Recurring thrush - tried everything

[masika99]

I’ve been having a recurring thrush for years. On and off. Went through an intense fluconazole treatment which helped for a bit but then the thrush came back. Recently after getting a UTI which was treated with antibiotics my thrush came back and it’s very intense. On top of it I feel very uncomfortable down there which has intensified ever-since I had UTI.

i tried all the basics: cotton underwear, no soap, organic cotton sanitary products etc.

I even tried medical grade honey. Still no luck.

Would appreciate some advice on what else I can try. I wonder if the root cause is deeper and would love to hear from others who had a similar issue. In the meantime trying to get an appointment with the GP.

My first thoughts were diabetes or lichen sclerosus

My midwife advised me to iron the crotch of my pants, that helped.

Eating Kefir. And washing with the canestean wash whatever it's called

Ask for alternatives to flucanazole - there are other anti fungals you can be prescribed. I think it was itraconazole that finally did for mine, oral tablets, not pessiary (anything that I applied topically or inside seemed to make it even worse). I also cut out sugar. Not sure if that played a role in it finally going but it did give me really weird pains in my legs which it seems can happen with candida die-off - though I never got to the bottom of how scientific this is.
But anyway, I'd ask your doctor for an alternative to flucanazole.

Is it definitely thrush? I spent 25 yrs eith recurrent thrush. Or just itchy - lots of visits to GUM over tje years too as not always showing positive on tests. Was told iwas possibly sensitive to my own discharge- leading to soreness - then leading to thrush.

Read up on lichen sclerosis. Went to knowledgeable gp who looked and agreed. Now have 2 creams to use at diffetent times and afyer all these years is manageable.

So it may be thrush fir you - obvs I can't tell - but do take tests rather than assuming it always is.

I had reoccuring Thrush, it's awful!
I only have to look at an antibiotic and I get it. I found the fluconazole tablet didn't do much and I'd end up using 2 pessaries a few days apart.

I ended up having a 6 month course of pessaries!
I can't remember the exact regime but I think I had to use one pessary a week over a few months. In fairness, it did clear it up for a long time and I've only had occasional bouts since.

This is sheer misery. It's happened to me too, quite a while ago now. In despair, when nothing else had worked after about a year, I got a GP referral to my local GUM clinic.

Sounds intimidating, but it's the best place to cure it. I think I might have been one of the only people there under a referral in my own name (beware though: they will keep offering you HIV and syph tests)...

Another thing I'd recommend is an anti-candida diet. Avoid yeasty, sugary, vinegery foods in particular (except apple cider vinegar).

Commiserations, OP. It's awful!

I experienced this, the GP found my iron levels were low caused by heavy periods. Given iron tablets and frequent reoccurring thrush stopped. Had very occasional bouts, but nothing like it was.

F

Assuming underlying causes have been ruled out and also STDs/ atrophy etc then a week of flucanozole or similar followed by a once a week dose for a few months will sort you out. You’ll need to be medically supervised for this though, don’t do it yourself. If you’re in the UK and can possibly afford it, please visit a private gynae who will sort you out asap.

In the meantime, a slick of vaseline on your vulva after showering is an absolute life saver. No more sore flaps goes a great way to feeling better about the whole thing. It doesn’t feel greasy, it just feels normal and not sore and cracked. The relief it provides is nothing short of a miracle.

Name changed for this.

Have had several bouts of thrush since being assaulted last year.
Nothings working, happens every time I get my period- however I was in so much pain last time that I went to the GP (again) and it was actually group b strep that had caused an infection post-thrush.
It's flared up again with last period so I am back on antibiotics. Hopefully I don't get bloody thrush again 😬

Really just wanted to post and give you a very unmumsnetty hug. It's fucking miserable. Also, don't have baths. Showers only

I would go to a Sexual Health clinic. They can check that it is thrush and not one of the other conditions people have mentioned. Also they can get tests done to ensure the thrush is sensitive to the usual treatments.

I’ve previously had a long course of oral treatment for thrush, about 4 months I think
Also totally cut out all sugar and as many carbohydrates as possible
Acidiphillus supplements
Acidophilus pessaries

I don't have any extra info to offer beyond the excellent advice on this thread but I wanted to say how awful for you, it sounds hellish. I do hope something works for you.

Are you on the pill? I was on the pill for years with no issues then all of a sudden was getting recurrent thrush. I coincidentally came off the pill to TTC and it cleared up. Went back on it post DC and the same thing happened!

Also, definitely treat your partner even if asymptomatic.

A good quality probiotic supplement taken daily can help a lot.

is it definitely thrush? Or just very itchy? If the latter..

Try non bio washing powder for a week or two and see if that makes a differences.

Also cut out any bubble bath etc.

If you have a partner, they should be treated.

I kept getting thrush for a while and it resolved when 1) DH was treated 2) I got my IUD out.

I'm perimenopausal and have an IUD.
Last year I had an awful year of what felt like constant thursh. Tried everything I felt. Was about to ask if getting my IUD removed would help, when I decdied to try and stop sugar. This was january, I've not eaten sugar since then and I've not had thursh since Dec last year.
An added bonus is I've not had any mirgraines or headaces either.

Cut sugar and carbs- I’m clear of it more than a year now and I was constantly treating it for years before

Thanks everyone for good advice! I’ve got a few tips to try now and will update the thread once I hear back from the GP in case it can help someone else out

How did you get on @masika99? Xxxx

Same. Once I got my blood glucose under control there were no more issues with thrush.

Also if you shave down there don't, I stopped when I kept getting infection

I had it alot, linked to.periods if I remember rightly.
One day it just buggered off completely and I've been free of it for ages.
Hope you can get rid of it, it's horrible.

Assuming it is not any of the other issues mentioned above, then I've been in this situation. In the end I was prescribed a course of pessaries by a gynaecologist, this was the only thing that did the job and I suffered with recurrent thrush for years until at one point I just could not get rid of it.