[pianogirl]

well tomorrow i was supposed to go to the doctor so they can test me for bv (i know i have it) and get some flagyl and then put it in vaginally, so that i wouldn't have to buy it online. but, of course for the 4th month in a row i'm bleeding in between my period so now they won't be able to check anything. i really hate this so much. why can we just be normal and bleed when we're supposed to bleed and have normal body parts that don't get infected over and over again. it's bad enough we have to bleed every month! this is starting to depress me again.

I have a question: Are you on birth control? I was on seasonale when this problem started and since you mentioned bleeding I was curious.

[anitsirhc]

well tomorrow i was supposed to go to the doctor so they can test me for bv (i know i have it) and get some flagyl and then put it in vaginally, so that i wouldn't have to buy it online. but, of course for the 4th month in a row i'm bleeding in between my period so now they won't be able to check anything. i really hate this so much. why can we just be normal and bleed when we're supposed to bleed and have normal body parts that don't get infected over and over again. it's bad enough we have to bleed every month! this is starting to depress me again.

[persona36]

Wellp, I'm doing well just with hp and acidophilus. Just started my period, lets hope for the best, this is getting old, 4 years of hell!

[pianogirl]

Hi Ladies,

I am sorry for some of you that arent having any luck

As for me I am still clear after using estroil. I dont take it everyday just 2 x per week for maintenance. In terms of my sexual drive, it is not that great I guess because it is hard to believe that the relief is for good.

Thanks

[jewelscando]

Yes, I would assume cutting it in half would be the same. The 500mg was to much because I used it for 3 days. So, in actuality, that was 1500MG. I also have 200mg's and I cut 2 of those up, and put them in a gel cap. The only issue I saw with that, is it came back out the next morning in chunks, like it didn't really dissolve. I did use 1 500mg's the next night and now my symptoms are completely gone. And so far, no yeast infection. My other issue was I was having sex during the time I used the 3 500mg's which was stupid on my part. I'm sure that's why I got the yeast infection from hell.

With the using the vaginal Flagyl, give it time to work. The smell will still be there the next morning, and possibly the second day as well. GIVE IT A FEW DAYS, before inserting another one. I probably didn't even need to use the 500 the other day, but I was getting inpatient. I would try 1 dose of the Flagyl, then wait a couple of days, just to see how your body reacts. Then, if it's still there, try 1 more. After the smell is gone, use preventative as well. I didn't, and mine was gone for 2 months, but, I wasn't having alot of sex either, (Maybe twice in those two months). So, if you are pretty active, use something like Aci-jel or something as preventative.

GOOD LUCK!! Let us know how it works!!

[mfc10]

Miserywithcompany: I feel for you! I had a similar experience after using vaginal Metrogel (vaginal Flagyl). Worst yeast infection ever. My regular gyn was out of town & I had to go to an older female gyn who is supposed to be really good. well, she did a swab, ran it under a microscope & said she saw NO INFECTION. I was in agony--awful burning--so I insisted on an appointment with my regular gyn as soon as he returned later that week. He was an EXPERT with the microscope (unfortunately, he died this past summer!!) and he said not only did I have a yeast infection, but BV as well. Some docs simply are very bad at interpreting what they see under the microscope. (If I were you, I'd get another opinion ASAP.) What helped get rid of both infections at once was using boric acid in geletin capsules vaginally. I hated the thought of putting something acidic in an already-inflamed vagina, but it really didn't make the burning worse. There is watery discharge when using boric acid, so wear a pantyliner. I just used one every night for 7 nights (some use for 14 nights). I took oral acidophilis, yogurt, kefir, etc. at the same time, since boric acid also kills the good bacteria in the vaginal lining. By the way---yeast infections are not caused by bacteria--they are caused by several possible species of Candida. Over-the-counter yeast treatments are effective only against the most-common species, i.e., Candida albicans. If your infection is caused by Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, etc. those creams won't work. Easily-obtainable treatments that WILL work against those are boric acid, tea tree oil (I like the vegetable oil-based suppositories that can be purchased online or at most healthfood stores), and, believe it or not, the old-fashioned prescription remedy, Nystatin (my gyn prescribed the vaginal Nystatin ovules for me one other time).

Hope this helps!
maggie c.

[neverending]

Miserywithcompany: I'm sorry hun!

[miserywithcompan...]

Hello ladies. I'm not very happy to be here because of how my body feels, but mentally I'm thrilled at finding others who "understand."

I thought I'd already found and read everything on the subject until finding these posts on this site tonight.

I was diagnosed about 7 years ago with BV. Have been medically treated by many different health professional more times than I can count both orally and vaginally. Have taken acidophilus supplements orally and vaginally. Have tried yogurt both ways. Have tried letting my body regulate itself at a doctors suggestion after treating and re-treating for four years. They said clearly they didn't know what else to do and gave up on it. Said the only hope was that my body could work it out. That was 3 years ago. It's comes and goes at its own free will and has really helped ruin my sexual desire. I have been with the same partner for this entire time.

I've read back about 30 pages and have a few things I'd like to share.

In my experience with this cursed bv I've found:

I've had greater success, less side effects and faster relief with the cream suppository medications.
The vaginal prescription meds clear it up for about 4-8 weeks before it comes back.

No metallic taste in my mouth or diarehha like with the oral med's. Yes I'm blessed with those nasty side effects from the oral stuff. Oh and if I want to I can have alcohol if I'm using the creams or suppositories unlike with the oral where you get violently ill if you even eat foods or use mouthwash with alcohol in it.

This is what happened to me and maybe others?? 3 years ago when I took that last round of oral med. (the flagly generic)
I thought I'd gotten the mother load of all yeast infections. Once again- I treated myself for yeast with monistat and it got SO much worse I had to go back to the doctor again because of the pain and irritation. Pay attention because here is where things get weird. They "looked" they "thought" it was a yeast infection. ALL symtoms pointed to a yeast infection (from the antibiotic) except when they looked at it under a scope after taking a speculum of "cottage cheese" out of me, it was determined it was NOT YEAST but an overabundance of white blood cells. They said there was ZERO bacteria in there. Thats when I was told "they have never seen anything like this" and "we just don't know" and "give it 6 month of doing nothing at all to let your body try healing on its own."

I've allowed my body 3 years to heal.
Fast forward 3 years to last week.

Once again, I went to the doctor because of this. It's been acting up with vengance lately. ..the disgusting smell, uncomfortable intercourse, dryness or drippy-ness, itchy, the lower back ache, the constant feeling of pressure in the abdomen and overall sluggish feeling, did I mention sometimes bleeding slightly between peroids or after sex? none of this has gone away in 3 years. Right now I'm lucky enough to be experiencing most of these all at once.Thought I'd try again with a new doctor. So here I am 3 days after finishing the oral flagyl. Once again I'm a dryed out vagina thats getting more raw every day because of the clumpy cottage cheese like white blood cell abundance. It hurts the same as a yeast infection. Raw and painful. I'm taking sitz baths and cramming florajen3 capsules up there. Why can't the medical profession figure this thing out already?

I tell you all right now that there has to be an anwser to have the proper equillbrium. There has to be an answer to the problem. What you are experiencing may not be yeast. Next time you "think" you have another yeast infection ask your doctor to examine the "yeast" and see if its an over abundance of white blood cells mimicking a yeast infection. Maybe we can point the medical field in the right direction toward finding a real cure.
Either too much bacteria or none. ??? I swear I just can't take it anymore.

[anitsirhc]

hello ladies. my bv is back completely. i was doing the hp for a while and it was making it not so bad, but since it didn't work completely i got discouraged and stopped and so yeah now it's really bad. so i'm probably gonna go to my doctor and get some flagyl, but i have a question. jewels i remember you said the 500mg might be too much, so i was thinking if you just cut the 500mg pill in half that could work and just be 250mg right? i know it's a kind of a dumb question but i figured i'd ask. i'll let you know what happens when i go to the doctor and after i put the flagyl in.

vaginas suck!!!!

[jewelscando]

Well ladies, I got 2 months out of using Flagyl vaginally. Had sex last weekend, and I started smelling something last night. I broke up 2 (200 mg) of Flagyl and put it in a Gel Cap, and it worked. The smell is gone tonight.

I haven't however used anything else as preventative, however, looks as though I might get a prescription of the Aci-jel that you all are talking about.

I plan on going to the doctor to get something to help me quit smoking. I hear there's a prescription you can now get that will help me quit smoking. So, maybe once I do that, I can fully get rid of this.

Also, I think another problem was, I'm not sure my boyfriend showered before I went over there, and I did oral on him before we had sex. Obviously, I know that's a no-no, but, it had been a long time, and I just went stupid crazy.

I think this is why the B.V. came back, but, I now have a "Temporary" cure, that I think, along with preventative, might be it for me.

Anyways, just wanted to give an update.

SASSY, ARE YOU STILL AROUND??

[mfc10]

[quote name='NotCatEyed' date='Mar 29 2007, 04:16 PM' post='144604']
What about acid gel alone without antibiotics? I am going to look for the acid gel at walgreens today because I really need a cure before I take off for China in May. [quote}

Just a couple of notes on Aci-jel (the trade name for the acidic vaginal gel): I don't think it is very effective in treating a *current* BV infection, although I can't say it would be impossible. Last year, I did run across a study that was done using it alone, and as I recall it *did* seem to at least put a dent in the infection. But I am more inclined to advocate its use as a preventive measure. It's all about pH. If it is acidic enough, the bacteria involved in BV cannot thrive. Although it is possible for some species of Candida (yeast) to grow in an acidic environment, they will not flourish. So Aci-jel can help prevent BOTH BV and yeast infection.
I believe that although Walgreen's can readily obtain Aci-jel, it is not over-the-counter, and will require a prescription. If you read a previous post by Eralc Alegna, she said: "The Wal-Greens website, however, lets you request a prescription online. All I did was put in my doctor's contact info and they called her to get a script. I did it yesterday and picked it up today."

I hope this indeed helps you prevent future infections....it is really good for maintenance once you get an active infection under control.

Cheers!
Maggie C.

[NotCatEyed]

Thanks Eralc Alegna!! I know I'm a newbie and it was a lot to ask for anyone to review what has been being talked about for so long. I have been skimming through the posts, but I didn't want to miss something important and thought reiteration might be good, so I really appreciate your review.
I tried boric acid a few years back and after 2 weeks of worse DC than I had before, I gave up. I have done the HP rinses, with some luck, but only temporary results. which is ok.
MFC10, you've also awakened me to the fact that I am probably not going to find a cure-all, but should be thinking about ways to keep maintaining day to day. I'm notorious for starting a good treatment and not sticking to it, so your stick-to-itiveness will be inspirational.

In the past I've been reluctant to take any more drugs, just as a general principle, after doctors have helped me so little.... but I guess antibiotics have worked for some, while taken along with acid gel? What about acid gel alone without antibiotics? I am going to look for the acid gel at walgreens today because I really need a cure before I take off for China in May. Despite my better judgment-(being anti-drug) I also ordered the flagyl which I am excited and nervous to try. So thanks for that suggestion too.

[pympmama1]

Thank you MFC10... I got the ace gel two days ago and I have been using it mornings and bed time.... The smell is gone... Thank goodness..... The estriol did not work for me.. I tried it for 2 months... But this stuff seems to be working..... I will keep you guys posted on how everything goes....

Thanks again MFC it was as easy as you said to get from walgreens. I ordered it on sunday had it on monday and it was 10 dollars
I was starting to loose hope... There are so many on here that have cured themselves and I felt sad that mine didn't seem to even improve.

[Eralc Alegna]

Thank You mfc10!!

NotCatEyed - If you go back and read through some of the posts (it's a lot I realize) You'll see all the different methods we've tried. Some work, some don't, some just temporarily. Try boric acid suppositories (get the boric at any drug store or pharmacy and empty capsules at a health food store / co-op), hydrogen peroxide douches (the article we found said 30mL held in the vagina for 3 minutes. Do it as needed I guess but the results are spotty and it's akward). Some of us have had success with hormonal therapy i.e. estroil and whatever mfc10 just mentioned she uses, and some of us (ME) have not. A good few have had great results with a flagyl pill inserted vaginally a few times, but watch out for yeast afterwards!
These seem to be most successful/common of everything we've heard of and tried. Good Luck!

[NotCatEyed]

Oh, wow. You all are this raddest ladies ever!! I feel so much better knowing I am not the only one. I have been miserably treating my ongoing battle with vaginal infections(both bacterial and yeast) for over 4 years and am so overwhelmed by Dr. Crook and lemon fasts and all these people telling me that I have to give up sugar and beer and sex...and everything nice...because, please, do you think life's worth living without some of those things? And even when I do, I don't get better, and i'm sad.

Stress makes the infections worse for me, so I've been trying to relax and have compassion for myself and this problem... and trying to take probiotics, garlic, echinacha, etc. and not drink/fuck/work out too much because I know they exacerbate...but I say No Absolutes as a policy...and I'm still sick.

I recently was diagnosed with BV by a new Doctor and she recommended soaking a tampon in Hydrogen Peroxide and inserting it vaginally for 3 min. day and night for 3 days. This worked...a little. but, didn't last more than 2 days.

I am planning on traveling soon and I cannot lug around a million damn panty-liners in the freaking woods, I mean I feel so stuck in this regiment of changing my pantyliner every several hours I feel like a fucking toddler. I just want to be discharge-free so bad and if flagyl will work I'm so ready to try. The discount-rx website sounds bad though. Are there any other options(I'm in Northern California)?
So your top picks for BV seem to be flagyl? Acid-Gel? tea tree? which is best? I need the strong stuff.
Sorry to sound whiny, but I've been keeping this a secret from everyone I know for so long I feel like a weight has been lifted already.

much love to the mammas.

[mfc10]

Do you use it during your period? I have two days left of antibiotics and am about to start my period any day now, so I'm just not sure when I should start the aci-jel. Also, how often did you use it when you first started, and how often do you use it now? It says to use it morning and night but I'm wondering if I could get by with less since I just took the meds...

I did use it during my period--to avoid a mess, I put a blob of it on the end of a Q-tip & inserted it that way. I never used very much of it at one time--I never tried the applicator that was in the carton. I just used it once a day when more prone to infection, then maybe three days per week for maintenance. After a few months of being BV-free, I used it 3 times per week for maintenance. All I use now (15 months since last vaginal infection of any kind) is alternating days of Estrace estrogen cream (prescription) and the acidic gel. If I think I might be on the verge of infection, I insert 1/2 tea tree oil suppository per day for a couple days.

Cheers!
Maggie C.

[Eralc Alegna]

Do you use it during your period? I have two days left of antibiotics and am about to start my period any day now, so I'm just not sure when I should start the aci-jel. Also, how often did you use it when you first started, and how often do you use it now? It says to use it morning and night but I'm wondering if I could get by with less since I just took the meds...

[mfc10]

this new format is going to take some getting used to....

So I did a search online for aci-jel and the only places i could buy it were in New Zealand and Australia. The Wal-Greens website, however, lets you request a perscription online. All I did was put in my doctors contact info and they called her to get a script. I did it yesterday and picked it up today. FRICKIN AWESOME! the best part is that my new state insurance only has a $3 perscription copay.

Hi again...The Aci-jel may sting a little--its main ingredient is acetic acid (the main component of vinegar)---but if it seems *too* stingy, you can mix it with a blob of regular lubricant (like Slippery Stuff or FemGlide, etc.) and it will still be nearly the nice acidic (between 4.0 & 5.0) pH we want. (I tested the pH after doing that--I am a chemistry teacher at a local college.)
It's a big help--especially after exposing the vagina to alkaline conditions (menstrual blood, semen, etc.)

Bottoms up!
Maggie C.

[Eralc Alegna]

this new format is going to take some getting used to....

So I did a search online for aci-jel and the only places i could buy it were in New Zealand and Australia. The Wal-Greens website, however, lets you request a perscription online. All I did was put in my doctors contact info and they called her to get a script. I did it yesterday and picked it up today. FRICKIN AWESOME! the best part is that my new state insurance only has a $3 perscription copay.

I really hope that since the antibiotics worked this time I can just use the aci-jel and never deal with this again. God I hope so!!! Aci-jel and acidophillus for the rest of my life if I have to. Nothing could be worse.

Ladies this really does sound like the perfect product for all of us, LET YOUR DOCTORS KNOW YOU WANT IT!
If they know a low pH causes BV than why isn't it standard to perscribe this alongside antibiotics?!?!

[jewelscando]

deprime: All the websites say that as a precaution. I have never had a problem, and it does come from out of the county. It get's delivered like regular mail. Hopefully, you won't have a problem either.

Had sex today, and NO SMELL!! And, it's been almost a month since the last time I had sex!! I really hope this works for you too deprime!! Because, it's wonderfull to make love, and not worry about the smell. In fact, today was the first time, I didn't even think about it, until we were done. It was then that I realized, there was no smell!!

Life is great!

Good luck!!