To think thrush meds would have worked by now?

[LazyYogi]

Took fluconazole single dose on 11 sept. Called gp a week later as had only noticed a mild improvement in symptoms. Nurse told me it sounded like the treatment was doing its job and that it takes time. I accepted this...3 days later still sore and tried a canestan pessary. Itching is almost gone but now my vulva is red and sore looking quite swollen some places.
Is this normal after a bad yeast infection? (any ideas when it will clear?) Is this a reaction to the pessary?
Will call doc again on Monday if I need to.

Have you had your blood sugar levels checked? Could be diabetes

I'm assuming the clinician you spoke to asked questions to exclude other causes/infections

Are you also using an antifungal cream on your vulva, e.g., Canestan/clotrimazole? Thrush can sometimes take a few weeks to improve with this treatment. If it's not improving or getting worse contact your GP practice again

patient.info/sexual-health/vaginal-discharge-female-discharge/vaginal-thrush-yeast-infection

It could be the pessary itself that has cause irritation. Was it the soft gel one or the hard tablet type one? I find the latter causes more problems than it solves for me.

I’ve had it take a long time to go - had to use 2 pessaries and cream on top to shift it once.

I feel for you, OP, I've only had thrush once but it went on for ages and my fanny was sore as fuck.

Someone recommended lactobacillus capsules, and after a few days of taking those it cleared up, but that may have been coincidence.

Are you doing all the other things too, eg cotton knickers (or none!), loose trousers, no perfumed soap or anything?

The bacteria feeds on sugar. Eliminate sugar and carbo hydrates from your diet as much as possible in order to starve the bacteria. You can find lists over suitable food on the internet. Go after the phrase "Low GI diet", "Glycemic index" or "Low carb"

Try worming yourself. Might help and wont hurt if it doesn't.