[lori]

... I went to my health food store and got a product called Ultimate Flora. It is kept in the refrigator section, and has 50 billion cultures per capsule. I'm not sure if all health food stores keep this cool, but my local store does (it's helpful).

Wow, 50 billion. (And yes, it is good that you got it from a store that keeps it in the fridge - ensures maximum potency!)

Here's my take on probiotics - you need to take the *exact* right strain for your needs. For example, I took two courses of clindamycin, and suffered intestinal problems (a common side effect). I had no idea what was causing it, so I just kept taking the antibiotics, and my intestine problems just got worse. I finally figured it out, and took probiotics.

But taking just any probiotic product, even well-regarded brands (Solgar, Ethical Nutrients) didn't help. I even got them from a fridge (Whole Foods, Great Earth Vitamins) and made sure they had a high count. And they were even designed to help me with my intestines. But they didn't seem to do anything.

So I finally tried Culturelle - which has some new patented strain of Lactobacillus, blah blah. Anyway, it worked. I felt better right away. But also super-expensive!

As far as the Ultimate Flora goes (is this it?)

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/brow....jsp?id=RW-1029

Wow, it's got a whole lot of strains, and a very high count! Good luck, and please update me on how it goes.

[Morphia]

Ok. So today, I don't THINK I can feel the burn. Well, I have a couple of times but not as bad. But my bf and I were fooling around (no real sex. Haven't had that in ages it seems) and I noticed I smelled like Pizza Hut. And I still do. I asked him to smell me and he said that I smell mustier than usual. I know what you're thinking, "Probably yeast from the flagyl." But I'm also trying to keep in mind that I also ate a lot of fries and chicken strips at Raising Caines tonight. I've been cutting carbs out of my diet completely for the past 2 or so months but I've cheated a few times in the past couple of weeks. You think it could have just been what I ate? I do know that what you eat can affect the smell down there. Does anyone else ever smell like pizza sometimes? I also still have bubbles in my secretions which I know is a sign of bv. It just worries me, b/c through my entire bv experience I've never really had a smell until now. Until I started treating it.


Oh, and I also smoked a good bit today too. Ugh....

[arj75]

To any new comers who in a a state of panic because you just realized that you may have reoccurring BV, I went to my health food store and got a product called Ultimate Flora. It is kept in the refrigator section, and has 50 billion cultures per capsule. I'm not sure if all health food stores keep this cool, but my local store does (it's helpful). I'm seeing an iridologist and an amish herbal doctor tommorow..anything is worth a shot. I can't stop believing that my poor eating habits, lack of proper vitamins and minerals, imbalanced ph levels in my diet and stress did not cause this.

I found it very interesting that some of us are always cold, and never eat breakfast either.. I never have.
maybe if we regulated our body temperatures..figured a way to keep warm..it could help..(not make our body work in overdrive to maintain itself) I know I'm grasping at straws but I really don't care.

From the drug conversation, I'm going to get some kind of product that can cleanse my body out, and hopefully get rid of some toxins that my body can't or can cleanse but at a much slower rate. Thank you to those who answered.

I'm not trying to get nasty here, but I didn't realize that mentioning drug use at this site would be a problem....with topics such as anal sex and female ejaculation.

Good night everyone.

[jewelscando]

Pianogirl, no, haven't tried it yet, but I need to. I also think mine is hormone related due to the Hysterectomy. Can you give me the web address again of where you ordered it. And I remember something about the mg or something.

Thanks!! Great to hear your doing so well!!! CONGRATS!!

[pianogirl]

I was curious as to has anyone given the estroil a shot...I havent used it in well over a month and I have no smell and my period just ended.

This seems to be what helped, I believe my smell and discharge was a hormonal issue.

Good luck ladies.

[jewelscando]

Yeah, I saw your post a few days ago Sassy!! THANK GOD YOUR HERE!!! Have you tried the vaginal Flagyl yet?? Let me know how it works for you. It's not a 100% cure Sassy, but, it keeps the B.V. away. I don't think there is a cure. And that's just being honest with myself. It's back to what we all have said for awhile now, it's just something that we have to learn to maintain. And for me, the Flagyl keeps it away, and when there's a slightest hint...I just use one and it's gone. I haven't had fish smell for a couple of months now, just maybe once a month, it smells like shit. Not literal shit, just a funk smell. That's when I use 1 flagyl and forget about it. But since you are getting married in September, this will get you on your way. I wouldn't use it though while having sex, because for me, it did turn it into the yeast infection from hell. Glad to see you're still around!!! I miss you guys!!

[sassy]

Jewels...I'm here. I posted a couple of days ago. My internet access has been limited lately since I was in the process of moving.

[lori]

Its not yeast. A wet prep AND an affirm have confirmed that. For some people bv burns. I know I'm not the only one around here that has burning as a symptom. It may not be common, but it is very real. I'm still going to have a culture sent to a lab just to see if there is any strange bacteria that the affirm isn't picking up, like strep infections or something. But I know its not yeast. However, if it is yeast, the culture will say so. I see the doc on the 18th for my colpo. I'll ask him to do all that testing then.

That's great Morphia. You should be able to confirm on the 18th if the flagyl worked for you.

[Morphia]

Its not yeast. A wet prep AND an affirm have confirmed that. For some people bv burns. I know I'm not the only one around here that has burning as a symptom. It may not be common, but it is very real. I think its because I'm fairly dry down there that I have the burning. Like I said, I really need to have my hormones checked. I'm still going to have a culture sent to a lab just to see if there is any strange bacteria that the affirm isn't picking up, like strep infections or something. But I know its not yeast. However, if it is yeast, the culture will say so. I see the doc on the 18th for my colpo. I'll ask him to do all that testing then.

[jewelscando]

arj75, trust me, I understand what you are saying. However, your constant talk of drug use is more of a trying to get a reaction then trying to figure out a solution. It worked! I did not mean to come off that way, however, I'm here to find solutions to a problem. If you need a solution to stop using drugs..you need to find another board. You along with EVERYONE on this board, are in similiar positions. I am a SINGLE mother of 4!! I work 50+ hours a week, but have still managed to find time to read the posts, before asking the same questions over and over again.

I personally get tired of repeating myself. B.V. is not a joy in my life. IT'S A PAIN IN MY VAGINA!! And for some of you who are new to the board, you will repeat yoursel for awhile, until you've reached your breaking point as well. THERE ARE NO SIMPLE ANSWERS FOR B.V. Hence, the reason there's a FRICKING BOARD ON THE INTERNET ABOUT IT!!! Like anything medical, you have to do your research. What's worked for me, may not work for you and vice versa. You have to do what we have done for the past year and use trial and error. BORIC ACID, gave me a RASH FROM HELL. On my forehead, AND my arms. How do I know it was the Boric?? Because tests results showed I was having an Internal reaction to something. The only that was going in me at the time, was the Boric. Stopped taking Boric, guess what, rash went away.

So, I have also talked about this rash, over and over and over again on this board. Along with the Flagyl working vaginally. My time is just as important as yours and everyone else's. So, go back and read, if you truly want to get answers. You will see all the products we tried from Tea Tree Oil, to Boric, to Prescription drugs, to VITAMIN C VAGINALLY, to Folic Acid, to G-Natren, to Probotics, to Tetrasil...AND THE LIST GOES ON!!!

Trust me, we are here to help, but you have to do your part as well.

SASSY, NEVERENDING....WHERE ARE YOU????

[arj75]

I am, as well as many other women are curious to finding out what links in our past history that could be a contributing factor for bv. Drug use, being one of them. If it's offensive..don't read it. I you don't want to reply, then don't. I myself, can't sit longer than 20 minutes without having an aniexty attack or I would have already all of these posts. Not to mention that I have a full time job, a baby, a 7 year old, and I am a single mother. If anyone wants to vent or discuss their history here, it shouldn't be a problem for anyone. It's not like we can share this with alot of people.

[bvgirl]

Morphia..
Let us know how the appointment went for you.I don't know if you are like me when it comes to doctor appointments( I usually have to write down questions I have for the doctor before I go in if I don't I forget or leave out what I need to ask him). So maybe it would be good for you to write out all the questions you would like to ask him and then take that in with you and refer to it so you can cover everything with him..

[bvgirl]

I'm going to have to agree with Maggie. The burning sounds more like yeast than BV.

So I was looking up "yeast arrest," and found that the company that makes it (Pharmax) also makes a bunch of products that specifically address BV!

http://www.rockwellnutrition.com/product.asp?itemid=1208

I'm especially intrigued by the CandaClear suppositories which is supposed to replenish lactobacillus levels. Has anyone tried these?
Morphia, if you feel that way, ask your doctor for clindamycin, pills.

Hello Lori..
Yeah, I agree with you Lori on the burning it does sound like a yeast infection of some sort. I also was reading up on that website you mentioned it sounds good. Also, the suppositories peaked my interest too. I am thinking about trying it out when in need..

[lori]

I still vote that you have yeast. Burning is always a red flag for it.

I'm going to have to agree with Maggie. The burning sounds more like yeast than BV.

So I was looking up "yeast arrest," and found that the company that makes it (Pharmax) also makes a bunch of products that specifically address BV!

http://www.rockwellnutrition.com/product.asp?itemid=1208

I'm especially intrigued by the CandaClear suppositories which is supposed to replenish lactobacillus levels. Has anyone tried these?

I'm telling you, I know the Flagyl won't work.

Morphia, if you feel that way, ask your doctor for clindamycin, pills.

[mfc10]

I've been seeing an obgyn and I've been tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Both came back negative. I got the affirm test (better than wet prep) for yeast, bv, and trich and the only thing that came back positive was bv. I know there is nothing else going on with me. I'm also on Diflucan for yeast prevention. I'm telling you, I know the Flagyl won't work. If there is anything additional going on with me it lies in my hormones or my immune system. As I've said, I suspect I've had this problem for over a year. Maybe even years! There's no telling what kind of Herculean microbe I'm battling here.

The Affirm test missed both a case of BV and yeast which my gyn then FOUND using a wet prep slide. You have to have a gyn who actually is skillful at reading the latter. Also--Diflucan is effective against Candida Albicans yeast, but has little, if any, effect on Candida Glabrata , Candida Tropicalis, etc. species of yeast. I still vote that you have yeast. Burning is always a red flag for it.

Maggie C.

[mfc10]

Well, I don't think the Flagyl is going to work. I'm pretty sure its not. I'm on my third day and I still feel the exact same burn. And I know its not yeast from the meds. From what I've read here it seems that you ladies have bv infections that go away with antibiotics but then they come back. Has anyone ever had one or is currently dealing with one that will just NOT go away AT ALL? As in one constant infection that is resistant to all antibiotics? I know this is only my second treatment but my intuition is telling me that this fucker isn't going anywhere. No matter what I throw at it. And we all know about women's intuition.

EXACTLY what happened to me 2 years ago---terrible, unrelenting burning. If ONLY I had discovered boric acid then. It will kill both any BV PLUS ANY SPECIES of Candida/yeast you may have. And I still think you have yeast, despite your doctor's recent test. Most tests are not sensitive enough to pick up some of the less-common species of Candida yeast. Get some Yeast Arrest online, or obtain boric acid powder, empty capsules and make up your own to insert (DO NOT TAKE BORIC ACID ORALLY!). Or, ask your doctor to call in a Rx to a compounding pharmacy (if there is one in your area). I will forever be greatful that I FINALLY tried this, after countless other measures. Even though it's an acid--it didn't make my vaginal burning worse,
and after about a week of nightly use, the burning finally wore off.
Get better soon,

maggie c.

[bvgirl]

AGAIN, like I stated to cover up the smell that she is experiencing is what she was talking about. I did not say that the "pads" were a solution to her problem. Did not say that and like I stated before it helped to mask the smell only and that is what WORKED for me. The pad thing was a temporary thing not to confuse it with getting the right product although like I stated it may cause problems and irritation LIKE I stated it was "soemthing" I used to MASK the smell. If you read more into what I stated I told her to go panti less. Make no mistake about it.

[lori]

VAGINA'S need to BREATH!!!! Wearing "Pads" while you have B.V. is just trouble waiting to happen, especially if you already have issues with sweating down in that area!!

This is just an alternate opinion, but I'm pro-panty-iners when you're having a lot of discharge. You want ventilation because you don't want any moisture trapped in that area - and panty liners are very absorbent, and helps keep that area dry.

Of course the best way to air out your kitty is to go commando! But if that's not an option, I recommend panty liners.

Again, I apologize... Sorry.

Welcome peachcup! No need to apologize, we are here to help each other out. I do think a compendium of suggestions is a good idea - a quick reference guide.

Anyway, Jewelscando already sort of answered your question:

From my knowledge on this board, there's been two things that have taken it away. Flagyl vaginally and the Estroil.

Actually, I've been saying that Fem-Dophilus has been working for me, over several posts. (Read my detailed post on that here.) But let me make my case again:

- Based on my research, the reason BV recurs is because the antibiotics (flagyl, clindamycin) kill the bad (anaerobic) bacteria, but also kill the good (lactobacillus) bacteria. Vicious cycle begins. And as most of you know, the lack of the good bacteria is one of the reasons why we get yeast infections after taking the antibiotics.
- So logic follows that we need to do something to replace the good bacteria - which should help prevent both BV and yeast (which is no fun, either). And Fem-Dophilus is one of the only products designed to do this for your vagina.
- Also based on my experience - you need to take the specific type of lactobacillus for your problem. So just any kind of lactobacillus supplements won't necessarily help.

I think Fem-Dophilus is the best, safest solution out there. It's expensive, it's hard to find, but it works for me.

-- Anyways ...

I've read most of this thread by now. Here are some things that other ladies have tried:

- hydrogen peroxide douche/wash - Some ladies do this after sex. I've tried it, and it seemed to help, but my doctor told me that commercial grade peroxide breaks down tissue, so it's best not to do it.

- jamu stick

- boric acid capsules - Seemed to work, but the symptoms came back when you stopped using it; at least one lady got a bad skin rash

- Yeast Arrest - Capsules which contain boric acid, among other stuff

- flagyl (inserted vaginally) - I have to say, this scares me. But it apparently works for some ladies.

- Estroil

- RePhresh


Please feel free to add to the list!

So peachcup, if you like, go ahead read the thread and learn what you can from the experiences of others. But I've read the thread, NONE of these solutions are really a cure. At best, they keep your symptoms at bay.

I haven't read anything about oral sex or shaving contributing to BV, does anyone know about that?

Actually, I think receiving oral or giving oral before penetration is something that can contribute to BV. The germs in the mouth making contact with the vagina can upset the balance ... etc.

Don't know about shaving, though. I would think it doesn't matter.

[peachcup]

Everyone else had to do it this way. Its just that these women have repeated themselves so many times the thought of doing so again drives them up the wall. It would benefit you and everyone else here if you just read the whole thread. I made damn sure I read it before I ever posted. It took me 2 or 3 days almost straight. But I did it. And I learned a lot. You will too.

Thanks for putting me in my place

I understand.

I am just angry that there is not a doctor who can say "here you go, a pill, you will be fine, don't do this and this and this anymore. eat this and this and this. be healthy!" And I know all of you probably feel the same way.

I haven't read anything about oral sex or shaving contributing to BV, does anyone know about that?

[Morphia]

Alright. I'll do it the hard way. But I will take notes so that we can have easier reference material.

Mmm... and I would like to apologize for how harsh I have been sounding. I have been researching this for a couple hours straight and I thought I hit a gold mine, but here is just as jumbled as everything else. I would think you were here to help each other, not send each other down the hard road you had to take yourselves.

Again, I apologize... Sorry.

Everyone else had to do it this way. Its just that these women have repeated themselves so many times the thought of doing so again drives them up the wall. It would benefit you and everyone else here if you just read the whole thread. I made damn sure I read it before I ever posted. It took me 2 or 3 days almost straight. But I did it. And I learned a lot. You will too.