Hello ladies Karen and Cindy
So I went to an ID a couple of days ago and she seems to think that I don't have it and wants me to stop the boric acid immediately and wait two weeks so that she can swab me. She said that if it couldn't be picked up on a culture then it's not enough to cause the symptoms I was having. She thinks the antibiotics did throw off my vaginal health as well as my entire body--- most doctors don't talk gut health, so she said systemic. She said that if I keep using the boric acid I will impair my body to the point that my vagina will not know how to populate itself again. She thought I should try Rephresh But then she said that she wasn't big on probiotics but wasn't against them either. Here are my thoughts:
I think she was young and right out of school. I don't think she'd dealt with many vaginal cases. I agree with her about the boric acid. I was feeling so light headed and dizzy and vision was very off while on it. I asked my husband to pray for me because I felt as if I would literally drop every day. I thought it was just because of me dealing with all this infection and btw, my WBC and RBC count had been slightly low on the last two blood tests I've had. All taken since the start of boric acid. I also use my own urine strips to test for infection and my bilirubin had been looking slightly elevated in the last several days. I have been off the boric acid about four days. After the first night, I woke up and felt so much better overall. I checked my urine and bilirubin had went back to normal. This is my second round of boric acid. The first time I was fine. This second time, even after waiting a few days in between I gradually started feeling bad. Yes the discharge has returned. It is clear and runny. I also have minor burning from time to time. Some itching. I agree with the ID doctor a prolonged use couldn't be good but it was helping me feel almost normal down there, so to give it up is very hard, but feeling healthier is so worth it. I don't agree with her that I should get Rephresh because as you know I did come up positive for other bacteria not common for the vagina, just not Glabrata. Rephresh is for women that know they have BV caused by gardnella. I don't have that. In that wise, I can't trust everything she recommends. WhenI started laying out my history and symptoms she looked horrified. If she doesn't like probiotics why would she feel comfortable telling me to purchase Rephresh? It is sort of like that, just for the vagina. She doesn't believe that the UTI and vaginal infections are connected. I do. She doesn't believe I need more antibiotics to resolve the problem and I totally agree. All of this started because of antibiotics and my lack of knowledge of how to repopulate my gut while on antibiotics.
So here is what gives me some relief :
Activated charcoal : make as a paste to go on the lady parts. It seems to help for long hours by reducing inflammation. It is not anything that causes an allergic reaction, but it is very messy. I didn't want to try it for a long while, but gave in. Many women use it in a tampon form to draw out yeast and bacteria. It is negatively charged and therefore draws positively charged bacteria to it. I will definitely keep using it.
Colloidal Silver spray: 2 quick sprays gave me relief for more than 24 hours. This one I'm still cautious about because I don't know enough about it, but it has brought many women relief. Though they didn't say they had Glabrata,I would at least try it. I want to experiment with a tampon treatment. I'm waiting on some answers about that one and will let you all know what I find.
Coconut Oil Raw and Virgin: I put this in an applicator and sprinkle a bit of activated charcoal on it and insert overnigt. I have to immediately lie down to keep it in. It brings relief.
I used a garlic suppository that I sewed a string through and kept in overnight. It did bring a lot of relief, but at the time I was more into wanting to keep up with boric acid, so I will revisit garlic again on a more regular treatment regime to see if it will bring a better result.
This weekend I am going to do a horseradish and coconut infused vaginal bullet that I will make on my own. I've heard people say that it works wonders on yeast. They didn't specify Glabrata, and I know Glabrata operates a bit differently.
I've begun using probiotics which I've read in Several studies women have drastically improved symptoms with vaginal infections and especially when combined with an antibiotic. The studies I saw showed that when women used topical trearments alongside a probiotic they 88% of them were cured with no sign of recurrence for a year I believe. I use about 30 billion and then I also use Femdophilus 5 billion by mouth not vaginally because it didn't go as well for me vaginally as it has some women. I do notice a slight decrease in symptoms after taking it. I plan on getting more and upping the amount.
As of today, my symptoms are not as pronounced as they were when I first wrote here, but I have only been off the BA for 4 days. And I do have the discharge at times.
Karen, I would just ask Rebekah in the group. She is very wise and it's her group. She's dealt with many women over the years and has perhaps come upon some that have been cultured positive for Glabrata.
I will say that I have not eaten anything unhealthy except for a few times since I came off antibiotics back in Feb. I felt the same way Karen. I felt like how is this helping me since I still have these symptoms? The truth is, I have seen my UTI troubles controlled by my diet and supplements, but my vagina is another story. I am just too scared to feed it sugar because if my taking antibiotics affected my vagina and my gut because I couldn't even use the restroom for weeks after-- and that's when the vaginal issues really ramped up. Obviously whatever I give my body affects my vagina. I will eat normally again, but not until I get the Urovaginal issues well sorted.
Tre
So I went to an ID a couple of days ago and she seems to think that I don't have it and wants me to stop the boric acid immediately and wait two weeks so that she can swab me. She said that if it couldn't be picked up on a culture then it's not enough to cause the symptoms I was having. She thinks the antibiotics did throw off my vaginal health as well as my entire body--- most doctors don't talk gut health, so she said systemic. She said that if I keep using the boric acid I will impair my body to the point that my vagina will not know how to populate itself again. She thought I should try Rephresh But then she said that she wasn't big on probiotics but wasn't against them either. Here are my thoughts:
I think she was young and right out of school. I don't think she'd dealt with many vaginal cases. I agree with her about the boric acid. I was feeling so light headed and dizzy and vision was very off while on it. I asked my husband to pray for me because I felt as if I would literally drop every day. I thought it was just because of me dealing with all this infection and btw, my WBC and RBC count had been slightly low on the last two blood tests I've had. All taken since the start of boric acid. I also use my own urine strips to test for infection and my bilirubin had been looking slightly elevated in the last several days. I have been off the boric acid about four days. After the first night, I woke up and felt so much better overall. I checked my urine and bilirubin had went back to normal. This is my second round of boric acid. The first time I was fine. This second time, even after waiting a few days in between I gradually started feeling bad. Yes the discharge has returned. It is clear and runny. I also have minor burning from time to time. Some itching. I agree with the ID doctor a prolonged use couldn't be good but it was helping me feel almost normal down there, so to give it up is very hard, but feeling healthier is so worth it. I don't agree with her that I should get Rephresh because as you know I did come up positive for other bacteria not common for the vagina, just not Glabrata. Rephresh is for women that know they have BV caused by gardnella. I don't have that. In that wise, I can't trust everything she recommends. WhenI started laying out my history and symptoms she looked horrified. If she doesn't like probiotics why would she feel comfortable telling me to purchase Rephresh? It is sort of like that, just for the vagina. She doesn't believe that the UTI and vaginal infections are connected. I do. She doesn't believe I need more antibiotics to resolve the problem and I totally agree. All of this started because of antibiotics and my lack of knowledge of how to repopulate my gut while on antibiotics.
So here is what gives me some relief :
Activated charcoal : make as a paste to go on the lady parts. It seems to help for long hours by reducing inflammation. It is not anything that causes an allergic reaction, but it is very messy. I didn't want to try it for a long while, but gave in. Many women use it in a tampon form to draw out yeast and bacteria. It is negatively charged and therefore draws positively charged bacteria to it. I will definitely keep using it.
Colloidal Silver spray: 2 quick sprays gave me relief for more than 24 hours. This one I'm still cautious about because I don't know enough about it, but it has brought many women relief. Though they didn't say they had Glabrata,I would at least try it. I want to experiment with a tampon treatment. I'm waiting on some answers about that one and will let you all know what I find.
Coconut Oil Raw and Virgin: I put this in an applicator and sprinkle a bit of activated charcoal on it and insert overnigt. I have to immediately lie down to keep it in. It brings relief.
I used a garlic suppository that I sewed a string through and kept in overnight. It did bring a lot of relief, but at the time I was more into wanting to keep up with boric acid, so I will revisit garlic again on a more regular treatment regime to see if it will bring a better result.
This weekend I am going to do a horseradish and coconut infused vaginal bullet that I will make on my own. I've heard people say that it works wonders on yeast. They didn't specify Glabrata, and I know Glabrata operates a bit differently.
I've begun using probiotics which I've read in Several studies women have drastically improved symptoms with vaginal infections and especially when combined with an antibiotic. The studies I saw showed that when women used topical trearments alongside a probiotic they 88% of them were cured with no sign of recurrence for a year I believe. I use about 30 billion and then I also use Femdophilus 5 billion by mouth not vaginally because it didn't go as well for me vaginally as it has some women. I do notice a slight decrease in symptoms after taking it. I plan on getting more and upping the amount.
As of today, my symptoms are not as pronounced as they were when I first wrote here, but I have only been off the BA for 4 days. And I do have the discharge at times.
Karen, I would just ask Rebekah in the group. She is very wise and it's her group. She's dealt with many women over the years and has perhaps come upon some that have been cultured positive for Glabrata.
I will say that I have not eaten anything unhealthy except for a few times since I came off antibiotics back in Feb. I felt the same way Karen. I felt like how is this helping me since I still have these symptoms? The truth is, I have seen my UTI troubles controlled by my diet and supplements, but my vagina is another story. I am just too scared to feed it sugar because if my taking antibiotics affected my vagina and my gut because I couldn't even use the restroom for weeks after-- and that's when the vaginal issues really ramped up. Obviously whatever I give my body affects my vagina. I will eat normally again, but not until I get the Urovaginal issues well sorted.
Tre
Hi Tre,
Thanks for the update and your helpful natural therapies, and it sounds like you have tried many natural remedies with good results. It's interesting that you felt physically ill with the boric acid. I don't think I've felt ill. I may have had a headache or two. I did feel much better with the Fem Dophilus for and then a couple of months ago it wasn't helping as much. It sounds like you are getting much closer to finding a solution for you.
Cindy
Thanks for the update and your helpful natural therapies, and it sounds like you have tried many natural remedies with good results. It's interesting that you felt physically ill with the boric acid. I don't think I've felt ill. I may have had a headache or two. I did feel much better with the Fem Dophilus for and then a couple of months ago it wasn't helping as much. It sounds like you are getting much closer to finding a solution for you.
Cindy
Hey karen and everybody else here! Sorry i have been away from the group but believe me u have been on my mind. I am so sad to read tht u are still dealing with this and I really do hope that u find relief soon
With me , i have been feeling symptoms since the last 2 months that i have been dealing with naturally. however since recently, incidentally the night after i had sex, i have been getting vaginal discharge tht doesnot look or feel normal. There is no itching though. I have made an appoitment with my GP for coming monday to get a swab done. To be honest i have not had a followup swab ever since my culture came back negative and im dreading it cz im almost sure its back again. Will let u all know.
S.
With me , i have been feeling symptoms since the last 2 months that i have been dealing with naturally. however since recently, incidentally the night after i had sex, i have been getting vaginal discharge tht doesnot look or feel normal. There is no itching though. I have made an appoitment with my GP for coming monday to get a swab done. To be honest i have not had a followup swab ever since my culture came back negative and im dreading it cz im almost sure its back again. Will let u all know.
S.
Hi Tre, S, Cindy,
I am getting a culture to see where things are at for me on Monday. I will let you know my results! Basically if the infection is not gone they want me to repeat the ampho b/flucy gel.
S, Tre - let me know your results also. I will keep my fingers crossed that’s it’s not glabrata!
Cindy - I got the results of my hormone tests. My thyroid was a tiny bit off and my testosterone level was really low. They gave me 15mg of armored thyroid medicine and a testosterone cream I rub on my body. This doctor was more on the natural side. Will let you know if it helps.
Tre - I will also see what Rebekah says when I get around to posting.
Also - regarding diet, I eat low sugar and take a really good probiotic. I just wonder how strict I need to be (I.e. gluten, dairy, wheat free). In all honesty it seems like my vagina feels the same regardless of what I eat. I have tried adjusting my diet significantly with no luck so far. But, I may not be cutting out what I need to for this strain. Who knows.....
Karen
I am getting a culture to see where things are at for me on Monday. I will let you know my results! Basically if the infection is not gone they want me to repeat the ampho b/flucy gel.
S, Tre - let me know your results also. I will keep my fingers crossed that’s it’s not glabrata!
Cindy - I got the results of my hormone tests. My thyroid was a tiny bit off and my testosterone level was really low. They gave me 15mg of armored thyroid medicine and a testosterone cream I rub on my body. This doctor was more on the natural side. Will let you know if it helps.
Tre - I will also see what Rebekah says when I get around to posting.
Also - regarding diet, I eat low sugar and take a really good probiotic. I just wonder how strict I need to be (I.e. gluten, dairy, wheat free). In all honesty it seems like my vagina feels the same regardless of what I eat. I have tried adjusting my diet significantly with no luck so far. But, I may not be cutting out what I need to for this strain. Who knows.....
Karen
Karen, Tre, S
Thanks Karen for letting us know how things are going. Karen, S and Tre - I too hope you have negative cultures with your next swab!!!
My doctor really didn't say anything about the boric acid but to let the area heal before I start back. I have an appointment with another doctor next week.
Karen-It will be interesting to see if the thyroid medicine and the testosterone help!
Cindy
Thanks Karen for letting us know how things are going. Karen, S and Tre - I too hope you have negative cultures with your next swab!!!
My doctor really didn't say anything about the boric acid but to let the area heal before I start back. I have an appointment with another doctor next week.
Karen-It will be interesting to see if the thyroid medicine and the testosterone help!
Cindy
Hi Ladies,
So I got my results back and my culture was positive for glabrata with moderate growth. Argh, so frustrating:(
I am doing another round of the ampho b/flucy gel. I am praying this will do it!!!!!!!!!!! Please God!
Let me know how you ladies are doing and if you have any updates.
Karen
So I got my results back and my culture was positive for glabrata with moderate growth. Argh, so frustrating:(
I am doing another round of the ampho b/flucy gel. I am praying this will do it!!!!!!!!!!! Please God!
Let me know how you ladies are doing and if you have any updates.
Karen
Hi everyone ! I have suffered with glabrata since April of last year after antibiotics. I have basically been using boric acid since October after I tried flucytocine which did nothing but cause a great deal of pain and irritation. I seem to rid the glabrata symptoms for a few days at a time, and honestly at this point it’s hard to differentiate between yeast burning and tissue irritation. It’s very frustrating. I just wanted to post to let everyone else here know that you’re not alone ! I have found the boric acid to be extremely helpful along with femdophilus from jarrow. I have also used probaclac (which I ordered from Canada), that helped a lot too as I have no good flora per my gyn when she looked under the microscope. Any tips or recommendations are welcomed! :) I think the biggest issue is repopulating the beneficial bacteria, how to colonize with the goods is the question... le sigh.
Thanks for the update Karen and Le. I went to another doctor and he said I have no yeast. He wants me to get more good bacteria in the area also.
Karen, hopefully this time the combo cream will get rid of the glabrata!!! Let us know how you are doing.
Cindy
Karen, hopefully this time the combo cream will get rid of the glabrata!!! Let us know how you are doing.
Cindy
Le - I am really surprised the flycytosine didn’t help you. Was it a cream you used just by itself? I’ve been told glabrata is very sensitive to flucytosine. Have you considered trying the ampho b/flucy gel together and have you run a sensitivity culture?
Cindy - I’m glad you don’t have yeast.... it’s awful. Have you considered vulvodynia at all?
Karen
Cindy - I’m glad you don’t have yeast.... it’s awful. Have you considered vulvodynia at all?
Karen
So i got my results back and its candida glabrata back with heavy growth :(
Taking an appointment with the infectious disease doctor on monday. Hopefully will get in quick. Starting boric acid in the meanwhile. Karen i remember u said something abt telling me something abt sourcing the ampho+flycytosine cream. Can u please so i may discuss with the infectious disease doc.
S.
Taking an appointment with the infectious disease doctor on monday. Hopefully will get in quick. Starting boric acid in the meanwhile. Karen i remember u said something abt telling me something abt sourcing the ampho+flycytosine cream. Can u please so i may discuss with the infectious disease doc.
S.
S,
So sorry to hear about you results! My heart broke to read your results:( What I was thinking on the gel is that I could give you the name of the pharmacy I used and you could either coordinate with them through you ID doc to see if they can get it to you or your ID doc could coordinate with mine to see if there is a way to prescribe and get you the gel. I think there is one other lady on here that found a way to source it but she never said how. Do you have an account on here so I can private message you?
I am on the gel now. If you want you can wait and see if it works for me before trying it because it is really expensive. I honestly can't tell yet but am praying with every fiber of my being that it is!
Karen
So sorry to hear about you results! My heart broke to read your results:( What I was thinking on the gel is that I could give you the name of the pharmacy I used and you could either coordinate with them through you ID doc to see if they can get it to you or your ID doc could coordinate with mine to see if there is a way to prescribe and get you the gel. I think there is one other lady on here that found a way to source it but she never said how. Do you have an account on here so I can private message you?
I am on the gel now. If you want you can wait and see if it works for me before trying it because it is really expensive. I honestly can't tell yet but am praying with every fiber of my being that it is!
Karen
Hey karen. Yes i did make an account on here. Plz do pm me. My appointment is on the 16th of june. U wud have finished the treatment by then but i wud like to give it a shot nontheless. Plz do private message me the details so i have everything ready for when i go to my ID appointment.
My heart broke too. I know u can relate as u yrself hv been through this disappointment of reoccurrence. Its just too disheartning. Y is it so difficult to get rid of this.
My heart broke too. I know u can relate as u yrself hv been through this disappointment of reoccurrence. Its just too disheartning. Y is it so difficult to get rid of this.
Oh its S. Above
Hi S,
I have an account now too. I will definitely send you the info! Just out of curiosity, do you have any other health problems? I have acid reflux problems and take acid reducers. I wonder if that could be a factor.
Karen
I have an account now too. I will definitely send you the info! Just out of curiosity, do you have any other health problems? I have acid reflux problems and take acid reducers. I wonder if that could be a factor.
Karen
Also, I think you mentioned your symptoms got triggered this last time after sex. Mine seem to get triggered after sex also. I wonder why. Could both our partners have it?