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Women's health

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Original poster

The worst thrush I've ever had

38 replies

GeekyGirl42 · 31/03/2021 18:21

I think I had mild thrush a couple of weeks ago, and was meaning to treat it but lots going on. Lockdown life for me is wearing leggings and power walking 10,000 steps a day - it has been causing problems with thrush!!

My GP put me on penicillin for something else and OMG I now have the worst thrush I've ever had. I do get it quite easily and antibiotics are always a problem. But this is something else!!

I've taken 2 oral tablets a week apart (got slightly better and then worse with both), and GP has me trying a pessary. My vulva got so unbelievably itchy, I had to cut my nails because I was scratching at night. I'm now really sore there and have 3 patches - two on outside of vagina and one on clitoral hood - that are very painful when touched but look no different. I panic that this is not thrush but I am pretty sure it is.

I've now banned leggings and power walking until this is cleared up. Given how long it has been (2 weeks), how long should I wait before I bang on GP door?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 31/03/2021 18:41

You might need a course of pessaries to help

Original poster
GeekyGirl42 · 31/03/2021 18:58

I've not been sleeping terribly well because of this... Is it also normal to feel tired after having it like this for an extended period?

OP posts:
mcdog · 31/03/2021 19:00

I totally sympathise OP, thrush is the most awful thing ever. The only thing that soothes it for me are sanitary towels that have been run under a little bit of water, then frozen. I do this whilst waiting for medications to work.

Bobbybobbins · 31/03/2021 19:01

I found external treatment worked better than pessaries - you can get various options over the counter so I would get to a pharmacy ASAP and speak to them about it.

verybusyknitter · 31/03/2021 19:03

One really bad time, the GP prescribed me Canestan cream with added hydrocortisone, which did the trick.

And a few years ago, when I seemed to be getting recurrent bouts, I was pescribed three doses of the oral treatment to be taken over three consecutive days. Since then, I've been mostly OK

Hope you get some relief soon, it's so miserable.

ConnieCaterpillar70 · 31/03/2021 19:04

I'd avoid all sugar like the plague, use a tampon and/or towel liberally plastered in natural yogurt, and use the pessaries for at least 5 nights. Your GP should prescribe them otherwise it costs a fortune.

IdrisElbow · 31/03/2021 19:29

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
GeekyGirl42 · 31/03/2021 19:38

@IdrisElbow gosh that's reassuring to hear. Was really starting to wonder if thrush could get that far. Is really sore there

OP posts:
Original poster
GeekyGirl42 · 02/04/2021 22:22

Now I have what looks like a paper cut, just outside my vagina. I know this can happen with thrush, but OMG it hurts. Anyone got ideas on the fastest way to help this heal?

OP posts:
TaraR2020 · 02/04/2021 22:27

Sudacrem for the cut, op, miracle cream that it is.

Pessaries and tablet treatment, see the gp if no luck over the counter but you might need multiple doses to give it the boot once and for all.

Its miserable in the meantime so you have our sympathies!

Original poster
GeekyGirl42 · 02/04/2021 22:30

Forgot to say - GP thinks I'm also reacting to canesten. It does really burn when I put it on, and the internal cream working it's way out was agony!! Seems to have helped with the itchiness though, so until the paper cut I thought the thrush had gone.

OP posts:
TaraR2020 · 02/04/2021 22:32

Then didnt gp prescribe something else?
Seek advice from chemist at least but gp probably...try anti histamines as well as assuming allergic reaction?

CornishTiger · 02/04/2021 22:34

Get some Kefir to help restore things.

Original poster
GeekyGirl42 · 02/04/2021 22:35

GP was pretty sure the thrush was clear and all was left was inflammation. Doing swabs next week to check it's all gone and that it's not something else (needed anyway because I am supposed to get Mirena fitted next week). I've got hydrocortisone cream and strict instructions to leave it alone - no excess washing etc.

OP posts:
TaraR2020 · 02/04/2021 22:39

You might find using aqueous cream instead of soap helps it heal faster too then, op, pick up a tube from the chemist.

Cati482 · 02/04/2021 22:39

I had a really bad bout of thrush a few months back and the only think that cleared it for me was a course of Gyno Daktarin from the GP. Think it was a weeks worth of cream (used internally with an applicator) as tablets and OTC stuff just wouldn’t work, it would reduce the symptoms for a few days but then would come back in full force!

noblegreenk · 02/04/2021 22:41

I get recurrent thrush and have done for years, so you really do have my sympathy. When I get a stubborn bout of it I take the canesten oral tablet and use the canesten internal cream applicator with the external cream. The internal cream is messy and a bit awkward to use but I find it much better than the pessary. It can be difficult to get in pharmacies but you can buy it on amazon with next day delivery. If you do try the internal cream then make sure you insert it before you go to bed, so it has chance to do its thing overnight. Another option is flucanzole tablet rather than canesten. I'm not sure if you can get it from a pharmacy without prescription, but there are online pharmacies that with supply it with delivery. Only issue with flucanzole is it can make you feel a bit nauseous and headachey.

Thunderpunt · 02/04/2021 22:44

@Cati482

I had a really bad bout of thrush a few months back and the only think that cleared it for me was a course of Gyno Daktarin from the GP. Think it was a weeks worth of cream (used internally with an applicator) as tablets and OTC stuff just wouldn’t work, it would reduce the symptoms for a few days but then would come back in full force!
I was coming on to say exactly the same as @Cati482 - had swabs to rule our everything else and GP took advice from Gynae consultant who said there's a particularly nasty bout of thrush around which is resistant to normal OTT stuff. Also prescribed Gyno Daktarin course and that shifted it.
annie335 · 02/04/2021 22:47

Natural yoghurt applied to the area can help to sooth it. Hope it soon improves. I've had it in the past and can sympathetise.

annie335 · 02/04/2021 22:48

"sympathise"

Suzi888 · 02/04/2021 23:02

Ouch let GP have a look. I wouldn’t put anything on a cut until then, unless they prescribe it. I get little tears/paper cuts when I get eczema on my hands and some creams etc make it worse!

WeeLors · 02/04/2021 23:05

I always find slathering coconut oil on instantly soothing if I have a bout of thrush. Not only does it lubricate the inflamed skin but also has anti microbial and antifungal properties so helps with the infection too.

Pinchoftums · 02/04/2021 23:06

Make sure your toilet paper isn't scented this sent me into a world of hell when I didn't realise they were lightly scented. (Why the fuck you need scented paper is beyond me)

imalmostthere · 02/04/2021 23:10

Please do not insert a tampon as pp suggested - using a tampon whilst not on your period is a huge tss risk.
Canesten cream, and cotton breathable knickers. Sanitary towels won't allow the area to breathe and will make it worse. Pessaries to sooth but oral tablet does clear it quicker if used alongside pessary or cream x

Airplanes · 02/04/2021 23:14

The paper cut thing and the itching - have they considered you may also have lichen sclerosis? You would need steroid cream or ointment for that