Recurrent thrush impacting my mental health

[kittykat818]

I have been plagued with thrush for over 4 years (started when I was 19 and I am 24 next month) - it all started once I started when I lost my virginity with my current partner. I tried treating it with Canesten but it returned every months so I eventually got put on a 6 months fluconazole treatment which cleared it while I took the tablets but it returned when I stopped (I have done this 6 month treatment three times now). My thrush tends to appear the week before my period - I came of the combined pill to see if this would help but the thrush still comes back every month. I have tried changing to natural toilet paper and pads (stopped using tampons) only was with an emollient and always make sure I shower after sex. I have tried dozens of different expensive probiotics and natural antifungals but nothing works. I have also tried to do the anti candida diet a few times - but I always stop around the 1-2 month mark as it makes me so miserable and I already have a few existing issues around eating. I have also had blood tests to check diabetes, thyroid, vitamin issues but they all come back saying I am in good health. The thrush makes me utterly miserable and I find myself shutting of from everyone around me including my very understanding partner who also always treats himself with the tablet and cream. The fluconazole is clearly not working and in fact is probably leading to more gut issues as it also kills good yeasts so I am terrified of taking it long term again, all I want is to live the normal life of a 23 year old!

@MassiveSalad22 It seems a lot of women do find having a child stops there thrush whereas it causes it for others! Did you get the thrush before your period or just at random times and how often do you suffer now? Thanks!

@Robin233 I have been trying to adapt my diet but it's quite a struggle with going into the office/seeing friends etc ! I think I will try to see a nutritionist if I don't get a handle on it soon as I don't know what else I can try!

I’m 58, I’ve had a life like this.

Its not because of what you eat, or your pants , it’s because something line 1 in a1000 women are ultra sensitive to if. So am overgrowth if just a few thrush cells will trigger it, whereas in a normal person they would go unnoticed.

Have you tried Itrakonazole. or Ketaconazole. You could take Flyconazoke as a phrophylactic the week before your period.

l don’t have an answer. I gave up with medications as they all stopped working. I’ve had quite a lot of repeated success with homeopathy. No one believes in it on here, but it’s worked for me consistently since l was 25.

Im going to see if l can find the link to ultra sensitivity. Don’t bother with diets or whatever. It’s not an overgrowth. It’s untrasensitivity.

This is the link
www.racgp.org.au/getattachment/975ada97-4bab-4f4a-a9f2-7fdae9a99a22/200503sheary.pdf

It’s an immune response l think.

Very interesting @ArseInTheCoOpWindow , that makes sense. What works homeopathy-wise, a specific thing? Or do you just tell the homeopath your issues and they’ll tailor something? I have no idea about it but an open to it!

@kittykat818 I had thrush before my period every month for the 7 years yes. I say I’ve had to use canesten a couple of times a year for the past few years, so much much less. I often get a suspicious itch before period but often doesn’t escalate to the point I feel I need to do something. Very mild and goes after my period starts. So a hugely improved situation!

It’s to do with an over reactive immune response. Do you get asthma or eczema.

l see someone. He’s not cheap. I’ve seen 3 across my life, they’ve all helped tremendously.

Ive tried diets, yogurts, probiotics, everything. But the problem is, you’re not dealing with thrush that a normal person gets, your body is triggering an abnormal immune response.

The flucanazole just before a period may work for you.

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow Mine only began once I became sexually active so would be a sensitivity to the canddia on my partner? I can take fluconzole the week before my period and it works but I don't want to constantly be on medication for life in case this does damage to me or as you said it stops working. I have seen diets work for a lot of women but it is tough!

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow no asthma, maybe a bit of eczema when I was younger. What exactly does the homeopath do?

@MassiveSalad22 that is much better! I am happy it has settled for you!

But you would only be taking it once a month.

l would ask for a 14 day course of Itraconazole to clear it, then start the Flucanazole once a month. I understand you don’t want to take it regularly but it may be your only option.

You may be catching it from your partner, but tbh with your profile l doubt it. I was told this so often, but l was never convinced.

Mine only started when l became sexually active too. Triggered by the pill, which l only took for 5 months of my life. Whereabouts are you?

Do you have allergies? It’s all tied up?

Also, l was also diagnosed with Vulvodynia at age 26. This was caused by repeated use of thrush creams. The symptoms were just like thrush… but not thrush🤯

A homeopath just gives you a remedy to help the body heal itself.

I had the most horrific thrush whilst pregnant with my daughter. Had so many pessaries it was unreal. The moment she was born it cleared up.

I definitely found sugary food made it worse.

It really affected my MH so I really feel for you. I think mine was related to the increase of oestrogen carrying my daughter as I didn't have it with my son.

Have you had the large dose canestan pessaries?

Honestly, it was a nutritionist who sorted me out.
Changes I made at the time and have kept include using a gentle soap, no shower gel, non fragranced sanitary products, cotton clothes, latex free condoms, no products in the bath, I eat loads of plant based food.

I’ve tried to PM you but can’t seem to do it on the new website!

@kittykat818 have you tried olive leaf extract capsules? You can take them long term and amazing at keeping it away! Also good for the immune system :)

This is who l see

www.aroga.co.uk/aboutusclinic/1.html

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow I have cat and dog allergies and a bit of hay fever! I am located in London. Do you not have thrush at all anymore?

@PraiseBee Interesting - I do all the things listed (other than condoms but trying that this month!) Did you change your diet to remove sugar?

@Bellesjp No, never! Do you swallow them?

I had reoccurring thrush a few years ago and had to go on long term antibiotics.

I managed it with normal over the counter tablets for a long time before antibiotics.

Last year I was on 3 month course again.

I've had the odd flare up again, hormonal for me at times.

It all starred way back in my early 20's when I tried the pill for a short while, the thrush was the worse the nurse has ever seen

I also had to go on ruaccutane when the implant screwed up my skin.
Now just have the copper coil.

Yes you swallow them, these are the ones I used www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282233620019?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=QxXUTeJxTwS&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=3gvrSThmSje&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Started on 3 a day then reduced to 1 a day. Now I don't need them at all but did take them for several years. Have a Google, they're powerful stuff :) I believe they do a sort of detox on the body

@kittykat818 sorry forgot to tag you in my last comment. You want the ones with 20% oleuropein x

Long term thrush is miserable OP, I'm so sorry you're going through it. I had it for about a year when I was your age, after I went on the pill. Like you it was lined to my period, so I think a combination of hormones and something upsetting the balance of microbes or me being over sensitive to the yeast.

I tried long term anti fungal pills and pessaries, but it only went away for me when I came off the pill and got the minera coil. That pretty much stopped my period and the thrush went with it. I had the coil removed a few years ago to start my family, and I do occasionally get thrush before my period (maybe twice a year) but it's not the same as that miserable year and goes away with one treatment.

I really hope you find something that works for you OP.

@kittykat818

Im not sure you want the answer to that!!

Homeopathy shifted it at 26. It kept it at bay for 8 years including through a pregnancy.

The l had it again at 35, and again homeopathy helped, but then l got it again when pregnant. Homeopathy helped, then kept it at bay until the menopause really.

And now l use it to keep it at bay again, since the menopause. I don’t think conventional medicine would have helped much. I just became immune to it all, and they all stopped working for me.

what sort of washing liquid do you use for your clothes? If I use anything perfumy it makes me so sore and itchy. The only one I can use is Persil non bio. Could it be that?