Come and diagnose me as no GP seems to have a clue !!

[Perfectmummy1234]

About 4 months ago quite a few things seemed to start to happen to my physically at once. They have continued without any break to varying degree ever since.

Doctors seem disinterested/have no clue and its really starting to get me down as well as being a bit of a worry!
So far I have had swabs to confirm thrush, a round of antibiotics for the cough which made not differnece and chest xray which was clear.

Persistent cough - varying from tickly, barking, phlegm, all night, all day, sometimes loss of voice, sometimes sore throat. Its pretty bad and very embarrassing and irritating as its noisy and constant

Mouth sensations - always a greasy kind of film inside my mouth. Like I've just eaten a mouthful of clotted cream. Also dry at the same time. Odd taste metallic

Constant (swab confirmed) thrush - Not able to control even with back to back over the counter treatments, lower pelvic tummy ache, sore internally. No history of thrush previously

Pains in legs, extremely painful calf cramping during the night

I just feel like someting has taken over me and I can't shift it.
Any ideas???

I can't help you with your other symptoms I'm afraid but ask for fluconazole for thrush if not already, instead of clotrimazole which they usually prescribe. Far more effective in my experience. Wishing you good health soon

For the thrush, have you ironed all your knickers on a high heat? Apparently it kills the infection.

Do you have any mould or damp in your house?

For thrush which is just an overgrowth of candida you need to completely cut out sugar (not forever!) but start with 4-6 weeks. Candida LOVES sugar. So low carb (boring sorry), only low sugar fruits like berries, and obvs no refined sugars.

If traditional thrush meds are not working then try 'Caprylic acid plus' by Cytoplan.

Check bloods
Ask for swabs for vaginal symptoms/extended unlicenced treatment for the thrush +/- referral to gynae
Lung function tests for the cough and advice from resp via GP.
All of it your gp can do they just chose not to.

Have you had your a1c checked?

You can also soak them in a solution of sodium bicarbonate before washing them because the fungus does not survive in an acidic or alkaline environment. Or wash them at 60C and dry them outside.

Asthma?
that’s how mine started 3 years ago. I’m 60

How old are you?

Is the thrush definetly confirmed by swab?
Do you have any thrush symptoms in your mouth?
Are you taking a probiotic?

Are you using local oestrogen HRT, how much, what type?

Do you smoke?
Do you drink alcohol?
Are you under more stress than normal?

Iron deficiency can cause thrush and vulva irritation, metallic taste, persistent cough. Not sure about true cramps but I think it can make your muscles sore. I’m really surprised your doctor hasn’t done any blood tests for anything

Numbers 1 and 2 made me think of acid indigestion.

Or could you have a yeast problem in the mouth as well? But the GP would have seen that surely?
Just seen that Lotusina has suggested something similar.

My comment vanished so I’ve either posted it or deleted it! Hormonal changes do weird things. Post hysterectomy, I developed bad acid reflux, a persistent cough (both still with me after 14 years) & a recurrent eye condition cleared up for well over a year. More & more hormone related stuff is gradually being discovered.

these answers are so helpful. I knew you would all have some answers

so far I think I need to consider

hormone changes
Diabetes
B12 Iron Deficiency
Candida
Asthma

No idea about any of the other stuff but re thrush:
what treatment are you having? As in what have they prescribed?

I’m currently battling hormonal thrush and been given 3 pessaries to have back to back 3 nights in a row to properly treat it. Let’s see if that works…

I’m going to 3rd or possibly 4th the asthma suggestion. Mine has been horrendous this summer (since July) even though it is usually really well controlled on a mountain of drugs. The change in my voice is usually the first thing my manager spots.

Just wanted to add, if you buy a pre payment prescription card, you will save money on the prescriptions. You used to be able to get it backdated to a certain extent. Far cheaper for the amount of meds you need.

I'm inclined to go with a deep-seated sinus infection, possibly fungal-related, or asthma. That could cause you to breathe through your mouth when you are asleep, which would dry out your airway and cause a tickly cough. As soon as you cough, it makes your throat sore so you cough some more, it's a vicious circle. The strange sensation and taste in your mouth could be post-nasal drip.
Has your sense of smell or taste gone weird?

My GP gave me 12 weeks of a once a week thrush capsule when I couldn’t clear it. It worked but you have to take them consistently.

Reflux? Post nasal drip/rhinitis

Oral thrush can spread to your lungs. Especially if you use inhalers?

Hi OP,

may be worth considering if mouth symptoms may be oral thrush? This would explain the metallic taste/odd sensations in the mouth and it could also be affecting the back of your throat which could explain the cough.

Sounds like you’ve had problems with thrush elsewhere, sometimes fluctuations in hormones during HRT treatment can cause overgrowth of Candida. The antibiotics may have further disrupted the balance.

Not sure on the pains in legs but probably worth asking GP for some blood tests.

Another one saying candida - keto diet, nothing but water and plain tea (no milk/ ideally no coffee). No fruit/ no sugar/ no alcohol, no fungi or dairy. You may also need herbal medicine to help get it under control as it sounds quite widespread in your system. The mouth sounds like oral thrush. Not sure if this may be related to the cough which may be unrelated. A visit to a naturopath if you can afford it may be worth it. They take a whole system approach. Good luck.

I do too, i'm also no medical expert but I never get leg cramps unless i'm dehudrated.

Asthma wouldn't be related to thrush though?

I've had 2 swabs confirming thrush. Taking pretty much back to back pessary's and fluconazole for 3 months. I usually have about 24 hours of it being kind of ok then starts all over again

Has your husband been treated for thrush also @Perfectmummy1234 or he could well be passing it back to you via intercourse.

Also well
worth reading up about candida