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I have had chronic yeast infections for eight years (brief interludes after I ceased ?the pill? birth control following 12 months of use and was pregnant 2 xs). However, to compound the problem for the past almost two years, I have had a combination yeast infection and bacterial infection. This has been confirmed every other month with lab results done by my doctor. I have taken virtually every prescription yeast medication in existence (or combination thereof). The initiation of the bacterial infection corresponds to the date two months after the birth of my youngest child and the insertion of a Merena IUD (which was removed after 12 months). I am currently on a weekly Diflucan regiment that has gone on for almost six months. I am currently asymptomatic for yeast with an active bacterial infection. I tried vinegar douches for the first time ever for the first six months of this year, but my doctor and I decided that was not working and we shared a concerns it may be aggravating my bacterial infection. I weigh 115 lbs 5'5" eat a very healthy low sugar diet, exercise (change wet clothing), 30 yrs old, married , monogamous, wear only cotton, wash with Cetaphil, urinate and wash before and after sex, etc. (the normal common causes/preventions). I have tried garlic, yogurt, vinegar douches, and a host of prescription drugs, and diet management. I have done the full panel of STD, aids, and diabetes tests. My husband and I are currently using a condom for sex (have done so religiously for past six months) with no noticeable improvement in my condition (he no longer gets an infection from me though which makes his life easier). My husband washes carefully too. Prescription medication is the best symptom relief of all. I have always been under a doctor's supervision for the treatment (not the same doctor I have now). The bacterial infection (as evidenced by the lab results) is normally a combination of two bacteria and is rarely the same two. I have told my doctor that I refuse to take anymore oral antibiotics because I have taken more in the last six months than in the whole of my life thus far. I hurt. Suggestions. I?m willing to go to extremes.
-Cheers
Boric Acid (Prescription dosage suppositories) The routine is daily for two weeks (twice a day) boric acid suppositories and thereafter twice a week (single dose) until your period and starting again a week after your period. The boric acid changes the ph of the vagina. This is amazing!!! You can even have sex while using it (after the first two weeks), no messy creams, AWESOME!
I will try to copy the exact formulary when I pick up my prescription this week but my doctor had the pharmacist slightly change the formula so that there is no "water" discharge which is the old complaint with boric acid suppositories. My pharmacist is the nicest guy, so I'm sure he'd give you the formula over the phone www.medicap.com/8397.aspx.
(I was skeptical of the boric acid recommendation from my doctor because I tried it for one day - two suppositories a couple of years ago and it just made lots of water leak from my vagina) - After careful and cynical discussion with my doctor and pharmacist, they came up with a new formulary that eliminates the water problem)
Read up on the newer studies at Cornell University (some excerpts pasted below). I know some people my laugh at three months of relief and I'm jumping up and down, but they haven't traveled this long painful process with me. I recommend you try this; first thing that has worked for more than a single month for me. Best of luck!
Cornell University study of 100 women with chronic yeast vaginitis who had failed to respond to various over-the-counter or prescription anti-fungal medicines, 98% successfully treated their infections with boric acid suppositories over a period of 2-4 weeks.
boric acid is ?clearly the treatment of choice.? [Antifungal agents vs. boric acid for treating chronic mycotic vulvovaginitis. J Reprod Med 1977;36: pp.593-7>
66.219.50.180/NR/rdonlyres/ehaixexsktldecgpip4dftf6kqrpqdtol5d3xswpjzjnyujq3txcsgio5bwt4l6yyw4guwamlh6xzc/4%252e4%252e78.pdf
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/408305_4
www.aafp.org/afp/20010215/697.html (specific research discussion of boric acid and its efficacy at the very end of article; lots of good information)
Have you possibly tried hydrogen peroxide to increase the pH? That could possibly help--it helps me to feel better.
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