[Sweaty in Social Studies]

Hello to everyone! I'm new here and very confused about myself...It's a little embarrassing but I'm having problems with odor, I shower everyday and as the day progresses it gets stronger, it's kind of an oyster, fishy smell and I am so self concious about it. I also have a lot of clear discharge (very annoying). It all started in the third trimester of my last pregnancy, I thought it would have gone away after I had the mirena IUC put in at the end of Dec. '08, but no such luck. I have looked into this product called rephresh but it requires you to insert gel into your vagina and I'm afraid it will move the mirena. If anyone could help me with stories of your experiences it would be very, very much appreciated! Thank you.

Where you checked out by a Gynecologist yet? It's normal to have discharge because the vagina is a self cleaning organ, but if your experiencing a lot of discharge which is also accompanied by an odor, I'd suggest you get examined.

[Nessuratha]

Hello to everyone! I'm new here and very confused about myself...It's a little embarrassing but I'm having problems with odor, I shower everyday and as the day progresses it gets stronger, it's kind of an oyster, fishy smell and I am so self concious about it. I also have a lot of clear discharge (very annoying). It all started in the third trimester of my last pregnancy, I thought it would have gone away after I had the mirena IUC put in at the end of Dec. '08, but no such luck. I have looked into this product called rephresh but it requires you to insert gel into your vagina and I'm afraid it will move the mirena. If anyone could help me with stories of your experiences it would be very, very much appreciated! Thank you.

[lori]

Hey guys, dont post very much but thought this would b an article to think about. An i dont mean to scare anyone but its very serious, an something that we dealing with BV should take to mind.

www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2164939

Thanks for sharing that. First sentence of abstract of article:

"Epidemiologic studies indicate that bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common alteration of lower genital tract flora in women, is associated with increased susceptibility to HIV infection."

Having BV makes you more vulnerable to HIV and other STD's. Basically, your usual defenses are weakened when you've got BV raging down there.

Just yet another reason why I keep saying that BV is a serious problem that shouldn't be treated just by "deodorant" or "mouthwash" solutions.

[wanabfresh]

That's very strange.

Flagyl isn't prescribed for regular yeast infections. And would any doctor prescribe antibiotics for a yeast infection?

I can't imagine even a crackpot doctor being that off the mark.

Hey guys, dont post very much but thought this would b an article to think about. An i dont mean to scare anyone but its very serious, an something that we dealing with BV should take to mind.

www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2164939

[lori]

My doctor assumed I had a regular yeast infection and prescribed me Flagyl, which didn't work because I didn’t have a regular yeast infection in the first place.

That's very strange.

Flagyl isn't prescribed for regular yeast infections. And would any doctor prescribe antibiotics for a yeast infection?

I can't imagine even a crackpot doctor being that off the mark.

[Sweaty in Social Studies]

I have been reading this post to see if there is anything that any one has said that could help me. But the truth is everyone is going through the same thing that i am. i have had the gel and pills. there was one pill that i did get that gave me relief for about 6 months. i cant remember the name but it is expensive and i have no insurance. i have been suffering with this for many years. i have tried hydrogen peroxide which works very temperary. i have heard of all kinds of home remedies and they dont work any better than the vaginal gel stuff. i know what everyone is going through.

i would like to say one thing to lori. i have read some of the things you have said and i am currently a medical student. what bothers me is how you gave sweaty a really hard time. alot of the things she has said are medically true and i dont understand why you have said the things you have said. i completely understand what she has said. and you gave her a hard time about advise she has given. but how many times has any of us been to a male ob/gyn and had medicine perscribed . men do not get this so they do not know what we are going through so whether or not she has had this is irrelevant.

i have been suffering with this for a long time and i want to know if anyone has found a hospital or university that is doing a research on this. a lot of times if there is research they need volunteers. im at the point where i am ready to be a human test subject. i am going out of my mind becuase i spend so much tiime keeping my distance from people, not sitting with my legs open and even not dating. i dont even know if any one can smell any thing but i know it is there.

if anyone has any suggestions please help.

Hi!

I'd recommend that you see a Board Certified Gynecologist. I remember being misdiagnosed countless times. My doctor assumed I had a regular yeast infection and prescribed me Flagyl, which didn't work because I didn’t have a regular yeast infection in the first place. I think the Flagyl might've made things worse. I'd been going in and out of the doctor’s office until I was finally referred to a specialist. Low and behold, I was properly diagnosed and prescribed medication when my infection cleared up!

You can check to see if your doctor is Board Certified by going to the American Board of Medical Specialties. Some doctor's get puzzled and assume you have this when you actually have that, or they give you the wrong dosage etc, which can be stressful because some of those prescription medications can have a negative effect on your system.

I truly feel bad for you. Vaginal odor can be a real downer at times. Since your open to suggestions, I'd love to help you out.

Yours truly,
Sweaty in Social Studies

P.S. Thank you for coming in my defense, I really do appreciate it.

[lori]

i would like to say one thing to lori. i have read some of the things you have said and i am currently a medical student. what bothers me is how you gave sweaty a really hard time. alot of the things she has said are medically true ...

No, they are not.

Someone writes to say that she is spotting after a pap. And Sweaty said that the spotting is probably because her period is coming? That is just FLAT-OUT WRONG.

Just one example.

... and i dont understand why you have said the things you have said.

Well, you know what bothers me? The way that Sweaty is treating people like guinea pigs. She's talking up products, and trying to get people to use them, and report back to her on the results.

This personally bothers me a lot, because I've always been very conscientious about never pushing any treatment on anyone, unless I've made sure that it's safe and effective. And it apparently bothers other people, too.

Again, this is about sensitivity. We've all been through trying various remedies, and despairing when they don't work. Not to mention the money and time wasted. It's very discouraging to get your hopes up about something, and have it fail YET AGAIN. Apparently, you are very familiar with how this feels!

So I don't appreciate someone who keeps saying, "Hey, have you tried THIS NEW THING I'VE HEARD OF ONCE? Please buy it, use your body as a test subject, and tell me how it goes!"

There's nothing wrong with people talking about any treatment or asking about it. But Sweaty doesn't have any personal stake in it. She's just merely curious.

Do I need to explain further why this is so offensive?

but how many times has any of us been to a male ob/gyn and had medicine perscribed . men do not get this so they do not know what we are going through so whether or not she has had this is irrelevant.

Hey. That is the exact point that I made already.

But OBVIOUSLY - even if someone has never had a condition, they should demonstrate knowledge, caring, and sensitivity. This is not the case with Sweaty. She's said things that are really insensitive, obtuse, and just plain wrong.

Like I said, credit where credit is due - she has contributed some great research that have been useful.

But the whole guinea pig thing - it's offensive, disrespectful, and needs to stop.

[had015]

I have been reading this post to see if there is anything that any one has said that could help me. But the truth is everyone is going through the same thing that i am. i have had the gel and pills. there was one pill that i did get that gave me relief for about 6 months. i cant remember the name but it is expensive and i have no insurance. i have been suffering with this for many years. i have tried hydrogen peroxide which works very temperary. i have heard of all kinds of home remedies and they dont work any better than the vaginal gel stuff. i know what everyone is going through.

i would like to say one thing to lori. i have read some of the things you have said and i am currently a medical student. what bothers me is how you gave sweaty a really hard time. alot of the things she has said are medically true and i dont understand why you have said the things you have said. i completely understand what she has said. and you gave her a hard time about advise she has given. but how many times has any of us been to a male ob/gyn and had medicine perscribed . men do not get this so they do not know what we are going through so whether or not she has had this is irrelevant.

i have been suffering with this for a long time and i want to know if anyone has found a hospital or university that is doing a research on this. a lot of times if there is research they need volunteers. im at the point where i am ready to be a human test subject. i am going out of my mind becuase i spend so much tiime keeping my distance from people, not sitting with my legs open and even not dating. i dont even know if any one can smell any thing but i know it is there.

if anyone has any suggestions please help.

[Aijarama]

aijarama, ive got the same bv symptoms, only, ive never heard of it w/o the discharge, so i keep thinking its gone until i smell it. ive been terrified of even getting sweaty, so ive avoided it at all costs for the past few weeks (stopped working out, change undies multiple times a day, fan on).

ive been on flagyl myself, and ditto on the recurrence. Any luck with herbal stuff?

Hey nik - I've still been playing around with probiotics and folic acid, I guess I can say that things are better but the problem is still there. I also thought that maybe the itching could be due to the hair there (I keep it short, so maybe it irritates the labia). Oddly enough, my last culture came back negative, so maybe the issue just comes and goes. So we'll see. What have you been doing?

[horror_movie]

LOL dont worry Lori I left the dr's office 4 hours ago, and I dont do a lot of over the counter stuff, I took 2 excedrin, and when the pain came back after 2 hours, I took 3 advil instead and that was it for the night. Went to the doc this morning, he did a sonogram and he said he couldnt find anything, but instead put me on 2 more antibiotics for UTIs. (grr thats what I didnt want). I was told it could be one of 3 things, 1. kidney infection (ding ding!!) 2. kidney stones 3. other (seriously, he said other). I think its an infection. Too much of a coincodence for me to have a UTI, have it "clear up," and come back again and suddenly I've got back pain and nausea. Said if I still felt terrible in a day he'd do a cat scan. Pissed me off, though, he called my g.p. for the results of my first urine test a month ago, and guess what? There was blood!! But the (excuse me) f*kn first doctor didnt see it as cause for alarm so he never told me. Nice. Would've been nice to let me know.

So I'm home, my sides are tender but not excruciating, I've got some prescription painkillers but there's a 99.9% chance I won't take them (they usually get me sick, so if im desperate enough to take them that would be pretty bad).

I keep massaging my back, hoping it'll go away.

I know it will go away we not going YES IT CAN GO AWAY!! I feel like your doctor is being very inconsiderate
with your feeling and your health. Peeing blood and all he do is give you pain killers. he should automatically be thinking
its your kidney or uti had a affect on it. do you go to a hospital or a family practice? im upset bcuz there is alot of
doctors that only care about the money then there patient.

[horror_movie]

oops I forgot I've got a sore throat/cold thats going around (its snowing here) and all the fun achy stuff that go along with it.

horror: im so sorry to hear what you are going through! I havent had BV in approx 6 years, but last time I had it, it reared its ugly head a few days after sex w/a guy I'd been dating. Did the round of antibiotics, and sure enough, two weeks later, came back. I think it took about a year for my body to totally come around, which sucked, I was almost totally abstinent most of the time. About the smell, is it all the time? I'm getting that odor on and off but it usually shows up only when I pee, so I've been drinking about 1.5 liters of water a day and its diluting it somewhat (except for in the am; first pee of the day i cant seem to do anything about).

I'm not sure but I think it off and on. Right after I use the bathroom the smell do get stronger no matter how or what I wipe up with
the baby wipes was making the smell stronger I guess it was irratating down there. I should start drinking lots of water too. Its kinda hard to cut off sex my husband is a horn dog when he don't get none let's say he gets his period LOL

[nik7121]

I not a expert in the medical field but my mother is nurse in hospital. Everytime I had my period
and it hurt so bad I will pop all diffrent over counter medication(ex: advil etc) MY MOTHER TOLD IF I KEEP
TAKING PILLS EVERYTIME I HAVE A ACHE I'M GOING HAVE KIDNEY PROBLEM. BECAUSE THE PILLS DOSEN'T
DISSOLVE FAST AS YOU THINK IT LAYS ON TOP OF YOUR KIDNEY. TAKING TOO MUCH OVER THE COUNTER
PAIN KILLER COULD CAUSE TO HAVE A KIDNEY FAILURE. LOOK AT THE INFANT OVER COUNTER MEDICATION
WHEN MY BABIES GET SICK AND I ASK ABOUT THE OVER COUNTER MEDICATION THEY TELL ME NOT TO USE THEM
BECAUSE BABIES WERE DYING TAKE THEM.( it was on the news) BASICALLY I'M SAYING DON'T GO CRAZY OVERDOSING COUNTER PAIN KILLERS.

LOL dont worry Lori I left the dr's office 4 hours ago, and I dont do a lot of over the counter stuff, I took 2 excedrin, and when the pain came back after 2 hours, I took 3 advil instead and that was it for the night. Went to the doc this morning, he did a sonogram and he said he couldnt find anything, but instead put me on 2 more antibiotics for UTIs. (grr thats what I didnt want). I was told it could be one of 3 things, 1. kidney infection (ding ding!!) 2. kidney stones 3. other (seriously, he said other). I think its an infection. Too much of a coincodence for me to have a UTI, have it "clear up," and come back again and suddenly I've got back pain and nausea. Said if I still felt terrible in a day he'd do a cat scan. Pissed me off, though, he called my g.p. for the results of my first urine test a month ago, and guess what? There was blood!! But the (excuse me) f*kn first doctor didnt see it as cause for alarm so he never told me. Nice. Would've been nice to let me know.

So I'm home, my sides are tender but not excruciating, I've got some prescription painkillers but there's a 99.9% chance I won't take them (they usually get me sick, so if im desperate enough to take them that would be pretty bad).

I keep massaging my back, hoping it'll go away.

[horror_movie]

I not a expert in the medical field but my mother is nurse in hospital. Everytime I had my period
and it hurt so bad I will pop all diffrent over counter medication(ex: advil etc) MY MOTHER TOLD IF I KEEP
TAKING PILLS EVERYTIME I HAVE A ACHE I'M GOING HAVE KIDNEY PROBLEM. BECAUSE THE PILLS DOSEN'T
DISSOLVE FAST AS YOU THINK IT LAYS ON TOP OF YOUR KIDNEY. TAKING TOO MUCH OVER THE COUNTER
PAIN KILLER COULD CAUSE TO HAVE A KIDNEY FAILURE. LOOK AT THE INFANT OVER COUNTER MEDICATION
WHEN MY BABIES GET SICK AND I ASK ABOUT THE OVER COUNTER MEDICATION THEY TELL ME NOT TO USE THEM
BECAUSE BABIES WERE DYING TAKE THEM.( it was on the news) BASICALLY I'M SAYING DON'T GO CRAZY OVERDOSING COUNTER PAIN KILLERS.

[lori]

So I've been in bed since 1000 PM and I feel like Im losing my mind. I said before I felt some pain and nausea, well, it got to the point I called a friend who was hospitalized for a serious kidney infection a few years back for advice. She came over,gave me some advil, calmed me down. Gave me two choices: dr first thing am, or she would take me to the emergency room then. I calmed down, waited until the pain reliever kicked in, and called my gyno's nite line. For some reason, maybe since the pain and nausea and dizziness was coming in waves, he made me feel like such a liar!

He said, "well, its very unlikely to have an infection in both kidneys unless you have stones, but why dont you come in first thing?" Thanks! And my bf flat out said, "I think you're being a little overdramatic." until he tried to get me to relax and lie flat on my back and a pain shot through and I started to cry. Then he shut up, but I still think he thinks its a bit much, which pisses me off, because he was the first one I told that I peed blood two days ago! I called in sick to work, told my mgr I had an infection and if I didnt go to the emergency room I'd be going to the dr's first thing. I dont care what I have, bv, uti, kidneys, I just dont want to lie on my back and feel that bottom pressure/pain nausea and dizziness.

Anyway the advil is wearing off and I'm feeling a little uncomfortable again, not painful, i just feel very aware of my lower sides right now. I'm going to take some more advil and probably take a shower, as I was all gross, sweaty and chilly before.

You know what I noticed it seemed to feel like? The achiness, esp in the lower back, the nausea and dizziness? Like the flu, but a uti makes it suck even more.

I guess you're at the doctor's now? I hope?

I hope you get this all sorted out. If it hurts, TELL THE DOCTOR. Do not let them shame you into thinking that you are overreacting. That's my advice. Well, you're probably already there, so it's useless. But good vibes to you anyway.

Don't worry. Antibiotics should kill this off right quick.

I really hope I didn't freak you out with the dead Brazilian model story. But I'm glad you're getting this taken care of.

[nik7121]

So I've been in bed since 1000 PM and I feel like Im losing my mind. I said before I felt some pain and nausea, well, it got to the point I called a friend who was hospitalized for a serious kidney infection a few years back for advice. She came over,gave me some advil, calmed me down. Gave me two choices: dr first thing am, or she would take me to the emergency room then. I calmed down, waited until the pain reliever kicked in, and called my gyno's nite line. For some reason, maybe since the pain and nausea and dizziness was coming in waves, he made me feel like such a liar!

He said, "well, its very unlikely to have an infection in both kidneys unless you have stones, but why dont you come in first thing?" Thanks! And my bf flat out said, "I think you're being a little overdramatic." until he tried to get me to relax and lie flat on my back and a pain shot through and I started to cry. Then he shut up, but I still think he thinks its a bit much, which pisses me off, because he was the first one I told that I peed blood two days ago! I called in sick to work, told my mgr I had an infection and if I didnt go to the emergency room I'd be going to the dr's first thing. I dont care what I have, bv, uti, kidneys, I just dont want to lie on my back and feel that bottom pressure/pain nausea and dizziness.

Anyway the advil is wearing off and I'm feeling a little uncomfortable again, not painful, i just feel very aware of my lower sides right now. I'm going to take some more advil and probably take a shower, as I was all gross, sweaty and chilly before.

You know what I noticed it seemed to feel like? The achiness, esp in the lower back, the nausea and dizziness? Like the flu, but a uti makes it suck even more.

[nik7121]

the first doctor i went to asked me if i had back pain, but at the time, I didnt. The past, maybe, two days, its just felt like, pressure, but today i took some excedrin b/c it got pretty bad. the dr i went to today i gave her a 2 page list of all of my symptoms on and off for the past month, but she didnt seem alarmed. although i am. I've never felt so crappy from a uti/bv.

[lori]

I hate self-diagnosing, and the Dr was nice, but not very helpful. So I've been looking online at UTIs (I had a UTI and BV at once...I asked the dr if i get a gold star for that), and you get lower back pain from that? I thought that was from my job, but I;ve been off the past few days & its still there.

So you've got lower back pain? Damn.

I think lower back pain means that your kidneys are affected. Don't be alarmed, but did you get tested/treated for UTI?

Not to freak everybody out, but I'm sure everyone's heard of that Brazilian model who died recently? She had a UTI, and then it developed into Sepsis, so they cut off her hands and feet to save her life, but she died anyway. 1 month later.

That is some fucked up shit.

Anyway, do not be alarmed. I've had UTI's (they SUCK!) but I'm not an expert on them. I seriously do not know even one girlfriend who's never had one. So we all get them, and it's like nothing - but do take it seriously.

[nik7121]

aijarama, ive got the same bv symptoms, only, ive never heard of it w/o the discharge, so i keep thinking its gone until i smell it. ive been terrified of even getting sweaty, so ive avoided it at all costs for the past few weeks (stopped working out, change undies multiple times a day, fan on).

ive been on flagyl myself, and ditto on the recurrence. Any luck with herbal stuff?

[nik7121]

oops I forgot I've got a sore throat/cold thats going around (its snowing here) and all the fun achy stuff that go along with it.

horror: im so sorry to hear what you are going through! I havent had BV in approx 6 years, but last time I had it, it reared its ugly head a few days after sex w/a guy I'd been dating. Did the round of antibiotics, and sure enough, two weeks later, came back. I think it took about a year for my body to totally come around, which sucked, I was almost totally abstinent most of the time. About the smell, is it all the time? I'm getting that odor on and off but it usually shows up only when I pee, so I've been drinking about 1.5 liters of water a day and its diluting it somewhat (except for in the am; first pee of the day i cant seem to do anything about).

[nik7121]

ditto to that, I just spent the day sleeping w/my bf, he brought over some lunch, but now I'm feeling gross and nauseaus, lol. Not sure if it's b/c a) he brought over burgers (since my original diagnosis I've been staying away from fatty foods, fast food, coffee/caffeine, sugar, etc, figuring it will help), All I've had today was the burgers & fries & cereal (since we slept most of the day) or c) all the pills (ugh) rolling around in my stomach, my fem-d, d-mannose, oral metro & excedrin b/c my back's been killing me today.

Sucks, though. A bunch of friends just went out for wings, and at first I'm like yeah, why not, I'll get dressed, but the thought of smelling spicy wings right now makes my insides turn.

Major support to anyone else dealing with BV or UTIs or any of the other crap!!