Thrush

[ScreamingInfidelities]

I’m in peri, just started estrogen pessaries and external cream for dryness & atrophy. For the last few years recurring thrush has made my life a misery.

Ive done the 6 month eradication therapy twice in the last 3 years but it just comes back as soon as I stop. In August I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease which caused an overactive thyroid. Nothing is giving me relief, thrush has been constant.

2 weeks ago the gp gave me fluconazole 50mg daily for a week. I got 4 days of relief! But today it’s back again 😭😭😭😭

has anyone taken daily fluconazole long term? Is that even a thing? At this point I just want it daily forever. In my desperation I’ve made a private gynae appt for tomorrow as it’s a 3 week wait for my GP

Sorry if this seems silly but is it actually thrush? I had similar issues ended up at dermatologist eventually where the diagnosed dermatitis.

I have this. I can’t take any pessaries, creams or HRT
Tje thinking on things some people are more susceptible to very few thrush cells. Especially if you are a sensitive type person (l am- loads of allergies, bad side effects etc)

Maintenance dose of 2 fluconazole a week might help. I just had to give up hormone treatment in any format. Everything flared it up.

It could also be lichen sclerosis, people often spend a long time treating for thrush before this is diagnosed. It’s a dermatological problem which responds to steroid cream. Obviously it may not be this but it’s often overlooked so just something to be aware of.

I had terrible, repeated thrush in my early to mid 40s which looking back was most likely caused by fluctuating hormone levels because there was no other obvious cause.

My dr had me on many fluconazole tablets but I'd still get it pre menstrually every month.

The thing that worked for me was taking milk thistle. It's supposed to regulate hormone levels. It also stopped my pre menstrual migraines which was amazing.

I used Solgar brand and took one a day for a few weeks and then I'd stop and the effect would last for a few months.

Obviously I might have just been lucky but it worked for me so might be worth a try.

I did a microbiome test with Daye which was a game changer. It tells you exactly the imbalance you have so you can tackle the root cause. You also get a phone appointment with their gyne nurse to discuss results and how to manage it. I didn’t realise how much peri had altered my microbiome it was horrible but it can get better

Yes, definitely thrush. Had swabs done umpteen times and always comes back positive for candida.

@Anonymouseposter not LS, one GP did suspect and sent me to a gynae dermatologist.

@Additup ill order and try!

@Wetcoatsandmudagain I suspect that’s the boat I’m in due to peri. Never heard of the Daye test, will look into it! I do take Optibac probiotics for women but I maybe need something different?

I'll be interested to know if you milk thistle helps you as much as it did me. I hope it does x

Can I ask what you did to improve your microbiome? I’ve looked at their website, do they just suggest their own brand probiotics?

I’ve just checked milk thistle is ok with my Graves’ disease meds. Lots of ppl in my online support group take them so I’ve ordered the solar ones 🤞🤞🤞

No I had to take antibiotics to knock back certain bacteria so that the lactobacillus stood a better chance of repopulating. I also take Optibac, drink kefir but it’s a high quality one from Chuckling goat and a probiotic vaginal suppository 5 days if I feel out of whack. The vaginal microbiome needs lactobacillus to keep everything balanced but peri meant mine had reduced to 50% so other bacteria such as thrush were growing faster. It’s also worth making sure you don’t have BV alongside thrush! Another joy of peri that mimicks the same symptoms. The Daye test is really easy to do at home and you receive really detailed results and a chat with Gyne nurse or you can take them to your Dr and cut out all the unnecessary faffing they put you through.

Oh this sounds really promising! What suppository do you use? My MIL swears by kefir

It’s worked for me. I’m going to do another Daye test as interested to see how much it’s improved my microbiome a year on. Check out Chuckling goat as they are amazing on their customer chat and send really helpful articles. I use Vflora Vagibiom suppositories they are really a lifesaver if uncomfortable

I’ve had a look at chuckling goat, unfortunately it’s quite high in iodine which I can’t have because of my overactive thyroid ☹️ I will check out those suppositories tho!

UPDATE I’ve now done 2 7 day courses of fluconazole and seen a private gynae who was USELESS. Turns out oestrogen cream/pessaries are a terrible idea as they feed thrush so now I have SUPER THRUSH. The private gynae basically just said “use this cream for irritation outside. No point in treating inside as it’s not worked before” absolute prick.

At the moment I’m waiting for the doc to call me back as a swab has shown a different strain of yeast. She’s contacting microbiology to ask how to treat it as it doesn’t seem to be responding to fluconazole.

FML

Have you tried a vaginal moisturiser when you’re not using thrush meds? YesVM has been a game changer for me, I use it daily and it seems to prevent recurrence. It might be worth a try and I don’t think it has any downsides?

Get the Balance Activ pessaries for BV. If your bacteria are wrong, you can get yeast as an opportunistic secondary infection.