Allyzon911

Hi everyone,

I'm a 23 yr old female. I'n new to this board but I need some advice. This may be a long post and I greatly appreciate anyone taking the time to read this.

It all started with a horrid Urinary Tract Infection about 3 months ago. I had never had a UTI before and this one was so bad I had to have an IV before I go leave the ER. I was on antibiotics for 5 days, Cipro was the drug. Afterwards I felt somewhat better but still could not shake the urge to urinate every hour. I went back to the doc and was put on another 5 days of stronger antibiotics to shake it. After all that I still had problems with my bladder. Then the burning started. It felt like fire down there and it would burn after I peed. I went to the doc again, a different one mind you, and was told I had a slight yeast and bacterial infection, probably due to the meds, but no UTI this time. I was given metro-gel and diflucan to clear it up. THe metro-gel gave me a worse yeast infection so I took another diflucan. It seemed to go away, and I started having sex again, and then back came the burning, this time accompanied with a white discharge9 somewhat thick and creamy). Went back to the doc and was told I still had the BV and yeast. They decided to test for chlymidia and gonnorhea. Both came back neg. I took more med for the infections, the same ones prescribed as before. Again, the antibiotics made my yeast worse so I took more diflucan. THe discharge was still there. I made my doc refer me to an OBGYN. He did another chly, gonn test to make sure I was neg, which I was. And he said the wet smear came back ok, no infections. But 5 days later I had another bad, burning discharge and went to Planned Parenthood and was told I had no BV but a bad yeastie. I was checked for HIV, which was neg, and this time given 7 days of Terazol cream. My doc also took me off my Ortho-tri Cyclen and switched me to a new birth control which she said could have been the problem, and also because I was having break-thru bleeding since I started them months ago. I decided this month not to take any birth control, to give my body a rest. It had been a month and I was feeling good. I thought I had kicked it, but yesterday, low and behold, another one. I feel like I'm going to lose it.

I've made a few connections but am unsure if they mean anything. I notice I usually get these nasty yeasties right before my period, like 2-3 days before.

ALso, maybe the culprit is unprotected sex? The UTI started when I started having it and so did the infections. But if I tested neg for stds that doesnt make sense either. I asked my boyfriend, who has been my only partner for the last 7 months if he has any symptoms of a yeast infection and he says no. Can men really get yeast infections with no symptoms?

I've tried to change my lifestyle. I only wear cotton undies, use unscented soap, and keep the area dry, but nothing seems to work. I just dont understand why this started when I have never really had a problem with it in the past. ALso, besides these infections I am in good health.

Im going back to the doc in 2 days and will ask for a blood glucose test but I dont think that is the culprit anyhow.

Does anyone have any advice?? This is getting to be really frustrating and emotional for me. I bought some AZO yeast pills for after I cure this infection with the hopes of them providing me some resistance to another bout of the nasty yeasties.

THanks so much for reading!!

maleficent

between the anti biotics and the birth control changes your body sounds like it's gotten itself into a major tizzy and doesn't quite know what to do with itself. antibiotics generally cause yeast infections, i think i'm safe in saying, the majority of women... if you've been on a bunch of different ones, i'd say that was your culprit and your body may just need some time to adjust. is the uti cured?

there are a bunch of threads in this forum on yeast infections, searching thru some of those might give you ideas of things you or your doctor hasn't thought of.

Sounds like you've been thru the wringer.. good luck I hope you get this resolved soonest... If you don't get results with this doctor, can you switch doctors?

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lurkette

It sounds like you're stuck in a nasty cycle- often times a yeast infection gets knocked down but not out. Try cutting out refined sugars and white grains (flour/rice) for a few weeks, and drinking lots of cranberry juice (increases your body's acidity, which will help combat the yeast AND the UTIs), and taking an OTC yeast pill daily - something like AZO Yeast (available at most pharmacies) or Yeast Fighters (available at most health foods stores).

Yeasties suck big time - I wish you luck!!!

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maleficent

great idea...
be careful with some of the cranberry juices out there - the 'cocktail' varieties are mostly sugar which sort of defeat the purpose of taking it - and straight cranberry juice has got some serious pucker power to it... you can get cranberry capsules at pretty much any store that sells vitamins..

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onodrim

I've had a similar situation to yours in the past, not as drastic, but recurring yeast infections that wouldn't go away. And I got the first one from antibiotics for a UTI. Don't bother with the over the counter meds like monistat, you're likely only going to waste money, those are likely not strong enough for your situation. Ultimately what killed mine was a combination of things - taking a few cranberry pills every day, eating at least one thing of yogurt everyday, taking some AZO yeast everyday, and taking baths with baking soda, sounds weird, but it actually really works! It's annoying as hell and takes some time, but be patient with your body and it'll clear itself up in time. In the meantime, it might be best to avoid any heavy sexual activity as that only aggrevates the area more. Also, be sure to pee after you have sex, it helps clean out your vagina and reduce the risk of UTIs and yeast infections. And like others have mentioned, there are quite a few similar threads in this forum already, please use the search function and check those out as well.

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ngdawg

I had to go to a gynocological infection specialist for recurring infections and these are some of the things I had to do to keep the infections to a minimum.
1) cut sugars and refined foods. Use fresh, not canned as much as possible. The reasons for this were that the body's natural bacterias feed on sugars and multiply. Cutting back on processed foods, sugars and any food with yeast will cut the bacteria's growth. It's sort of a diabetic's diet.
2) steer clear of antibiotics. They kill good AND bad bacteria. The sugars and yeasts in our diet then encourage the worst of them to grow.
3) Drink lots of water and cranberry juice, no sugar added.
This last hint comes from a friend plagued with constant UTI's and her doctor told her this one: During foreplay and sex, don't allow your partner near your anus first then proceed to your vagina-even the slightest intestinal bacteria can cause these infections. (I live by the use of moistened wipes, myself )
Since my doctor insisted I steer clear of yeasts, sugars and canned products, taking a yeast pill might not be the best thing to do. He also had me use peroxide douches couple of times a week for the first 3 or 4 weeks-1 tablespoon of peroxide to a cup of water.

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JustJess

Once you're done with the antibiotics, try the Terconazole cream (vaginal suppository) and an external cream called Nystatin and Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream. That's what I took last May for a really nasty yeastie, and it worked very well. Prescribed by my gyno.

No booty while you're on it, and you can take it during your cycle if you have to. Do the full 7 days.

I've found that UTI's can feed into yeasties, and UTI's are almost always caused by not peeing after sex (or condoms, both in my case). It could definitely be an allergic reaction to something...
But more than likely, your poor cooter is just exhausted. Give her a break. Make him go pee in a cup to make sure he's not reinfecting you with yeast.

And good luck! I completely and totally sympathize... this stuff sucks.

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ShaniFaye

I will tell you right now....NO yeast infection I've ever had was cured with medicine. I can look at an antibiotic and miss hoohoo starts to itch. I wont even take the first pill before I've eaten a container of yogurt (yoplait is my yogurt of choice) and then everyday Im on the meds I eat one. It keeps the yeast infection from starting. Should I develop one for some other reason a I eat one container of yogurt per day...syptoms start going away within two days.....then I eat one a day for 7 days just to make sure.

Taking OTC or dr pescribed yeast meds do NOTHING for me and are a waste of money in my case.

I will also add that the itch creams they give you dont work well for me either...I have to apply them 12 times a day and then I still itch...I will share a secret...anal ease...yes anal ease applied in the morning after my shower keeps me itch free for the ENTIRE day.

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snowy

I find taking acidophilus (the live culture in yogurt) daily to be quite helpful in battling the yeasties; I also recommend using one acidophilus pill daily as a sort of suppository. This, combined with a topical treatment (clotrimizole, found cheaply at Costco) has always worked for my stubborn infections.

And yes, always pee after sex and wipe well--leaving yourself so wet after sex provides the perfect environment for yeast to grow. Secondly, stop having sex for a week or so, and have your boyfriend apply a topical anti-fungal during that week (such as clotrimizole, it's sold as a jock itch medicine too) to clear up anything that may be there without symptoms.

Hopefully that will help clear up some of the problems.

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sillygirl

By no sugar added, look for also no high fructose corn syrup. There's a brand now that has Cranberry 100, which I've found to be WAY better than the others. It's a bit more expensive, but it's worth it. I have suffered from UTI's since I was a kid. Something else that may help is to take a bath and add a few drops of tea tree oil to it. A while back I started incorporating cranberry juice into my daily diet. It's one of my favorites anyway, so it wasn't difficult to do. There are also cranberry herbal pills you can take. Maybe trying a more holistic path for a while may help, because the chemicals your body has been dealing with has probably made it harder to actually heal.

Good luck...

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shesus

Some sound advice from the ladies.

I would like to reiterate that yogurt is a god send. I took a break from eating yogurt and bam got a yeast infection. Also cranberry juice is your friend.

Like ng said, don't let the penis touch you anus before penetration, that can be bad news. Also, remember to pee right after sex. It breaks the feel good after mood, but it saves much pain later. Everytime I don't pee after, I get an infection.

I have had the chronic yeast and UTI infections and they are the worst. But follow the advice posted here and you should be back on track in no time.

Oh yes, and get your man checked. Men can carry a yeast infection with no symptoms. He may keep giving it back to you.

Good luck!

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noodle

Candida Cleanse is a great product you can find at health stores, too. It's a natural concoction to fight yeast. I had systemic yeast for 4 years. Monthly outbreaks down below and major thrush with dental visits, when I bit my cheek and whatnot. They even figured out that I had Candida in my sinus cavities. THAT was fun. They tried everything from daily OTC and rx creams for 14 days at a time and even four rounds of Diflucan for 14 days each. I finally beat it with a combination of yogurt (at least one container a day), aloe vera juice (for the good flora), Candida Cleanse, and daily chewable acidophilus tablets. Hadn't had an infection for several years from being proactive as soon as I thought I was getting sick and might possibly need an antibiotic.

I got a really severe infection last year after two weeks of daily sex. It wouldn't clear up until I finally made my SO eat yogurt and treat himself. He was reinfecting me. My GYN told me to use an internal OTC cream ( I used Monistat) and have sex. It worked like a charm. Good luck, sweetie, it sucks. Try looking at The Yeast Connection and The Yeast Connection Cookbook. They both had good ideas for changing my diet.

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abaya

Sidenote: I've been feeling this way for the last few days, since my SO and I had very intense sex over the weekend... I was wondering if I could have a UTI infection or something else? I feel like peeing a lot, and it hurts down there after I pee. Maybe it's nothing, but I'd appreciate anyone else's feedback.. I know this isn't a yeast thing, but it feels weird.

Meanwhile, yeah, don't you love being a woman? I have had my share of yeast infections, itchiness, painful intercourse, fissures, etc, though it's nothing compared to what you've been through. Wow.

Anyway, recommendations are to AVOID SEX (I know, it sucks) until it's over, and to get the treatment that will work. For me, Diflucan doesn't do much anymore, and Monistat barely works. Taking an acidophilus pill every day (or eating yogurt daily) seems to be a good thing, though not guaranteed.

I had no idea men could be "silent carriers" of recurring yeast infections. Will keep that in mind.

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*Nikki*

The fungus that causes Athlete's Foot also causes yeast infections.

If your SO has this, or doesn't even know he has this and be puts his underwear on BEFORE he puts his socks on.....he is transferring the fungus to his genitals which can then be transmitted to you.

This sounds crazy, but it is very real.

serlindsipity

also, be the type post sex to excuse yourself to clean up. wash up and pee, the acidity will help avoid post-getting-some infections. i have had that happen a few times.

also, like ng - wipes are good. inthe morning and in the evening. and keep some monistat 7 (or store brand) cream near by. you feel something fishy, slap some on. its helped me pre-treat the yeasties.

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Allyzon911

Thank you all so much for your input!! I go to the doctor tomorow to see what he says. I bought some AZO yeast pills and will look for some acidophilus pills as well.

As for the yougart, I will give it a try....even though I despise it. I've heard that you must use the plain yougart though. Is this true?
And I've been drinking so much cranberry that I might float away.

maleficent

nope just has to be yogurt with active cultures -- read the label - not all of them do...

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noodle

Mal's right. Acidophilus caplets/tablets work best if you get the kind that are refrigerated. My gyno told me that the unrefrigerated ones aren't really doing all that much for you because the formerly "active" cultures are freeze dried. Go for labels that read "Live" or "Active" cultures on your yogurt, supplements, etc.

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maleficent

and with a lot of supplements... for any vitamins really.. read the labels.. stear clear of the ones that have sugar or yeast as fillers...

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The Librarian

One thing that also helps with a yeast infection is wearing cotton underwear, it allows your body to breathe down there....

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AlmoundJoy18

Everyone seems to have plenty of knowledge about this. I concure with the whole cranberry juice and I wouldn't recommend taking the cipro because its medicine gets into your blood stream and fights the infection that way. Something like macrobid would be better because it gets in your bladder and fights the infection from there, which is definitely a more direct approach.

It is nice to know that I am not alone in the world of UTIs.

I recently got over one that lasted for five weeks and was treated with three different antibiotics and two trips to the emergency room. I am at greater risk for UTIs becoming a serious problem because I am allergic to penicillin and sulfa drugs, which are the main antibiotics that treat UTIs. So, I end up with three other options and one, Cipro, I have already become resistant to. It is especially important and vital for my health that I not get these anymore. Since the last one I have been drinking water and cranberry juice non-stop and peeing after sex. I sympathize with anyone who has to go through the nasty ones. Is there anything else I can do besides what is mentioned above? The experience of this one has really caught my attention and any words of advice would be great.

Pip

Like others have said, cotton panties and plenty of air down there, so stay away from tight trousers. Be careful with drinking too much water though, only do that for a few days at a time or else you risk flushing out minerals and other important stuff.

AlmoundJoy18

Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely keep the water thing in mind. I've been drinking it non-stop for about a week now, so maybe I'll lay off of it for a little while or at least reduce the amount.

I actually have another question, and I don't mean to sound redundant, but it just seems to make more sense to ask it in this thread rather than starting a similar one.

My doctor said that if the antibiotics I was last on did not clear up my UTI that I would have to get anti-bacterial shots into my bladder to wash it out. Does anyone know how they do this? I was thinking either by a catheter or by acutal injection. I can't imagine one method being more pleasant than the other, though.

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mayaj

I've been battling chronic yeast infections since I was 22. Seems it's genetic. A lot of people had good advice, I would like to mention what's worked for me:

1) no pantyhose, or cut the crotch out.

2) acidophillus pills, at least 1 billion microwhatevers per pill. Keep 'em in the frige

3) unsweetened yogurt

4) acidophillus vaginal suppository cream. It works as a preventitive and has practically changed my life. I use it once a week or every few days depending on how much I think I need it.

Other info:
Those over the counter things work well but they're really strong & you don't want to a)overwhelm your body with all those crap chemicals and b)create a situation where the fungus is becoming immune. Diflucan is great too but sometimes may need to be used in tandem with a cream, again, the stuff is strong & hard on your liver. Prevention is the best medicine, but some women get YIs everytime they have intercourse so just be aware that there is a connection. Breakthrough bleeding can encourage a yeast infection even though your period can make it go away. (weird)

Demeter

After recent sugery, and a heavy dose of antibiotics, I received my second yeast infection ever...(I know I should have been eating my yogurt, but I was only allowed liquids for the first 2 days...apparently long enough to knock my flora out of whack).

Anyways, I just wanted to say that this thread helped so very much, and probably saved me a lot of agony...thanks for sharing!

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