Please Help! Embarrassing Question..

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-12-2003
Please Help! Embarrassing Question..
6
Tue, 09-02-2003 - 11:07am
I hate to ask questions that I am sure I already know the answers to, but I can't take much more. I have a yeast infection. Have taken Diflucan a few days ago. My doc prescribed 2 doses, so I took the second dose yesterday. How bad is it (or how much worse does it become) if I can't help but "scratch" the infected area? When I go to the restroom I wipe and then have to wipe several times because it starts itching so badly I cannot stand it. Then it will quit. Am I prolonging the healing process by doing this? Usually after one dose of Diflucan (by the 2nd day or so) my symptoms are all gone. This time they are hanging on. One day I have minimal symptoms, the next the discharge and itching are back full force. I want to know as much about this infection as possible (how can I prevent it from happening again, what aggravates it more, what is the quickest way to have relief from symptoms, how long does it usually take for it to go away)? Any help would be greatly appreciated it! Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
Tue, 09-02-2003 - 12:34pm
You've come to the right place! I battled recurrent yeast infections for about 8 months. Unfortunately, Diflucan didn't work for me. Diflucan works for certain strains of yeast, and not for others. I always used the creams that we all hate so much! But, they work!

There are 4 major causes for recurrent yeast infections:

1. HIV/AIDS

2. Diabetes

3. Prolonged use of antibiotics

4. Birth Control Pills (this one did it for me)

How often are you getting infections? More then 3 a year is considered a problem by most. I was getting them every month. My doctor wasn't much help either. My problem was hormonal and there wasn't much I could do until my body readjusted itself. I did stop taking the pill but it took many months for things to get back to normal.

Here are some things I did to try to help things along. Acidophilus supplements have helped many women here. It's the same stuff that's in yogurt. Try them. They may work for you. You can get them in any drug store or where ever they sell vitamins. Acidophilus did not work for me. I went to Garlic supplements and have had great success. Acidophilus helps by adding good bacteria. Garlic helps by reducing yeast. You can take both but don't take them at the same time. Take one in the morning and one at night since they tend to counteract each other. As all ways, check with your doctor. Espcially with garlic as it's a natural blood thinner and shouldn't be taken with certain medications.

Next, your diet is very important. Cut out as much sugar as you can. For me, alcohol was a big no-no. Any time I had more then one glass of wine, I would be itching like crazy the next day. I'm not a big drinker but sometimes a couple drinks is nice!

To help relieve the itching, you can purchase Vagisil or try taking sitz baths. Fill your tub up with warm water, just enough to cover your lower half. Put some baking soda in the water and sit for 10-15 mintues. You can do this once or twice a day. The baths helped me a lot!

I also recommend the book The Yeast Connection. It's very informative and has helped me with all of this!

Good luck to you! I understand your frustration. If you ever want to talk, feel free to post here or email me.

Kristin

 


 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-12-2003
Tue, 09-02-2003 - 2:06pm
Thank you so much. I had heard of the vitamins, but haven't tried them. I usually get yeast infections when put on antibiotics (which has happened approx. 3 or 4 times this year). Other than that, I seem to be more prone to get them since the first time I got one last year. I had never had one before, now I get them very easily. (even when I was on antibiotics-the same I get put on now-I never got them before.) Are you more prone to get them once you have had it once? It is just really annoying. I am going to try the vitamins though. Maybe that'll help.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
Tue, 09-02-2003 - 2:36pm
Antibiotics can really screw with your balance of bacteria. They kill all bacteria, good and bad. You may really benefit from Acidophilus.

I think I got my first yeast infection when I was 14. I would get maybe one a year. I really didn't have a problem until about a year ago. As far as being more suseptible now, you probably are. Especially with having taken antibiotics so often. Obviously, if you need to take them, do it. Just don't over do it!

Kristin

 


 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2003
Thu, 09-04-2003 - 9:37am
hi i hear taking acidopylgus is good for keeping women from getting infections and also cranberry pills,i too them and the cranberry pilld do help.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-12-2003
Thu, 09-04-2003 - 11:50am
Thank you. I went to the store this morning and bought some acidophilus pills and some yogurt. Hopefully this will help. Does anyone know where I can find some good info on acidophilus pills on the web so I will know that I am not doing anything that will harm me. Gotta cover my bases. Lately, with my health, I've gotten really skittish about what to take and what to stay away from. Thanks for your help!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
Thu, 09-04-2003 - 4:46pm
Here's a good place to start:

http://www.herbaladvisor.com/qlinks/xq/asp/char.Acidophilus/qx/supplements1.htm#go

You can also do a general search for acidophilus and acidophilus with yeast. That will help narrow it down a bit.

Good luck!

Kristin

 


 


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