Hey Ladies,

(long vent, feel free to pass if you'd like!)

I haven't been posting because I have been so frustrated and just depressed over this whole thing, which has now been back ongoing since Nov. of 07. The smell started to get so bad that every morning after I showered I would put a tampon in to keep the smell "up there" until I was home for the day (this worked to "trap the smell", and I felt better to have no smell during the day and to have dry undies. However, I know it is bad to use tampons, and everyday at that, but this infection makes us all resort to crazy things to get a little relief). I haven't taken any vitamins or antibiotics in over 30 days or more. I wanted to give myself a chance to "flush" out everything and start over. I attribute fatigue/laziness directly to these infections. I notice a distinct difference when I am afflicted (constantly tired, never feel rested, always wanting to sleep) and when it seems to have cleared up. I also associate hair growth and nail growth (or lack of) with this as I notice a distinct difference here also (hardly any new growth of nails or hair, when I feel like I don't have it, I have noticed that my nails, for one, grow so fast I need to get them trimmed at the shop every other week).

So anyhow, today I decided to fight back again, I still haven't seen a doctor, I'm just so sick of them and they don't help, and the lack of concern they show is very discouraging, and to feel like a repeat patient who is annoying them when I am suffering I just don't want to go back (I know you probably think I should Lori, and I would go back if I thought that it was really going to change something or help me. (It sucks too, because I have excellent insurance)

I feel that if I have BV/TRICH/YEAST, one or all of these, which are so similar, and hard to differentiate, or one causes the other (treat BV and acquire a yeast infection) then I will never get rid of any of it if I treat one but not the other. Somy mindframe is I want to take a chance and try to treat for all of this.

Here is what I did today:

I remember maybe in 2004 someone discussed how they used a probiotic called Primadophilus Reuteri, I went to www.vitacost.com and ordered 2 bottles of those at $5.39 a piece and $4.99 shipping. Total was $15.77 (30 pills each, I will take one a day, and I will have a 2 month supply)

Then I remembered the FemD, I have previously purchased these, but let them sit in the fridge too long (I thought) so I went to vitadigest.com and ordered 1 at $17.98 (don't know if it will have an ice pack or not, 30 pills) I also ordered the FloraMore Advanced that was mentioned here, 120 pills $23.99. The shipping and handling for both items was $6.99. Total was $48.96

Lastly I went to medrx-one.com to order some Metronidazole 400mg (or Flagyl) 30 pills for $26.24, BONUS: FREE SHIPPING!

I was really going to get the Estroil that Piano Girl and Neverending raved about, for $15 at drhelen.com, but I got really freaked out because it said that side effects included potentially causing breast and or cervical cancer. I do think my hormones could possibly be a problem though and I really want to get them checked. (Neverending, any new views on Estroil?)

Just a side note. I also feel that this infection lessens my immunes system ability to fight off the common cold. As a child and all through high school, I would get sick maybe once a year. Now I get colds more often. I also am always cold. Sometimes I go way overboard and think I might have AIDS or HIV, my last test in 2004 said I didn't. I know I need to be tested again. To be honest, I'm scared. And I only had 5 partners in my whole life and 2 were long term.

I remember Jason34 or something who told us all about the B-6, I brought some from Target for about $5 or $6 I will take those also. I brought a case of Disani water as I know that I will have to really drink a lot of water to help flush, balance, and process all of this. I also have boric and empty pill capsules should I need it for the yeast thats in there or will be in there...I also have my One A Day Womens, "Energy" multi-vitamins that I am supposed to be taking everyday. I may get some Omega 3 w/ fatty acids vitamins as that is supposed to help with stress and some other reason it was supposed to be beneficial...but for now, I'm holding off, all this other crap is enough.

I have really cut down on sweets which I love to death. So I hope that has been worth it, I haven't really be "craving" them though, so I don't or wont buy it. I have only been eating it at boring work, but I'm going to try to cut down some more.

I know it might seem like a lot and drastic, but I'm over being depressed and just want to fight back with a vengeance. But I'm going to try to be really consistent and positive with taking the vitamins and Metronidazole, and also the water, which I think is just as important as the Metronidazole.

I have not had sex since Nov. 2007. My stats, if anyone thinks these things are relevant: I am 24 years old, Black. Non smoker (never smoked before), very light coffee drinker. I have had this problem or "similar" since I was 18 years old- BEFORE I became sexually active. The longest period I didn't have any symptoms, after having them was 6 months straight, after being sex free for over a year plus. I wasn't taking any antibiotics or vitamins either to "maintain" the symptom free status. I know for a fact that intercourse makes these symptoms come.

I will let you guys know what happened. I just blew $100 bucks, hopefully it will be worth it. I will be sure to keep you guys posted.

I really need to research the effects of taking multiple vitamins everyday, imput anyone?

One last thing,

I feel like I have a really good arsenal of things, in what ways should I incorporate or introduce them into my body? I'm going to do the Fem D and Metronidazole together, but as far as all the other ones I want to take, esp. the B-6, Floramore and Reuteri, (the One a Day too, because everyone should take a multivitamin every day, regardless of age, even kids) (I know I have to take all of this with a meal or after I eat, but I know I should take things in time intervals so one wont X out the other) I used to take all my vitamins at once, as not to forget, but have since read some where that that is not an effective way to do it. Vitamins also make me very nauseous and sometimes cause me to gag, I wonder why.

I am SO SICK OF THIS, I HATE IT. Plus I really, really miss sex, and this is the only reason why I'm not having any. I wish all of us luck and thanks for letting me vent. My life is going so good this year. This is the one area that depresses or stresses me. Work life, social life, family life, etc. is going how I want it to. My health is kicking my ass. Well, we CAN'T have it all, or CAN we???

Ps. I am so thankful that I found this site and am not alone. I get so mad at all the money that word of mouth gets us to spend on all the vitamins though. I also have been reading on this website today: http://forums.wrongdiagnosis.com/showthrea...8341&page=4 It reminded me about the Reuteri.

upset.........
hon.....you should make an appointment with your gyn as soon as you can. to be on the safe side i wouldn't self diagnose anything cause bv, trich, and yeast have very similar symptoms. if it is bv,my advice is to get treated and while on treatment take a probiotic too...like femdophilus. you should read lori's blog. she has some great information, but first......go to the doctor sweetie.....hope this helps and hope you get better.

sooo sad

I will also be taking FemD 2x a day during this treatment. this better knock it out for GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but no alcohol during this time - which sucks, and I don't want to risk it. Hopefully in 2 weeks time I will be CURED of this hell and so called "gagging odor". I am dying to have a normal relationship where I can have normal sex again.
Those of you who are taking FemD w/ flagyl, etc., how are you doing??? sooo sad I think you were one of those...how are you? Have you seen improvements?

I've been on FemD for about 5 months with no infection. Went to the beach for a week last week and took 2 a day because who knows what kind of bacteria is floating around in that water. My girl feels good after 5 months on that stuff! yay!

I've also stopped wearing thongs daily (a hard habit to break) and don't wear underwear whenever I can (which is actually kinda nice).

It took me two courses of MetroGel along with the FemD to get rid of it in January, but I've been good ever since.

Good luck!

I do not have insurance and have been denied health insurance bc of a "history of pelvic pain", guess what from BV.

Fem-Dophilus (Jarrow)

• Description: Oral capsules (30 caps)
• Where to Buy / Cost: $24 at Whole Foods (refrigerated); $14.37 at iHerb.com (refrigerated); $16.59 at N101.com (refrigerated); $14.25 at VitaCost.com (not refrigerated)
• Pros: designed specifically for healthy vaginal flora; the research on it is very promising
  1. Top Medical Breakthroughs of 2007 (Prevention Magazine)
  2. Europe's Best-Kept Health Secret (Prevention Magazine)
  3. Study Shows the Effectiveness of Oral Probiotic L. Rhamnosus GR-1?and L. Reuteri RC-14?In Treating Bacterial Vaginosis
  4. Specific probiotic strains are effective for genitourinary infections

• Cons: expensive
• Conclusion: So far, the this is the most promising and effective product. All the members who have had the best, long-term results have used Fem-Dophilus as a part of their regimen. Highly recommended, based on the research and anecdotal evidence. Buy it refrigerated for maximum potency. (Unfortunately, posters have reported that the bottle arrives warm, even if they select expedited shipping from online merchants who offer cold-packs. So it looks like buying it directly from Whole Foods is the best option.)

so im trying one femdophilus pill vaginally tonight. I once had a BAD reaction to Gyn-na-tryn
vaginal pro biotic
but so far, so good...
lets see what happens

ill post results later

oh i forgot to mention
im starting to get lower abdominal pain
I wonder if its from BV??

I see my OBGYN on friday
we will see what she says
im so worried!

I am having lower (left) abdominal pain also. This morning I went to the bathroom and there was a dime size glob of what looked like blood and green slimy dis. Not forest green but a sort of light green, it's more now since I tried to wear the nuvaring again. Had to take it out again. I think this is some type of infection but I'm not quite sure what it is. I don't have insurance right now and the health department takes months to get in. Why do we not have universal health care in this country? Sheesh! The smell is not unbearable right now. I do the perfume to crotch method right now. I'm hoping this is just an infection from the nuvaring. Maybe?!

"our bodies, our hells" accurate title. i am dealing with a non-stop bacterial vaginosis infection. 4th week of antibiotic (metrozole, clindycin, tindamax)--yes, the spelling is wrong, i am certain. nothing works! i am 31 and i have only had one other bv infection to my knowledge. i haven't been having sex with multi partners or anything. i bought some acidophilus to take orally. i don't know. it is very FRUSTRATING!!!

sorry if i posted in the wrong area...i am trying to figure out how this board works...

girl, frustrated -
welcome! yes you're in the right place. it took me forever to quote an entry for some reason so looks like you are on the right track this is definitely the right thread and I can assure you I share your frustration. The one thing I have learned here that has helped me immensely is the use of probiotics. One that a lot of ladies use here (including myself) is Jarrow Fem Dopholus (unsure of spelling). I buy it from iherb.com. It is expensive, but worth it in my opinion. Some people have seen results with FemD alone, but for me taking it while also on Flagyl, Clindesse, etc. seems to work. Good luck!


neverending
hope all is ok with you! I agree with melis that it sounds like trich. I am so sorry you are having to deal with all of that. I hope you are able to go to the doctor very soon...keep us posted!

As for me, I had my follow up appointment with my obgyn this morning. I had to wait forever!! Ugh..anyway, I used Clindesse last Tuesday and evidently it is still in there which explains the weird discharge and slight itching. Today is my last day of taking Flagyl THANK GOD. The last few days I have not been taking FemD as religiously the past few days because my iherb shipment was late and I had a last minute move (long story).

Also it seems like no matter what, my FemD from iherb is always cold when it arrives. I thought overnight shipping would do the trick and it is still warm. I put it in the fridge as soon as I can, but I am still worried about it's potency. Not to mention I paid for overnight shipping on SUNDAY and my order was not shipped until TUESDAY...I have been meaning to call to see if I can get some kind of adjustment but I've been so busy.

Anyway there hasn't been any odor and I think things are on their way to normal. I'll check back in in about a week and let you all know how things are going.

Hope all's well!

thank you everyone for your support. well, now it is pretty obvious i have a yeast infection from the tindamax/metrozole combo.

btw...I have heard that Femdophilis is a great product. i guess i need to order it online as i don't think the pharmacy has it.

thank you everyone for your support. well, now it is pretty obvious i have a yeast infection from the tindamax/metrozole combo.

btw...I have heard that Femdophilis is a great product. i guess i need to order it online as i don't think the pharmacy has it.

Hey all,

I'm new to bust.com, started reading this board yesterday (which is, by the way, a godsend) while googling "fishy smell" haha...

First a big THANK YOU to everyone who takes the time to post, everyone's busy these days and it's just good to see people helping people.

My sitch: I've never had an std, or even a yeast infection for that matter (weird, huh?). I'm 22, sexually active (faithfully though) and for the first time ever I think there's something wrong. I read through this board a lot yesterday and see there are about a million things you can try to treat this. Just thought I would apprise you guys of what I'm going to try (starting today) and then let you know what did/didn't work for me.

My scrip: I'm running to Henry's today to pick up that Femdophilus stuff (orally, thanks to all your suggestions). I ordered Femanol this afternoon (and cannot find ANYONE who's tried it, not even a "real" review) and am praying it does what they say it does.

Do you think the Fem-d will work by itself?

I hate taking antibiotics (I had MRSA four years ago -- it's a staph [skin] infection [looked like a little bug-bite on my knee] that's more resistant to antiobiotics, therefore all antibiotics I ever take now have to be in a different [more potent?] "class" or whatever),

and I don't have health insurance. I am going to Planned Parenthood tomorrow to make sure it IS b.v., but I don't think there's any mistaking this smell... it's absolutely mortifying. Will post how it goes.

Hello Ladies,

I return here after a lengthy absence with a heavy heart.

Last year I began a battle with chronic BV. Pelvic achiness, wretched smell, itching (mild), but the worst of all....the continual BURNING. Burning when I sit, walk, pee...and I literally lost my mind. The doctors I saw, gave up on me and suggested I start taking an antidepressant instead of worrying about my vagina.

I was on every pill and remedy listed throughout many posts on the thread. I don't know what happened. After three straight months of burning, I had a nervous breakdown one night, cried, threw things, and woke up the next day and it was gone. I have NO idea what made it go but it was just gone....until it came back in February this year. Same symptoms, same burning.

Took a worthless trip to the doctor to get flagyl. I knew that the infection was so far gone, I needed something because I felt some chills.

Well, this time the flagyl did nada, but take the chills away. In fact, the burning increased while on the medicine! And so did the yellowish to clear discharge. After being on 1000 mg a day of this, and feeling sick - you know that feeling flagyl gives you....I decided to try Pau d' arco tea, goldenseal, and oil of oregano. Still, no improvement.

I have two questions, if you all do not mind?

Does anyone else here have that horrible burning?

Does this candigen /genestra stuff work for anyone?

I am really short on cash, and I just can't plop down more money on something that's not going to work.

I'm seeing something new about Reuteri. I called every single HFS in town and no one seems to know what it is!

- sign me, desperate as hell, pissed off, and tired of not being able to be intimate with my husband

***thank you in advance***

hey girls...well, i just got treated for the yeast infection (one day pill...diflucan? sp?). anyway, i think my bv is getting better. but until when? until after my period next week when it comes back with a vengence? i am trying a new herbal lineup of drugs. my sister who has had problems with bv/yeast/chronic fatique and pain has completely revolutionized her life by adding certain vitamin/herbal supplements. i don't know...there must be an answer somewhere. doctors perform brain surgery, successfully treat cancer, do heart transplants...you mean to tell me...they can't fix my vagina????

hi Girl frustrated...
can you give us a list of the herbals/suppliments/etc that your sister uses?
Maybe we can try them or evaluate their success???

Vitamin D3 (1600 mg)
Magnesium Citrate
FloraGen3
Activia yogurt

here are the core items she swears by....

Vitamin D3 (1600 mg)
Magnesium Citrate
FloraGen3
Activia yogurt

here are the core items she swears by....

so if I can suggest anything
TAKE FEMDOPHILUS
I believe its what got me back on track

so im trying one femdophilus pill vaginally tonight. I once had a BAD reaction to Gyn-na-tryn
vaginal pro biotic

Gy-Natren (Natren)

• Description: 14 oral & 14 vaginal capsules
• Where to Buy / Cost: $25 at Whole Foods (refrigerated)
• Pros: designed specifically for healthy vaginal flora
• Cons: one member's results were severe discomfort and irritation; recently cited by FDA - not yet proven safe for vaginal use
• Conclusion: Not recommended