i think i've got thrush...

[hoxtonchick]

... and it really hurts. i've never had it before, but had to take a course of strong antibiotics last week for an ear infection. am now extremely sore & itchy. have bought some canestan cream, 2 applications so far & it doesn't seem to be doing much. talked to out of hours dr who said it was ok to use in pregnancy (i'm 29 weeks). but shouldn't i be feeling better? how long will it last? i really have to go to work tomorrow as i've been skiving quite a bit recently. should i go to my own gp on tuesday if it isn't feeling a bit better? and how can i walk into the office in a normal fashion?!

[Tinker]

Find the cream to be a bit rubbish really. If you can, put some on a tampon and insert. Or get some cool natural yogurt and do teh same. But, in teh end, I alwys need either pessaries or tablets. It is horrid though.

[marne]

I think it takes 24-48 hours to kick in, it always feels worse at night, i would go back to gp on teusday if no better, hope you feel better soon.

[kid]

Hi HC - I'd phone up Drs and put your name down for phone surgery. They can call you back at work and have a prescription ready for you.

I've had thrush before and IIRC, I felt better by the 3rd day.

Or alternatively, just take the day off work, you will be going on leave soon anyway

[hoxtonchick]

thanks all. i meant to buy natural yoghurt yesterday, but was all non-plussed that i had to announce to the pharmacist in tescos what was wrong in front of everyone . typical these things always happen at the weekend. can you use the pessaries when pregnant tinker? good to know it normally takes a couple of days to clear up & i haven't got some evil strain. good idea about the phone surgery kid, though i'm thinking maybe someone should check it out (nice....) as i've never had it before.

[kid]

my sister had it during pregnancy, on the day she was due to fly to NY.
She phoned the Dr and they gave her a prescription without having to see her. She was only around 10 weeks pregnant.

Hope you are feeling better soon.
(take the day off, go on, I know you want to!)

[hoxtonchick]

stop it!! honestly, i had 2 days off for my ear infection, they won't remember what i look like. oh yes they will, i'm the one the size of a house...

[Tinker]

Am sure you can hc. Pharmacist will tell you though (in front of whole shop, of course) Think they are just very concentrated forms of teh cream. The yogurt is very cooling though (but messy)

[hoxtonchick]

thanks tinker

[edodgy]

Natural yoghurt does work but DONT use a tampon if you're pregnant just use your fingers put it on overnight then have a bath in the morning to wash it off. Hope this helps.

[hoxtonchick]

sounds like dp might be sent out on an emergency live yoghurt mission soon .

[Snips]

I'm 37 weeks pregnant and have had it for about 6-7 weeks-just can't get rid of it and it is soooo sore. I was told I could use a pessary, so tried that, but because I have a cervical stitch for this pregnancy, I was too scared to put the pessary up too far, and I think most of it just came out . Hoping I can get rid of it once I have the baby. But anyway my point is that you CAN use a pessary even though you are pregnant!

[hoxtonchick]

bloody out of hours dr lied to me then! hmmm, will go to a different chemist tomorrow (it's bloody expensive isn't it, canestan), & check the options out again.

poor you snips, it must be agony.

[edodgy]

Snips u should go back to the Dr as thrush can be passed onto the baby during labour if it hasnt cleared up by then.

[hoxtonchick]

right, got the yoghurt. should i put the canestan on as well when i go to bed, or just smear myself with yoghurt? it's not for the squeamish this thread....

[hoxtonchick]

bump, i want to go to bed!

[jojo28]

You can buy Canestan Combi over the counter it has the pessary and the cream in a box together... just used it and did the trick pronto. Something that also really helps me when I have thrush is a wash called Lactacyd. You can get it in Boots - it really helps to just calm it all down sometimes, if I feel I might be on the brink of having a bout of thrush a wash with Lactacyd will head it off at the pass!!

[hoxtonchick]

it's definitely less sore today (the yogurt was fab), but i spoke to my gp & she's seeing me this afternoon. my ear infection also seems to have come back, but no doubt more antibiotics will make thrush worse. grrrr.

[FIMAC1]

Biocare do a fantastic pessary which I have used and can highly recommend! (they suggest using it in conjunction with a Acidophilus supplement) You could google on Biocare Intrafresh (or Yeastguard) which will bring up details of stockists - I got it from the local health food shop in the fridge - much more effective than Canestan etc

C&P:


BioCare - IntraFresh (Vaginal Probiotic pessaries including applicator)
Description
BioCare IntraFresh (formerly YeastGuard) is a Lactobacillus acidophilus and garlic pessary which is designed to help reduce levels of yeasts and harmful bacteria in the vagina and increase levels of beneficial bacteria. Bacterial and yeast imbalances in the vagina are the common cause of thrush in women.


Good Combinations
BioCare - Bio-Acidophilus
BioCare - Bio-Acidophilus Forte
BioCare - Replete Intensive
Cranberry Supplements
Contraindications
If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before using IntraFresh.
IntraFresh is not a contraceptive.

Price 6 pessaries including applicator £ 9.31 10% off RRP (£ 10.35 )

[hoxtonchick]

thanks fimac. i've just got a prescription for a canestan pessary from the gp, so will try that tonight & go for yours if this doesn't work.

[Marie12]

Just had thrush myself and Canesten pessary combined with cream worked. Think it is the pessary that kills the bacteria and the cream just soothes your 'bits'.

Also, have you heard about wearing cotton underwear (no nylon etc.), loose trousers, no tights, drinking plenty of water, cranberry juice and eating those 'friendly bacteria' yogurts like Activia, Muller etc.

[hoxtonchick]

good to know, marie. i got lots of freebies at my antenatal appointment yesterday, & some probiotics from the chemist. it does feel a lot better, am only hobbling a bit....

[honeypot01]

i found Canesten to be rubbish. Tru=y Diflucan one tablet, think cost £12. Also my doc said to put a few drops of tea tree oil on a tampon and leave overnight.

[FIMAC1]

Can you take Diflucan when pregnant?

[Marie12]

I would check with your doctor/midwife first. I have been told to only use cream or pessary, not tablets.

[bayleaf]

well I'm glad I'm nt the only one suffering - I seem to have had thrush for about 6 weeks now - done the canesten and the yogurt - and the wearing no knickers ( terifying when teaching adolescent boys, I'm always terrified my skirt will somehow betray me!) but nothing works for more than a few days - I suppose I should stop eating sugar - but I'd almost rather put up with the thrush!
Still, at least I know I'm not alone now