Thrush or something else?

[CaputDraconis]

I need your help as I am in agony.

Admitted to A&E on Sunday with appendicitis. Removed Monday afternoon. While waiting for removal I had 4 doses of IV antibiotics.

Thursday I wake up to a very itchy vulva and some tiiiiny splotches of thick white discharge.

As I have never had thrush before all advice says seek GP advice. GP said she can't see any discharge but would try a swab and in the mean time to use canesten cream and pessary.

The cream seems to be making things worse!!!

I am so itchy. Bit TMI but my clitoral hood is so swollen it is about 4 times the size! This is obviously making things very uncomfortable.

I am recovering from surgery and need some sleep but it is keeping me awake. The only thing helping at the moment is an ice pack in my knickers.

I have taken an antihistamine and paracetamol.

Instead of the cream you can just can 1 single tablet (from any pharmacy) to take for thrush! this may help?

Do you think it sounds like thrush though? Or something else?

The lack of discharge is now making me think it is something else.

Antibiotics give me (and alot of women) thrush every single time, all your symptoms indicate thrush. The lack of discharge doesn't mean it's not, keep using the cream and wear lose pants/trousers! It's horrible OP! Try not to scratch, try a luke warm bath and have some live biotic yogurts or whatever they are called x

Did you eat a lot of things you wouldn't usually?

im a diet controlled diabetic. If I've been away from home & ended up eating too many carbs this is one of the first signs.

when I was in hospital (for surgery after an accident) the food set me off because its so carb heavy.

I use water wipes (only that brand, not others!!) to wipe & to lay between my lips. More convenient than an ice pack!!

Despite being in the hospital for almost 48 hours the only food I had in that time was a tuna sandwich!

I have been having more bread at home though as toast is easier than my usual breakfasts and my husband is a crap nurse haha

Thank you for your reassurance. The cream was making things feel better for about a minute then it feels worse?!

I used the pessary last night so I'm hoping that will work from within!

The swelling is the worst part. I have never experienced anything like it.

I will get some water wipes later 😊

Yes antibiotics do often result in thrush.
I always found rubbing natural yoghurt onto the vaginal area really helpful. Really cooling and helps the itching.
Also I drank of lot of cranberry juice - I think there is debate about whether the cranberry juice is actually effective but I found it helped.

The GP seemed to think that it is only prolonged use of antibiotics that causes it and that 4 doses wouldn't be enough to cause it. However they were super strong IV ones so don't know if that makes a difference.

Also it was hottest day of the year, no air con, and the mattresses are obviously plastic with a thin sheet covering them. To say I was sweaty is an understatement 🤢