Safe to use Canesten pessary in early pregnancy?

[PudgyBumBum]

The itching is driving me mad. I could wait until my doctor's appointment next week to check whether using Canesten is okay but (1) I am exhausted through lack of sleep because of the itching (2) I'm going away this weekend and am hoping that if I use the pessary tonight, the itching might be reduced by Saturday. I'm only five weeks pregnant by the way.

Thanks

Could you call NHS Direct? They might be able to tell you.

I live in Northern Ireland - unfortunately we don't have NHS direct here yet!

i got thrush every month during my recent pregnancy and i used a pessary with no problems at all.

didn't bother going to the doctor as i was prescribed it in my first pregnancy.

you just need to be careful about how far you insert the pessary and don't use the applicator, use your finger.

ah, no help at all then, sorry!!!

Thanks BB, I'll try that.

And thanks EMS23 for the suggestion

Have just gone through a really nasty bout of thrush that has taken 2 lots of canestan pessaries to get rid - both pescribed by health professionals - i was told it is just the oral tablet that can't be taken when pg.

don't think it matters what stage of pg you are (i am 25 weeks for what its worth) - just get it presecribed, then it is free!

hope it goes soon - its so bloody horrible!!

I mentioned it to the midwife when I went for an early scan and she just handed me the cream and pessary. No prescription, no cost. I was very surprised. It worked wonders!

Pharmacy won't sell you it if you mention you are pg. None of mine would anyway.

I was prescribed canestan pessary and cream by doctor on advice of midwife this week. She just said not to use the applicator to insert it. I'm 14 weeks.

Could you call your doctors in the morning to check? Mine will sometimes speak to you and arrange a precription for you to pick up on the phone without actually seeing you.

Hope you feel better soon.

Just wanted to confirm what others said. I suffered lots with thrush when preganant with DS3 and it was agony at times.

I used canesten cream and pessaries but without the applicator like others have said.
If you buy it over the counter don't mention you're pregnant. I left one chemist in tears!

I also found a couple of drops of tea tree oil diluted in lukewarm water made a soothing wash and gave some temporary relief.

Hope you feel better soon.

Wow, I can't believe the chemists wouldn't sell it to you. I got it fine in Boots. If they'd questioned it I would've pointed out that my GP had recommended it!

Hi,

I use canesten pessaries and cream both prescribed by GP and midwife quite early on in my pregnancy (currently now 26 wks).

I've got to use it throughout my pregancy as I'm on profalactic antibiotics and get it all the time, it drives me bloody crazy.

Hope you feel better soon

They told me not without perscription!

They have to be careful in pharmacies, I made the mistake of telling them my midwife had recommended it and they nearly wouldnt give it to me. I managed to get round them (Boots) and persuaded them to let me buy it as I was away from home without my exemption card and it was driving me mad - I pointed out that Id much rather go home and get a nice free perscription but needs must, I was desperate and I was acting under MW advice.

Echo what others say about no pill and no using an applicator.

My DH, who's a gp recommended me to use it earlier in this preg (around 11 weeks), but also said don't mention preg to pharmacist, as they probably wouldn't give it without a prescription.

Of course you could go and get a prescription, it wouldn't be a problem - but it's such a hassle getting to gp surgery that I usually don't bother for anything I can buy over the counter (having checked with DH first).