[Lindsey]

Lindsey, what have you been using?????? I must know LOL I'm desperate.

I got very lucky. I have just used the metrogel. It was my first time getting bv and I am hoping my last.

[CanCan]

Boric Acid (H3BO3) is made up of hydrogen atoms, oxygen, and boron. I just looked up boron and what it really is and it has beneficial properties like any other mineral; but like any other mineral, some people may be allergic to it. Or intolerant would be a more suitable word. For example, a lot of people may be fine with have a bit of boron in their body, but one out of a thousand (no idea what the number is) may have a reaction to it. Like me with sodium bromide. Most people are fine with it, it's used in hot tubs, so obviously it couldn't be bad for everyone. But I stepped into a hot tub one day, and had a reaction and got a rash all over my body which later turned into blisters, which I now have scarring from.

If anyone new is going to try boric acid, it will probably be fine, just use the amount you are supposed to, and don't over do it. And certainly don't use it if you are pregnant. When you try it, just use one capsule, and then wait at least 24 hours. A lot of reactions are delayed, you won't necessarily even react until much later. So be safe and just try it out and wait first to make sure. With my chemical intolerance for example, I got the rash more than 24 hours after the fact! The next day. It took me a while to figure out what gave it to me because it was a delayed reaction.

If anyone wants to read about boron, just google 'FDA boron' and it pulls up some interesting articles.

[konphusion26]

I have been free and clear from the bv for a good couple of weeks now! YEAH. Thank you all for your support and hope that everything goes well for you all. I check on here every couple days to see how everyone is doing.

Lindsey, what have you been using?????? I must know LOL I'm desperate.

[mfc10]

How would i Know if i am allergic to Sulpher? I dont think I am....any usual meds with sulpher, etc??

The following are food sources of sulphur. If they don't bother you, and if Sulfa-type antibiotics e.g., Septra & Bactrim, don't bother you, you probably are safe. Also, most salad bars use sulphites as preservatives & if you haven't had a reaction after eating from a salad bar, you probably don't have an allergy to sulfur (I spell it sulphur--the chemist's way). You could try going about the use of boric acid slowly--just one at night & see how you react for 24 hours before using the next one.

Food Sources of Sulfur: Dried beans, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, dairy products, eggs, fish, garlic, horseradish, kale, legumes, meats, onions, soybeans, wheat germ, turnips, poultry. Garlic is a major source.

Best wishes!
Maggie

[fbgirl987]

For those of you on the yogurt...I found these Dannon yogurt drinks at the grocery store and thought I'd share the info. They are called DanActive and have the active cultures L.Bulgaricus and L. Casei Immunitas. You may know about them but for those who dont- though I'd pass it along.
They are easy to drink on the go and hopefully have an extra punch of active cultures in them!

[fbgirl987]

I think you should reschedule your appointment if you want any swabs or cultures. But keep in mind both are pretty inaccurate when it comes to differentiating yeast species. You might think about keeping the appointment & just go in to discuss what you've learned regarding boric acid, etc. Keep in mind you can have BV and yeast infections at the same time. Arm yourself with these facts from Elizabeth Stewart, M.D., a world-renown gynecologist:

1.)Most women expect to see a cottage-cheese-like discharge, but in fact vaginal discharge is not always present or is often minimal; even if it is profuse, it doesn't always have a telltale curdlike texture. This discharge may vary from watery to uniformly thick. Vaginal soreness, irritation, vulvar burning, pain with intercourse, and burning when the urine touches the vulva are common. Odor is not a usual complaint, though candida causes a yeasty smell for some women.

2.)A yeast infection is, in many cases, identified by performing an examination of the vaginal discharge under a microscope to detect the presence of yeast stems (hyphae). If hyphae are seen, the diagnosis is plain, and often no further testing needs to be done if the pH and whiff tests are normal. (If these tests are abnormal, there is probably a mixed infection, with trichomonas or bacterial vaginosis present as well.)

3.)Remember too that simply looking through the vaginal speculum at the vaginal discharge to diagnose yeast is outdated and inaccurate. A yeast culture is done on a special medium called Sabouraud's medium; this is different from a vaginal culture for bacteria. Routine bacterial cultures are seldom helpful because they grow a lot of bacteria that are normally found in the vagina: strep, staph, gardnerella, and E. coli.

4.)Microscopy is only about 40 percent accurate.

Once I discussed all the above with my dear-departed gyn (who had no way to do a Sabourand's medium culture), he said "Well, why not do an empirical test--try the boric acid for 14 days & see how things feel." And it worked great for me. But keep in mind what Jewels has said about sulpha/sulphur allergies. Boric acid is synthesized using a sulphur compound.
Hugs,
Maggie

Thanks for the info...so if my previous doc just looked under the scope and didnt culture anything- he may not even know what he is treating?? They told me he didnt culture the sample when I called for results after the second return of symptoms.
I plan to just talk to this new Dr tomorrow. Explain everything. How would i Know if i am allergic to Sulpher? I dont think I am....any usual meds with sulpher, etc??

Thanks again for ALL the info. I am waiting on the Boric Acid suppositories...

[mfc10]

I got my period. UGH.
Question- Will this affect my doctors appt tomorrow??? Can I still go?? Can he still do cultures, etc?



figures.

I think you should reschedule your appointment if you want any swabs or cultures. But keep in mind both are pretty inaccurate when it comes to differentiating yeast species. You might think about keeping the appointment & just go in to discuss what you've learned regarding boric acid, etc. Keep in mind you can have BV and yeast infections at the same time. Arm yourself with these facts from Elizabeth Stewart, M.D., a world-renown gynecologist:

1.)Most women expect to see a cottage-cheese-like discharge, but in fact vaginal discharge is not always present or is often minimal; even if it is profuse, it doesn't always have a telltale curdlike texture. This discharge may vary from watery to uniformly thick. Vaginal soreness, irritation, vulvar burning, pain with intercourse, and burning when the urine touches the vulva are common. Odor is not a usual complaint, though candida causes a yeasty smell for some women.

2.)A yeast infection is, in many cases, identified by performing an examination of the vaginal discharge under a microscope to detect the presence of yeast stems (hyphae). If hyphae are seen, the diagnosis is plain, and often no further testing needs to be done if the pH and whiff tests are normal. (If these tests are abnormal, there is probably a mixed infection, with trichomonas or bacterial vaginosis present as well.)

3.)Remember too that simply looking through the vaginal speculum at the vaginal discharge to diagnose yeast is outdated and inaccurate. A yeast culture is done on a special medium called Sabouraud's medium; this is different from a vaginal culture for bacteria. Routine bacterial cultures are seldom helpful because they grow a lot of bacteria that are normally found in the vagina: strep, staph, gardnerella, and E. coli.

4.)Microscopy is only about 40 percent accurate.

Once I discussed all the above with my dear-departed gyn (who had no way to do a Sabourand's medium culture), he said "Well, why not do an empirical test--try the boric acid for 14 days & see how things feel." And it worked great for me. But keep in mind what Jewels has said about sulpha/sulphur allergies. Boric acid is synthesized using a sulphur compound.
Hugs,
Maggie

[fbgirl987]

I got my period. UGH.
Question- Will this affect my doctors appt tomorrow??? Can I still go?? Can he still do cultures, etc?



figures.

[CanCan]

Anyone here taking Lacto. Reurti and having success with it?? Is it worth a shot??

I think the Reuteri is working really well for me. I'm even putting it in vaginally every night now in a cap (but just a tiny bit of it). Or maybe it is a combination of a few things I am doing. I would definitely try it, or take the Femdophilus. Hey, what the heck, we all had this stupid infection for so long, why not try it!

[CanCan]

Hate to be so graphic here but you ladies are the only people I can ask here....today i noticed a clear discharge. I am wondering if things are clearing up or if this is part of the BV/yeast?
I am also on Vit-B complex, folic acid and acidophoulous vitamins...could this be the cause? It is the first time I have seen heavy clear discharge and I am even more thrown off now!!

Have you tried the Boric Acid caps yet? Whenever I do those, put one in at night, the next morning I have a lot of clear discharge. But then it tapers off within the first hour or so. But I don't think it is anything bad.

[Lindsey]

I have been free and clear from the bv for a good couple of weeks now! YEAH. Thank you all for your support and hope that everything goes well for you all. I check on here every couple days to see how everyone is doing.

[chantelhugo]

Anyone here taking Lacto. Reurti and having success with it?? Is it worth a shot??

[fbgirl987]

Hate to be so graphic here but you ladies are the only people I can ask here....today i noticed a clear discharge. I am wondering if things are clearing up or if this is part of the BV/yeast?
I am also on Vit-B complex, folic acid and acidophoulous vitamins...could this be the cause? It is the first time I have seen heavy clear discharge and I am even more thrown off now!!

[mfc10]

Anyways- I am going to mention to the Dr that I 'Knew' someone who had this problem and see if he will look a little closer. Sometimes they think they just 'KNOW' right away and I don't think they really search...

Thanks again...I will let you know how it goes on Monday

I'll say a prayer that things go well for you Monday, OK? I'd give you my gyno's name & phone number so your doc could talk to him, but unfortunately he killed himself last summer! He was such a help to so many women...we really lost a great physician!
Maggie

[jewelscando]

If you are alergic to any type of sulfer, ie. anti biotics called Bactrim, DO NOT USE BORIC ACID. Boric Acid has Sulfer in it, which I'm highly alergic. Developed a rash on my arms, forehead and face.

Well, I told you all that I got the Flagyl in the mail and was worried. Well, it worked. I only used it one night, vaginally, and had sex two nights later. ZERO SMELL.

I don't know why this works so well for me, but, I'm going to keep it going!

[fbgirl987]

I had a super gyn who agreed that some forms of yeast are very difficult to detect ...the BV creams(antibiotics) just cause MORE yeast to grow, so he agreed that boric acid would be worth a try. What he did was to actually prescribe capsules to be made up at a local compounding pharmacy. But if you don't have one in your area (or prefer the ordering online method) most any source will do, including making up your own capsules. The compounding pharmacy in my area, who filled the prescription, made the capsules up with a "filler" of powdered acidophilus (probiotic/good bacteria). The idea was that since boric acid will kill off some of the good vaginal flora/bacteria, it could be partially replenished by the filler acidophilus. I recommend taking (orally) Femdophilus probiotic (buy online) along with using the boric acid vaginally. (Dr. Gregor Reed, the patent-holder on the strains of lactobacilli in the Femdophilus has proven those strains' effectiveness at colonizing the vagina.)

Wear a panty liner while using the boric acid--it leaks out. Also, if your outer labia tissues are irritated & sore, the leaking boric acid may aggravate that while it's healing the infections. I used a thin layer of vaseline on the outer parts (only) to protect them from the acid. But surprisingly, it doesn't make the burning in the vagina worse--it actually seems almost soothing.
If this seems to help you, ask me for advice on how to maintain the results so the infections don't come back. It's been 18 months since mine went away!
Hugs,
Maggie

Maggie...thanks for giving me hope. I have become seriously down over all this. I am going to talk to the Dr on Monday about the diff strains of yeast....explain to him that I have been treated for whatever the usual strain is (monistat and diflucan- two rounds of both) and Clindesse for BV. Maybe if he understands the typical treatments haven't worked- he will be open to the idea of the boric acid. All I can do is hope at this point.
The outer area is very irritated so I will def try the vaseline to coat it. Seems any cream they give burns on the outside and that makes detecting progress next to impossible...
Anyways- I am going to mention to the Dr that I 'Knew' someone who had this problem and see if he will look a little closer. Sometimes they think they just 'KNOW' right away and I don't think they really search...

Thanks again...I will let you know how it goes on Monday

[.eilleen.]

Please use tact and empathy. Put yourself in her situation and imagine if someone went in a bathroom after you and "almost died in there" how you would want them to break the news to you. Be sensitive to her feelings because if she does indeed have BV then she is probably already an emotional wreck right now and the last thing she needs is a someone telling her in a rude way that her girly bits reek.

Of course I will be tactful. I just don't know how to bring it up to her. She is even more sensitive now because of her hormone flux (she's pregnant).

Yea, I probably came off like a little 16 y.o. airhead in my initial post, but I was a ball of emotion dealing with other things.

[mfc10]

I have a dr appt on monday. anything i should suggest based on what you had? I mean...they have ruled out everything else but they keep saying BV and treating with Clindesse which only helps for a few days.... This is a new Dr though so fingers crossed.
DId they give you anything or was it just the boric acid that helped??

thanks again maggie

I had a super gyn who agreed that some forms of yeast are very difficult to detect ...the BV creams(antibiotics) just cause MORE yeast to grow, so he agreed that boric acid would be worth a try. What he did was to actually prescribe capsules to be made up at a local compounding pharmacy. But if you don't have one in your area (or prefer the ordering online method) most any source will do, including making up your own capsules. The compounding pharmacy in my area, who filled the prescription, made the capsules up with a "filler" of powdered acidophilus (probiotic/good bacteria). The idea was that since boric acid will kill off some of the good vaginal flora/bacteria, it could be partially replenished by the filler acidophilus. I recommend taking (orally) Femdophilus probiotic (buy online) along with using the boric acid vaginally. (Dr. Gregor Reed, the patent-holder on the strains of lactobacilli in the Femdophilus has proven those strains' effectiveness at colonizing the vagina.)

Wear a panty liner while using the boric acid--it leaks out. Also, if your outer labia tissues are irritated & sore, the leaking boric acid may aggravate that while it's healing the infections. I used a thin layer of vaseline on the outer parts (only) to protect them from the acid. But surprisingly, it doesn't make the burning in the vagina worse--it actually seems almost soothing.
If this seems to help you, ask me for advice on how to maintain the results so the infections don't come back. It's been 18 months since mine went away!
Hugs,
Maggie

[fbgirl987]

I was diagnosed with BV, no smell---but eventually very bad burning occurred---I couldn't wear underwear, etc. As it turns out, in addition to BV, I also had a yeast infection that was undetected in the wet-prep slides my gyno took. It wasn't a "typical" form of yeast, either, so Diflucan & the prescription anti-yeast creams didn't touch it. It wasn't until I used boric acid-in-capsules inserted vaginally every night for 14 days that things (both the BV and the yeast) began to clear up.
I, too, thought I had all kinds of weird things, but it was just a non-Albicans strain of Candida.

Best wishes,
Maggie

Hi Maggie...thanks so much. I feel less alone because of your answer. I read how everyone has this odor and I think wtf is it I have (sorry- language). I have so much discomfort. Underwear hurt. Jeans- forget it! The only thing possible is skirts and baggy PJ pants which I live in these days.
I bought the boric acid suppositories today, waiting for them to deliver it...have a dr appt on monday. anything i should suggest based on what you had? I mean...they have ruled out everything else but they keep saying BV and treating with Clindesse which only helps for a few days.... This is a new Dr though so fingers crossed.
DId they give you anything or was it just the boric acid that helped??

thanks again maggie

[neverending]

HI NEVERENDING I HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR EVERY STD AND THERES NOTHING MY PAPS ARE ALWAYS NORMAL AND THE SMELL IS NOT BAD LIKE IT USED TO BE IT SEEMS TO ONLY COME WHEN MY CYCLE IS HERE AND LIKE MAYBE 2 DAYS AFTER ITS GONE I JUST WANT TO GET RID OF THE FISHY SMELL THT ONLY ME AND MY DUDE SMELL WHEN WERE HAVING SEX I AM 21 AND I NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM THE REPHESH SEEMS TO BE WORKING DOES THE BORIC ACID MAKE YOUR VAGINA DRY CUS IF IT DOES I DEFINETLY DONT WANT TO TRY THT MAYBE I SHOULD JUST ASK MY DOC FOR THE METROGEL

The boric isn't that bad but be careful of allergic reactions.
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