[melis19750]

so do you think it is better to use tampons than pads??

I have heard sooooooo many different things on this. Just curious what you think

I took it once a day for 14 days at bedtime. After that, I went in to get re-cultured to check if the yeast was back, which it wasn't. My vulvo-vaginal specialist prescribed me an extra supply of boric acid that I would take once or twice a week for many months for maintenance since non-albican yeast is so resistant.

The non-albican yeast had to be cultured in a special broth. Non-albican yeast is something that is getting increasingly more popular, especially with increased antibiotic use. The interesting part in my case is, I never took antibiotics prior to getting my non-albican yeast infection. The nurse practitioner that was working at the clinic did say it could be transferred from stools. I always wipe properly. I figured it could be from wearing menstrual pads, maybe constant shifting and friction transferred the yeast. I can't really prove that though. I remember reading a study that did say there was more bacteria recovered from pads than tampons.

[melis19750]

Balance Activ-
My thoughts after day #1



I just started using this product so I am unsure if it's working to get rid of the BV yet. But Im definitely going to continue using it.
The only thing I think needs improvement is these 2 things...
1) The gel needs to be thicker so it can stay inside longer. The gel is quite "watery" therefor you pretty much have to have your pelvis tilted when you sleep at night so the medicine stays in (Not the most comfortable way to sleep)
2) There should be applicators like you get when you use a yeast infection cream, or metro gel. This way you can really get the product deep into the vagina. The applicator tube doesn't go in far enough!! But so far I like this product. I ordered 5 packages to keep it on hand and I'm praying it works!

[swt simplicity]

How long did you have to take the BA for your yeast? How often -- 1x or 2x a day? Also, how did they find out you had that, specifically, was it through culture? TIA

I took it once a day for 14 days at bedtime. After that, I went in to get re-cultured to check if the yeast was back, which it wasn't. My vulvo-vaginal specialist prescribed me an extra supply of boric acid that I would take once or twice a week for many months for maintenance since non-albican yeast is so resistant.

The non-albican yeast had to be cultured in a special broth. Non-albican yeast is something that is getting increasingly more popular, especially with increased antibiotic use. The interesting part in my case is, I never took antibiotics prior to getting my non-albican yeast infection. The nurse practitioner that was working at the clinic did say it could be transferred from stools. I always wipe properly. I figured it could be from wearing menstrual pads, maybe constant shifting and friction transferred the yeast. I can't really prove that though. I remember reading a study that did say there was more bacteria recovered from pads than tampons.

[melis19750]

found this about LS and it pertained to BV and yeast
hmm- interesting!!!

BTW- I just received my balance active today. Im so excited to try it. I hope it gives me great results so i can avoid metrogel and diflucan after the metrogel

here is the site i found while doing research on evening primrose oil
http://www.mold-survivor.com/lichen_sclerosis.html

[melis19750]

I actually agree with Melinda7 on this. Also RepHresh Pro-B is EXPENSIVE more so than Fem-D and not only that... RepHresh pro B is NOT refrigerated. I wont use any pro-biotic thats not refrigerated.
although I def back up the FEM-D claims because when I used it in the past for group b strep vaginitis it helped amazingly. I only hope it does the same for Gardnerella.

anyhow with me I decided to lay off some things, keep it as simple as possible

just take grapefruit seed extract (not garlic pills)
take my chlorophyll
take my juice plus suppliment (which is a fruit/veggie supplement-not a vitamin), vitamin D, Folic acid/B complex
and my vitamineral green suppliment with my shake (greek yogurt/some fruit/ unsweetened almond milk)mixed with a TSP of the probiotic L.Reuteri by natures way
and 1 pill fem d in the am and 1 pill fem d in the pm

as well as start using fem-d vaginally for 5 days/nights (now that my mentral cycle is ending)
and than as soon as I get the balance activ, use that
than be done with everything except my vita green, juice plus, and taking fem-d daily
and see what happens....

if not working, go to damn metrogel... but i hope its working. as i am starting to feel better and the odor seems to be diminishing

I'm not convinced the strains are patented, but maybe the polysaccharide delivery system is. On the label, they have an R in a circle, and if you look down on the label it explains it. Those same bacteria are in other probiotics. If it is different, their labeling doesn't explain that concisely. It's ambiguous. I'm tired of BS supplemental wording and marketing, because I've found it to be just that, so I am skeptical. I've looked online, trying to find the difference between Their patented strain and regular reuteri etc., and can't find anything on it.
How long did you have to take the BA for your yeast? How often -- 1x or 2x a day? Also, how did they find out you had that, specifically, was it through culture? TIA

[melinda7]

Fem-Dophilus and Rephresh Pro-B have GR-1 and RC-14 which aren't the same cookie cutter strain of bacteria that is available in most supplements and yogurts. If Fem-Dophilus had the regular lactobacillius that is normally found in yogurts, then they wouldn't have to be charging so much for it, everyone would just go to the grocery store and buy a cup of yogurt with reuteri and rhamnosus in it. The patent I mentioned isn't for it's enteric coating, but it's for those particular strains of bacteria (since Gregor Reid discovered it) because they are clinically proven to colonize the vaginal tract rather than pass through (which is how a lot of probiotic supplements work; they work just as long as you keep taking them because they don't always colonize in the intestinal tract).

Melis19750- I've never had bacterial vaginosis, although I thought I did for a while. That is actually how I discovered this forum. I was actually diagnosed with a non-albican yeast infection (c.parapsilosis) and I think another two strains of yeast. I was prescribed boric acid to kill the yeast.

I'm not convinced the strains are patented, but maybe the polysaccharide delivery system is. On the label, they have an R in a circle, and if you look down on the label it explains it. Those same bacteria are in other probiotics. If it is different, their labeling doesn't explain that concisely. It's ambiguous. I'm tired of BS supplemental wording and marketing, because I've found it to be just that, so I am skeptical. I've looked online, trying to find the difference between Their patented strain and regular reuteri etc., and can't find anything on it.


How long did you have to take the BA for your yeast? How often -- 1x or 2x a day? Also, how did they find out you had that, specifically, was it through culture? TIA

[swt simplicity]

Fem-Dophilus and Rephresh Pro-B have GR-1 and RC-14 which aren't the same cookie cutter strain of bacteria that is available in most supplements and yogurts. If Fem-Dophilus had the regular lactobacillius that is normally found in yogurts, then they wouldn't have to be charging so much for it, everyone would just go to the grocery store and buy a cup of yogurt with reuteri and rhamnosus in it. The patent I mentioned isn't for it's enteric coating, but it's for those particular strains of bacteria (since Gregor Reid discovered it) because they are clinically proven to colonize the vaginal tract rather than pass through (which is how a lot of probiotic supplements work; they work just as long as you keep taking them because they don't always colonize in the intestinal tract).

Melis19750- I've never had bacterial vaginosis, although I thought I did for a while. That is actually how I discovered this forum. I was actually diagnosed with a non-albican yeast infection (c.parapsilosis) and I think another two strains of yeast. I was prescribed boric acid to kill the yeast.

[melinda7]

I figured it was a decent brand, since WF's doesn't really carry junk. I actually went to buy the fem-d and got the idea to see if I could find another with the same ingredients. If it doesn't work, I will go to Vitamin Shoppe.


Thanks, I hope so too! I hope you get rid of yours!

I have scorpio in my chart too, so weird! Maybe there's something to it.

[melis19750]

yeah see thats the same exact thing I bought, but instead I got the powder form being I already have Fem D
I really like their powder form. it mixes great with my smoothies.

BTW you know the larger bottle 60 pills of FEM-D is only a few dollars more than the smaller bottle which is 30 pills at "the vitamin shop".

Thats where I get mine, whole foods, henreys. jimbos, etc: sell their FemD $5-$10 more than the vitamin shop does.

But Natures way is a REALLY good brand
so is Jarrow (makers of fem-d)
so I think your fine either way =)
Im keeping my fingers crossed that your BV is GONE
and hopefully NOOOOO YEAST

I was reading something odd- I'm a "scorpio" and it stated that scorpios tend to have more vaginal infections than other signs because they are rulers of the sex sign, or something like that

Im not into astrology, but found that weird being im a scorpio... lol

I looked, it's actually Nature's Way. I think it's the same thing, it is the same strain, same 5 billion, it just isn't patented to not dissolve in your stomach, but the NW one has an enteric coating for the same purpose. Vit C is supposed to be good for insertion according to another poster on here. I also like that it contains acidopholus, bc that is good for insertion -- that's what your V normally has in it.

I just can't afford to buy a ton of bottles of Fem unless I find it is more effective than the exact same strains, but another brand. i really distrust vitamin companies, and their claims and false marketing too, so I am trying the cheaper version. If it doesn't work, I'll look into fem-d again.

I can't wait to buy those tampons! I never thought I'd say that about tampons!!

[melinda7]

I looked, it's actually Nature's Way. I think it's the same thing, it is the same strain, same 5 billion, it just isn't patented to not dissolve in your stomach, but the NW one has an enteric coating for the same purpose. Vit C is supposed to be good for insertion according to another poster on here. I also like that it contains acidopholus, bc that is good for insertion -- that's what your V normally has in it.

I just can't afford to buy a ton of bottles of Fem unless I find it is more effective than the exact same strains, but another brand. i really distrust vitamin companies, and their claims and false marketing too, so I am trying the cheaper version. If it doesn't work, I'll look into fem-d again.

I can't wait to buy those tampons! I never thought I'd say that about tampons!!

[melis19750]

psst: I found this that another bust lounge poster put... its the same thing I watched!!!



QUOTE(CarrieBradshaw @ Jan 16 2008, 10:42 AM) *
Check out this presentation by the creators of Fem-dophilus. In Chapter 8, he says that BV can be CURED by inserting 2 capsules of the pill daily for 5 days. WOW!!!!!!!!!!! He lines it up next to Metro results and FemD's results are better!!!!! I am amazed. I'm on my first bottle right now so I am hopeful, but like I said I've had success with Acidophilus in the past.

http://www.jarrow.com/Dr-Reid-Start

(BTW, I do not work for Jarrow, I'm just a sufferer like you and have spent probably 100 hours reseraching cures on the internet

almost forgot, the tampons were only at walgreens... its the ONLY place i could find them sold at...and they were on sale for $4 a pack (originally $8) so i bought 2 packs

[melis19750]

almost forgot, the tampons were only at walgreens... its the ONLY place i could find them sold at...and they were on sale for $4 a pack (originally $8) so i bought 2 packs

I actaully hope it IS bv, sounds weird, but I'll explain. If it's BV, which I had off/on for many many years, then it will probably be able to be maintained or even go away of I get my ph to 4.5 and colonize with lactobacilli.

If it's candida, that is chronic, which I've also had, that is so much harder to get rid of.
Forget strep-b. I've heard you need to be on antibiotics for a longgg time to get rid of that.

My probiotics has 5 billion a pill. I checked. Same as fem-d with no weird fillers, plus it has acidopholus and vitamin C.

I really want to try the tampons. Where did you get them?
I am going to start using activ too, I am waiting for it to arrive.
If you have BV, you should take the flagyl. It may not go away if you don't and you could end up chronic like me. I did the same things as you and used probiotics and the same diet and now I am a mess. Use the diet after the meds to maintain, is my advice.
Boric doesn't irritate me at all.
I'm using the oral flagyl.

[melis19750]

Hi melinda!!
actually with group B strep they DON'T treat it unless it has symptoms
and you know for that one- GBS is normal bacteria found in many women, not all women are colonized with it>> being I had it for years before discovering Fem-D I did lots and lots and lots of research on it.

My Group B strep grew out of control after being misdiagnosed with BV in 2002 and put on metrogel, than flagyl because my symptoms never improved. <<as mentioned before... in which before using metrogel, having a gut feeling something wasnt right, went back to the old obgyn and demanded cultures done, coming to find out it wasn't BV but only GBS

I got my GBS under control by taking Fem-D vaginally for 3 days, than orally for several years from 2005-2009
and by the way I tried using RepHresh and it bothered me back then...

than I stopped Fem-D (decided to save $$)
than this yr, under lots of stress and hormonal fluctuations (really bad menstrual cycles), insomnia, and not exercising enough I developed a nasty yeast infection last month...
went to my newer OBGYN who cultured me for everything- came back only with yeast
than i used diflucam, wasnt quite helping the external symptoms, so decided to use garlic inside the vagina....
and the garlic took the cottage cheese discharge away, used it for 5 nights
than wala- noticed this weird smell, a little itching, overall feeling better than the YI made me feel
went back to the doctor- she swabbed me, NO CLUE CELLS or yeast noted, but she sent in cultures
came back for gardernella...aka: dreaded BV!!

so being I just got done (3 weeks ago) with a YI Im very nervous about using metrogel. I cant use flagyl orally because it makes me sick.

so being the doctors whom formulated Fem-D state that you can possibly cure BV using it vaginally for 5 days- at 2 times a day.... Im going to try that because FEM-D really doesnt bother me vaginally
I open a capsule, wearing a non-latex glove, put the powder-pro-biotic on my finger and insert inside deep into the vagina smearing around the walls and cervix... it actually gives me a cooling sensation, seems to take away the odor. The powder dissolves almost immediately


so Im going to do this, than try the Balance Activ (being the makers of this also claim this can cure BV by balancing the pH)
than go back to my OBGYN for a follow up in about 2 weeks... I'll give you all the progress
if it did not work, I guess metrogel is my only option
I can of course use clindamycin vaginal cream- as I have used that for GBS overgrowth in the past...worked great, as this one never seems to give me a yeast infection- although its been a few years since I have been on it.

I do agree that candida is worse, thats why I dont wanna use an anti biotic...
have you heard of Candex? I used that when I had my last yeast infection and it seemed to help...
i am wishing now i never used the garlic clove- so much for "home remedies"

By the way, can you do me a favor, look at your pro-biotic and tell me exactly the name of it??
I am planning on going to whole foods tomorrow.... and I want to check it out
=)

Melissa

I actaully hope it IS bv, sounds weird, but I'll explain. If it's BV, which I had off/on for many many years, then it will probably be able to be maintained or even go away of I get my ph to 4.5 and colonize with lactobacilli.

If it's candida, that is chronic, which I've also had, that is so much harder to get rid of.
Forget strep-b. I've heard you need to be on antibiotics for a longgg time to get rid of that.

My probiotics has 5 billion a pill. I checked. Same as fem-d with no weird fillers, plus it has acidopholus and vitamin C.

I really want to try the tampons. Where did you get them?
I am going to start using activ too, I am waiting for it to arrive.
If you have BV, you should take the flagyl. It may not go away if you don't and you could end up chronic like me. I did the same things as you and used probiotics and the same diet and now I am a mess. Use the diet after the meds to maintain, is my advice.
Boric doesn't irritate me at all.
I'm using the oral flagyl.

[melinda7]

yay for low clue cells
lets hope its not BV!!
keep taking your pro-biotic
and i hope it keeps you in balance =) good luck, keep us posted
BTW did you use flagyl orally? or metrogel?

I actaully hope it IS bv, sounds weird, but I'll explain. If it's BV, which I had off/on for many many years, then it will probably be able to be maintained or even go away of I get my ph to 4.5 and colonize with lactobacilli.

If it's candida, that is chronic, which I've also had, that is so much harder to get rid of.
Forget strep-b. I've heard you need to be on antibiotics for a longgg time to get rid of that.

My probiotics has 5 billion a pill. I checked. Same as fem-d with no weird fillers, plus it has acidopholus and vitamin C.

I really want to try the tampons. Where did you get them?


I am going to start using activ too, I am waiting for it to arrive.


If you have BV, you should take the flagyl. It may not go away if you don't and you could end up chronic like me. I did the same things as you and used probiotics and the same diet and now I am a mess. Use the diet after the meds to maintain, is my advice.


Boric doesn't irritate me at all.


I'm using the oral flagyl.

[melis19750]

yay for low clue cells
lets hope its not BV!!
keep taking your pro-biotic
and i hope it keeps you in balance =) good luck, keep us posted
BTW did you use flagyl orally? or metrogel?

I had my exam today. They cultured me. I had very few clue cells, he said. I will find out the results of the culture whenever they come back. I would be surprised if there's no yeast, since I get them a lot. We'll see. He changed my flagyl dose, because they did it wrong the first time... the pharm may have screwed up the instructions or they did, I don't know.
I am doing well on the probiotics I am taking. Mine isn't Nature's Way. There's no potato starch. I'll have to make a mental note of the brand next time I take it. It's at Whole Foods and it's not a brand I've heard of before. Since it's cheaper, I can take more of them, which may be why it's working better.

All the strains are the same. Fem- D has some BS patent, that supposedly holds up in the stomach acid, but mine are coated to do the same thing. I don't know, take whichever you think is best. I just think Fem-D is way too pricey.

[melis19750]

I'm actually trying this now-the chlorophyll

BTW swt simplicity I read your blog- LOVE IT
but im curious
what methods have you used to keep your BV under control?
did you simply use Fem-D alone??

Not for BV- but my OBGYN wants me on this for over all health
Im currently taking "Juice Plus" supplements- as my OBGYN reccomended I do so
Vita Green (she also recommends this)
a folic acid, B complex supplementgarlic
Garlic orally (I dont think i will ever again insert them vaginally as Im sure it caused my BV after treating a YI)
grapefruit seed extract orally
and a prescribed pre-natal (she has me on this because im sensitive to many multi vitamins)
as well as a calcium suppliment from "standard process"
as well as a sp complete to use in my shake from standard process

and I recently added the primadophilus-R so I can mix it in once a day with my breakfast shake
I avoid sugar
Instead I use stevia
eat plain greek yogurt that only has 4 grams of sugar- add some cinnamon, berries
clean protein- chicken/fish
lots of veggies
and the only bread I eat once or twice daily is Ezekiel bread
and maybe some brown rice

very healthy diet

=)

I wont use boric acid- outch it burns (tried it once a LONG time ago when I had group b strep over growth)

to be honest- this is my FIRST Gardernella infection (BV) so
im afraid to use the metro-gel
and im trying to use something else before i resort to an anti biotic
i do not use antibiotics often unless really needed

any help would be appreciated

although if the balance activ doesnt help, looks like it will be metro gel followed by a diflucan (UGG)

A few years ago, there were a couple of users that mentioned taking chlorophyll to control their vaginal odor. I've been reading about chlorophyll and how it's used as in internal deodorizer, and I read reviews about certain chlorophyll supplements/products and how buyers said it got rid of their bad breath, underarm odor, body odor and so on. So, the question(s) I'm going to ask applies to anyone that has personally used chlorophyll to help control their vaginal odor or get rid of it:

1. Did it work?
2. Did it help?

I'm curious to see if it really works. I'm going to order a bottle of it from GNC. Hopefully it curbs my morning breath ...

[melis19750]

really?
I read the back of the primadophilus reuteri powder (its not in pill form) and it has the same exact ingredients, except its at a lower dosage
fem-d is at 5 billion strains while the prima-r has only 1 billion

on the bottle of fem d it says that the dextrose is in the powder, not the capsule

although I HAVE NEVER had a problem using fem-d vaginally before, so being its 5 billion strains verses 1 billion ill prob continue to use it

however i like this primadophilus, because i can make a smoothie with almond milk, greek yogurt, and some berries and add in the prima powder along with my veggie green suppliment and some ice
its yummy


hopefully i can get this BV under control without the metro gel. Im afraid to use it as i dont want a YI
and to be honest, the only symptom of BV im having is a slight odor, and a little discharge

OH BTW- I used those new RepHresh tampons, i LOVE THEM!!! they are non irritating, lets hope they really do help keep the pH in check...

Im currently waiting for my balance activ. I plan to use this, see if symptoms improve, go back to my GYN and see if the infection cleared
if NOT- then Ill use the metrogel
grrrr i hate antibiotics

Nature's Way Primadophilus Reuteri doesn't contain the same patented strains of bacteria that Fem-Dophilus or RepHresh Pro-B contain. Read the labels carefully. If your really concerned about the dextrose, you could just purchase gelatin capsules and open the pill and transfer the contents into the gelatin capsules. From there you can just insert them when you need to (of course while keeping them refrigerated so the bacteria doesn't perish).

[melinda7]

I had my exam today. They cultured me. I had very few clue cells, he said. I will find out the results of the culture whenever they come back. I would be surprised if there's no yeast, since I get them a lot. We'll see. He changed my flagyl dose, because they did it wrong the first time... the pharm may have screwed up the instructions or they did, I don't know.


I am doing well on the probiotics I am taking. Mine isn't Nature's Way. There's no potato starch. I'll have to make a mental note of the brand next time I take it. It's at Whole Foods and it's not a brand I've heard of before. Since it's cheaper, I can take more of them, which may be why it's working better.

All the strains are the same. Fem- D has some BS patent, that supposedly holds up in the stomach acid, but mine are coated to do the same thing. I don't know, take whichever you think is best. I just think Fem-D is way too pricey.

[swt simplicity]

Nature’s Way Primodophilus Reuteri
has the same exact ingredients that fem-d has but WITHOUT the dextrose. although yea it does have potato starch, but thats the ONLY starch in ithttp://www.bust.com/lounge/index.php?act=Post&CODE=02&f=16&t=30850&qpid=263589
Im trying it out =)

Nature's Way Primadophilus Reuteri doesn't contain the same patented strains of bacteria that Fem-Dophilus or RepHresh Pro-B contain. Read the labels carefully. If your really concerned about the dextrose, you could just purchase gelatin capsules and open the pill and transfer the contents into the gelatin capsules. From there you can just insert them when you need to (of course while keeping them refrigerated so the bacteria doesn't perish).

[melis19750]

Nature’s Way Primodophilus Reuteri
has the same exact ingredients that fem-d has but WITHOUT the dextrose. although yea it does have potato starch, but thats the ONLY starch in it
Im trying it out =)