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A female related question... UC & vaginal issues?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/12/2013 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone with UC ever have vaginal issues? Since October 2012, I've had two yeast infections, a really bad UTI that hospitalized me, and now I have burning at the opening of the vagina with no other symptoms. I am uncomfortable on top of flaring with my UC. I am on prednisone (20 mg and tapering starting Tuesday) due to severe joint pain related to UC. I just don't feel well! I NEVER had this many issues with my female gentialia. I am curious if anyone else have had issues of the sort that may be related to UC? I believe inflammation is at a high in my body since I have bright red blood every time I have a bowel movement and can see the blood on the toilet paper, joint pain, increase in migraines (with blurry vision), and now the vaginal issues. Please help. I'm really miserable.

Heather

Currently on Humira bi weekly (40 milligrams), Lialda, Maxalt (for severe migraines), Prednisone 20 mg (for joint pain)
Posted 1/12/2013 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
What does your DR say? Have you ever had imaging studies done to look for fistulas?
Posted 1/12/2013 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
What are fistulas? I've been to the GYN numerous times and they all keep saying its a yeast infection, BV, etc. I know my body and I just don't feel right.
Posted 1/12/2013 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds like you have another yeast infection. I think they are more common while you're on prednisone. I actually used boric acid last time I had one and I haven't had one since. I think it worked better than diflucan lol. When I was on pred, I took a course of antibiotics and after that, I got a few recurrent ones. It was terrible. There was a post here once about BV and UC - it was interesting.

I found one of these posts (there are others do a search)
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=1040840
Posted 1/12/2013 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you! I will def read the posts about BV. I was on an antibotic during Christmas break for a sinus infection and then got my period. Was feeling fine but did use the boric acid capsules. Within days of finishing my period, I got the burning again! So annoying! I don't have any itching, discharge, etc. Just the burning sensation. It's so annoying!
Posted 1/12/2013 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
What kind of boric acid capsules? Did you make them yourself?
Posted 1/12/2013 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
Nope. I got the boric acid capsules 600mg as a prescription from my GYN.
Posted 1/13/2013 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
I was told humira can make you more susceptible to yeast infections. Probiotics are supposedly able to help with this. I get recurrent UTIs after sex. So I have an antibiotic I take one after I have intercourse. It is called macrobid. It sometimes cause me to get yeast infections. I just started the Humira. I have only taken my first dose but I have already had a yeast infection but I cannot say for sure it is related. I have heard of this product by a brand I like called Azo. They make meds for UTIs. They make one for yeast infections. It is a really good brand. I have not resonally tried the yeast product but I do use the urinary pain relief and sometimes the cranberry suppliment to help prevent UTIs. Those are both very good products. Also it is homeopathic.
Posted 1/13/2013 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
Teddtlove- I am starting to wonder if everything I am going through is because of Humira. I've been on the medication for almost a year now without any issues until November of 2012. That's when my Uti, chronic yeast infections, etc. began. I wish there was a way to avoid them! It's really disrupting my daily life as well as intimacy between my husband and I. We just got married in July! Sorry for the vent..It's just really annoying!!! I buy the Azo test strips all the time to see whether or not I have a uti. I cannot take the over the counter AZO uti relief as it makes me sick. I've been taking the cranberry pills for a few days. Is the AZO yeast product you're referring to a probiotic or something else? I have to be really careful with probiotics as they can make my colitis worse! I tried the vsl 3 and it made me feel HORRIBLE!!!
Posted 1/13/2013 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
Oh wow, that's crazy. I didn't know that was available by prescription. I made mine with medical grade boric acid that I bought OTC and empty capsules. I tried yeastarrest and a few others and they didn't help. I also tried the acidopilis pearls with no luck. I used to eat loads of yogurt too in hopes of it improving and the only thing that helped was the boric acid.
Posted 1/13/2013 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
I probably should do that since it would be much cheaper. Where did you purchase the boric acid and capsules?
Posted 1/13/2013 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
I bought 00 capsules on amazon. I got boric acid at the drug store. I was scared the first time I tried it but I read a ton of reviews from people elsewhere who had done it and I decided it was that or go to the doctor and get diflucan & I couldn't afford all that. The otc creams never work for me.
Posted 1/13/2013 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
There is an autoimmune disease called Lichen sclerosus that causes vaginal discomfort (and more). You can check that out and see if it fits what you're experiencing.
Posted 1/13/2013 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
I had vaginal mucusitis because of UC. I treated it with antibiotics, hydrocortisone suppositories and cortisone cream which helped some what. It was really inflamed and painful. When I went on oral pred (40 mg) it became better. I'm afraid it will come back though. Every time it itches a little I freak out.

Hugs girl. We have an awful disease. But you're not alone. In any case have a gyn look at it.
Posted 1/13/2013 8:36 AM (GMT 0)
I don' t think it is a probiotic but I am not sure. With you in mind I briefly looked at it at the grocery tonight and i didn't notice probiotic on the front. Here is a link to the website http://www.azoproducts.com/products/azo_yeast
This is the ingredient page. http://www.azoproducts.com/products/azo_yeast_facts

Maybe one of you other people might know if one of these ingredients is a probiotic? They don' t sound like it to me but I only know the names of the most common ones.
Posted 1/13/2013 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Heather, are you not on any probiotic oral meds at all?

q
Posted 1/13/2013 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Q, I am not on any probiotic. The only one that doesn't bother me is Cutterle (not sure if I am spelling that correctly) but don't know if its good for increasing the vaginal flora and intestional flora. Vsl 3 makes me feel horrible.
Posted 1/13/2013 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Absolutey, you should be on one!!   RenewLife has one for vaginal support.

http://www.renewlife.com/ultimate-flora-vaginal-50-billion.html

I'd suggest you take it night on an emptier stomach about an hour or so after your meds.

q

Posted 1/13/2013 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Q- A lot of the probiotics give me awful cramping, gas mucuous, and just increases my colitis symptoms.
Posted 1/13/2013 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
as I mentioned...take at bedtime on an empty stomach
Posted 1/13/2013 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
I am a teacher and usually get up at 5am to leave for work around 6:40am. I really have to be careful with any probiotics I take as it can increase my colitis symptoms. Did you have any issues with the probiotic you're recommending?
Posted 1/13/2013 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
never...that's why I suggest you take them at bedtime.
If I took them during the day, I'd be sure to have some gas about 5 - 6 hours afterward.


I do have my bm in the morning. and yes, before a bm, I could have gas depending on what I've eaten the night before or if I've taken the Salofalk enemas.

Since you're on a schedule, when do you take your oral meds/vitamins? If you don't take meds before bedtime, consider to take them right before you go to bed.

I take Renew Life Ultra Flore Critical Care. On occasion, I'll double them if I'm starting to flare.
I have excess gas when I flare, but that's natural. I don't ever have gas during the day after my bm.

I would also suggest you consider the Reuteri ones I take. They fixed my cat up from her bowel issues...it was a hell session before that, but they were amazing in the change of stool consietency and smell.


q
Posted 1/13/2013 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Q- I try not to take anything before bed as I often urinate at night. (That's another issue right there I am dealing with.) I take 2 of the recommended 4 pills of Lialda in the morning as I cannot stomach anything more than 2. I take Humira 40 mg every other week. Otherwise, that's it. I am starting vit d today. I am on prednisone right now for a bad joint pain flare up due to my stomach.
Posted 1/13/2013 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
so take it sometime between supper and bedtime, and see how you do on it.

Of course, you know what's best for you.
q

Posted 1/13/2013 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Q. :)
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