recurring thrush

[salalex]

Apologies if this has been discussed elsewhere and I've missed it, but does anyone else have a problem with recurring thrush. It's driving me MAD!!!!!! My husband reckons I've not been the same since I had a Mirena, although the doc reckons that's nothing to do with it. I've used everything there is and it still keeps coming back. I don't have periods (cos of the Mirena) so it's not related to that as I know it is for some women. Any suggestions or do I have to go to the GUM clinic AGAIN!!! I may as well have a regular slot there!!! Thanks.

Just a thought salalex - has your husband been treated? He may well be asymptomatic (lots of men who have thrush are), but rubbing a bit of canestan cream into the end of his tackle (couldn't think of a refined way to say this!) may well help matters. It may be that he is reinfecting you every time.

Salalex - oh boy do you have my sympathy. I have suffered from recurrent thrush for the last 12 years - until recently I counted myself lucky if I went two months clear. Fingers crossed, I seem to have broken the cycle tho' cos I have not had an attack since before conception of ds (who is now 10 mths old).

Definately agree with leese with regards to ensuring dh is treated. I assume if you have been treated at a GUM clinic you will probably have tried Diflucan tablets but dh can be use this treatment as well.

I found the best way of breaking the cycle was to take a Diflucan tablet 3 days before my period was due, then another 3 days after period. 100% cotton underwear only, and nylon tights are a total no-no.

During an attack obviously keep yourself as fresh as possible - I kept a pack of babywipes near the loo for my own use. They are very handy for a quick wipe to minimise any discharge but are also very cooling and so help the itching.

Also - consider asking for a referal to obs/gynae. I was referred many years ago and found to have severe endriometriosis - I was told that this can be a quite common link.

HTH - best wishes

salalex, if they don't find anything specific, you could try some of the following:
cutting down on yeast based products: bread, beer, wine - go for soda bread and G&T's instead
taking a good acidophilous supplement to help promote the beneficial bacteria in your body
Eat as few sweet sugary foods as possible. The yeast in thrush thrives on the sugar in your blood, so the more sweet stuff you eat the worse it will get
Eat lots of garlic and olive oil, as these both contain anti-fungal properties
Take a good B-complex vitamin supplement.
I had almost constant thrush for nearly a year after having glandular fever and I was using Diflucan and pessaries all the time. However, I found that changing my diet helped enormously and when I get it occasionaly now it is usually because I am run down, eating too many sweet things or drinking too much!
Good luck

salalex, if they don't find anything specific, you could try some of the following:
cutting down on yeast based products: bread, beer, wine - go for soda bread and G&T's instead
taking a good acidophilous supplement to help promote the beneficial bacteria in your body
Eat as few sweet sugary foods as possible. The yeast in thrush thrives on the sugar in your blood, so the more sweet stuff you eat the worse it will get
Eat lots of garlic and olive oil, as these both contain anti-fungal properties
Take a good B-complex vitamin supplement.
I had almost constant thrush for nearly a year after having glandular fever and I was using Diflucan and pessaries all the time. However, I found that changing my diet helped enormously and when I get it occasionaly now it is usually because I am run down, eating too many sweet things or drinking too much!
Good luck

Thanks for the tips. I have some vitamins in the back of a cupboard which I'll dig out and buy some of those acidopholus things. I have had some before but kept forgetting to take them, so I'll try and be more diligent this time.Snugs, did you have any symptoms of endriometriosis? I looked up a website on it and don't have any of the symptoms described but it's worth asking. I have an appointment at the GUM clinic - in 2 1/2 weeks argh! I'll ask them about it anyway. Thanks all.

Salalex - Yes in hindsight I did have symptoms but nothing out of the ordinary. Severe menstrual cramps; lock-the-knives-up PMT; mid-cycle spotting; occasional pain with intercourse and of course the recurrent thrush. I was referred to a gynaecologist mainly because at the time I worked for a doctor who hated me taking 2 days off sick each month - I had always had the symptoms and assumed it was just my bad luck to have lousy periods.

It was once suggested to me that it could be to do with your partner. Make sure he keeps himself scrupulously clean down there! R

I have been looking on this thread for advice, I am suffering from my second attack of thrush in 4 weeks! pharmacist reccomended live yoghurt but at the risk of sounding completely stupid, have I got to eat it or apply it? Have had a lot of people reccomend changing my diet, but I just can't give up chocolate!

Eat it and apply it.You can dip a tampon in the yogurt and apply it up if it is internall thrush.

dip your tampax in the yoghurt and insert. I've never needed to try it myself but a friend swears by it.

good luck!

Not sure if this is true (someone on here will probably know) but when I was at college for some reason we got in a conversation about thrush(!?!) and the science teacher said you should iron the inside of you knickers if you've had thrush as the bacteria (or whatever it is that causes it ) are not killed by the temperature your wash cycle gets to. The heat of the iron kills - or so she said. Worth a try? I've done it and never had repeated attacks close together.

Asif I have time to iron my pants. I NEVER iron pants - cause nobody ever sees them except me. Doesn't say much for my sex life

I don't always iron them. No need to put them on hangers or anything just a quick whip over the gusset (what a horrible word!) should do the trick. Just trying to help!

My x2b's aunt was allergic to anti-thrush drugs - hers just kept coming back and getting worse - could always check this idea out.

She ended up sitting in bowls of ice water - yuck!! Was a bit yucky her going graphic about this too - she was like nearly a pensioner!!

Fidget, forgive me if I'm getting this wrong, but did you take the normal medication (eg Diflucan) but it didn't work? If so what you have may well not be thrush at all and it might be worth having a swab done the drs. There are other minor infections that can develop (not sexually transmitted) that cause itching and discharge that can be easily treated but are often confused with thrush.

aloha, used canesten once which cleared up my thrush 3 weeks ago but have since got it again. I'm definately going to try the iron thing, and the yoghurt, now I know what to do with it!! I'm glad no one has try to tell me to stop my chocolate habit! Thanks for all the advice.

Ames - I didn't mean to sound ungrateful about your ironing tip. You made me giggle about putting them on hangers! I will try this as I am now intrigued. Should I iron them with a crease down the middle of the gusset or not!!??

dont wash with normal soap either, you can by canesten wash and Lactcyd which is good, as normal soap,bubble bath, shower foam etc can aggrivate it more.

and also if you had time washing your smalls in a sensitive washing powder helps(non bio)

I used to get thrush a lot and eventually stopped it with the advice of a female nurse (male doctors just kept prescribing canesten) ... stopped using tampons for a few months, and even now usually switch to pads towards the end of period. that made all the difference. While I had thrush, found yoghurt really helped as mentioned below. It's also important to eat bio yoghurt every day or take a probiotic to keep your internal flora happy !!! And I've not had antibiotics for over 10 years - they definitely caused thrush every time. Hope that helps, good luck.

Northener- are you gonna try ironing them or putting them on hangers?!?
I believe the current style is without a crease but to iron the label so it sticks up and can be seen above the waistline of your hipsters!

Only just found this thread so sorry if everyone's ok now. But I suffered fromm recurring thrush for about 9months & tried pretty much everything & eventually went to a homeopath (not sure of spelling) she gave me some pills to take & I haven't had it since (touch wood). I would have no hestiations in suggesting if you have the funds then go see one.

Diflucan tablet - one dose only needed orally. Works a treat.

I always use Bay leaf for Oral Thrush on my babies. Take 1 cup boiling water, add 3 bayleaves. Steap for 20 minutes. Let cool and place a few drops on tongue. 2x per day. clears up by morning.

Mears
I agree, after recurrances over last 5 years diflucan is definatley most effective

But after my recent surgery (2nd op within 3 months) I had huge doses of intravenous antibiotics, resulting in massive thrush from mouth right thru, even on skin of my thighs. Dr wouldn't let me have diflucan as it can have big side effects if you already have a weakened system. Canestan pessaries and nystatin mouthwash worked eventually.

would go back to diflucan for recurrance when I'm back on my feet tho.