[CanCan]

Not sure how to do/post a forum, I hope this is working..!

Hi, I will start by saying that I am exhausted after reading all 30-something pages on this topic. And I kept reading, and reading, and reading, hoping that someone would have something to say that would be like a lightning bolt for me. But not too happy to realize that this hasn't been figured out yet. Some good information written by all, but not 100 percent successful for all of us. I have also been reading non stop in medical journals, and talking to naturopaths etc, and there is information out there, but much of it trial and error. Some of it helpful to me, but some not. So my conclusion is this: there is no cure for this yet. I hope there will be a cure at some point soon. After all, how hard can this be to figure out? Well, actually, it is very hard to figure out. Because if it was easy, the medical community would have done so already. Last Saturday HPV was finally on the front page of the New York Times - stating that girls between the ages of 11 and 18 are eligible for voluntary free vaccinations. And 20 states are trying to have a bill passed that makes it a requirement. It took doctors forever to figure out that it was a virus that was causing cervical cancer. And it took them centuries to figure out that ulcers were caused by another cute little bugger Helicobacter pylori; not necessarily caused by stress or spicy foods! So maybe we should cut doctors some slack, and just not count on them for everything. After all, they are not gods. They are mere mortals trying to do their job. And there are so many ailments out there, that one must be very lucky to find a doctor that happens to know what he is doing in this capacity, and with experience. I know I haven't found such a doctor yet. I am sure one is out there, I just don't have the time or the money to keep on looking for him. And believing that there was a magic pill - such as Clindamycin - well, I won't even bother laughing about that one. I took it, it didn't work, as 50% of all women know. And according to what Clindesse themselves state in their literature right there in the box! If I was smart enough I would have read the small print first. And not bothered taking it. Because it probably would have been easier to get rid of the infection had I not taken the antibiotic. I have another Clindamycin sitting here at home, waiting for me to use, but will I? I would have to be a dumb ass to. I was so upset, went back to the doctor, they of course wouldn't even run tests on me to see if I had a bacterial infection or not. Just told me to take the antibiotic again. I asked the doctor why I should, if he wasn't even sure if I had the infection or not? But I am sure you guys have heard this story before.

So, 'why did I get the infection?' Well.... I douched three days in a row. Then all of a sudden had this problem. I of course will never douche again in my life. Another hard lesson learned. Also, I haven't had a boyfriend in a while, and certainly not one that ejaculated in me, so I think this shocked my body. But from what I have been reading, it seems like the body is fully capable of cleaning itself out if everything is working properly. I guess I am not in the great shape I thought I was in. Eight years ago I had a yeast infection that just wouldn't go away. I had it for a whole year. And then I spoke to my mother's friend who owns his own little health food store, and he gave me a list of things to do to get rid of the infection. And I felt the diet working immediately, within two weeks, and was so excited, that I continued to do whatever the hell he told me to do. And I got rid of the infection, but it took months. About four. I was so paranoid that I would get it back though, that I stayed on the regime for an extra three months to make sure I killed it 100%. And it was hell. Because of course you can't eat sweets, etc., and you are always watching what you eat, so it's no fun. How did I get that stubborn yeast infection? I had a boyfriend and he came inside me as well. So the only two problems I have had were right after a guy ejaculated.

But getting back to present, I think that I may have gotten the BV even if my boyfriend hadn't ejaculated in me. Because I am kind of dry. I will get more into that later. Instead of douching afterward, I should have inserted a Boric Acid capsule. I've done that before, and it worked great stabilizing the ph. But I forgot, because I haven't had a boyfriend in so long.

I will add more tomorrow about what my plan is to try to get rid of this infection. I'm way past bed time!

[Morphia]

Just a deep stupid thought of the day( watched to much saturday night live back in the day) but....how exactly do these lactobacillus obtain their oxygen?

Not a stupid thought. I was thinking the EXACT same thing about 30 minutes ago. And about liver dysfunction. I am an alcoholic. I've been sick for a long time and all of my symptoms, including the bv, started after a MASSIVE binge that I had. Even though my liver function tests come back ok, I know that there is something wrong with it. No girl's liver can withstand a pint of jack daniels and several beers every night without getting some kind of damage. Keep doing your research, girl. With every question you ask and with every new theory you post I feel that I'm getting closer to a cause. I thank you for all that you've been doing.

[arj75]

I found some information regarding research of two different lactobacillus - cripatus and L jenseni. Medical researchers believe that these are very important in our vaginal flora. Unless I simply overlooked those strains..I didn't notice either of them listed in the labels of the probotics in that fem stuff or that ulitmate flora.....

Just a deep stupid thought of the day( watched to much saturday night live back in the day) but....how exactly do these lactobacillus obtain their oxygen? It it known for sure that they get air from simple ventilation or is it supplied from our vaginal skin cells to them? If our blood oxygen levels are low..could this have any effect on promoting the growth of them?

Also I read that the lactobacillus need glycogen to ferment into lactic acid. It's stored in the liver (i think a few other places too). There are 11 different types of GSD disorders.. has everyone been checked for any liver dysfunctions??

To mention the thoughts of suicide that some of us have had..I have them too. But on a good note...I have been feeling better this week. I cut out the caffiene entirely, and am taking zanax (which helps me sleep), and taking vitamins. I havent had an aniexty attack for 2 days now!!! I even went out lastnight. I drank way to much, and ended getting sick lastnight, throwing my guts up. I should have woke up with a hangover from hell, but I felt great! I really think the vitamins are helping. To my knowledge there is no way to test for water soluble vitamin defiencies, but lack of them can cause severe problems..including depression...... O yeah, i quit taking the prozac.

[arj75]

Hey everyone....Gosh I took a vacation for 24 hours and missed a lot.

I brought up the fishy smell to a friend of mine from school and was kinda surprised that she hasn't ever heard of bv..She is in her mid 40's..furthermore after going into the embarrassing details of my stinch after my periods and sex she confessed that she deals with it after sex as well. She thinks it is just that her mate and her have a bad chemisty and isn't a damn bit bothered by it. Thats the part that I can't really get..that it doesn't bother her. I wanted to tell her that maybe she should go to the doc..but I didn't. What do you think I should do..she recently battled cervical cancer....

Today, when I was at my sister's house...she said she had a real bad yeast infection from antibotics that she recently had taken, and I mentioned be careful...you need to watch out for bv. She has heard of bv, which surprised me, because she is only 25. She saw a Tyra Banks talk show about it, not sure when. I am almost 32 years old, and just now finding out about this horrible infection! That's sad.

Who has big enough balls to call Ophra ( I sure as hell don't)...women need to learn more about this!!! Then, maybe with every woman in a frantic state on earth..the research will be bumped up into full force.

[britt8705]

Hi everyone, I've been gone for awhile. I hope everything is going good for everyone. I was just wondering if someone could fill me in on what's new and what not to do? So far I only used the PH soultion. Thanks

[anitsirhc]

hey lori, i wanted to ask you which shipping you used for your order from iherb.com. i was looking at it and i wasn't sure if i should do next day shipping or 2nd day or 3rd or regular. i don't want to waste my money on expensive shipping if i don't have to but i also don't want to get it and it not be cold anymore. thanks

[Morphia]

Does anyone ever wonder what happened to the OP of this message???? I wonder how things are for her.

[neverending]

Chlorophyll One or two chlorophyll tablets or chlorophyll liquid taken with each meal may also help, as chlorophyll is a great deodorizer.

Magnesium Take magnesium supplements or augment your diet with food sources high in this important mineral. Between 200-500 mg of magnesium have been recommended. You will have to try different doses until you get the amounts that are right for your body.

Vitamins A high-potency B vitamin (50 mg or higher), when combined with magnesium, will help reduce certain secretions that can be a cause of odor. Make sure you are getting 100 mg of PABA and 100 mg of B6.

Zinc If you have body odor, try taking zinc tablets. Zinc, plus magnesium, will help balance your body's metabolism and reduce the cause of bad odor. Studies have shown that taking 30 to 50 mg daily will dramatically reduce certain body odors, although you may need less. Zinc may also reduce perspiration and sweaty feet. However, it is wise to go above 15 mg only with a doctor's supervision as zinc may interfere with the absorption of copper, another essential trace mineral.

[anitsirhc]

Hey anitsirhc. Just wanted to thank you again for your iHerb.com suggestion. I ordered my bottle and just got my package! They shipped fast, and my bottle was packaged in a styrofoam box, with two of those frozen-cool-packs inside. And the bottle was definitely cool to the touch!

The box also had big stickers on that that said FRAGILE. The mail guy looked a little freaked out by the package, so I joked that I bought a kidney from the black market. Ha ha.

Anyway, I'm thrilled. I'll definitely buy my fem-dophilus from them in the future.

oh awesome! thanks for letting me know that. i'll probably be ordering from there soon too.

[neverending]

I feel you girl. It's just so freaking depressing! I was contemplating suicide for a long time before I decided to get help. I avoided the help at first because I was to embarassed. I got over it and said "FUCK IT!", I am now seeing a psychiatrist and a therapist. Both whom are very nice ladies.

I got to the point where I just didn't want to go out anywhere because the stench was so strong! And people could be sooo cruel! I'm a pretty girl i'll admit that. the girls that "HATE" on me always have something to say about my odor. I'm so ashamed.

I told my mom about the diva-cup but she refuses to buy it for me because according to her that's just a big SCAM..She doesn't believe in any internet products. Especially feminine products. I remeber when I bought FEMMESIL (a cream for the vagina) that claimed to CURE all forms of yeast and b.v., I had to buy it with a giftcard my sister gave me for X-MAS. Hoe can I convince my mom that the diva-cup is nothing bad? I'm hopeless.

The diva cup is not a cure! It is just for your period. You can buy it at a health food store for $15.00. I used it because it helped keep the odor away during periods. Plus it's cheaper than pads or tampons. Pads and tampons were $5.00- $10.00 a month(I have a heavy flow).

Oh, if you were an ugly girl they would have nothing to say but because you have something going for yourself they try to hit below the belt if you know what I mean. When they comment about your odor, in there minds they are trying to make themselves seem better. They see you as superior to them and they will do anything they can to get under your skin. I'll be the first to admit that they (hating ass females) have driven me crazy. I'm not going to sit here and say I'm all that but I am cute,and that drives them crazy. I always say "I may stink but at least i'm not fucking ugly and even though I may stink I could still take your man". keep that in mind when people say things like that to you!

[ilovehim]

Has anyone here ever considered...suicide? I'm sorry to bring it up. But a lot of the times, I just can't imagine living like this for the rest of my life. After all that I've already dealt with...I thought it was finally over. But I was wrong. Something new just had to come along. I just look back on the days where I was healthy and I want it back so much that it tears me up inside. That was 3 or 4 years ago...I've been in hell for almost 4 years now and it just gets progressively worse. I'm just so sick of this.

I feel you girl. It's just so freaking depressing! I was contemplating suicide for a long time before I decided to get help. I avoided the help at first because I was to embarassed. I got over it and said "FUCK IT!", I am now seeing a psychiatrist and a therapist. Both whom are very nice ladies.

I got to the point where I just didn't want to go out anywhere because the stench was so strong! And people could be sooo cruel! I'm a pretty girl i'll admit that. the girls that "HATE" on me always have something to say about my odor. I'm so ashamed.

I told my mom about the diva-cup but she refuses to buy it for me because according to her that's just a big SCAM..She doesn't believe in any internet products. Especially feminine products. I remeber when I bought FEMMESIL (a cream for the vagina) that claimed to CURE all forms of yeast and b.v., I had to buy it with a giftcard my sister gave me for X-MAS. Hoe can I convince my mom that the diva-cup is nothing bad? I'm hopeless.

[Morphia]

I just wanted to say that I've had that pinching, needle stabbing feeling for YEARS. Way before I ever had the bv or any of my other problems. So, it may be unrelated. Although I doubt it....I'm sure my doctor would say it was unrelated! Asshole...

[jewelscando]

Hi again, jewels, I just ordered the estriol here is the website:http://www.helenpensanti.com/products.asp?dept=116... I also received the flagyl in the mail. I am going to try it, but I just ended my period, so do you think I should wait a few days????

I'm the wrong one to ask on that one, because I don't have periods. I don't think it will really matter. Just make sure you don't over use it. If you remember, the first time I did it, I got a yeast infection from hell, because I had sex while using it vaginally. So, just use it for two days, then wait. And if it's gone, you're good. If not, try one more day, but be ready with Monistat in hand!!!

[sciongal]

Yes Ma'm. But, it's not on a regular basis, because I don't need to. Since using the Flagyl vaginally, I only have to use it once maybe every couple of months. More if I'm having sex alot. Which I'm not right now. I think my kitty needed a break. My boyfriend, is African American, and HE'S ON THE LARGER SIDE!! So, everytime we have sex, I'm always raw. And when my B.V. was at it's worst, we were having sex several times a day on the weekends, because that is when I would see him. Now, it's only once or twice a month, because we are taking a break from each other. So...yes it's working wonderfully for me!!!

I still want to try the Estroil because I did have a hysterectomy, so I too think mine is hormone related.

PIANO GIRL!!!! I NEED THAT WEBSITE!!!

Hi again, jewels, I just ordered the estriol here is the website:http://www.helenpensanti.com/products.asp?dept=116... I also received the flagyl in the mail. I am going to try it, but I just ended my period, so do you think I should wait a few days????

[jewelscando]

Hey jewels,
are you still using flagyl vagianally??? Is it still working?

Yes Ma'm. But, it's not on a regular basis, because I don't need to. Since using the Flagyl vaginally, I only have to use it once maybe every couple of months. More if I'm having sex alot. Which I'm not right now. I think my kitty needed a break. My boyfriend, is African American, and HE'S ON THE LARGER SIDE!! So, everytime we have sex, I'm always raw. And when my B.V. was at it's worst, we were having sex several times a day on the weekends, because that is when I would see him. Now, it's only once or twice a month, because we are taking a break from each other. So...yes it's working wonderfully for me!!!

I still want to try the Estroil because I did have a hysterectomy, so I too think mine is hormone related.

PIANO GIRL!!!! I NEED THAT WEBSITE!!!

[sciongal]

YES... that is why I posted that I get that same thing to. Again, it's not all the time, just here and there.

Hey jewels,
are you still using flagyl vagianally??? Is it still working?

[lori]

Hey anitsirhc. Just wanted to thank you again for your iHerb.com suggestion. I ordered my bottle and just got my package! They shipped fast, and my bottle was packaged in a styrofoam box, with two of those frozen-cool-packs inside. And the bottle was definitely cool to the touch!

The box also had big stickers on that that said FRAGILE. The mail guy looked a little freaked out by the package, so I joked that I bought a kidney from the black market. Ha ha.

Anyway, I'm thrilled. I'll definitely buy my fem-dophilus from them in the future.

[jewelscando]

i don't know if you read my post which was only a few before yours but i said i just noticed a pinching feeling. like someone is poking me with something pointy. (on the inside of course) it doesn't happen always, just like today it happened 3 or 4 times within 5 minutes and then it stopped. so weird.

YES... that is why I posted that I get that same thing to. Again, it's not all the time, just here and there.

[neverending]

LADIES: The Diva cup really helps keep the odor in and I 've never had a problem with it. Even when I had discharge it was really good. I would put it in for 3 hours, take it out, wash it with the diva cup soap in hot water, then stick it back in. The diva cup also helps you understand what is going on with the discharge during your period. When I took it out I would always look in it to see if I could see any white dis. floating around in there and then I would dump it out and I know this sounds gross but I would smell it to see if it had any fishy, rotten, or shit smell to it. I thought it was great and even better than pads or tampons and way less expensive because I have not bought pads or tampons in 1yr. and one more thing during your period or more towards the end you will notice that there is no discharge at all. I don't know why but I never had discharge or a smell at all towards the end of my period and 2 days afterward. Can anyone look and tell me what hormone kicks in during the end of your period? Anyway, all is well on this end.

[bvgirl]

We are all here for one reason...to get support,information and product referrals from one another regarding b.v.
We offer ADVICE and it is just that advice so if you are willing and or interested in the advice we offer then so be it but if not so be it. BECAUSE we are ALL frustrated and or at the point of pulling out our hair our emotions can get the best of us. When we come across as being offensive and harsh it creates more emotional turmoil in some. You have the right to explain how you feel but understand that the same goes for everyone else. Let's remember why we are here and many of you have stated that and feel that we should get back on track with finding relief from others & product referrals and bringing the peace back. I don't wish for anyone to have to leave this board but we all have to face it that the atmosphere has been pretty non-productive.