Recurring thrush (desperate)

[kittykat818]

Hello everyone,
I am 21 and have been suffering with thrush for two years (ever since losing my virginity.) I feel like I have tried everything; multigyn, cotton underwear, organic pads, 6month course of fluconazole, even a sugar-free diet and nothing has helped stop it permanently. It affects every aspect of my life including my university studies and relationship (yes I have tried treating my boyfriend) and I am so desperate. Has anyone else dealt with this and found a solution, I am so desperate. I have tried going back on a longer course of fluconazole again but I was still getting thrush while taking it so I really am confused as what to what to do.

PLEASE HELP

[fellyjish]

Have you tried eliminating dairy? That worked for me, also vastly reducing the amount of yeast in my diet (this may.be the same as no sugar?)

[INeedNewShoes]

Just in case it isn't thrush, I would try doing a course of Balance Activ Gel (you can buy it at the pharmacy). I had what I thought was stubborn thrush (GP also thought it was thrush) and in desperation I talked to the pharmacist about it who suggested trying this stuff which worked very quickly and completely to clear up the issue.

[Fairylea]

Have you had blood tests to check for things like anaemia, b12 deficiency and Addison’s disease - all of which can cause chronic thrush (I have all 3 of them and suffer terribly). Definitely get some blood tests done to see if anything else is causing this.

[HermioneWeasley]

Try a broader spectrum anti fungal (I had one beginning with I), and washing with .

Eating Greek yoghurt most days definitely helped mine as well

[kittykat818]

@fellyjish Hi I haven't tried dairy no - what foods with yeast did you cut out, I don't tend to eat much bread and cant think of anything else.

@INeedNewShoes I have tried multigyn which is very similar from what I know but I know for sure it is thrush causing my problem as I have had multiple positive swabs.

[HermioneWeasley]

Washing with cetraben cream

[Soosiesoo]

I get this every month and finally pinpointed it to occurring after ovulation every month! Could you track when you get it to see if directly related to your cycle?

I'm at a loss as to what to do I'm afraid. I'm guessing hormonal contraceptives might help.

[Thesuzle]

A tampon soaked but not to the point of bending obvs, in natural organic no flavour LIVE yogurt, can cool the feeling and bring some relief

[foxatthewindow]

I had recurrent thrush in my early 20s but it turned out my problem was actually lichen sclerosis. Once I have that under control everything got better

[gypsywater]

I had this around age of 19 for bloody ages. It was awful. You have my sympathy. I recall having a strong course of Fluconazole for a few weeks and then a maintenance dose (that was still quite high) for 6-9 months then it only recurred a few times after that and was easily treated with Fluconazole one tablet afterwards. Have you ever been ok long term antibiotics? I was for acne and I think that made me vulnerable. And drinking a lot at university. Cutting down on alcohol (wine) really helped - only have spirits since. My guess is the Fluconazole longer course wasnt strong enough as it shouldn't be possible to get thrush again when on it. Double check it is definitely thrush as well as some other conditions have similar. Have you stopped using all scented bath products as that used to set me off too eg any bubble bath.

[theworstwife]

If you haven’t been to a GU clinic that may be helpful. You can have the species of thrush checked and a vulval skin review. Itraconazole works better in some cases and rarely nystatin pessaries can be used

[kittykat818]

@gypsywater Hi, yes I too was on a long course of antibiotics for acne a few years ago and fear this is the culprit of my problems. I have stopped all bubble baths and I am sure it is thrush. I may have to try another 6-month course of fluconazole and see if it starts to work again. Thank you.

[whiskey03]

Hj, as a diabetic from early childhood I suffered badly from it over the years so badly I used to cry and as a child dubbed myself raw and bleeding. but hardly ever get it now. When it was bad cream would only help after a hot bath. Strangely the reason I hardly get it know coincides when I stopped wearing underwear so much. I never wear any at home and only wear when I am out and the only cotton breathable ones. This was advice I got from another sufferer and really works. Other things that have improved it over the years was iron tablets (no idea why but advice from another diabetic) regular plain yoghurt and avoiding pasta.

[kittykat818]

@theworstwife Hi yes been to the clinic many times including today! They have checked everything and are unsure what is going on, I haven't been told about nystatin pessaries, are these available at the chemist? Thanks

[kittykat818]

@gypsywater May I also ask how long you suffered before you got put on a 6-9month course?

[ghislaine]

Definitely try a B.V. gel. I have had many bouts of vulval thrush (not vaginal thrush) and this has really helped. It helps rebalance the vaginal/vulval ph which can help with thrush.

[chocolate26]

Are you on the contraceptive pill? When I was younger I suffered with thrush pretty much 24/7, like you I tried all sorts of stuff but nothing worked. I finally stopped taking the pill and it went away I know that some hormonal contraceptives can cause thrush.

[kittykat818]

@ghislaine Hi, I was using multigyn which is a gel for bv it really did help for a few months but I feel like a case of thrush was always lingering and I have now found out I have it again. Once I treat this bout I plan to start using it again as it did improve symptoms.

@chocolate26 Hey, yeah I had been on the combined pill for a few years and have now come off it but my problem seems to have carried on unfortunately

[imanopossum]

VSL#3, the only probiotic that seemed to work for me

[Missillusioned]

It may be a reaction to soap. I now only use aqueous cream to wash the area.
During an attack try taking an antihistamine. If it's a reaction to an allergen the itching will stop within about half an hour.
I think what was happening was tiny abrasions caused through sex or shaving were sensitizing the skin to soap when washing.
Many people test positive for candida , but not all get thrush symptoms, so there is often another factor such as an allergen.

[kittykat818]

@imanopssum where you suffering frequently with thrush and the probiotics helped, I've tried so many that I'm reluctant to spend even more money on them!

[kittykat818]

@missillusioned Yeah I too stick to aqueous cream, I have tried using antihistamines during infection and they do get rid of the itch but I am pretty sure this is just because that's how they work as I am 100% sure it is thrush as boyfriend also gets symptoms after we have sex

[Anchoredowninanchorage]

Replace the good bacteria lost from the antibiotics, probiotics prebiotics? Ask at health food shop for ones to be stored in fridge.
Have you been fully checked out at g.u.m. Clinic ?

[Anchoredowninanchorage]

Also consider diabetes testing, iirc my dh had bad thrush prior to being diagnosed

[kittykat818]

@Anchoredowninanchorage Hi yes I have been tested for diabetes a couple of times now but everything has come back normal, I have also been fully checked at the clinic many a time. I have tried lots of probiotics but will check out some more I think