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UC and Yeast overgrowth (female related)

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Posted 7/11/2008 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
For the past month, I was suffering from itching, burning, and irritation in the vaginal area. I've had reoccuring yeast infections in the past year, but nothng like this. One week, it was burning, next week was itching, and sore with red irritation. I was given so many things to treat yeast while nothing worked. I finally saw my gynocolgist and she gave me boric acid suppositories to use for a month! I have to take one 600 mg suppository vaginally for a month.

My gyno stated that it might be correlated to the UC. I just got off the phone with the nurse practioner and she stated that women with UC usually have a higher PH level in their bodies. Is this true? Are there any other female UC suffers out there with this problem? If so, what are you or have done about this problem? Its so frustrating!

Currently, I am getting Remicade infusions every 8 weeks. I have to skip this month's infusion due to the yeast infection. I also take 6 Colazal pills a day, 50 mg of 6-Mp, and Fiorcet for my headaches. I also take Canasa 1,000 mg suppositories when necessary.

Any advice or information would be beneficial. Thanks! :)

Heather

Posted 7/11/2008 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
A year ago, I had your same problem.  I was just going to my family dr., but it was time for my yearly from my obgyn, and I mentioned it to him.  He had me take 1 diflucan, then a week later take another 1.  Then one month later take another pill.  Then one month after that take another pill.   That was finally what got rid of it once and for all.  Since then, I haven't had another one.   At the time, I was on imuran and remicade.  I never postponed my infusions because of it though.   


Posted 7/11/2008 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
Its really frustrating! When I told the nurse practioner at my gastro doctor's office, she said I cannot have remicade infusions because of the yeast infections. I don't know...but that's an interesting concept about taking the diflucan in that order. I will have to let them know. Thanks.
Posted 7/11/2008 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
Yeast infections are likely more related to hormonal changes during your cylce than your UC, regardless, taking primadophilus rueteri made by natures way not only aids with IBD but also with lactose intolerance, high cholesterol and vaginal health (I haven't had a single yeast infection since taking it for the last 4 yrs now, and my cholesterol levels are normal and I no longer have to use Lactaid products for the severe lactose intolerance issues I had.

I notice you don't list taking any probiotics...there is plenty of research out there expressing the significance of it for IBDers and even IBSers.

:)
Posted 7/11/2008 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
have one of your docs do a culture if they have not already.
i was having reoccurring problems with itching and burning and even would get like a small tear in my perineum. my regular doc said it looked kind of like a yeast infection but none of the stuff i had tried was working. so he did a culture and said there was actually a small amount of bacteria, but no yeast. if i ever feel it coming on, i use an anti-bacterial wipe (or use a couple each day for a few days or however long it takes) and it's totally gone. now that i know what to do, i literally only need one wipe and it's gone. it will sting a little but worth it for me.

anyway, get a culture to be sure that's what is going on.

oh, and this was all pre-UC for me but i was on the pill at the time.
Posted 7/11/2008 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
Yup, the BC pill messes up the gut and vaginal flora which increases the risks of yeast infections, another good reason to find another method of BC, besides which it messes with our natural hormones and hormones are linked to exacerbation of disease symptoms of your IBD...defintiely try the primadophilus reuteri.

:)
Posted 7/11/2008 7:16 AM (GMT 0)
I've had yeast infections on occasion, but definitely not something I'd say was a constant. I do agree that the hormonal fluctuations can encourage them.

Did you have a culture done for exactly what you had? Maybe you had more than one thing going on? Strange that none of the antifungals worked.. I've never heard of borax suppositories before..interesting.

I agree with using probiotics.

Hope this all clears for you soon....dealing with UC plus female health issues is soooo frustrating.

quincy
Posted 7/11/2008 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
I did have a culture, and when I got those series of yeast infections, I had never had one before.....it was all really bizarre.
Posted 7/11/2008 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
I went to the gynogoloist three times already. The first two was with a nurse practioner. First, it was bacteria. The second time, it was yeast. I had two cultures. My gyno looked at my vagina and saw automatically that I had yeast. She wanted me to use the boric acid suppositories everyday for a month. Its really frustrating! I am leaving for Disney in 9 days. I have to do this on my trip. :( Anyway, I will check out the medicine some of your recommended.

Helka, what brand of anti-bacterial wipes do you use? I would like to check with my doctor about it. She said that I've had a lot of yeast issues this past year, which is so true. She recommended a book that will get my "ph" levels back to normal.

Where can I get Primadophilus Reuteri? Thanks!!

heather
Posted 7/11/2008 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
FYI - my gyn whose wife has UC mentioned that ladies with bowel disorders are more likely than normal to have bacteria vaginosis issues.

Everytime I've come off of pred in the last few years, I've ended up with a bv infection or a yeast infection, or both! It's SO frustrating!!!

You can order the primodophilus reuteri online - just google it. I believe iherb has it. Some health food stores also have it. It is a formulation that required refridgeration, so becareful when you order it so it's not going to sit around. Most places that sell it know this and ship with ice packs.
Posted 7/11/2008 4:25 PM (GMT 0)

iluvsunflowers15 said...

Where can I get Primadophilus Reuteri? Thanks!!

heather

I think most local halth foods stores will have it, if one near you doesn't then you could ask them to special order it in for you...just make sure where ever you get it from, they know it must be kept cold and in the store refridgerator.

:)

Posted 7/11/2008 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
The Reuteri pearls don't have to be refrigerated...if they have those, maybe take two a day to start.
Posted 7/11/2008 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
the brand i use is just the equate (walmart) brand which is a knock off of "wet ones" antibac wipes.
they are not flushable so you just have to toss them in the trash. they are, unfortunately, scented but that never bothered me (even tho the non-antibac flushable wipes bothered me a lot).
it may be worth a try!

hope you find something that works soon!!!
Posted 7/11/2008 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
I have had a vaginal yeast infection as well as a vaginal bacterial infection each month for the past 4 months. I have had a culture taken each time by my OB/GYN (I'm really tired of having those done every month). So I have had 2 RX (1 for each infection) over the past 3 months and at $40.00 co pay per RX this is costing me a small fortune to treat! I had no idea that others are/were suffering from the same things so frequently.
I take a Cleocin suppository for the bacterial infection and I can't remember what is prescribed for the yeast - but the first thing that he described didn't work so I have had to go to something stronger. I am so sick of this. Between the Rowasa enemas and the stupid vaginal suppositories I've had it. Not to mention how it's ruining my sex life!
My gyno says that it could be hormonal (the yeast) and that some women have a spike of hormones that cause a yeast infection every month before they start their periods. How long do I go on before I know whether that it the case? I am 50 yrs old and have not gone through menopause yet. Haven't even started with any symptoms yet.
I asked my Gyno last month whether my UC has anything to do with the bacterial infections and he said no, not likely. I thought that maybe all of those trips to the bathroom might have caused some cross contamination down there. No matter how careful one tries to be I thought it could be the cause. I think that I will try the anti-bacterial wipes next. I already take 2 Primadophilus rueteri pearls every day.
Any other hints from any of you?
Thanks girls!!!
Posted 7/11/2008 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
Oy vey! I cannot believe how many of us are suffering from these pesky yeast/bacterial infections! It really stinks. :( I agree with you Shoegrl2 about the sex life. Its defintely affecting mine!

Shoegrl, do you use anything to make inserting the vaginal suppostories easier? I've noticed a little pain and burning every time I put the boric acid suppositories inside. I first used an applicator and after I called my gyno about some itchy on the outside, she said to not use the applicator.

My gastro doctor gave me some Align probotics to take. I just took the first dose ten minutes ago. I will have to look into the other one you all have mentioned.

Can one of you tell me the specific brand that contians primadophilus rueteri? Thanks!

Heather
Posted 7/11/2008 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
It's Primadophilus Reuteri made by Natures way...maybe the caps/powder form works better than the pearls, I've used both the cap and powder and never had any issues with getting anymore yeast infections...

You can use plain yogurt "up there" instead of RX to clear a yeast infection...my GP from yrs ago told me this and it works like a charm...cheaper too.

:)
Posted 7/12/2008 12:16 PM (GMT 0)
pb4- plain yougurt up there? how much should be inserted? i've never heard of this and would like more feedback. thanks!

heather
Posted 7/12/2008 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
It's the 6-MP. When I was on Azathioprine, I had the same problem. After repeated courses of treatment, my doctor told me it probably wouldn't go away as long as I was on the immunosuppressant. After I stopped taking Aza, it went away and now I only have a problem if I take antibiotics. I deal with that by doubling my probiotics when I'm on antibx.
Posted 7/12/2008 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
UGH. I am right there with you. I have strep bacteria in my va-jay-jay! They thought it was yeast forever, tons of diflucan, then we got the results, then an antibacterial gel, then a week of Avelox antibiotics, more Diflucan and I take Reuteri everyday. I have to go back to my doc next week and ask for a GYN referral. This is getting annoying.
Posted 7/13/2008 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
I know this thread is 'female related' so please excuse my intrusion...I've had problems with yeast in the past (that went on for years) and although you can take creams (monistat, etc.), you should also consider diet as well (cut back on sugars, sweets, etc.), unless you just finished a course of anti-biotics.

NBT
Posted 7/13/2008 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
Im a crohnie but I have suffered from extra thick stuff in there for YEARS that the docs have said are not yeast, are not bacteria, are nothing to worry about. But its thick enough that it comes out of my vagina while Im having bowel movements. Im seeing a new gyno on Tuesday to do yet another look for a fistula. So far none have been found. I just wonder if w/ all the poop down there I make extra stuff to keep me clean. Or I am just a medical mystery.

And PB4- probiotics don't really seem to make a difference for my issue though I agree they work wonders when I really do feel as though I have an infection brewing.
Posted 7/13/2008 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
I agree about the diet. I eat a lot of foods that contain sugar. Once I get back from vacation, I plan to cut most of the sugar in my diet.

Heather
Posted 7/13/2008 4:20 AM (GMT 0)

FitzyK23 said...
louis bolle
And PB4- probiotics don't really seem to make a difference for my issue though I agree they work wonders when I really do feel as though I have an infection brewing.

Maybe you should try the primadophilus because it specifies that it aids with vaginal health..could be the one you're taking doesn't contain the specific strain of bacteria that aids with vaginal health.

:)

Posted 7/13/2008 4:22 AM (GMT 0)

iluvsunflowers15 said...
pb4- plain yougurt up there? how much should be inserted? i've never heard of this and would like more feedback. thanks!

heather

I just used a couple of tablespoons and inserted with a baster, just before bed and wear a pad...that I keep clear from the kitchen I will add...and I actually don't have it anymore because I havn't had to use it since taking the primadophilus reuteri caps.

:)

Posted 7/13/2008 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
I am going to order the primadophilus reuteri caps. Does anyone know if a specific health food store carries it? I already tried Trader Joe's and they don't have it. We also have Wild by Nature Health food store. I haven't tried that one yet. Also, what website can I order the probotic from? Thanks!

Heather
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