Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Postmenopause => Topic started by: Brownie on October 01, 2023, 09:33:09 AM
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Morning ladies
Just to ask if anyone can help please !!!
Unfortunately have the demon that is thrush 🙈
I had a oral tablet in the house + took that Wed night. Seen GP next day, who also said to use a canesten pessary. I was actually feeling better on Thu night + probably shouldn't have used it but did as I thought GP knows best 😔
What I wanted to ask was I feel worse but I've hardly had any of the chalky white stuff that usually comes out after using the pessary. As it's now Sunday I thought would have came out by now ? Has anyone else experienced this ?
I thought that if pessary residue was coming out that might bring a bit of relief ?
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Canasta pessaries made me burn, I had to sit for a few hours in a cool bath >:(
Sorry, not much help. Was the irritation etc. diagnosed formally as 'thrush'. Do U have vaginal atrophy symptoms?
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I wish I had a bath !!
I do have atrophy but been using estriol for a while + all ok I think 🤔
Am just annoyed I felt better after using fluconazole. I was just concerned as I thought I would have had some of the residue by now but no, unless it's taking its time to reappear !
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Doesn't lack of residue mean that it's been absorbed? Not too sure. I used one recently and had very little residue. It was a gel one.
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I'm not sure, when I've used the hard pessary previously got the chalky residue but hardly had any this time and just feel like something is stuck up there. I hadn't used any estriol past couple of nights as felt too sore but will use tonight + try + see GP tomorrow
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Doesn't lack of residue mean that it's been absorbed? Not too sure. I used one recently and had very little residue. It was a gel one.
Just read that gel one doesn't leave a chalky residue. Just feel that its up there but needs to come out🙈
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When I last used a canesten pessary about a month ago, I didn’t have any chalky residue either. Kept looking but none appeared. When I used the first pessary, I had a lot of chalky residue. Like suzysunday, I presumed the Pissarro had been absorbed. Now on 3 months (1 per week) Fluconazole tablets. Can’t seem to shift the thrush, think it’s embedded. Just awaiting the results of another swab taken to the doctors last Tuesday. Hope you get relief from your thrush very soon. Take care.
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It seems that there ' is a lot of it about' :-\
Have U all had Covid boosters ? Something must be triggering these symptoms.
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I sent in another swab last week and waiting for results. Might be atrophy flare up again or anxiety, they all have the same symptoms but thought I get a test in straight away this time and not leave it until it's really bad. Been struggling with my anxiety again so won't be surprised, it's my main cause for flare ups then thrush, then more anxiety, it's a vicious circle.
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Oh Deirdre this thrush is a real nuisance isn’t it. My results came back this morning as still heavy yeast, so fluconazole not yet working. Speaking to a doctor this evening between 6.00pm and 8.00pm. Think it is now time to go to the local GUM clinic to get the strain of yeast verified. The hospital didn’t do it again. Think that should be the first thing they do when culturing the swab test. Anyway, hope you get relief very soon. Take care.
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Do ask if Covid has had an impact on the increase in thrush? It's affected hormones after all :-\
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Just had my call from the doctor, positive for thrush again! She's sent a prescription for a fluconazole tablet to the chemist for me. Sent the swab Friday so it's back really quick this time.
Ive had no symptoms today and feel fine so might not take it and see.
Can thrush sometimes go away on it's own?
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Do ask if Covid has had an impact on the increase in thrush? It's affected hormones after all :-\
I've not had covid since Christmas Dec 2021.
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Oh Dierdre, sorry you have thrush again. I took a swab in last Tuesday and I still have heavy thrush. Doctor I spoke to last evening thinks it a good idea to go to the local GUM clinic to get the strain identified. Phew! So pleased she agreed to that. Anyway have got an appointment next Monday. Something else to look forward too. Some days my thrush ache isn’t there and then it’s back the next day. Strange! I could be resistant to Fluconazole. I’ll have to wait and see. I also have my Covid and flu injections this week. Let’s hope we all get some respite very soon. Like CLKD says there does seem to be a lot of ladies with thrush at present. Take care and I hope today is a better one for you.
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Dierdre - did U have boosters ?
Midnight S - let us know how you get on.
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Yes CLKD, last booster was Jan 2022, 4 weeks after Covid. I've not had any since and won't be having anymore.
My first bout of thrush was April this year so doubt there's a connection, but who knows. I always get thrush and atrophy flare ups after being extremely anxious, I'm sure thats my link, it does it every time.
However, what could be causing the recurring infections with some is the new use of estrogen with only one applicator, if this isn't thoroughly sterilised. Soapy water doesn't kill thrush or we would be able to wash it from our bodies.
Hope you're ok soon too Midnight Shadow.
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I am blaming high humidity on all my aches and pains, the figures have been so high this Summer and now the same into Autumn. It's a breeding ground that will easily bring on thrush for ladies that are prone to it, just a thought!
Also is it not easy to use a finger to insert a pessary instead of using the one applicator, I've not had to do it yet but was wondering if its viable?
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You're right the hot weather doesn't help, we all need to go commando! ;D
It's easy using the finger, just wet the tip and the tablet sticks to it so don't drop off, insert as high as you like and job done.
I've used the generic Estradiol ones before and it worked fine.
Had my first box of vagirux last week and it caused my anxiety to go off scale as I'd read on here some didn't get on with them, hence the flare up and thrush. I only used them twice but blamed them. I'm still using vagifem I had left but will try them again when I've convinced myself they are the same and will work.
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Health anxiety can cause all sorts of 'what ifs' >:(.
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So my update regards my recurring thrush. When I went to see GP just under 2 weeks ago gave me the pessary to use that night but gave me pessary for following week if required. Felt better few days later after using it so went my short break but had to come back early as feeling crap + thrush back yet again !!!! I used the soft gel pessary on Sun night + felt a bit better yesterday but today the discharge is back + feel crap again. I know the pessary can take a few days to work but this thrush is really getting me down. I don't understand why it's not going away + I feel now I've used the treatment quite a lot that I'm getting resistant to it. You ladies will probably know but apart from fluconazole and pessary are there any other alternatives (apart from a gun to shoot myself )
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I've just took another fluconazole tablet today as I've still got symptoms a week after taking one. I can't take the pessary as they don't dissolve with my atrophy. It does seem like this treatment is not working anymore for an awful lot of us, I've had 6 lots now since May. If this one don't work I'll ask if there's a stronger treatment or long term.
Midnight Shadow was being tested for a specific strain of thrush, maybe that's the answer.
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I highly recommend taking 3 flucozanale tablets with 72 hours between each alongside this ibuprofen every 6 hours then if it still there take another course of 3. This shifted my stubborn thrush. I feel for you it is so depressing. There is research that says the ibuprofen can really help and I felt it did in my case.
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I have taken so much treatment now. I tried the pessary as I had lots of the fluconazole but it's still came back using the pessary too. As I said I don't think there is an alternative?
Maybe long term might be the answer + I should have taken another one last week B4 I had the symptoms to try + knock it on the head. I don't know about the rest of you but I feel it's just so debilitating+ I end up going to my bed with a hot water bottle. I'm so sick of it + just want it to go away grrrrrrrr
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I'm waiting for a GP consultation today as I need to get this sorted, the 2nd tablet has kicked in and feeling less irritated. Will take ibuprofen aswell as I've also read it works well with the fluconazole to clear candida.
I've stopped using my YES WB as not sure if there's a link, I get stressed and VA flares up then I use the YES to help with the VA, then thrush. Could it be the lube?
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Sorry so many of us are all suffering thrush. I went to the gum clinic on Monday, saw a lovely nurse who couldn’t understand why my Doctor hadn’t requested the strain. I said “she did” but apparently they just say thrush or not. Anyway, she took two swabs and I will hopefully get the results in about a fortnight. The nurse did agree the strain of thrush maybe resistant to Fluconazole. Why don’t they identify the strain right from the first swab? We wouldn’t then be taking unnecessary medication. I still have 7 fluconazole to take (one a week for 3 months). Thankfully, I don’t have any itching or clumpy white discharge just the ache/ pain. Results always heavy yeast growth. We’ll see what the strain comes back as and I’ll keep you posted. Hopefully we can all get some respite from this wretched thrush. Take care everyone.
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I am just back from seeing my GP. She said might be worthwhile giving me meds for longer period of time but as I seen urogyn wanted to know his advices before doing this. Meantime she has given me more fluconazole/pessary if symptoms return.
I don't have any itchiness but am getting discharge/pain + I really feel it's affected my life greatly+ I just 🙏 it comes to an end soon for all of us.🤞
I also asked GP is there alternative meds but she said no.
Ps have any of you tried sitz bath with bicarbonate of soda ?
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Just been prescribed another fluconazole tablet from a relief doctor at our surgery. He said fluconazole only works 80% or 1 in 5 on the first dose so it's normal to take another one straight away if you're one of the unlucky ones. I've had a gap now because my doctor refused my repeat as he wanted to review but actually wasn't in today, so left me with nothing! Using external cream too. 🤞 this time as I'm on holiday next week for 2 weeks in Lanzarote and really don't want this there.
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So basically you have to take 2 at the one time ?
I hope it goes B4 your hols, let us know how you get on 🙏
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🤞 this time as I'm on holiday next week for 2 weeks in Lanzarote and really don't want this there.
There was a member who posted a few weeks/months back who had bought fluconazole cheaply OTC & in multiples in Spain & had worked out her own regime on it that had worked eventually.
I will try to find posts later got to go out in a mo but you may remember.
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More time now & can see now LDP has replied to you but have bumped the thread anyway.
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So basically you have to take 2 at the one time ?
I hope it goes B4 your hols, let us know how you get on 🙏
Not 2 at the same time, take one then if no better after 7 days take another.
I've got 11 days to go so hopefully it will be gone by then.
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I highly recommend taking 3 flucozanale tablets with 72 hours between each alongside this ibuprofen every 6 hours then if it still there take another course of 3. This shifted my stubborn thrush. I feel for you it is so depressing. There is research that says the ibuprofen can really help and I felt it did in my case.
I've read that ibuprofen helps as it's antimicrobial but on the fluconazole leaflet it's listed as one of the medications not to take with fluconazole and there's alot.
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🤞 this time as I'm on holiday next week for 2 weeks in Lanzarote and really don't want this there.
There was a member who posted a few weeks/months back who had bought fluconazole cheaply OTC & in multiples in Spain & had worked out her own regime on it that had worked eventually.
I will try to find posts later got to go out in a mo but you may remember.
I do struggle to get it OTC here, they won't give it to over 60"s if you've bought one before recenly so have had to go through the doctor the last 4 months.
I hate taking any medication, especially fluconazole as it gives me awful stomach cramps.
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Hi yes that was me - if you search on my posts.
Basically I took a flucozanle tablet every 72 hours combined with ibuprofen. Here’s an interesting article https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10966233/ explaining how effective ibuprofen can be.
I think a few of experience thrush getting better then “coming back” I have read that the anti fungal properties only work on vaginal secretions for 72 hours which is why we experience a resurgence so keeping the anti fungal medicine in your body consistently is important and taking medication exactly 72 hours later and not leaving it otherwise back to square one.
I managed to buy good supply of flucozanle in Spain but I believe you can buy it online in UK If not, given how much pain I was in, I would have visited multiple pharmacies and buy what I could in each. I would say I was 58 and stare them out… the 60 rule is there so that other conditions are not mistaken but when you know it’s thrush it is IRRELEVANT.
I think the NHS moves too slowly on these things and it is worth a try. I did research the risks attached with taking flucozanle but decided in my case there wasn’t really any downside.
When I have a thrush episode the only way I get through it is to be proactive and take steps myself otherwise I just find it so hard to cope as it’s debilitating and depressing.
I hope all of you suffering find your way of coping and get some relief soon.
PS just adding an excerpt from the research “
“The combination of ibuprofen with fluconazole resulted in synergic activity with eight of the 12 Candida strains studied, including four of the five fluconazole-resistant strains”
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On day 3 of my second dose of fluconazole so going to add ibuprofen into the mix. Feeling better today so hopefully I took the 2nd dose in time before it got a hold again. I've got another if needed.
I read more about the interaction with ibuprofen and fluconazole. I think that ibuprofen may be on the list of meds not to take with fluconazole because something to do with fluconazole increasing ibuprofens half life and it could cause more of ibuprofens adverse side effects. It mentioned lowering the dosage of ibuprofen. Can't find the link again but does that make sense?
Interesting link LDP, does that mean ibuprofen is killing strains that fluconazole is unable to and could be used on its own?
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Yes Dierdre that is my interpretation of the research
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Hi yes that was me - if you search on my posts.
Basically I took a flucozanle tablet every 72 hours combined with ibuprofen. Here’s an interesting article https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10966233/ explaining how effective ibuprofen can be.
I think a few of experience thrush getting better then “coming back” I have read that the anti fungal properties only work on vaginal secretions for 72 hours which is why we experience a resurgence so keeping the anti fungal medicine in your body consistently is important and taking medication exactly 72 hours later and not leaving it otherwise back to square one.
I managed to buy good supply of flucozanle in Spain but I believe you can buy it online in UK If not, given how much pain I was in, I would have visited multiple pharmacies and buy what I could in each. I would say I was 58 and stare them out… the 60 rule is there so that other conditions are not mistaken but when you know it’s thrush it is IRRELEVANT.
I think the NHS moves too slowly on these things and it is worth a try. I did research the risks attached with taking flucozanle but decided in my case there wasn’t really any downside.
When I have a thrush episode the only way I get through it is to be proactive and take steps myself otherwise I just find it so hard to cope as it’s debilitating and depressing.
I hope all of you suffering find your way of coping and get some relief soon.
PS just adding an excerpt from the research “
“The combination of ibuprofen with fluconazole resulted in synergic activity with eight of the 12 Candida strains studied, including four of the five fluconazole-resistant strains”
LDP - can I ask how many 'rounds' of the 3 tablets every 3 days did you take before it was gone ?
I have lost count of the amount I have taken, GP considering give me meds for longer period of time but at the moment I used pessary on Sun, but had to use fluconazole last night as symptoms back. I have also previously had a week's worth of 50mg x 7 but it just on keeps coming back.
I just don't know if I'm becoming resistant to it now as used so much or if multiple doses like you say are the answer?
Again I feel GP not wanting to prescribe more than required but I'm fed up spending my life in bed as feel too sore to do anything. I want my life back 😭
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So sorry to hear this…I know how frustrating this is.
I took 3 lots of 3 with ibuprofen throughout. I’d previously had a couple of single flucozanle doses then 7 days of pessaries which did improve things for the time I used them but as soon as I stopped symptoms came back so took a single flucozanle that improved things but then back again so then began the every 72 hour regime.
I also started taking cranberry tablets at same time - I know there are mixed views in this but I did read some research that it potentially may help.
To also mention I was eating a lot of natural yoghurt and kafir but this did not seem to have any effect for me.
Drink loads of water and keep everything very dry - in the early days I was probably using too much cream for relief creating environment for thrush to thrive. I hope you get relief soon.
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Can I ask another question LDP if that's ok ?
Have you had time do that regime (3 x3 ) on several occasions or did it go with the initial 3 X 3 (hope that makes sense ) 🙈
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Just the one 3 x 3 and fingers crossed it has not come back in last 4 months 🤞
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Just took another fluconazole after 72 hours so hoping this works for me too and it don't come back. I was still getting crampy side effects from the previous tablet 3 days ago so ready for more cramps again.
What dosage of ibuprofen did you take please?
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hi 400 mg of ibuprofen 3 times a day. I hope this works for you and you get some relief. Keep us posted.
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Will do, thanks.
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