/2016 6:35:42 AM (GMT-6)

oh no! what detox methods are you using? Do you have any abdominal/bladder discomfort? Did you test for a UTI?

you say the swelling is still there, but is the itchiness and pain gone? if all that is left is swelling then maybe it just needs time to settle down. If not -

I have some suggestions, but please answer the questions first, thanks!

It may not have been a yeast infection, sure doesn't sound like one to me, especially if the diflucan didn't do anything for you. If you can, grab a home UTI test kit and see what it comes back as, just to rule it out. I would try aveeno oatmeal bath - that may help the swelling. Pain during intercourse brings interstitial cystitis to mind, which is why I asked if you have any bladder issues. Lyme is probably the culprit here. I had bladder issues due to lyme, and the best medicine for it was D-Mannose. Read up on this too, and see if your Dr approves - I am highly recommending it. It will clear out all of the bad stuff in your urinary tract, and hopefully in turn decrease the swelling. Also, eat as blandly as you can - brown rice and chicken for ex, nothing acidic, bc that may flare it up more.

You may also want to consider taking alkaseltzer gold, it is also a very good detox med, and it puts your body in a more alkaline state, that may help too. Ask your Dr if that is ok as well. I took it twice a day during my entire lyme treatment.

I hope some of my suggestions help. please keep me posted!!

What about mycoplasma? I believe certain strands can cause infections. Just a thought.

Also, what brand of d mannose did you use and how many mg?

There is no known cause of IC. I did a lot of research on it when I had major bladder issues. So it's likely it could be another symptom of lyme & co. I ran across some info saying biaxin/plaquenil combo was curative for one patient with lyme. I tried the combo and it did help.

everything in my eyes has a cause and effect. Interstitial cystitis, which is inflammation of the bladder, has no known direct cause, probably bc they haven't figured it out! there are however, known factors that can contribute to the cause of it though....if something is inflammed somewhere in the body, something HAS to be causing it!

I can be wrong, but I feel it is worth looking into. I must apologize and should have said it could be like interstitial cystitis. I had all of the symptoms of it minus pain during intercourse. That is what lyme and co likes to do - "mimic" other disease states. I had bladder pain, frequent urination during the day, no visible inflammation as you describe, but still, I ran back and forth btwn my obgyn and a urologist and no test could tell me what was wrong, until weeks later, when i figured out I had lyme, it all made sense. If you have inflammation in your vaginal area, then something may be there that doesn't belong. So I think it would be worth trying to take the D mannose, but you need to take it several times a day. Also, like i said, stick with a bland diet and try the oatmeal bath. If it was an infection, the antibiotics would be taking care of it, I would think, as you said.

Just wanted to give you all the heads up - I did try to D'Mannose and my pelvic discomfort went away almost overnight.

I still have some swelling down below, but my ND is convinced it's caused by bacterial imbalance in my body. I'm not sure how to fix the problem while on antibiotics, it won't be easy. I'm using boric acid, coconut oil, and femmecology probiotic capsules as suppositories.

I don't know if I should stay on diflucan…thoughts? My ND really doesn't want me on it, but I'm scared to go off!

Excellent! I am so glad the D Mannose helped! I would continue to take it for a few more days, for sure.

Diflucan - you took it for 5 days right? You do have to be careful with your liver - the maximum number of days straight my Dr allowed me on it was 14. If you can, I would get another couple of days of it (maybe just 3 or 4), just to give a good boost of antifungal action.

ursamajor68 - i have tried oil of oregano several times, just 2 drops and I cannot function. I have a horrible case of candida that has been haunting me. I get better, but as soon as i mess with my diet, I get worse again.

what is the least potent way of getting it in - rubbing it on the soles of my feet i suppose? i am itching to try it again, but afraid at the same time. Thanks!

Chapelle - Are you referring to oregano oil being only in capsule form? ...or something else?

I have seen it in the liquid.

oh, okay.

What about breaking open the capsules...I wonder if that would work...?

well, the one i have tried several times only to end up with a God aweful migraine is oreganol by north american herb and spice - ingredients say proprietary blend 50mg of organic extra virginin olive oil, wild mediterranean oregano oil. thanks so much for your advice!