Thrush - in agony!!

[candidasa]

I'm sure there have been lots of threads on this subject but I am desperate!

I used to suffer a lot with thrush but since pregnancy and having my DD it calmed down.

Saturday 1st January I got another episode of thrush and it is unbearable! I would normally use the Canesten gel pessary with the external cream and that would sort it out within 24 hours but it hasn't worked! I used the pessary on the evening of 1st January and then I purchased the Canesten tablet pessary on the second January and that didn't work either. I also went to boots yesterday and purchased fluconazole and that seems to have had no effect whatsoever.

I visited my doctors today who confirmed it is thrush (she's done a swap to double check though) and she has just prescribed me more Canesten - I could cry. She has given me some slightly stronger stuff but it is still something I could have bought over the counter.

I can barley walk it is that painful and my lady bits feel like they are on fire. I don't know what to do and at this point would happily let someone chop it all off.

The GP did say it just needs longer to work but 4 days and no improvement whatsoever? I'm not buying it and I'm desperate. If anyone on here could come along and give me some advice that would be greatly appreciated.

There seem to be so many of these stories on here. I can't help thinking 'if it was not JUST a female problem' there would be an effective treatment by now. Ah well! I've had 'a condition' such as this for over 30yrs - and have tried every cream, ointment, pessary and diet known to woman. In desperation I too went to a GUM clinic - no success. Then, a chance comment by my GP led me in a different direction completely, and led to a diagnosis of Lichen Sclerosis. Knowing what it is, is one thing. Unfortunately there is now effective treatment for that either, So, I am virtually back to where I was 40yrs ago.

@loopylindi I agree. I also feel that some women are lucky enough to not experience thrush or to even experience a severe case of it and therefore have very little sympathy. I always hope deep down that when I see my GP she can relate to the pain because it should always be taken seriously.

Just another thought - as I put the first wash of 2022 on. Mumswitthrush - what do you wash your undies with? Is it a bio powder? Mine always was, but now I'm trying non-bio fairy. Wonder if that will make any difference!!

Once I was in so much pain and it was so swollen couldn't get anything for it because it was in the middle of the night so I put a bag of frozen peas there, anyway it really helped!

Like @Peaseblossum22 I also developed allergy to canesten cream and suffered for many many years before realising that it was the cream making matters worse.

The game changer for me was treating from the inside only by a course of fluconazole prescribed by gp, while protecting and moisturising the area with epaderm ointment (not cream) which also relieved itch

As @loopylindi says you need to consider soap powder as well as toilet roll for allergens. I use dove extra sensitive soap free bar in that area but remember only wash the outside - the epiderm ointment will wash off in the shower and act like a cleanser too.

Finally I bought organic pant liners to use until I worked out if I had any allergy to washing powders - you will need them anyway if you use epaderm

It took me over 20 years until I was about 45 to work all that out - since then, I’m careful with diet, keep very hydrated and most importantly take a fluconazole at the first hint of trouble and another 48 hours later if needed - while using the epaderm to protect and heal the area while waiting for the fluconazole to work- I never use canesten pessaries or cream any more - they were making the matter worse

And finally I did go through a phase of using the balance activ gels twice a week to keep everything well but I don’t seem to need those now - but don’t ever use those while you’re irritated and sore - they hurt broken or sore skin.

I hope some of that helps - do try the epaderm ointment - it really helps the itch and pain and protects the skin allowing healing time - it’s thick like Vaseline in consistency

Good luck OP - I feel for you

@candidasa they did a urine test to check

@candidasa they also did a finger prick test on the glucose monitor

I'm also allergic to something in canesten - the pessaries are horrendous, the cream is okay if I catch it before the skin is broken and unmanageable after.

@Gladioli23 I don't think I'm allergic as I've always used it and never had a problem. I think resistance to it is a big possibility and also it could be that I've over used the cream to much that it's weakened my skin down there, therefore making it sore

I will be back to the docs in the morning if no improvement by then! I can't live like this

As per previous post I took so much Diflucan I became allergic and developed hives. That's all I need - more itching

So canesten isn't a steroid cream - it won't have weakened the skin. I'm not sure on resistance, but the most likely reason it would make you worse is due to an intolerance to one of the ingredients - perhaps where you have open sores whereas it might be okay when the skin is intact. (Or okay at a lower % and not at the 10% provided by the GP). If you have used a lot of canesten HC which has a steroid in it it's possible it could have weakened the skin.

[quote candidasa]@Gladioli23 I don't think I'm allergic as I've always used it and never had a problem. I think resistance to it is a big possibility and also it could be that I've over used the cream to much that it's weakened my skin down there, therefore making it sore

I will be back to the docs in the morning if no improvement by then! I can't live like this [/quote]
@candidasa I always used it too without a problem - for many many years. Then I developed an allergy. Like you I didn’t consider that as an option as I had never been allergic. But GP told me that you can develop an allergy to anything.

I’m not saying that’s definitely it in your case but don’t rule it out.

Boric acid suppositories.

@candidasa how are you now?