[Morphia]

I wonder how he'd feel if after every time we had sex I dumped lighter fluid on his dick and lit a match. Bet he would start enjoying himself less too after experiencing trips to the doctor constantly, and having to live with consequences of a few minutes of pleasure.

I'm sorry, but I laughed so hard at this that I damn near pissed myself. Anyway, I'm glad that you're here. Its nice to see someone else around here who is just as bitter (if not more) as me.

[miserywithcompan...]

Still here. Been using acidjelly, which is the generic to aci-jel. Not sure 100% clear but it Seems to be keeping the smell at bay. I was hopeful it might be gone until 2 weeks ago when after sex my BF called me when he got home to say "its back." I cried. Been switching it up more aggressively with refigerated lactobacillus and the vaginal acid jelly and at least I don't stink during my workday.

I'm hating sex. I'm hating it more than ever because I asked BF to use condoms and he won't. I tell him no, that I don't want sex and he whines like a baby that its been however long , blah blah blah. In his head no means yes. I feel he could care less about my physical and emotional well being because he's just an ass about it. Whatever, as long as his needs get met right? What a joke. I never had this problem until he came along and I guess I'm blaming him for contributing to my problem. He certainly isn't helping. His idea is get some more pills. Asshole doesn't have a clue how flagyl ripps up my body.

I'm to the point of becoming abstenant and moving 3 hours away start a new life. This life/hell I'm in isn't where I hoped to be at the age of 44. He keeps asking if there is anyone who knows if we could be "passing it back and forth" and regardless of how many times I tell him it s'possedly isn't sexually transmitted by everything The dumb doctors have told me, the readings I've done here and elsewhere, he just can't get it through his head. And NO, Sex is not enjoyable anymore. I doubt it ever will be again. There is no way to enjoy something for 10 or 15 minutes that you know is going to continue to cost you more money, trips to the doctor, creams, suppositories, jellies, and general ill feeling. I wonder how he'd feel if after every time we had sex I dumped lighter fluid on his dick and lit a match. Bet he would start enjoying himself less too after experiencing trips to the doctor constantly, and having to live with consequences of a few minutes of pleasure.

I know I'm coming off here as terribly bitchy, but dammit, I AM SO SICK OF THIS!!! Now tell me this...............Are the manufacturers who make the generic vaginal acid jelly discontinuing that too??? or is it just the aci-jel brand. It sure would figure. Find something that seem to be working for once and oops, we can't have that now can we? I know this BV bullshit does not compare to other more important medical issues, but if they can waste money researching male pattern baldness which is purely for vanity purpose then WHY not find a damm cure for BV, which I am convinced caused me to miscarry twice. It's a bit more important and complicated than what a balding man feels when he looks in the mirror. Why must we have to jump through flaming hoops to even get a doctor to take this seriously. For the love of god, the ingrown toenails I've had removed have been taken more seriously. Something is really wrong with the medical profession. If a mans penis stunk, and oozed, and caused his desire to drop, or affected his ability to pro-create, or his sexual encounters caused him pain, I swear there would be a cure....they'd be all over that one! How in this day and age can they not make this a little more front-burner in the sake of research? I really don't get it. BV can lead to all sorts of problems. C'mon. FIGURE IT OUT ALREADY!

grrrrrrr

[Morphia]

Thanks mfc10. You've given me just a little hope to get through the next couple of days until my doctor's appointment. Lori, I've been taking the Primadophilus Reuteri and the Fem-dophilus for a few weeks now and apparently they don't seem to be working right now. As a matter of fact I have a new weird symptom. Vaginal twitching/spasming. I could feel the internal burning getting slightly worse and then it felt like the vaginal walls or my cervix were twitching! This was about 3 or 4 hours ago. I took a nap and it wasn't there when I woke up. But the twitching started again about 20 minutes ago. I can't even begin to guess what that could be. By the way, can I still see the doctor if I'm still spotting a little? I rescheduled my appt. for Thursday because I wanted to get in ASAP. I SHOULD be finished with my period by then but I may not be. Will it be ok if I'm still just a little red down there??

[sciongal]

Hi all, I have been using the acijel, but after a few days it gave me a really yuckky smell. so I did a hp wash and used an acidophilus suppository. I am still waiting on the flagyl by mail. I can't wait to try that. I sure hope it works. ... feeling frustrated and a little sad. bye

[lori]

Hey, Morphia. Sorry to hear that your infection may be back - hopefully it isn't.

Have you been taking the Prima-dophilus Reuteri? And if so, has it been helping at all?

Hey ladies. I have had BV for a year. Its a blessing to know that I am not the only one thats suffering from this pest. Again I will use metrogel but this time take folic acid supplements on a daily basis. When the metrogel finish then I will use acid vaginal jel. The boric acid sounds good, however I need a cure.

Hello so tired. As a newbie I'm so happy I found this board, too. I've been struggling with BV for about 7 years.

Based on my experience and research, it appears that the problem with antibiotics is that they kill the overgrowth of bad bacteria (garnerella/anaerobic), but do nothing to replenish the good bacteria (lactobacillus) and even kills them off. That's why the infection comes back and you're in a vicious cycle.

The most promising product I've found is Jarrow's Fem-Dophilus. This article says some great things. I've been using it, and it's been the best solution for me for the past 2 months. A cheaper solution is Prima-dophilus reuteri, which contains the same type of Lactobacillus, but not the exact same strains. I haven't tried it, but I may in the future.

[bvgirl]

Hey ladies. I have had BV for a year. Its a blessing to know that I am not the only one thats suffering from this pest. Again I will use metrogel but this time take folic acid supplements on a daily basis. When the metrogel finish then I will use acid vaginal jel. The boric acid sounds good, however I need a cure.

Hello so tired.. Welcome.. Sorry to tell you and I am sure there are many others who will tell you this but there is no exact known cure for bv. I guess the only thing that would make you a lucky person regarding this is if you never get it at all and or if after one treatment you never get it back. As for most of us on this board we have tried so many products and that alone is a clue that there is no exact known cure. We have to tackle this problem with preventative and maintainence care. Meaning, that for many it will be an ongoing problem whether it be weekly,monthly or yearly...

[so tired]

Hey ladies. I have had BV for a year. Its a blessing to know that I am not the only one thats suffering from this pest. Again I will use metrogel but this time take folic acid supplements on a daily basis. When the metrogel finish then I will use acid vaginal jel. The boric acid sounds good, however I need a cure.

[mfc10]

I can keep praying that this is just a yeast infection but the last time I checked just plain burning isn't a common symptom. It may as well not be a symptom of one at all. I just don't see myself ever having lengthy, pleasurable sex again. Sorry, I'm at it again girls. Just venting. Thanks for taking your time to read my angst.

Morphia---I had raging yeast infections in the past with no "cottage-cheese-like" discharge. Burning was my only symptom other than vulva-area redness.

I know how you feel---I was in tears in pain at a gyno's office once & she could barely hide her disgust/contempt. She found NO INFECTION at all. My regular gyn returned from vacation a couple days later & found BOTH BV and yeast! Arrrgh!

prayers,
Maggie C.

[bvgirl]

Well, I can tell you this much. I'm on my period right now (its almost done) and I've been using pads. I have a drs. appt. on Friday and I know he's going to find BV because I can feel my signature, vague BV burn. It makes sense that they could help a little. But the blood is going to always be in there changing your pH no matter what you use. That's the way I see it. Plus I'm still pretty bitter and hopeless about all of this...I can keep praying that this is just a yeast infection but the last time I checked just plain burning isn't a common symptom. It may as well not be a symptom of one at all. I just don't see myself ever having lengthy, pleasurable sex again. Sorry, I'm at it again girls. Just venting. Thanks for taking your time to read my angst.

Hello Morphia..

Just hang in there. Remember that although bv makes us feel insecure and embarrassed when it comes to being intimate and just being around people in general. Just take into consideration that keeping a positive attitude and continue searching for a product that will help you is what you should focus on. Things will get better

[bvgirl]

]

[Morphia]

welcome newcomers, I hope we can do something to help!

As for me, I'm having my period right now, so I'm trying the boric again nightly just while i'm menstruating. I don't know if this is related to anything but my period seems much lighter this time around... I will go back to aci-jel once the bleeding stops.

Quick question for everyone though, specifically those who aren't currently having symptoms - are you guys using tampons? I resigned myself to never being able to use them again since so many sources say it's not the best for you and could contribute to infection. I haven't used any for a few months, but bought some the other day. I'm in Minnesota so warm weather is a HUGE deal here. now that it's spring I don't want to be walking around in an f-ing pad getting all sweaty and smelly like. So i decided to take a chance and use tampons while I have my period and only during the day.

Any one else still using them and if so having any problems??

Well, I can tell you this much. I'm on my period right now (its almost done) and I've been using pads. I have a drs. appt. on Friday and I know he's going to find BV because I can feel my signature, vague BV burn. It makes sense that they could help a little. But the blood is going to always be in there changing your pH no matter what you use. That's the way I see it. Plus I'm still pretty bitter and hopeless about all of this...I can keep praying that this is just a yeast infection but the last time I checked just plain burning isn't a common symptom. It may as well not be a symptom of one at all. I just don't see myself ever having lengthy, pleasurable sex again. Sorry, I'm at it again girls. Just venting. Thanks for taking your time to read my angst.

[Eralc Alegna]

welcome newcomers, I hope we can do something to help!

As for me, I'm having my period right now, so I'm trying the boric again nightly just while i'm menstruating. I don't know if this is related to anything but my period seems much lighter this time around... I will go back to aci-jel once the bleeding stops.

Quick question for everyone though, specifically those who aren't currently having symptoms - are you guys using tampons? I resigned myself to never being able to use them again since so many sources say it's not the best for you and could contribute to infection. I haven't used any for a few months, but bought some the other day. I'm in Minnesota so warm weather is a HUGE deal here. now that it's spring I don't want to be walking around in an f-ing pad getting all sweaty and smelly like. So i decided to take a chance and use tampons while I have my period and only during the day.

Any one else still using them and if so having any problems??

[Morphia]

Well, I rescheduled my appointment and its on May 18th. :'( That's too long...

[EDIT] They are going to let me see another doctor on Friday! YAY!

[lori]

Did you say that the fem-dophilus contains 5 million or 5 billion there is a big difference.

Sorry, my mistake. It contains 5 billion cfu.

Anyway, with your encouragement I found a local place that does store Fem-dophilus in the fridge. I'm thrilled. Hope they have this in stock.

[bvgirl]

Thanks for your welcome, bvgirl. I would love to buy Fem-Dophilus at a local store that stores it in a fridge, but I haven't found it. I don't know why it's not carried yet, since most stores carry many other products by Jarrow. It is a pretty new product, however. If anyone has seen it, please share! (I live in Los Angeles.)

Thanks also for your suggestion of Primadophilus. I have taken it, and many other types of probiotics in the past, hoping to stamp out this beast, and nothing has been quite as effective as Fem-Dophilus. According to this, the Fem-Dophilus contains two specific strains of lactobacillus that is designed to colonize in the vagina. It really seems to do the trick for me, so I'm going to stick with it.

Edited, wanted to add: Oh yeah, the fem-dophilus contains 5 million organisms, and according to the insert it is enteric-coated, so it's not destroyed by stomach acids. FYI.

You are quite welcome. Did you say that the fem-dophilus contains 5 million or 5 billion there is a big difference. They suggest you should take 2-12 billion in order to get the proper strength when having an active ph probelm you can use the lower strength when you are just maintaining. I was also told anything under that may be a waste of money because in order to attack the problem you need to have the proper strength. Yes, Primadophlius(enteric coated) contains more than one strain of probiotic blend. Bifidobacterium breve,Bifidobacterium longum,Lactobacillus rhamnosus,Lactobacillus acidophilus. Many strains so that is what caught my eye. If the strength you mentioned is working for you then great but as I understand it many have to use the more potent strength me included... Six days and still counting.. still no smell, no discharge, no problems ... I am so happy
LADIES CONTINUE WITH THE FIGHT...

[lori]

So if I were you, if you can, purchase it from a local reputable health food store where it is stored refrigerated before you purchase it.

Thanks for your welcome, bvgirl. I would love to buy Fem-Dophilus at a local store that stores it in a fridge, but I haven't found it. I don't know why it's not carried yet, since most stores carry many other products by Jarrow. It is a pretty new product, however. If anyone has seen it, please share! (I live in Los Angeles.)

Thanks also for your suggestion of Primadophilus. I haven't taken it, but I've taken many other types of probiotics in the past, hoping to stamp out this beast, and nothing has been quite as effective as Fem-Dophilus. According to this, the Fem-Dophilus contains two specific strains of lactobacillus that is designed to colonize in the vagina. It really seems to do the trick for me, so I'm going to stick with it.

Edited, wanted to add: Oh yeah, the fem-dophilus contains 5 million organisms, are are in "a proprietary polysaccharide matrix, which protects the bacteria from stomach acid and enhances probiotic bacteria survival to the lower intestine." FYI.

[pianogirl]

Hi Ladies,

I havent posted on here for in a while however I just wanted to let you know that I am still clear from the Estroil...Its been about 4 months and I have been having sex. I even stopped taking the estroil and I am fine.

I am also not as dry as I used to be during sex which is good and I really feel as if I have regained my confidence.

I really wish you all the best of luck!

PG

[bvgirl]

Hi everyone. Like many first time posters, I have to say, thank you all! BV has really been hell for me, so it's comforting to know that I'm not alone.

My biggest problem with BV is the pain. I have BV for at least 3 years, and it was not diagnosed, despite the fact that I went to the doctors frequently, complaining of specific symptoms. They would always do a battery of STD tests (always negative) and send me home. At some point I had so many latexed fingers shoved up my vagina I just wanted to scream.

Anyway, since there was this infection in my body that's going on for years without being treated, the icky odor and discharge wasn't even the biggest problem - my cervix became inflamed and "friable" (easily bleeds) and it just hurt all the time. The pain was like a dull cramp that never goes away. I was even diagnosed with "inflammation" and "acute cervicitis." My many doctors still did nothing.

I finally walked into a Planned Parenthood clinic out of desperation, and the RN took one look at me and said, "You've got a wicked case of BV." She gave me metrogel, and when I used it, I felt better for the 1st time I had in 3 years!

It took 4 courses of antibiotics over the next 6 months to really get rid of it, however. (I took flagyl and clindamycin, pills.)

Anyway, that was about 4 years ago - and while it's good that I finally know that I have BV, like many of you, I can't make it go away forever. It's an ongoing battle. My first sign of BV recurrence is always the pain - before I see/smell any ickiness, my cervix starts to hurt. I go to my GYN, and she confirms the diagnosis.

During these 7 years of constant GYN visits, I've had doctors/nurses call me "over-sensitive," "paranoid," and "hypochondriac." The last one made me burst into tears. I've also taken so much flagyl and clindamycin that my body has just plain started to reject them - taking flagyl makes me vomit like crazy (I drink no alcohol), and clindamycin gives me serious bowel problems.

Anyway, that's my nightmare story. And now for some solutions:

--

I've read a good bit of this entire thread. Not all, but more than 1/2. I just want to share with you what I've tried and what worked, and didn't work, for me.

- Gy-natren - I found this at the refrigerated probiotics section of Whole Foods - it comes with 14 pills to take by mouth, and 14 pills to insert vaginally. I used 6 of these pills and became very irritated. For weeks afterwards, I got weird plastic-ky chunks in my discharge. I think the capsules didn't dissolve properly. And the stuff inside wasn't so great, either. I got weird, starchy clumps coming out for weeks, I finally had to go to my GYN and she had to "irrigate" - basically, squirt a bunch of solution inside and swab everything out. It was not pleasant.

- Rephresh - I don't think it cures at all or prevents all that well. It's also expensive. I don't think it hurts anything, however.

- Fem-dophilus - so far, my best solution. You're supposed to take 2/day during high-risk times, and 1/day for maintenance. I take 2/day. It costs about $15/30 pills, so I pay about $30/month. The only thing that bothers me is that the product is supposed to be refrigerated, but I have to buy it online (from vitacost.com) and it's definitely not refrigerated in transit.

But in any case, it works for me. I've been infection-free for about 2 months.

- HP washes - I read about these in this very board. Thanks guys! I used it last month when I thought I was getting some weirdness. I used a rubber bulb syringe for ears (but I don't also use it to clean my ears!) I used the techniques I read about on this board, and it really helped!

Anyway, that's my story. Good luck to everyone.

Welcome to the board... I have been here for about a month and I must say that I have learned so so much from everyone in such a short amount of time(maybe because I read the board everyday ha ha)... I have been suffering for years but yet and still I did not realize that there are many many women dealing with this bv and had been dealing with it for years.. As far as the Fem dophilus you are taking, I take the Primadophilus and I get it at the local health food store in the refrigerated section. I was told by the owner that the product must remain refrigerated at all times in order to keep freshness and potency. So if I were you, if you can, purchase it from a local reputable health food store where it is stored refrigerated before you purchase it. It may mean the difference of having a properly stored product which can deliver a greater chance of you benefiting from its strength and live organims versus a improperly stored product that may have lost its strength during shipping and or storage. I have ran across a couple of websites that sells these products without refrigeration and that concerns me after learning the truth from the owner. Also, they suggest that you take at least 2-12 billion live organisms count, enteric coating when you have an active infection, if you are taking an antibiotic and to regulate and control your ph balance. The vagina contains 90% lactobacillius so when we do not have enough or if the bad bacteria has depleted them(bv,yeast infections occur). What I have read is that when taking
taking acidophilus,primadophilus,etc. with the proper live organism count it helps to create a hostile environement for the bad bacteria while helping to replenish the good bacteria. Continue to read this board you will find so much information from us all...

[lori]

Hi everyone. Like many first time posters, I have to say, thank you all! BV has really been hell for me, so it's comforting to know that I'm not alone.

My biggest problem with BV is the pain. I have BV for at least 3 years, and it was not diagnosed, despite the fact that I went to the doctors frequently, complaining of specific symptoms. They would always do a battery of STD tests (always negative) and send me home. At some point I had so many latexed fingers shoved up my vagina I just wanted to scream.

Anyway, since there was this infection in my body that's going on for years without being treated, the icky odor and discharge wasn't even the biggest problem - my cervix became inflamed and "friable" (easily bleeds) and it just hurt all the time. The pain was like a dull cramp that never goes away. I was even diagnosed with "inflammation" and "acute cervicitis." My many doctors still did nothing.

I finally walked into a Planned Parenthood clinic out of desperation, and the RN took one look at me and said, "You've got a wicked case of BV." She gave me metrogel, and when I used it, I felt better for the 1st time I had in 3 years!

It took 4 courses of antibiotics over the next 6 months to really get rid of it, however. (I took flagyl and clindamycin, pills.)

Anyway, that was about 4 years ago - and while it's good that I finally know that I have BV, like many of you, I can't make it go away forever. It's an ongoing battle. My first sign of BV recurrence is always the pain - before I see/smell any ickiness, my cervix starts to hurt. I go to my GYN, and she confirms the diagnosis.

During these 7 years of constant GYN visits, I've had doctors/nurses call me "over-sensitive," "paranoid," and "hypochondriac." The last one made me burst into tears. I've also taken so much flagyl and clindamycin that my body has just plain started to reject them - taking flagyl makes me vomit like crazy (I drink no alcohol), and clindamycin gives me serious bowel problems.

Anyway, that's my nightmare story. And now for some solutions:

--

I've read a good bit of this entire thread. Not all, but more than 1/2. I just want to share with you what I've tried and what worked, and didn't work, for me.

- Gy-natren - I found this at the refrigerated probiotics section of Whole Foods - it comes with 14 pills to take by mouth, and 14 pills to insert vaginally. I used 6 of these pills and became very irritated. For weeks afterwards, I got weird plastic-ky chunks in my discharge. I think the capsules didn't dissolve properly. And the stuff inside wasn't so great, either. I got weird, starchy clumps coming out for weeks, I finally had to go to my GYN and she had to "irrigate" - basically, squirt a bunch of solution inside and swab everything out. It was not pleasant.

- Rephresh - I don't think it cures at all or prevents all that well. It's also expensive. I don't think it hurts anything, however.

- Fem-dophilus - so far, my best solution. You're supposed to take 2/day during high-risk times, and 1/day for maintenance. I take 2/day. It costs about $15/30 pills, so I pay about $30/month. The only thing that bothers me is that the product is supposed to be refrigerated, but I have to buy it online (from vitacost.com) and it's definitely not refrigerated in transit.

But in any case, it works for me. I've been infection-free for about 2 months.

- HP washes - I read about these in this very board. Thanks guys! I used it last month when I thought I was getting some weirdness. I used a rubber bulb syringe for ears (but I don't also use it to clean my ears!) I used the techniques I read about on this board, and it really helped!

Anyway, that's my story. Good luck to everyone.

[Morphia]

Well, I started my damn period today. Which means I cannot see the doctor on Monday! Wooooooo! Now I have to wait another 2 weeks or so. Ain't being a woman GRAND!!!!???