Hi again Karen,
I dont mind answering at all. Yes having the sensitivity culture helped as in it ruled out being given any more medication that wouldn't work. As in there was no point in taking any more fluconazole in any dosage or any of the other oral azoles.. All antifungal treatment is harsh on our bodies so needlessly taking it when it was never going to work is crazy. My sensitivity showed resistance to all the azoles apart from voriconazole.which the report said I was sensitive to but not overly...and they expected resistance to happen quickly..(exact wording) what the lab recommended at that stage was three days oral voriconazole strong dose and they said I would know quickly if it was working or not... tried the three days , didnt feel any different had a swab still heavy growth..all that was left open to me then here , like you were the iv options so then I was admitted to try anudlafungin ..had the reaction , they didnt want to go the ampho b route by iv at that stage because it was so dangerous to your liver etc... so they said the would try blast it with extremely high dose of voriconazole by iv... I knew while I was in hospital that it wasn't working and I felt that I was now resistant to it..
I kept being told no..it will work and you wont become resistant because your getting such a high dose it would be supressing any resistance....and it is exactly what happened..it didn't work, I was resistant and
The vori was at dangerous levels in my body...
I truly feel in my case anyway between the doctor , the lab and the hospital, they all had never treated it before and huge mistakes were made... I have read now several times particularly if you have any resistance to azoles for any of them that you maybe still sensitive to, to work they would have to be given in such a high dosage that the risk of damaging your other organs would be very high... that is why if I had only known now what I didnt know then..would I have taken most of that antifungal treatment??... no I wouldnt have.. I would have only used boric
Before I went back to the boric acid, I did try the garlic, coconut oil and grapefruit seed extract.. the grapefruit seed extract I found very cooling ..you mix about eight drops with water and I would syringe it in there..the coconut oil I found was soothing on the outside but unfortunately they didnt help much with the growth levels...
I dont see any difference inserting acidophilus internally or on a pad... as long as it gets there lol..
I would seriously take heart karen that you are at light growth and it hopefully it wont take much more to eradicate it completely...the only thing I would suggest is that if you try the boric again I wouldn't wait too long its best to go again while the growth is still v light..
No I had no after effects from the boric acid and even while using I had no redness or inflammation... would I use it again if I was ever unlucky enough to get this again...in a heartbeat!!
Xxxx
(D...)
I dont mind answering at all. Yes having the sensitivity culture helped as in it ruled out being given any more medication that wouldn't work. As in there was no point in taking any more fluconazole in any dosage or any of the other oral azoles.. All antifungal treatment is harsh on our bodies so needlessly taking it when it was never going to work is crazy. My sensitivity showed resistance to all the azoles apart from voriconazole.which the report said I was sensitive to but not overly...and they expected resistance to happen quickly..(exact wording) what the lab recommended at that stage was three days oral voriconazole strong dose and they said I would know quickly if it was working or not... tried the three days , didnt feel any different had a swab still heavy growth..all that was left open to me then here , like you were the iv options so then I was admitted to try anudlafungin ..had the reaction , they didnt want to go the ampho b route by iv at that stage because it was so dangerous to your liver etc... so they said the would try blast it with extremely high dose of voriconazole by iv... I knew while I was in hospital that it wasn't working and I felt that I was now resistant to it..
I kept being told no..it will work and you wont become resistant because your getting such a high dose it would be supressing any resistance....and it is exactly what happened..it didn't work, I was resistant and
The vori was at dangerous levels in my body...
I truly feel in my case anyway between the doctor , the lab and the hospital, they all had never treated it before and huge mistakes were made... I have read now several times particularly if you have any resistance to azoles for any of them that you maybe still sensitive to, to work they would have to be given in such a high dosage that the risk of damaging your other organs would be very high... that is why if I had only known now what I didnt know then..would I have taken most of that antifungal treatment??... no I wouldnt have.. I would have only used boric
Before I went back to the boric acid, I did try the garlic, coconut oil and grapefruit seed extract.. the grapefruit seed extract I found very cooling ..you mix about eight drops with water and I would syringe it in there..the coconut oil I found was soothing on the outside but unfortunately they didnt help much with the growth levels...
I dont see any difference inserting acidophilus internally or on a pad... as long as it gets there lol..
I would seriously take heart karen that you are at light growth and it hopefully it wont take much more to eradicate it completely...the only thing I would suggest is that if you try the boric again I wouldn't wait too long its best to go again while the growth is still v light..
No I had no after effects from the boric acid and even while using I had no redness or inflammation... would I use it again if I was ever unlucky enough to get this again...in a heartbeat!!
Xxxx
(D...)
D, im from australia. Where r u from? I dont know why nobody here never talked about getting a sesitivity test done. I will definitely ask my GP abt it when i see her next. I do have another referral for an ID doctor for the 12th of december. Will ask him abt ampho and flucytosine vaginal jelly. Meanwhile im thinking of giving boric acid another try for 6 weeks.
Between ur rounds of boric acid how many days did u give off? Also im still confused abt using boric acid during periods. Wudnt tht b a waste with everything just flowing out?
It takes months getting appointment for specialists here in australia. I have been referred to this ID doctor who im going to see on the 12th of december since september.
My current ID doctor is suspecting tht since ampho B didnt cure it then maybe the fungus is travelling from the urethra or the bladder to the vagina cz there is a fistula ( some medical term meaning tht a small opening or way between the urethra and vagina). He wants to rule tht out. Although my urine cultures are all normal. So im confused myself regarding the need of an MRI. But im willing to do anything to get rid of it.
D, i would like to say here tht u r such an angel taking time out to reply and keeping our hopes high. Bless u!
Will keep u posted
(S.)
Between ur rounds of boric acid how many days did u give off? Also im still confused abt using boric acid during periods. Wudnt tht b a waste with everything just flowing out?
It takes months getting appointment for specialists here in australia. I have been referred to this ID doctor who im going to see on the 12th of december since september.
My current ID doctor is suspecting tht since ampho B didnt cure it then maybe the fungus is travelling from the urethra or the bladder to the vagina cz there is a fistula ( some medical term meaning tht a small opening or way between the urethra and vagina). He wants to rule tht out. Although my urine cultures are all normal. So im confused myself regarding the need of an MRI. But im willing to do anything to get rid of it.
D, i would like to say here tht u r such an angel taking time out to reply and keeping our hopes high. Bless u!
Will keep u posted
(S.)
Another thing D, were u doing one 600mg of boric acid per day or two? Have u read anything abt inserting 1 capsule each in morning and at night.?
How much water did u mix in with the eight drops of grapeseed oil?
Do u think it will help keeping vaginal flora balanced if i keep taking probiotics orally during the boric acid treatment?
Thankyou!
(S.)
How much water did u mix in with the eight drops of grapeseed oil?
Do u think it will help keeping vaginal flora balanced if i keep taking probiotics orally during the boric acid treatment?
Thankyou!
(S.)
Thanks D! I started a 4th round this past Friday so we’ll see how I do. Meanwhile my doctor is trying to see if he can get the ampho b and flucytosine in a jelly base for me to try vaginally though it sounds complicated to get. He mentioned it might be a little while.
I am also taking garlic pills and grapefruit seed extract orally. The garlic pills seem to help some. I just wasn’t sure if there was anything else you recommended to help kick it’s butt this round! I am taking boric acid at night and inserting acidophilus in the morning.
My cultures have shown “few” after the last two rounds of boric acid so I just hope it can eradicate it completely for me and that I am still making progress. I will update you again for sure after this next round/culture. You are so awesome and I really appreciate the help:)
S, I know D will answer also but I only took breaks for 3 days in between my boric acid rounds. I used the boric acid during my period.
Karen
I am also taking garlic pills and grapefruit seed extract orally. The garlic pills seem to help some. I just wasn’t sure if there was anything else you recommended to help kick it’s butt this round! I am taking boric acid at night and inserting acidophilus in the morning.
My cultures have shown “few” after the last two rounds of boric acid so I just hope it can eradicate it completely for me and that I am still making progress. I will update you again for sure after this next round/culture. You are so awesome and I really appreciate the help:)
S, I know D will answer also but I only took breaks for 3 days in between my boric acid rounds. I used the boric acid during my period.
Karen
Hi girls, I am in Ireland...
Yes I did use the boric acid for a couple of days twice daily.. on my first of the three rounds..my thinking was maybe to try get a head start by doing a double dose..one in the morn and one at night..then I decided I preferred the idea of using acidophilus in the morning and the boric acid at night..
I dont think the grapefruit seed extract would help keeping the flora normal because its an antifungal, antibacterial etc.. but it did help with cooling but I used it before I could source the boric acid.. I put the eight drops in a relatively small glass of water..about a quarter of a glass..some people can drink it.. I did a few days but its not particularly nice ..
S..when you say your going to try boric acid for six weeks, you may not even need that..I would do two weeks, stop for three days and try another two and I would try definitely to have a swab done at that stage to see where you are with growth...if im right you still.have a heavy growth... your doc maybe right to have you do an mri to rule out anything else but the use of ampho b gel and the fact it didn't work wouldnt make me panic into thinking that it is sourcing somewhere else..glabrata while it is often sensitive to ampho b, resistance can develop quickly and its the same with flucysotine.. that is why in the states the most successful treatment is to combine the two above into a gel and this stops the glabrata being able to develop resistance as quickly and that is why it can be very successful.. but to get it is the problem and the fact it has to be refrigerated during transit after it has been compounded can add to the problem of sourcing it and cost..believe me.I looked into every avenue and I know in the states it is expensive..
While I know S it seems a waste to use it during a period I still did, my thinking was.I wasnt taking any chances leaving it to grow while I had a period and I figured maybe some would stay in there...
I am thinking of you both and please let me know over the next few days how you both are doing... wishing you both the very, very best and hoping so hard that you both can shift this thing for once and for all...
(D...)
Yes I did use the boric acid for a couple of days twice daily.. on my first of the three rounds..my thinking was maybe to try get a head start by doing a double dose..one in the morn and one at night..then I decided I preferred the idea of using acidophilus in the morning and the boric acid at night..
I dont think the grapefruit seed extract would help keeping the flora normal because its an antifungal, antibacterial etc.. but it did help with cooling but I used it before I could source the boric acid.. I put the eight drops in a relatively small glass of water..about a quarter of a glass..some people can drink it.. I did a few days but its not particularly nice ..
S..when you say your going to try boric acid for six weeks, you may not even need that..I would do two weeks, stop for three days and try another two and I would try definitely to have a swab done at that stage to see where you are with growth...if im right you still.have a heavy growth... your doc maybe right to have you do an mri to rule out anything else but the use of ampho b gel and the fact it didn't work wouldnt make me panic into thinking that it is sourcing somewhere else..glabrata while it is often sensitive to ampho b, resistance can develop quickly and its the same with flucysotine.. that is why in the states the most successful treatment is to combine the two above into a gel and this stops the glabrata being able to develop resistance as quickly and that is why it can be very successful.. but to get it is the problem and the fact it has to be refrigerated during transit after it has been compounded can add to the problem of sourcing it and cost..believe me.I looked into every avenue and I know in the states it is expensive..
While I know S it seems a waste to use it during a period I still did, my thinking was.I wasnt taking any chances leaving it to grow while I had a period and I figured maybe some would stay in there...
I am thinking of you both and please let me know over the next few days how you both are doing... wishing you both the very, very best and hoping so hard that you both can shift this thing for once and for all...
(D...)
D & Karen,
Thankyou for ur replies. Thts exactly what i have done too D. Two capsules of boric acid each day. Im on my third day now. Will do 2 capsules one more day and then switch to acidophilus in the morning and boric acid at night.
Fingers crossed i might not need to go into the third round at all. Wud be the happiest day of my life when i get over this nightmare.
Hoping u manage to knock it out completely this time too karen. U r in my thoughts.
A big thankyou to both of u. This can be a lonely battle and hving you both understand what im going through you and giving ur valuable suggestions means a lot.
Will update you guys after i finish this round.
(S.)
Thankyou for ur replies. Thts exactly what i have done too D. Two capsules of boric acid each day. Im on my third day now. Will do 2 capsules one more day and then switch to acidophilus in the morning and boric acid at night.
Fingers crossed i might not need to go into the third round at all. Wud be the happiest day of my life when i get over this nightmare.
Hoping u manage to knock it out completely this time too karen. U r in my thoughts.
A big thankyou to both of u. This can be a lonely battle and hving you both understand what im going through you and giving ur valuable suggestions means a lot.
Will update you guys after i finish this round.
(S.)
D & S,
Just an update. I have two more nights of round 4 of boric acid. I am scheduled to get another culture on Monday. I should have another update by the end of next week hopefully! I have been inserting femdopholus each morning every day during this last round. I am praying it’s helping! S, are you able to get cultures between you boric acid rounds? Can you tell if it’s helping yet? I am praying for both of us that we beat this!
Karen
Just an update. I have two more nights of round 4 of boric acid. I am scheduled to get another culture on Monday. I should have another update by the end of next week hopefully! I have been inserting femdopholus each morning every day during this last round. I am praying it’s helping! S, are you able to get cultures between you boric acid rounds? Can you tell if it’s helping yet? I am praying for both of us that we beat this!
Karen
D,
One more question.... did you have to get to no growth before the glabrata was gone? I have one doctor telling me it’s normal to have some level of yeast in my body. That doesn’t make sense to me because I culture negative for all the other strains but I wanted to get your thoughts.
Thanks,
Karen
One more question.... did you have to get to no growth before the glabrata was gone? I have one doctor telling me it’s normal to have some level of yeast in my body. That doesn’t make sense to me because I culture negative for all the other strains but I wanted to get your thoughts.
Thanks,
Karen
Hi Karen, I also had a specialist tell me this at one point, and I was told I would 'probably have to live with it' but also was told by many others including head microbiologists and top gynecologists that to be 'cured ' you need to have a negative culture.. so yes I had to get to no growth, all clear before I was diagnosed as clear.. I have my fingers crossed for you both..how are you feeling?
I came across this ... if it helps..
In the general population, approximately 15 to 20 percent of women are asymptomatically colonized with yeast.6 Routine fungal cultures will, therefore, frequently identify women harboring yeast species as part of their flora but who do not require therapy. However, in women with chronic vaginal symptoms, fungal cultures performed on a routine basis are helpful because they corroborate a diagnosis of RVVC, permit identification of the infecting species and increase the 50 percent sensitivity of the 10 percent KOH preparation. In this patient population, successful treatment of a positive fungal culture, is corroborated by a negative follow-up culture.
I came across this ... if it helps..
In the general population, approximately 15 to 20 percent of women are asymptomatically colonized with yeast.6 Routine fungal cultures will, therefore, frequently identify women harboring yeast species as part of their flora but who do not require therapy. However, in women with chronic vaginal symptoms, fungal cultures performed on a routine basis are helpful because they corroborate a diagnosis of RVVC, permit identification of the infecting species and increase the 50 percent sensitivity of the 10 percent KOH preparation. In this patient population, successful treatment of a positive fungal culture, is corroborated by a negative follow-up culture.
Hi D,
Thanks for the information. That makes sense and the article is interesting. I really hope I can get to no growth. I am feeling ok. I just finished my 4th round and definitely need a break! Not to be too graphic but the folds and entryway to my vagina burn, it’s so hard for me to tell if this is infection or residual symptoms from lots of boric acid. It’s kind of off and on throughout the day. There are moments I kind of feel normal and then moments I think it’s probably still there. When you finally got the all clear were things a lot different initially? I’m glad I am doing the culture on Monday. I am not sure where things are at as far as my flora or ph goes. Is there a specific test for that? I see an infectious disease doctor so I’m not sure he knows how to test for that. It’s weird but minus the skin irritation, overall I feel much better on the boric acid. It’s clear my vagina is not acidic enough, I just wish I knew why! Anyway, thanks for the information and help as always and I will definitely keep you posted!
Karen
Thanks for the information. That makes sense and the article is interesting. I really hope I can get to no growth. I am feeling ok. I just finished my 4th round and definitely need a break! Not to be too graphic but the folds and entryway to my vagina burn, it’s so hard for me to tell if this is infection or residual symptoms from lots of boric acid. It’s kind of off and on throughout the day. There are moments I kind of feel normal and then moments I think it’s probably still there. When you finally got the all clear were things a lot different initially? I’m glad I am doing the culture on Monday. I am not sure where things are at as far as my flora or ph goes. Is there a specific test for that? I see an infectious disease doctor so I’m not sure he knows how to test for that. It’s weird but minus the skin irritation, overall I feel much better on the boric acid. It’s clear my vagina is not acidic enough, I just wish I knew why! Anyway, thanks for the information and help as always and I will definitely keep you posted!
Karen
Hi Karen,
To be honest I was sure it was still there because I also felt burny..and I think because of having it so long I forgot how normal felt..and also it could be from using the boric acid..I found using coconut oil applied around the entrance of the vagina helped to soothe.. you could hopefully just be irritated..
My flora and ph levels were tested from the same swab I just had to ask what the results were..im glad you are getting swabbed monday and hopefully it will be a good result and any irritation will calm down bIn the general population, approximately 15 to 20 percent of women are asymptomatically colonized with yeast.6 Routine fungal cultures will, therefore, frequently identify women harboring yeast species as part of their flora but who do not require therapy. However, in women with chronic vaginal symptoms, fungal cultures performed on a routine basis are helpful because they corroborate a diagnosis of RVVC, permit identification of the infecting species and increase the 50 percent sensitivity of the 10 percent KOH preparation. In this patient population, successful treatment of a positive fungal culture, corroborated by a negative follow-up culture ut it did take me a while to feel normal.. xx
(D....)
To be honest I was sure it was still there because I also felt burny..and I think because of having it so long I forgot how normal felt..and also it could be from using the boric acid..I found using coconut oil applied around the entrance of the vagina helped to soothe.. you could hopefully just be irritated..
My flora and ph levels were tested from the same swab I just had to ask what the results were..im glad you are getting swabbed monday and hopefully it will be a good result and any irritation will calm down bIn the general population, approximately 15 to 20 percent of women are asymptomatically colonized with yeast.6 Routine fungal cultures will, therefore, frequently identify women harboring yeast species as part of their flora but who do not require therapy. However, in women with chronic vaginal symptoms, fungal cultures performed on a routine basis are helpful because they corroborate a diagnosis of RVVC, permit identification of the infecting species and increase the 50 percent sensitivity of the 10 percent KOH preparation. In this patient population, successful treatment of a positive fungal culture, corroborated by a negative follow-up culture ut it did take me a while to feel normal.. xx
(D....)
Dont know why that article posted again in the middle of my message oops
Hi D & S,
I just found out that after my 4th round of boric acid, the glabrata is still there. I am totally devastated. I don’t know the growth level yet, just that it was positive:( My doctor wants to try the ampho b and flucytosine after I finish my period. I never heard back from the lady that was trying that combination whether she had any luck. I feel like I have no idea what to do. It’s so devastating.
Karen
I just found out that after my 4th round of boric acid, the glabrata is still there. I am totally devastated. I don’t know the growth level yet, just that it was positive:( My doctor wants to try the ampho b and flucytosine after I finish my period. I never heard back from the lady that was trying that combination whether she had any luck. I feel like I have no idea what to do. It’s so devastating.
Karen
Oh Karen, my heart has hit the floor .. im so disappointed and devastated for you. Truly I am.. I do know the ampho b and flucy combined has a 100% success rate its just so hard to get in some countries , but you have a doctor thats willing to get it for you and thats half the battle.. you really must have the most stubborn infection, so so sorry it didnt work for you ..
(D...)
(D...)
Thanks D... i keep wondering why the boric acid won’t completely kill it off for me. Like if my diet wasn’t quite strict enough or there is something I am doing that will not allow my body to get rid of it. I kept having reoccurring yeast infections for an entire year before they finally cultured it and identified the strain. During that initial year they gave me a ton of diflucan. I’ve spent another year fighting it so i’ve had it for two years now. I keep thinking maybe because I’ve had it so long, it is so stubborn. How long did you have yours?
I do have a really great doctor and am lucky he is willing to prescribe the ampho b and flucytosine. I hadn’t heard it has a 100 percent cure rate. I keep wanting to hear from anyone who has tried it but I just pray that it works for me. Thanks again for the support. If you think of anything else you did or tried that played into you getting rid of it, let me know!
The other thing I always wonder about is what happens if it is left untreated.... not sure if any of the doctors you saw addressed that with you? Or how long I can take boric acid for.... weeks, months, years... I wish they knew more about it!!!!