It's a fanjo question, I'm afraid :-S

[ameNbump]

Hi everyone...sorry if this is TMI for a Thursday morning! Am really embarassed to be writing this...so here goes

Basically, I have had terrible vaginal itching on & off since December. I have been for swabs and they found candida (which is basically thrush, isn't it). I've been prescribed cream & pessaries twice now, but to no avail, and the problem is really getting me down.

DP and I can't have sex, as last time we did, the itching/burning was so bad I was up most of the night, with an ice pack down there (something I thought would only happen after the birth!) There is sometimes some discharge, and it certainly smells a bit "off"

I have had 2 nasty kidney infections. Do you think they could be linked?

Also, someone mentioned taking an acidophalus (sp?) supplement, but the pharmacist didnt know if this was safe...Would be interested to know if anyone out there knows. I'm 19+5

Sorry again for the TMI nature of the post, but the embarassment will be well worth it, if I can get to the bottom (pun intended!) of this, and sort it out!!!

bump

Hi ameNbump

You must be due around the same time as me - I'm 31 August!

Much sympathy as have suffered a bit with this myself.

Are you saying the cream and pessaries don't work or that it just comes back after a few days of finishing treatment?

If it just comes back it might be that your DP has thrush too ? I know you say you haven't had sex for a while but it's worth considering if he could be reinfecting you.

I've read here that ironing the gussets of your knickers works as it kills bacteria/ cultures - not tried it but has to be worth a go despite being a bit weird!

Also make sure you're changing your bath towel regularly so you're not reinfecting yourself with that after showers etc.

Am not sure if Acidophilus tablets are ok, but have you tried eating the bioculture yoghurt (safe during pregnancy) - I have found it helps. You could also try applying natural yoghurt to your bits although I never found it did much more than cool things down.

Hope it gets better soon, I am suffering from a constant low-abdominal ache at the moment but the doc today said it wasn't another UTI so now I don't know what to think except maybe DS is using my bladder as a pillow! It's hard to know what's normal, isn't it...

x

Thanks musicmaiden and SNAP! we have the exact same EDD!! Are you on the "due in Aug" thread? Don't think I've seen you there

The cream/pessaries didnt work at all the first time, and after the second time, it all cleared up, but came back after 2/3 days.

I will definately try out what you've suggested (although will feel most odd ironing my knickers!!)

Indeed, it's difficult to know what's normal or what's "one of those things". I have just been reading loads lately about the link between infections & premature babies and the like.

Thanks for your advice, & good luck with the next 20 weeks (& beyond!!)

xx

I've seen the thread but only have a limited time to browse mumsnet at present so haven't had time to join in yet. Will try though.

Lovely to find someone with the same EDD! When is your 20-week scan? I have mine next Thursday. I already saw DS briefly on Monday when he had a heart scan (crappy early test results, all fine thankfully) but it's always nice to see the blighters despite how they make us suffer

Good luck to you too with the thrush and everything else!
xx

Any chance it's your DH giving it back to you? I think men can get it and pass it on so can get treated too?

Have you tried using yogurt? Natural yogurt is supposed to rebalance things. I tried it when I had thrush once and it seemed to help quite a bit. It's a bit gloopy though.

yes... I was in so much pain after trying to have sex the other night, that i ended up lying there with my bum propped on a pillow, while DP tried to get yogurt in the right place/s!!! (I can't believe I just admitted to that, but it seems nothing is sacred in pregnancy!!) It did seem to soothe things though!

DP could well be passing it back. Maybe we should both head to the GP. Thanks.

musicmaiden I'm glad all is fine now. You get to see your baby a day before me- My scan's on Friday morning!! Very excited...and a little bit nervous too!!

Keep an eye on it and ask to be referred if it dosn't go away. I had this recurrent thrush which ended up with the thrush going away and leaving me with a severe form of dermatitus (bit like excema) for which I have had to have strong steriods to clear up. The relief that the itching had finally stopped was immense.
Good Luck!

I had the same thing - constant thrush that would clear for a couple of days and then come back. the only thing that cleared it (for a month now) was a dose of the steroids. Can't tell you what a relief it is. You have to go easy on steroids though as they can thin the skin with a lot of use - not great for a vaginal birth I guess. Was worth it to get rid of the itching though!

Hi ameNbump I had something very similar to this with my first pg. I didnt have thrush or discharge or anything like that but after I had sex I used to get very red and swollen. Used to have to put a cold flannel down below! It didnt last for more then a few months, actually think mine stopped at around the middle of my pregnancy like you are now. Not sure what it was but somebody suggested that it could be from not being lubricated enough during sex, almost like friction burns! Hope this is helpful to you and you get better soon x