[lori]

Is Fem Dophilus by itself pointless? Should it always be paired with Flagyl or similar?

I wouldn't say it's pointless. It's supposed to replenish the good bacteria, so I think that alone can help some women.

However, Dr. Reid specified in his lecture that Fem-Dophilus is not supposed to be considered a cure. So I think that you need a prescription cure to kill off the bad bacteria first.

I've always been hesitant to tell anyone in this thread - you have to do this, and then this, etc. My goal has always been to just share what I know and let people make their own decisions; and also to clear up whatever misinformation I see.

So in that vein ... understand how Fem-D works and then make your own decision about whether you need flagyl or not.

... The thing about Flagyl ...is that it works, but if you have to take something later...it totally negates the fact u ever took it...(meaning waste of money and time)

Thank you for finally getting what I've been saying this thread many times. Flagyl WORKS. It just doesn't prevent a recurrence. Because so many people experience BV again after Flagyl (including me), people have wrongly written it off as - Flagyl doesn't work.

Flagyl works. Just doesn't prevent recurrence. Thank you!!!

(Sorry to sound testy, but hey, it's been frustrating. So many people in here repeating the mantra, "Flagyl doesn't work" over and over. Gah.)

I'm not saying anyone has to take Flagyl. Just make an informed choice.

Anyway, I know that going to the doctor is annoying and expensive, but I do think it's important that a doctor is involved somewhere in your treatment, and that you're not 100% self-treating. BV has a nasty smell, yes, but it's not just about the smell! Untreated BV can have health consequences, so it's about health. And if you restore the health, the smell will go away too.

[stressed43]

Is Fem Dophilus by itself pointless? Should it always be paired with Flagyl or similar?

Fem D works for me without Flagyl. The thing about Flagyl ...is that it works, but if you have to take something later...it totally negates the fact u ever took it...(meaning waste of money and time) For example...I took Flagyl for a week or two and symptoms were completely gone. MONTHs later I started YASMIN and Bv symptoms instantly came back THAT DAY! SO what I like about FEM D (even tho im very new to it myself (about one week) is that I can take birth control or whatever else I need to take and I still smell normal. ANNND flagyl you need a prescription and I HATE going to my gyno and retelling her the same story and her tellin me the sAME thing..."i'll prescribe you flagyl again". At least with Fem D I can pop into WholeFoods and just grab it and go home. No appointments. No prescription. No hassles

But unfortunately as aforementioned, Fem D doesn't work for everyone =( I hope hope hope it will keep working for me though!! And I really appreciate that we can all talk and help eachother out on here. Anyone else would just judge or joke about it.

[lucecita]

Is Fem Dophilus by itself pointless? Should it always be paired with Flagyl or similar?

[JJ27]

I would like to thank everybody for their input, advice, experiences, etc. You have all bee soooooooooooooo helpful and I'm so happy I found this forum. I will keep you apprise of my situation. I feel with Fem D in my system now for one week I will start the Clindesse on Monday, refrain from sex for two weeks ,and continue the Fem D. Hopefully when all is under control I will take the TTO the day after sex. My poor boyfriend!!!! He will just have to take it or leave it!! I can't wait to feel normal down there again. You all have been GREAT! Thanks a million!!! Anyone from NY?

[JJ27]

Just type Fem Dophilus (it's by Jarrow) in the search bar of Iherb and it will come up.

Hi all got a question or two. When I go to iherb.com to look for the Fem-D what exactly am I looking for its like a jungle out there I need to know the exact brand so please help me someone.

Also I still have a two week supply of the oral metro from maybe two months ago, can I still use it, I think I will have much better success using it in combo with the Fem-D but is it still potent since its been so long just sitting in my cabinet? Thanks all!!!

[JJ27]

I always get a yeast from antibiotics. So if you are the same on day three take diflucan or monostat.

i just got back from the doctor and i have strep throat. he gave me penicillin, i'm just wondering if any of ya'll have gotten yeast infections from penicillin and will it kill any of those stinky bastards in my vag. what should be my plan of action while taking the penicillin.

[JJ27]

Yes, I noticed that too and it's like sticky right? It should go away. It's pretty funny...well not really...that I've had this so long I forgot what a normal discharge looks like!!!!

hey girls

I have been takin FemD for just a couple days and the smell is completely gone. But you know how if you have BV the inside of your vagina is like really wet or has that thin white/grey disharge that comes out? I still have that, but now it doesn't smell gross. Do you think that goes away in time too? or that it will stay? And what is that all about anyway?

[yme30]

Hi all got a question or two. When I go to iherb.com to look for the Fem-D what exactly am I looking for its like a jungle out there I need to know the exact brand so please help me someone.

Also I still have a two week supply of the oral metro from maybe two months ago, can I still use it, I think I will have much better success using it in combo with the Fem-D but is it still potent since its been so long just sitting in my cabinet? Thanks all!!!

[lucecita]

Whoa, I have bellybutton smell too. Is it related?! I HATE it. So gross.

[lori]

somebody... anybody... the penicillin?

Hey Kristen.

I think penicillin can cause yeast infections.

I'm pretty sure penicillin does nothing for your BV.

Hope that helps. My suggestion is to take Fem-D along with the penicillin - it's supposed to help prevent yeast infections, UTI, as well as BV.

I have more detailed info. in my blog, but you can find Fem-D at Whole Foods, and also iherb.com. You can find it sold at many other places online, but those are the 2 places I know of that sells it refrigerated.

Good luck. Hope your throat feels better.

[kristen]

somebody... anybody... the penicillin?

[chantelhugo]

I am still not having success with anything other than the boric acid in which I have to continually use. I have also been on Yasmin for a month and half and I think it's just making things worse. The tea tree oil does not work for me unfortunately, but thats great that others have had success with it. Has anyone tried Pau D'arco tea? It's been known to fight off yeast and cases of BV, as it's a natural antibiotic. Before I buy it, anyone here have any luck with it? The Fem-D actually makes it worse for me! Grrr! I also tried the SYLK lubricant with no success. Does anyone think this could be a case of Candida Overgrowth? Has anyone tried a Candida cleanse? I also have a belly button odor, anyone have this too? Disgusting, I know....

[paige]

So why did you start the flagyl this week...as a preventive?

Becaues some of the ladies said thats what they did. I think my last day on the flagyl was monday night. But I was fine before the flagy when I was just taking fem-d. I have used just about everthing the ladies say they did I just happen to find one that work's for me.

[fustrated]

The first two weeks no. I just started flagyl this week. I was good without the flagyl so I do not take it everyday. I have used just about everything the ladies here said worked for them. I found one the works for me and the fem-d I do need because I eat all the bad foods.

So why did you start the flagyl this week...as a preventive?

[kristen]

i just got back from the doctor and i have strep throat. he gave me penicillin, i'm just wondering if any of ya'll have gotten yeast infections from penicillin and will it kill any of those stinky bastards in my vag. what should be my plan of action while taking the penicillin.

[stressed43]

hey girls

I have been takin FemD for just a couple days and the smell is completely gone. But you know how if you have BV the inside of your vagina is like really wet or has that thin white/grey disharge that comes out? I still have that, but now it doesn't smell gross. Do you think that goes away in time too? or that it will stay? And what is that all about anyway?

[jewelscando]

Thank you for the link! I will check it out. Everybody bodies are different and I feel you just have to try everything and see what works best for you. My BV doesn't have an odor just a discharge, burning feeling, sex sometimes hurts, and I'm really sore the next day. I just started the Fem D and will call the Dr. for Clindesse and wait a month if I still have it then I will try the TTO. But I will read the the website first to see how I will proceed.

I quit smoking one year ago and developed BV afterwards. I am in menopause for five yrs now and like I had said awhile back it totally throws off your flora. First I was getting yeast infections and now BV. My question is how can you apply a TTO suppository without it touching your vaginal lining?

I use 00 Gel Caps, and use a baby medicine dropper to fill the gel cap. You can also buy the TTO suppositories already filled, from what I've heard on this board. I just used one two nights ago, because I had sex this past weekend, and this time, I put a couple of drops of water in it, because of what people have said on this board as far as diluting it, and only used half of TTO. But, I usually do not dilute it. And when it's placed in the gel cap, it takes time to desolve. The tto does not burn or irratate me, as long as I wait a day after sex. But, it restores the Flora for me. I have no BV symptoms at all. And I ONLY use this after sex. I don't use it any other time, because I don't need to.

[JJ27]

Thank you for the link! I will check it out. Everybody bodies are different and I feel you just have to try everything and see what works best for you. My BV doesn't have an odor just a discharge, burning feeling, sex sometimes hurts, and I'm really sore the next day. I just started the Fem D and will call the Dr. for Clindesse and wait a month if I still have it then I will try the TTO. But I will read the the website first to see how I will proceed.

I quit smoking one year ago and developed BV afterwards. I am in menopause for five yrs now and like I had said awhile back it totally throws off your flora. First I was getting yeast infections and now BV. My question is how can you apply a TTO suppository without it touching your vaginal lining?

Well, just like anything, what works for you, is what you need to continue to do.

I found another website that might be helpfull to some of you newbies.

Here's a clip from it:

Tea tree oil suppositories or douches. With this Bacterial Vaginosis remedy, you insert diluted Tea tree oil or tea tree oil suppositories directly into your vagina for up to 6 weeks. Apparently tea tree oil is thought to have antifungal properties that attack the “bad” bacteria that cause Bacterial Vaginosis. Please note that you should never apply tea tree oil directly to the sensitive vaginal lining as it can cause an allergic reaction.

http://www.bacterialvaginosisrecurrent.com..._that_work.html

Again, I really believe in what Lori says. I think BV must be treated from the inside out. What she's using, has killed her BV, however, I personally feel she's been very lucky that it has not returned, and does not have to continue with the pills.

I know with myself, there's lifestyle things that cause mine, IE smoking. And once I give that up, I might not have to continue with the preventative. I also had a hysterectomy, so I do not have periods like most of you. I am I'm sure getting close to starting menopause, which I'm sure your V Book states that this can trigger the imbalance in the vagina which might cause BV.

So, for now, I will continue with the Tea Tree Oil, because it's working. If it stops working, then I will spend the money on the other stuff Lori suggests!!

Thanks for all your input!! Especially yours Lori!! I love hearing what you have to say!

[fustrated]

Lori -- I have started a course of flagyl and fem-d. I started both on Saturday. My question to you is when you did your course of Flagyl and fem-d, when did you start seeing results and when you know that your body felt "normal". I did a coure of Clandesse (sp?) last Tuesday and started Flagy and fem-d on Saturday. On Sunday (yesterday) I felt really good. I knew I still had BV but not bad at all. But today (Monday) the symtoms are worse. Did you have symptoms while you took your flagyl and fem-d and if so, when did you start noticing a difference. Did you still have signs of BV when you got done with the course of flagyl? I hope my question makes sense. Again I know our bodies are different. I have researched this myself, not to your extent, but the clincial tests show that healthy bacteria starts growing in 7days, however if I am taking an antibodic, is that killing the fem-d I am taking and stopping any good bacteria that grows? I guess I am confused on that part. Are they saying to take the fem-d to get my body use to the probodtic or is it actually helping during my course of flagyl? Thank you for doing all your research. I was taking Femonal, and thought I was seeing results, but the BV came back. I found this site by accident and the flagyl and fem-d made sense to me. I don't know if will work for me, but it is worth trying. The blogs I have read on this site state that the fem-d did not work for them, but they never really said if they took the fem-d with the Flagyl. I am hoping that following the study will work for me. Okay, sorry to keep writing. Thanks again for your research.

[lori]

Quiet Madness..I tried to find that 20/20 show myself online and didnt have much luck..but I spent maybe a whole five minutes looking and said F**k it..I'll just wait til I get it from my sis. I just found it interesting.

It is interesting. I think I found it:

http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=2287206&page=1

It's not really about BV, but still interesting.

Lori I remember reading somewhere maybe the V-book? That if you feel you must douche..that there are more safer times during a womans cycle in which to do that..in order to keep from pushing any bacteria up further..but I don't remember what the hell it said. Does anyone know that?...I'm not above it either. lol Also..Lori, how long did you use condoms until you decided to make the leap of faith, or did you say you still have your mate use them?

No condoms.

I don't remember if the V book said douching is safer at a certain time of the month. I'll look it up later.