Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Emzib0b on May 03, 2024, 04:21:34 PM
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Hello Ladies,
I haven’t posted for a while. I’ve just been prescribed a six month course of Fluconazole tablets as I’ve got thrush for the third time in six months (the first and third were confirmed following a swab, the second I self-treated with OTC Canestan).
I’m 42 (peri since 38) and had never had thrush before until December last year. I’ve been on HRT for two years and haven’t changed anything in my lifestyle so could it be hormonal ups and downs? I’m also having a blood test next week to check for diabetes.
Has anyone else had to do the six month Fluconazole protocol? Did you have any more episodes of thrush after stopping the treatment?
Thanks x
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How is your diet overall? Candida thrives on sugars. How is the acidity in your vagina as this may impact on 'thrush'.
Canestan - pessaries made me burn++ and I had to sit in a cooling bath for hours. Never again.
There have been a few members with similar threads on the Forum. I suffered when I stopped taking The Pill as well as when I had emergency surgery and was starved for several days!
Have U tried LIVE yoghurt: eaten and applied? It worked for me during those times stated above but do keep the pots separate ;-). I also gave table spoons to my dog when she had heartburn. Licked off the spoon it did the trick.
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How is your diet overall? Candida thrives on sugars. How is the acidity in your vagina as this may impact on 'thrush'.
Canestan - pessaries made me burn++ and I had to sit in a cooling bath for hours. Never again.
There have been a few members with similar threads on the Forum. I suffered when I stopped taking The Pill as well as when I had emergency surgery and was starved for several days!
Have U tried LIVE yoghurt: eaten and applied? It worked for me during those times stated above but do keep the pots separate ;-). I also gave table spoons to my dog when she had heartburn. Licked off the spoon it did the trick.
:thankyou: for all the suggestions CLKD :) I’ll have a look for the other threads.
I’ve not thought to check the pH, but come to think of it, this kicked off a couple of days after my period started, and the itching/burning has calmed down quite a lot since my period ended.
Diet is pretty good for the most part. Whole foods, minimally processed. I try to avoid sugar as much as I can but my downfall is the occasions where I comfort eat (cake, desserts, etc) when my mood plummets - it’s usually brought on by hormones but can be related to other things. This can happen between 1 - 3 x a week, but then I can have good spells and not touch sugar for a couple of weeks!
I try to eat a portion of live yoghurt and Sauerkraut (not together! ;)) each day and started taking Optibac Probiotics for Women in the hope they might help!
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Have you been tested for diabetes as that can cause it? I had recurring thrush some years ago, always just before a period. Can't remember the treatment now but think it was 3 Treatments with fluconazole a fortnight apart. It got rid of it. It had to be oral. There's a thread on a strain that's resistant to fluconazole just in case yours is. If you're buying it yourself generic fluconazole is much cheaper than canaston.
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If this is cyclical it's probably hormone related. 2 days after my bleed stopped I would itch high up with a brown show. Never at any other time. I know when it's thrush!
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Have you been tested for diabetes as that can cause it? I had recurring thrush some years ago, always just before a period. Can't remember the treatment now but think it was 3 Treatments with fluconazole a fortnight apart. It got rid of it. It had to be oral. There's a thread on a strain that's resistant to fluconazole just in case yours is. If you're buying it yourself generic fluconazole is much cheaper than canaston.
Hi Sheila, I’m booked in for bloods on Tuesday to check for diabetes. Both grandparents on my Mum’s side had it in their later years and my Mum was pre-diabetic for a while but fixed it with some lifestyle tweaks. I’ve been prescribed Fluconazole to take every three days for the first week, then every week for six months! I’d much rather do the regime you did!
:thankyou:
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If this is cyclical it's probably hormone related. 2 days after my bleed stopped I would itch high up with a brown show. Never at any other time. I know when it's thrush!
My cycles have been really irregular for the last two years with some long gaps, then oddly have been much more regular since December, which is when I had the first bout of thrush.
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Hi Ladies, thought I’d give an update.
HbA1c was normal.
Symptoms cleared up toward the end of the week of 72 hourly Fluconazole. A week later (last Sunday), on the day I was due to take my first weekly maintenance tablet, I noticed I was a little sore and itchy again, and this had got worse, despite taking the medication. I’m back at the GPs next week for another swab. I’ve asked the surgery on three separate occasions if I’m meant to continue taking the weekly Fluconazole and I can’t get a straight answer!
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It may well be vaginal atrophy! Get some appropriate treatment on Tuesday: U don't need an exam or appt., a call to your GP Surgery should be enough: to use for at least 3 weeks to see if symptoms ease. I had intense itching at the end of each period so high that I was unable to reach to scratch >:( :D
If the Surgery are stubborn then go to 'boots' and buy some Gina ......... U may have to tell them that you are over 50 ;-). I believe that 1 can buy 'vagifem' on line, some1 hopefully will be along to advise.
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It may well be vaginal atrophy! Get some appropriate treatment on Tuesday: U don't need an exam or appt., a call to your GP Surgery should be enough: to use for at least 3 weeks to see if symptoms ease. I had intense itching at the end of each period so high that I was unable to reach to scratch >:( :D
If the Surgery are stubborn then go to 'boots' and buy some Gina ......... U may have to tell them that you are over 50 ;-). I believe that 1 can buy 'vagifem' on line, some1 hopefully will be along to advise.
Hi CLKD, I was using vaginal oestrogen tablets (generic version of Vagifem) for about seven months prior to the first bout of thrush (prescribed for urinary frequency/overactive bladder but had no dryness/signs of VA). I paused the vaginal oestrogen while treating the thrush at the end of December and had a break for a few weeks. Restarted at the end of Jan and had thrush again three days later, so there were concerns there could be a link. The nurse practitioner who examined me a couple of weeks ago after bout number 3 said everything looks healthy there. Without being too graphic everything feels lubricated both inside and at the entrance, but I do have to apply a vaginal moisturiser to the outer areas after showering otherwise they feel irritated (I still had to do this even while using vaginal oestrogen). The entrance never feels dry though, and I’ve felt fine between each episode of thrush. I won’t discount the possibility though, and I really appreciate your advice!
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Let us know how you get on. Any idea what is causing the thrush, which thrives on sugars. There are always reasons for these issues but GPs/Nurses often continue with treatments rather than referring 'on' for appropriate advice.
Has a change in diet been suggested? Also LIVE yoghurt eaten and applied eases any symptoms that I used to intermittently suffer with, fortunately not for several years since the VA is under control.
Takes up far too much headspace these issues ::)
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Have you tried an oestrogen cream to smear on the outside as well as using the pessary? For some women including myself, Vagifem doesn't touch the outside area, I use a smear of Estriol cream twice day.
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The national guidelines for the treatment of thrush (vulvo-vaginal candidiasis) can be found here https://www.bashh.org/resources/22/vulvovaginal_candidiasis_2019
Getting the thrush treated AND getting extra oestrogen into the vagina at the same time might be the way to go. The oestrogen helps reduce symptoms of VA and also helps protect from fungal infection. You may not need to continue with the thrush treatment for the whole 6 months if the symptoms start to reduce or resolve altogether. Check whether the fluconazole (for treating thrush) could interact with any other medicines you are prescribed.
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Let us know how you get on. Any idea what is causing the thrush, which thrives on sugars. There are always reasons for these issues but GPs/Nurses often continue with treatments rather than referring 'on' for appropriate advice.
Has a change in diet been suggested? Also LIVE yoghurt eaten and applied eases any symptoms that I used to intermittently suffer with, fortunately not for several years since the VA is under control.
Takes up far too much headspace these issues ::)
I’ve been racking my brain trying to think of anything that’s changed in the last 5-6 months and the only thing I can think of is hormones. I mentioned in my earlier post I do have something sugary 1 - 3 x a week when I’m low (sometimes less often) but I’ve had that habit for years and it’s better than it used to be.
Which brand of live yoghurt did you use? I’ve been eating Yeo for the last year or so. It’s the only one I’ve found in Asda that has live cultures.
The NP asked if I’d recently taken antibiotics (nope) could I be diabetic (just ruled out) and if I could be going through the menopause. I’ve also got an appt with a GP in three weeks time to discuss.
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Have you tried an oestrogen cream to smear on the outside as well as using the pessary? For some women including myself, Vagifem doesn't touch the outside area, I use a smear of Estriol cream twice day.
Thanks, Ayesha. I’ve not tried the cream but I think I’m going to ask if I can switch or try both if I resume treatment. It seems to make more sense. I hope I don’t have to jump through too many hoops this time!
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Hi Ladies, thought I’d give an update.
HbA1c was normal.
Symptoms cleared up toward the end of the week of 72 hourly Fluconazole. A week later (last Sunday), on the day I was due to take my first weekly maintenance tablet, I noticed I was a little sore and itchy again, and this had got worse, despite taking the medication. I’m back at the GPs next week for another swab. I’ve asked the surgery on three separate occasions if I’m meant to continue taking the weekly Fluconazole and I can’t get a straight answer!
What was your HbA1c? - the reason I ask is sometimes patients borderline/pre diabetes can still get diabetic related problems which get better/disappear when 1 reduces sugars/carbs intake. This is something I speak about from personal experience. Another medical issue GP's have no clue about ...
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I buy GREEK LIVE yoghurt. Eaten from a spoon when I fancy it ;-). Also applied into the vagina in the years prior to being diagnosed with VA, the idea being to cleanse the digestive system from top to bottom.
The GREEK has 'live' in red on the carton. No additives. I also eat Waitrose 'live' with hazelnuts in YUM ;-)
It worked after in the 1990s I had emergency surgery = intense thrush [appendicetomy]. ::). My Aunt had brain surgery in the 1980s and used it following surgery, as her digestive system was wrecked. She had trigenimal neuralgia and underwent 2 lots of surgery to get rid of the intense, shooting pains; 15 years apart.
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The national guidelines for the treatment of thrush (vulvo-vaginal candidiasis) can be found here https://www.bashh.org/resources/22/vulvovaginal_candidiasis_2019
Getting the thrush treated AND getting extra oestrogen into the vagina at the same time might be the way to go. The oestrogen helps reduce symptoms of VA and also helps protect from fungal infection. You may not need to continue with the thrush treatment for the whole 6 months if the symptoms start to reduce or resolve altogether. Check whether the fluconazole (for treating thrush) could interact with any other medicines you are prescribed.
NightNurse, thank you so much! I’m about halfway through the guidelines and it’s given me quite a few points to discuss at my next appointment. I was surprised to learn that ‘azole antifungals are less effective in an acidic environment.
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What was your HbA1c? - the reason I ask is sometimes patients borderline/pre diabetes can still get diabetic related problems which get better/disappear when 1 reduces sugars/carbs intake. This is something I speak about from personal experience. Another medical issue GP's have no clue about ...
Hi fiftyplus,
My HbA1c was 36. Looking at previous test results I’ve had similar numbers for the last 10+ years. Do you think this is ok?
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What was your HbA1c? - the reason I ask is sometimes patients borderline/pre diabetes can still get diabetic related problems which get better/disappear when 1 reduces sugars/carbs intake. This is something I speak about from personal experience. Another medical issue GP's have no clue about ...
Hi fiftyplus,
My HbA1c was 36. Looking at previous test results I’ve had similar numbers for the last 10+ years. Do you think this is ok?
yes, 36 is absolutely fine - what mine is as well actually. I had thought if it was maybe 47 say which is borderline diabetic then that could be the problem but no your 36 is all good but as others have said high sugars are known to cause thrush but this is not the case for you but what on earth could it be - how debilitating for you - I have had thrush once and it was awful - sending virtual hugs your way - I hope you get this sorted out soon - take good care of yourself xx
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I buy GREEK LIVE yoghurt. Eaten from a spoon when I fancy it ;-). Also applied into the vagina in the years prior to being diagnosed with VA, the idea being to cleanse the digestive system from top to bottom.
The GREEK has 'live' in red on the carton. No additives. I also eat Waitrose 'live' with hazelnuts in YUM ;-)
It worked after in the 1990s I had emergency surgery = intense thrush [appendicetomy]. ::). My Aunt had brain surgery in the 1980s and used it following surgery, as her digestive system was wrecked. She had trigenimal neuralgia and underwent 2 lots of surgery to get rid of the intense, shooting pains; 15 years apart.
I love the Yeo full fat Greek yoghurt, I could eat loads of it! Asda keep putting the price up every few weeks and it’s getting ridiculously expensive. They sell Lancashire Farm but only the fat free version, but it’s half the price of Yeo…
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yes, 36 is absolutely fine - what mine is as well actually. I had thought if it was maybe 47 say which is borderline diabetic then that could be the problem but no your 36 is all good but as others have said high sugars are known to cause thrush but this is not the case for you but what on earth could it be - how debilitating for you - I have had thrush once and it was awful - sending virtual hugs your way - I hope you get this sorted out soon - take good care of yourself xx
That’s really good to know! I’d love to know what’s thrown my body out of balance in the last six months, this meno journey is full of surprises and huge learning curves! Virtual hugs were gratefully accepted :thankyou:
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I don't go for fat free - what ever that means ::)
It's the LIVE cultures one requires. Actimel etc. can boost too.
I've bumped my other thread about candida
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How is the acidity in your vagina as this may impact on 'thrush'.
I bought a pack of Litmus paper…apparently my pH is 6…that seems a bit high?
Still waiting for the swab results. The Nurse Practitioner prescribed three Clotrimazole pessaries but I’m waiting to see what the results are first.
Symptoms were starting to settle down by the time I had the swab. I’m not there yet, but a lot better than last week.
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That's good. Is there no advice on the litmus test packet?
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No info on the packet, just the pH each colour represents.
My period finished a couple of days ago, so blood probably isn’t the culprit, but I may check again in a few days to be sure.
I found a couple of papers that point to either bacterial infection or low oestrogen as a cause of raised pH:
“Measurement of vaginal pH is useful, effective, and inexpensive for screening purposes. A vaginal pH of 4.5 is consistent with a premenopausal serum estradiol level and the absence of bacterial pathogens. An elevated vaginal pH in the 5.0 to 6.5 range suggests a diagnosis of either bacterial pathogens or decreased serum estradiol. In patients with an elevated pH, vaginal culture should establish the diagnosis. In the absence of bacterial pathogens, a vaginal pH of 6.0 to 7.5 is strongly suggestive of menopause. Titration of estradiol level by vaginal pH during estrogen replacement therapy may help menopausal women avoid side effects or cessation of therapy.“
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9215184/#:~:text=An%20elevated%20vaginal%20pH%20in,is%20strongly%20suggestive%20of%20menopause.
One of the NPs I saw earlier this year said it can be common to flip between thrush and BV, so I hope the lab have checked for that, too! If it’s not thrush/BV, I think I will need to do as you and a few other ladies suggested and resume the vaginal oestrogen.
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I wonder where she gets that idea from?
BV is I believe characteristic with a fishy smelling curdy discharge? If a request isn't made, it's unlikely that a Lab will check .
If this regime fails to get the condition under control, mayB visit a GUM Clinic for advice. Also get started with the appropriate vaginal atrophy treatment ASAP, what's to lose :-\
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I’ve heard many strange things at my GP surgery… ;D
I don’t do things normally ::) - I’ve had BV twice in my life with no signs/symptoms.
Oh well, let’s see what next week brings!
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How did U know that you had BV if you didn't have symptoms :-\ which are usually a fishy smelly discharge.
When I don't get the gist of what my GP might mean I return a week later : "I must have been dreaming last time but I didn't take in everything that you were trying to explain". ::)
We are the same age so there's no conflict, simply lots of discussion ::) and I never get the feeling "Oh it's HER again" ;D
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First time was in my early twenties. I was getting recurrent UTIs and had also found out my ex boyfriend was a serial cheater so I went to the GUM clinic for a sexual health screening. Thankfully no STIs but BV was identified.
The second time was identified after having a routine smear test. The nurse was concerned that she could see blood on my cervix. I had just finished a period but she took a swab to be on the safe side.
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So real reasons .......... U had ditched 'him' by then ! ::)
How R U feeling today?
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I eventually had a cystoscopy. I was told I had an abnormally narrow urethra that had to be dilated to even get the camera in! I don’t think Mr Scumbag ex’s behaviour helped matters as I had no more than the occasional UTI before being involved with him.
The soreness felt worse again last night. No itching this time. It’s not really bothering me today, though.
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What did U use to ease the soreness? The moment my flower ;-) aggravates, up with the treatment 8)
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What did U use to ease the soreness? The moment my flower ;-) aggravates, up with the treatment 8)
I was so exhausted on that night that I just fell asleep straight away. I used some YES VM. I resort to Vagisil (the one with the local anaesthetic) when the itching/soreness stops me sleeping.
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I’ve had a text from the surgery. The swab has confirmed I still have thrush but it is sensitive to Fluconazole, so I’m to continue on with the meds.
:sigh:
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What other treatment is there, something is 'out' with the digestive tract if thrush is recurrent :-\
U must be so tired!
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The results speak for themselves, don’t they? If it’s sensitive to Fluconazole, why is it still there? We know what happens in the lab doesn’t necessarily translate to the body, so what’s going on in my body to stop it working, I wonder? Am I not absorbing the Fluconazole properly? Am I taking a supplement or medication that’s interfering? Does my HRT need adjusting? Is my vaginal environment stopping it working properly?
I hope the GP I’m booked in to see at the end of next week has some ideas!
Tired and fed up (and a bit frustrated)!
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I bet you R! :bighug: take those queries to your n ext appt..
Is the thrush worse, in that the swab shows less reaction than previous samples?
LIVE yoghurt eaten and applied ;-).
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I bet you R! :bighug: take those queries to your n ext appt..
Is the thrush worse, in that the swab shows less reaction than previous samples?
LIVE yoghurt eaten and applied ;-).
:thankyou:
I couldn’t get any more info from the receptionist when I phoned for more details about the swab results. Fingers crossed the GP can tell me more on Friday.
I have good news! I used one of the Clotrimazole pessaries last week (while continuing with weekly tablets) and touch wood, I’m feeling a lot better! I really hope it lasts!
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let us know how you get on. R U taking a list to discuss?
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let us know how you get on. R U taking a list to discuss?
I had almost a side of A4 full of questions! :o
I had my appointment today. The GP is contacting Gynae for further advice. She’s told me to hold off the vaginal oestrogen until she’s had a reply, but has agreed to switch me over to Estriol cream so I can apply externally as well. She’s prescribed some more Clotrimazole pessaries to use as and when needed.
She confirmed that there was no BV present on the swab, just thrush. I mentioned my raised pH and the papers I’d found and after she’d googled it she agreed!
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:thankyou:
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Hi I am also on the 6 month floconazole oral treatment. I have thrush confirmed by a swab. I got thrush after taking a heart drug. I stopped the drug 4 months ago but have had constant thrush since. I also have vaginal atrophy which the gp has given me estriol for. What I don’t understand is if I do the two weeks loading dose how will the thrush tablet work.
Before I started this journey I had never had anything like this. It’s so hard. It’s literally all I think about. so sad and sore.
Any advice I would be so grateful for. I’ve done all the things I’ve read. Probiotics, apple cider vinegar, have all the yes products, no sex just at a loss x
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The two treatments I assume will work well together as one is oral and the other isn't. The most important thing is you start the GSM(VA) treatment as it takes a while to take effect. If after the two weeks you are still not feeling any better, do another loading dose. Its perfectly safe to do this but hopefully you will start to feel better soon and know treatment is for life.
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Crochet: :welcomemm: Do begin the VA treatment ASAP for at least every night for 3 weeks. U may like to add 'yes' product to the vulval area . When my digestive tract is upset I eat "LIVE" Yoghurt to cleanse the gut from top to bottom. Let the tablet for thrush do its work first so that the body isn't getting too much too soon.
Is the thrush itchy?
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No the thrush isn’t itchy or any discharge. Was just worrying if I used the loading dose would the fluconazole be able to work cos everywhere would be coated in cream so nothing for it to adhere to. Don’t you tie yourself in knots.
I have the yes moisturizer but that also burns.
Thankyou so much for replying x
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No the thrush isn’t itchy or any discharge. Was just worrying if I used the loading dose would the fluconazole be able to work cos everywhere would be coated in cream so nothing for it to adhere to. Don’t you tie yourself in knots.
I have the yes moisturizer but that also burns.
Thankyou so much for replying x
Maybe think of it as attacking things from two different directions. The oral tablet coming in systemically and the estriol cream acting transdermally.
You may find that the Yes moisturiser stops burning after the estriol begins to work or you may need to try a different moisturiser. Yes do samples of their different products.
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Hi Thankyou for replying. My thrush swab came back clear and I have 4 months left of fluconazole. I’m sure that is what is making me sore. Going to ask gp if swab clear if I need to carry on taking it.
Which litmus papers should I buy. And can I ask if your vagina ph is out of balance what do you put in there to bring it back in line.
Many thanks x
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Not sure why you need litmus paper unless I've missed something.
To get the vagina back on track is to use the oestrogen, your best weapon.
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Hi all I am having trouble with recurring thrush just wondering is there a link with vaginal atrophy
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You may find this of interest Ann C
https://www.webmd.com/menopause/menopause-vaginal-yeast-infections
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Hi Thankyou for replying. My thrush swab came back clear and I have 4 months left of fluconazole. I’m sure that is what is making me sore. Going to ask gp if swab clear if I need to carry on taking it.
Which litmus papers should I buy. And can I ask if your vagina ph is out of balance what do you put in there to bring it back in line.
Many thanks x
Hi Crochet,
That’s great news that your swab has come back clear. If you’re still sore it could be that the inflammation caused by the thrush needs time to settle down, but if you also have VA it can take a little while to improve after starting the estriol cream.
I’m two months into my course of Fluconazole and I’m still getting thrush >:( According to the last swab the Candida is sensitive to Fluconazole so I’ve been instructed to just keep on taking the meds! I’m having to use Clotrimazole pessaries as well as needed and they seem to do a better job…but the thrush still comes back 😩
Re the litmus paper…the first time I just bought a book of litmus paper strips on EBay. I recently started a new brand of probiotics and it came with two pH testing sticks. The reason I checked is because I’ve been getting desperate to find out what’s going on down there! I found a paper (linked in page 2 of this thread) which said in the absence of infections such as BV, a raised pH is linked to low oestrogen in menopause.
I hope you get some relief soon from the soreness. I know just how much it can play on your mind and get you down.
An update for the ladies who recommended restarting vaginal oestrogen…my GP agreed to prescribe estriol cream a few weeks ago, but I’ve been told not to use it vaginally while I have thrush, vulva only.
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Thankyou for your reply. You take comfort from hearing other people stories. I did the 3x 72 hours plus 5 weeks and then the gp said not to have any more. I was still sore and she said that the fluconazole wasn’t helping. So I have booked a private appointment who a vulva dermatologist.
I did try just using the estriol cream on just the vulva but it burned so much I had to wash it off. It wasn’t even at a level I could tolerate it. I really appreciated you telling me what your gp said about that.
So not sure what to do now. I’m sat 6 days after last oral tab thinking it’s already come back. Wondering how I can carry on it’s so hard on your head.
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I had this problem for several years and the thrush would come back as soon as I stopped treatment, even several months treatment Eventually I discovered eating Activia live yoghurt literally sorted it out with 1 or 2 days! One a day or every other day prevented it coming back. I was peri at the time. Now post and no more trouble!
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Thankyou for replying. I will try that. I’ve had 3 blissful weeks of nothing and then it’s back!! So dispiriting!!
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Hi I spoke to an old male gp today. He said he had no idea why my thrush keeps coming back. Hadn’t read any of my previous notes. I asked him if the lab specified the strain af candidiia and he said it didn’t matter as all strains were treated the same. I’m just asking all you thrush warriors is this true? X
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Hi I spoke to an old male gp today. He said he had no idea why my thrush keeps coming back. Hadn’t read any of my previous notes. I asked him if the lab specified the strain af candidiia and he said it didn’t matter as all strains were treated the same. I’m just asking all you thrush warriors is this true? X
Hi Crochet,
I’m sorry to hear that the GP you saw was less than helpful. He is incorrect. There are a couple of strains of Candida that don’t respond to Fluconzazole and Clotrimazole. One of the ladies here had a thread about Candida glabrata a while ago.
My GP didn’t tell me which strain I had either. I assumed it was albicans. In a desperate attempt to try to get some answers about what’s going on with my own issues I paid for a vaginal microbiome test about a month ago. It turns out I’ve got Candida parapsilosis. I don’t know if that’s what I’ve had all along but there was no albicans detected in the sample. I also have virtually no good bacteria and an overgrowth of two species of aerobic bacteria. I’ve got a GP appointment booked in Sept to discuss.
Would it be worth getting a telephone appointment with a practice nurse or nurse practitioner to discuss your results in more detail? I really feel for you, it’s so frustrating!
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Hi. Thankyou for replying. It’s such a frustrating journey. I was really interested in what you said. I didn’t know the microbiome test existed. I guess now it’s what the gp will do with that information. It beggars belief that the gp hadn’t already done those tests for us when presenting with recurrent thrush. It’s like they just give you fluconazole and hope for the best! X
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Bounced
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Hi Emzib0b
Please could you tell me which vaginal microbiome test you used?
Thankyou x
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Hi Emzib0b
Please could you tell me which vaginal microbiome test you used?
Thankyou x
Hi Crochet,
I’ve been meaning to reply on your recent thread but I haven’t been well, apologies.
The microbiome test I used was via a company called Healthily. It cost £150, involved taking two swabs and it took three weeks to get the results. I’m not sure if posting links to websites that are selling products is against forum rules, but if you google healthily vaginal microbiome it will come up.
There’s another company called Daye that offers microbiome testing that’s cheaper (£99) but I don’t think it would be very helpful for people in our position as the test isn’t very specific - it only tells you if you have an overgrowth of Candida, but not which species, and they don’t test for aerobic bacteria.
I’ve been using a Clotrimazole pessary every month since June, as well as the weekly Fluconazole and it’s seems to be doing a better job. This last couple of weeks have been the most comfortable I’ve felt in months! However, I had my smear test this afternoon and the nurse said she could see thrush in there! I’ve had another swab taken so fingers crossed the results will be back before Monday, which is when I have my GP appointment to discuss all of this.
Wishing you well x
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Hi Emzib0b
Thankyou so much for taking the time to reply. I can feel your pain when you think it might still be there. It just sends you straight into a bad place. I tend to pick myself up the next day and think for god sake it’s only thrush!! You would think it would be easily solved.
I really appreciate the information about the different tests. I did look at some myself. Some said you had to wait so many weeks after taking any antifungals. So my first vulva dermatologist app is next week so will post what they say.
Take care
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Hi Crochet,
I don’t know if this helps but I was able to carry on taking the Fluconazole for the microbiome test.
Good luck with your appointment next week. Hopefully we’ll both have something positive to report x