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Original poster

Thrush is ruining my life!!!!! NO EXAGGERATION!!!!!!

102 replies

Ammy12 · 14/12/2006 21:32

I suffer from recurrent thrush. It drives me insane. Five times a month is not unusual. I live on clotrimazole, fluconazole, miconazole, nystatin, white wine vinegar, soya milk. I'm so fed up!!!!! I saw a mega lovely consultant 3 months ago who prescribed nystan tablets (1,000,000 units a day for 28 days for anyone who knows what I'm on sbout!) and fluconazole 150mg once a month and the first month was great, second month not so good and now I'm back to square one. What next?????!!!!!!!!! Anybody else got any answers???????!!!!!!!! xxx

OP posts:
Original poster
Ammy12 · 15/12/2006 20:09

agggghhhhh- you've scared me now! I better not have herpes!!

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StarrmumofRoyalBeautyBright · 15/12/2006 20:58

Diet is definitely the thing to look at. I would also avoid the white wine vinegar douches as one of the triggers for thrush is anything fermented - e.g. alcohol, vinegar, soy sauce - so the douches could be aggravating it.

As far as I can remember, the candida diet is:

no wheat, dairy, fruit, sugar (including fruit/fruit juice), fermented foods, fungal foods (e.g. mushrooms, Quorn) or smoked foods.

you can eat:

all meat/fish
eggs
all vegetables

It's a really difficult diet - and can be quite boring - but if you've been suffering for this long, it's got to be worth a go.

I'd also supplement your diet with acidophilus and lactobacillus. Avoid the probiotic drinks like Yakult and Actimel because they're full of sugar.

If the GP isn't helping you, go and see an alternative health practitioner - it's so common they will be better placed to help.

Hope all of this helps - believe me, I know what it's like to suffer!

Original poster
Ammy12 · 15/12/2006 21:05

It does definitely seem as though diet is the key. I have a good diet but perhaps I'm not as strict as I should be.

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Original poster
Ammy12 · 15/12/2006 21:10

I'm worried bout that herpes comment now!!! I have been examined. Surely I'd know if I had it? Wouldn't I? Anyone? please?

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Rumpel · 15/12/2006 21:21

The Sunday times complementary therapist covered this a while ago and mentioned a herbal remedy which is mega effective for candida - do a search on the website. Also Nelsons sell a Candida homeopathic remedy, might be worth a try. You'll get it in Holland Barrett or order online.

HelloMama · 15/12/2006 21:23

Its def true that thrush and herpes can sometimes be muddled up. It would prob be an idea to get a specific herpes swab done next time you have a really bad attack of thrush. Herpes can look or feel like anything from specific 'blister' type spots which are really obvious, to a lot of vague symptoms. Symptoms can be soreness, itching, usually a clear discharge, tingling, burning etc. People who have herpes may have one outbreak in a lifetime, or more frequently. People who have more frequent outbreaks are more likely to have it misdiagnosed, because often the symptoms are similar to other problems, such as thrush or cystitis. This website is very helpful answering any questions you may have .

Have your swabs always come back as positive for candida? If the worst case scenario is that your problems are caused by herpes (prob unlikely tho) there is treatment, and long term management, so at least you would get to the root cause of your porblems and have them sorted out. Please check out the website above as it is really good.

mrsratty · 15/12/2006 21:24

Herpes won't be picked up on a normal swab. I was tested when I had recurrent thrush, thankfully it was negative though it was an embarrising 3 week wait for the results!

Original poster
Ammy12 · 15/12/2006 21:31

I have been to GUM before, because I had thrush so often I thought it must have been something more sinister. This was bout 5 years ago. They would have tested for it wouldn't they? And is it likely that I would get a herpes episode 3-5 times a month. I've never had blisters or sores. Do these always appear?

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Original poster
Ammy12 · 15/12/2006 21:35

oh and the only thing that showed up when I went to GUM was surprise, surprise....thrush.

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HelloMama · 15/12/2006 21:43

It would depend on who you saw in GUM and how on the ball they are as to whether they would think of herpes as a differential diagnosis. Herpes does not always show itself as classic blisters, particularly if you are someone who gets the sores inside the vagina. It is not always obvious, and yes, if you are VERY unlucky, then you could get a few attacks a month, although that would be fairly unusual.

If they saw candida last time you were examined then that is the most likely thing you have, but I would ask to have a herpes swab (which is completely separate from any other swab, and it has to be requested specifically on the form for a herpes investigation) just to rule it out completely. HTH x

elliot3 · 15/12/2006 21:48

how strange- I have really bad cold sores very often but have never thought that I could have herpes down there too. I never have a discharge but do get very sharp pains and a burning sensation - and still get it form time to time.

HelloMama · 15/12/2006 21:50

oh, forgot to say, herpes is not routinely tested for unless you attend with classical signs of the virus. However, it would normally be considered wise to take a herpes swab from a person who is attending multiple times with similar symptoms, who is not getting relief from traditional treatments. Just to make sure. IYSWIM?

Original poster
Ammy12 · 15/12/2006 21:54

Hmmmm, might be worth checking on but I really don't think it is that considering it. My symptoms are hormone affected, highly frequent and controlled by anti-fungals. My main symptoms are itching, swelling and a discharge like jelly. I will check with GUM cos Gynae have told me to go back there but I'm pretty sure the last time I went I had a skin scrape which would have been for herpes I think. x

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Original poster
Ammy12 · 15/12/2006 21:55

oh and what is IYSWIM?

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Original poster
Ammy12 · 15/12/2006 21:56

Elliot3- go and get checked! I'm going to! Sounds like its pretty common!

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HelloMama · 15/12/2006 22:08

I think the skin scrape would have been for other skin related dermatitis conditions, such as lichens simplex or \link{http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/lichen_planus.html\lichens planus. These can also cause itching, discharge, soreness, tingling etc, and can be found in conjunction with thrush. Sounds like whoever you saw has been pretty thorough, which is good. I hope you get the problem sorted soon.

IYSWIM means If You See What I mean !

HelloMama · 15/12/2006 22:10

ooops I meant Lichen planus !

Original poster
Ammy12 · 15/12/2006 22:11

Thanks Hellomama- uv been a great help. I relly dont think my problem is due to herpes as i have all the symptoms of candida in my bowel also but I will mention it when i see GUM.

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Original poster
Ammy12 · 15/12/2006 22:14

Oh and the last time I was examined even though I had no symptoms my swab did come back with moderate growth which shows I never really get rid of it, just dampen it down now and again. All my swabs ever AND smears have come back as thrush!!

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HelloMama · 15/12/2006 22:17

You poor thing Get that coil out! (Put it back in once everything has sorted itself out).

Original poster
Ammy12 · 15/12/2006 22:20

Will do mum! Wanted it out next year anyway as want another baby. As DH says he will just have to wear willy warmers for a bit!! Thats the problem with thrush- it rules out nearly all contraception too!

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Original poster
Ammy12 · 15/12/2006 22:21

And I'd just like to say hellomama- u are the fanjo guru

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HelloMama · 15/12/2006 22:22
Wink
Jimjams2 · 15/12/2006 22:23

was going to say the same as moondog- yeast and (in particular) sugar free diet. You could also try supplementing with saccromyces (a non colonising yeast that crowds out the candida). That really helped ds1.

HelloMama · 15/12/2006 22:23

lol! fanjo guru! I'll have that put on my badge at work!