Severe Yeast Infection!!!

R.,

I am so sorry you are suffering, I know how miserable it can be! I have seen alot of the posters mention probiotics, yes, yes, yes. What no one did mention is along with consuming it 3 times a day, you can insert one of the probiotic pearls into your vagina before bed. I second the Shaklee product. Also, you can douche with hydrogen peroxide/water (1 part hp to 5 part w), the peroxide helps balance your system and eliminates odor. I started having problems at the end of my periods after having an endometrial ablation. None of the prescribed medicines worked for me. The above remedy will help regardless of yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. I found this remedy and others at http://www.earthclinic.com/

I recommend getting the Bio-K probiotic (acidophilus) drinks in the cooler section with the vitamins and herbs at whole foods. get a few or a box. Drink the whole thing or at least 1/2 once a day or 1/2 - AM and 1/2 PM.
keep your area dry - like use hair dryer after showering. No fragranced dryer sheets when you wash your underpants.
switch out to clean underpants throughout the day.
no sugar.

Tea tree oil. It's pungent but effective. It's great for anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-yeast treatments. You can swab it over the entire area--a little goes a long way a couple times a day. It tingle a bit, but I always feel some instant relief. I've heard that you can actually put it all over a tampon and use it that way, but personally I haven't tried that. Also, cut WAY back on your sugar intake, avoid foods with yeast, especially breads, and eat yogurt everyday. Also, taking a pro-biotic to help restore the good bacteria that get wiped out by antibiotics will help your body fight off the yeast infection. Good luck. They aren't fun!

Hey R.,

First try a the 7 day OTC...I know its miserable to use 7 days of medicine, but I remember my doctor saying sometimes 3 isn't enough, even though its roughly the same milligrams, it needs to be spread out. I'd also try to use a different kind than you have tried. Some antifungals start with M, T, or C...(sorry I can't remember how to spell them all), one may work better for your infection than another.

I remember getting a horrible one like you a few years back, I used a OTC cream and the Doc called me in some Diflucan. It still didn't go away. The Doctor finally called me in a different cream because he said that I have a different fungus going on than the typical "candida" that most medicines including Diflucan are meant to treat, it was still a yeast infection, but a different kind? I know you don't have insurance but after trying everthing else you may need to have it checked....just in case it is a different kind of infection, yeast or otherwise.

Also, as everyone is saying, get some probiotics....not just yogurt but some potent supplements. This will help get that good bacteria going and help now and help prevent future yeast.

Are you taking acidophilus pills? They are over the counter but must be kept cold after opening. Take one to two pills at morning and evening.

If you call your OB and ask them to call in a prescription for it, they should be able to do it without having to see you! It may cost a little bit for the prescription, but it would definitely get rid of the infection!

Yello R.,

definitely get a probiotic. regular yogurts don't have enough. Go to wholefoods / sprouts and ask about a good probiotic. Also, avoid sugar. there are some herbs that help w/ yeast: echinacea, burdock, ginger, golden seal, kelp, passion flower, pau d arco, psyllium, slippery elm, ginkgo & suma. stick to a diet rich in vegetables, whole grains. Garlic has antifungal properties. Good luck! ~C.~

Are you sure it is a yeast infection? I went through the same thing a few years ago, and it was a different type of infection. It was easily treatable, but I had to go see a doctor and get a prescription. I hope you feel better soon!

Hi R.,
You may have systemic yeast (also called Candida). Get the book called "The Yeast Syndrome" by Trowbridge and Walker or "The Yeast Connection for Women" by Dr.Crook. Also, a high quality probiotic from a company like Jarrow or Metagenics is a good idea. Oregano Oil helps to kills systemic yeast but bad cases sometimes need prescription anti-fungals like Diflucan or Nystatin. Start with the books and cut back on sugars - as yeast feeds on sugar and then multiply. You can also look up Candida on the web and see if it sounds like what you are dealing with. Hope this helps you.

While you may not have insurance- some clinics will see you for a sliding scale fee. Also, if you've ever had a regular physician, PA, or nurse practicioner, they may be willing to just call in a script for you. (Planned parenthood of Dallas does well woman exams on a sliding scale). If you can afford any of the above, WalMart has Fluconazole tabs (the Diflucan generic) for $4 for one or $10 for 3. If those are still not possible, most Dr's still recommend a 7 day OTC treatment pack versus a 3 or one.

I am prone to the yeast beast, especially if I have been on an antibiotic.

One thing that has helpd me dramatically is drinking DanActive daily. Ever since I started DanActive, I have not had a yeast problem. it is a probiotic. I get it at Costco, pack of 24 runs around $12.

In the event that I need an antibiotic, I ALWAYS ask the Dr. right then and there for the pill for yeast infections....1 pill at the onset of an infection will get rid of it. It is Rx but I keep at least 1 extra pill on hand at home just in case.

Best wishes. I know it is no fun at all. A Dr. can call the Rx in for you. In the past, I have called my Dr. and just asked for it and they call it in. Diflucan or something like that is the Rx name.

TF

Hi R.
Although I don't have any advice for the Yeast Infection (though I know they can be really awful!) maybe you could try going to one of the nurse practitioners that are found in pharmacies. They can write you a scrip and the fee is really small. I saw a report on the news that there are some grocery stores with in-house nurse practitioners, and I know some CVS and Walgreens have them too.

Good Luck to you!!! Get Better soon!

My dr. has told me it's best to use the seven day treatment. Also, I know you mentioned you don't have insurance, but have seen your dr. recently? They would prob call in a rx of diflucan for you. I believe it's around $20 for the one pill with no ins. Good luck!

Acidopholis you can get at a health food store, or get yogurt with live cultures. Also stay away from sugar. yeast feeds on sugar. If you can take a bath with about a 1/2 a cup of white vinegar that will also help. I hope this helps.

my DR recommended a otc product called Replends (or something like that) it helps restore the PH balance... but the probiotics and acidolpholis should help also. go to your local health food store and ask them they may have some ideas that help!

sorry I've been there and it is no fun at all!

Absolutely, a probiotic!!! It's a good idea to have one every day. A prebiotic is not a bad idea either. You can get both or just try the probiotic.
Here is another option:http://www.shaklee.net/healinghappens/product/80638

Hi R.!
As much as I hate long treatments, as OTC treatments go, my doctor always tells me the 5 day treatments are best. You could also get an oral treatment - 1 or 2 pills, but that will require you to go to the doctor for a prescription. Eating yogurt should help, too.
Good luck!
-Christina

You got lots of advice, but I didn't see this in the answers. I used to get lots of yeast infections and a doctor finally told me "Bounce! Bounce! Too much bounce in your panties!" After I finished laughing, he explained that there is something in the dryer sheets that seems to "encourage" yeast infections. I stopped using dryer sheets of any type with my delicate clothes (in fact, I now dry them on a wooden rack....and they last much longer) and I have not had a yeast infection in the many years that I stopped using them. Could be coincidence, but who knows?

The probiotics are great for helping with this. Also - call the pharmacist and see what they recommend OTC beside what you are doing. They usually have some good recommendations.

I have used a homeopathic vaginal suppository called YeastGard with success. I've used the medications that are now available OTC as well, but they were prescription medications at the time.

Once both my husband and I were both treated since it can be transmitted between partners. When I alone was being treated, I was told that we should use a condom during intercourse to prevent infection of the other parent. Although a yeast infection can technically be an STD, it is one that occurs within a monogamous relationship.

I'd suggest going to the doctor at this point. It might not be what you think it is or it might be necessary to treat your partner if you are sexually active. You may be reinfecting each other.

I took my 8 month old granddaughter to the doctor today for a diaper rash that turned out to be yeast and thrush which is the same thing but in the mouth. Nystatin ointment for the diaper rash and liquid for her mouth.

My husband's treatment was the same ointment for his rash (which was visible because he is uncircumsized). Mine was an ointment for the external itching and suppositories as well.

Grape Seed Extract and a great probiotic along with tons of water has helped me in the past with Thrush. I got all my stuff at the local Market Street but I'm sure you can find it at any health food store.

If you already treated the yeast, and you were on antibiotics it is very likely you have upset the pH balance of the vagina and it could very well be bacterial vaginosis - this can occur whenever the balance is upset - through antibiotics, antifungals, stress, hormones, sex etc.

You really need to get it checked b/c the treatment for yeast can make the BV WORSE!

There is a test you can buy over the counter that tests the pH of the vagina and can tell you if it is likely to be BV.

I know some natural remedies for both yeast and BV - but if you have never been diagnosed you need to be.

Try vagacile for both you and baby. Also if you take
Acidophllus during especially taking meds. It balances out the system but I think it takes awhile. Good luck that is miserable and I only got it about twice. G. W

Eat yogurt with the good stuff in it like activia, and this may sound odd, but doushe with batidine solution; 2 teas. to 2 cups warm water every day. Then I use the 10 day monistat supositories and thsi usually does it. By the way, while using the monistat, do not doushe. Try the yogurt and douching first for a few days to see if it goes away, then resort to plan B or visa versa.

I would do 3 things and do them asap.
1. completely aviod sugar of any kind
2. take pro-biotics (acidopholis) and consume organic sugar free yogurt. This yogurt can also be placed directly on yoru skin to soothe immediate discomfort.
3. take odor free garlic gel caps orally and before bed time insert 1 vaginally like a suppository. you cna also use a raw garlic clove but this would have to be removed in the morning. The gel cap disolves with nothing to remove. please message me if you have any questions about this.
You should feel better in a day or two if you follow these steps.

I keep a good quality acidopholis in my 'fridge and take in large quanities when on a antibiotic. Doesn't have to be an expensive pro-biotics blend. Works every time. Prevention is the way to go. So keep this in mind for next time--as there will surely be one.
God Bless!

Hello!

Try eating yogurt, and wearing plain yogurt on a sanitary napkin.

Get some acidopholis at the grocery store. Most of them carry it now. I know for sure that Sprouts and Whole Foods carry it in several forms. This will help restore the good bacteria. I usually give it to my kids when they are on antibiotics; it helps their stomach issues.

Hi R.,
You've received great advice. If you can see a dr. or medical professional, do so!
If not, you might try reading about candida overgrowth on the web. There's lots of info available. Do avoid sugars - they feed the yeast. I find it helpful to take a probiotic daily. They are helpful on many levels. I also take a candida cleanse-type product. There are many brands - you can read reviews on sites like VitaSource or iHerb. It's also not a bad idea to take some additional fiber when trying to flush out yeast.
HTH,
~K.

Simply eat yogurt! Fix smoothies with yogurt! Yogurt can even be placed directly on your skin.....just keep the curtains closed! Also, each of the OTC meds have different ingredients so ask the pharmycist for one that has a different ingredient than the other you tried before. Good Luck!

I didn't read the past responses, but my Dr has told me you have to use the one week OTC treatments.

Good Luck!

Keep it clean!
Try taking acidophilus.
Drink Cran Grape by Minute Maid.
You could try to douche with white vinegar.
Don't have any sex, that would probably irritate you further.
I take lots of showers whenever I have an infection.
Stay away from any sugars.
Just keep it extra clean.
Good luck...

This sounds like it might be something other than a yeast infection, to me. If the antibiotics were a month ago, it may simply be a coincidence that you have an infection now. There are other things such as vaginitis that is an infection of the vagina that may have similar symptoms as a yeast infection but it's caused by another organism.
Also if you've had sex, using condoms, recently- you could be having an allergic reaction to those. That's what happened to me- and the symptoms of my "allergic reaction" were very similar to a yeast infection.

Hello, R.,
Anytime you take an antibiotic, as soon as you are done with the treatment, it is very important to take a good quality probiotic supplement for at least 30 days to restore your body's natural balance of beneficial intestinal flora.
Good luck! It does get better.