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[Ann B]

HI M.S.

I don't know if I am allowed to put a direct link on this site.

It was 'Dr. Formulated Probiotics for Women & Prebiotics, 50 Billion CFU for Women’s Daily Digestive Vaginal & Immune Health,16 Probiotic Strains' 50 Billion Guaranteed.

It is available on Amazon and in a pink box.  Double-check by reading some of the reviews where the anecdotes mention the benefits for those who had been unsuccessful with other treatments for yeast infections.

I would advise only trying one treatment at a time, otherwise if successful you won't know which one worked ie was it the yoghurt or was it the probiotic pills etc?   

Ann

[Midnight Shadow]

Thanks for the swift response Ann. Going to order some now.

[Ann B]

Hi M.S.

Please read the reviews on Amazon first.  I found the anecdotes quite positive so thought I would give it a try.  There are no guarantees with these natural remedies.

The company's website is www.garden of life

They have another probiotic there that they market for the same purpose.  Please read their reviews also.

[Dierdre]

An update on my 3rd vaginal swab. I still have heavy yeast growth. Lady doctor has now prescribed 2 Clotrimazole pessaries 500mg, one to be taken on day 1 and another on day 4. These are strong pessaries which she hopes finger crossed will rid this wretched yeast infection. I was told I could continue my vagifem. The last 3 vagifem pessaries used whilst I had this thrush infection caused my body to ache particularly arms, legs and hands. Thought last night here goes I will use another vagifem. After 10mins of insertion the aches started. Spoke to another lady Doctor this am about this and she advised stopping the vagifem and restarting gradually in a fortnight when hopefully the yeast infection has cleared. She did say they are very strong pessaries. I am crossing everything that these latest pessaries work. She also said,  it was unusual for a 65 year old lady to get thrush. Hey ho, I like to be different. Could there be some inter reaction from the yeast infection and the vagifem? Has anyone had a similar experience to this? Replies very much appreciated.

The vagifem really burned me when I had thrush.
The pessaries will probably cause cramping as it's one of the side effects and it says on the leaflet not to use any other vaginal products with the pessary. I couldn't tolerate the pessary as I was so dry it wouldn't dissolve and just burned and cramped when it did start to dissolve after two days. I was them prescribed the oral one dose tablet that are quite strong and cause cramp too but finally worked, for now anyway.
I've had thrush 4 times since May and 67 years old, so not so unusual.

[Midnight Shadow]

Thanks for responding Deidre. I didn't really think it was that unusual to get thrush at my age. I did think it odd that I could use Vagifem the following night after using the pessary. So pleased you got relief. Obviously my strain of yeast, whatever that may be didn't work well with the fluconazole tablets. Oh to be a man!

[CLKD]

Men get thrush too ;-)

Tnx Wrensong and Ann B - though posting links that advertise/sell products is not recommended on the Forum.  Worth trying though by the sound of it.

[Dierdre]

Thanks for responding Deidre. I didn't really think it was that unusual to get thrush at my age. I did think it odd that I could use Vagifem the following night after using the pessary. So pleased you got relief. Obviously my strain of yeast, whatever that may be didn't work well with the fluconazole tablets. Oh to be a man!

I think sometimes it just takes more than one dose of any of the treatments to completely clear it.

[Jane_w]

My experience over the last 2yrs has shown me that candida infections are not unusual at all post menopause. I won't go into great detail here but I'm still on my own journey to rid myself of thrush which has plagued me and has recurred after several rounds of fluconazole (prescribed). I'm currently awaiting an appt with an infection specialist after seeing a vulval specialist who declared me 'a healthy young 55yr old' with everything down below (apparently) in good order which was nice but didn't explain my ongoing, dreadful problem!. Using local oestrogen (estriol for a while followed by vagifem) made things a whole lot worse for me. I've also been tested for diabetes which came back negative. A couple of things that have helped me: dermasilk undies which are amazing (but expensive), optibac probiotics for women (i take x2 a day) and I am now washing all bedding and towels at 60° with an anti fungal pre wash (eradicil and/or fongex) - this was advised by my gp practice nurse. Don't underestimate the possibility of re infection from bedding, towels, underwear etc if you are susceptible. It's a real nightmare and I have a feeling this might be more common than anyone realises.. i hope this helps..

[Midnight Shadow]

Thanks for that response Jane. Hadn’t thought about changing the bedding and the infection spreading and washing at 60 degrees. Will give this a whirl. Did you encounter an aching feeling with your thrush? I have one more clotrimazole pessary to take Saturday evening. Crossing everything that works. Take care.

[Jane_w]

Well, what started all of this initially for me was dreadful aching and pain (internal) that I thought was a uti. I don't want to hijack your post by going into loads of detail about my experience and it may not be helpful.. but certainly using local oestrogen on top of what I now know was (still is) a nasty recurring yeast infection didn't help me at all. I really would advise being super cautious about the re infection thing (bed linen especially) and I'd recommend washing undies on a hot wash or with a laundry sanitiser pre-soak if you can. I hope things start to improve for you soon...

[CLKD]

If your washing machine has a good rinse and spin cycle, there shouldn't be any residual powder etc. left behind in anything.  I haven't used any 'comfort'-type preparations for 3 years, if laundry smells 'good' after, the rinse cycle isn't enough. 'comfort' etc. can leave residue. This has produced a better result here: 60D for sheets and towels, 40 for other clothing and 30 x 30 for 'delicates'. 

Sometimes even so my laundry feels sticky: haven't worked out why yet - so I put it through another 30 mins rinse cycle at 30degrees, B4 hanging it on the line without spinning it.  Occasionally of course it gets a heavenly rinse    /several times. 

Candida thrives on sugars.  It also dwells in the back passage to toilet hygiene is important. 

Stop using pads ;-).  These may well cause sweating 'below' and cotton knickers will allow the area to breathe.  Or go without .........

[Dierdre]

Thanks for that response Jane. Hadn’t thought about changing the bedding and the infection spreading and washing at 60 degrees. Will give this a whirl. Did you encounter an aching feeling with your thrush? I have one more clotrimazole pessary to take Saturday evening. Crossing everything that works. Take care.

I get aching with thrush, although it's not stated as one of the symtoms I've come across it on other forums.  Also I've read estrogen feeds thrush so we're literally feeding it with local estrogen.
I always wash my pants on 60 then hot tumble dry as I don't use wash powder.

[CLKD]

For any stains we used a salt soak in a cold basin overnight B4 a hot wash.

[Minusminnie]

My experience over the last 2yrs has shown me that candida infections are not unusual at all post menopause. I won't go into great detail here but I'm still on my own journey to rid myself of thrush which has plagued me and has recurred after several rounds of fluconazole (prescribed). I'm currently awaiting an appt with an infection specialist after seeing a vulval specialist who declared me 'a healthy young 55yr old' with everything down below (apparently) in good order which was nice but didn't explain my ongoing, dreadful problem!. Using local oestrogen (estriol for a while followed by vagifem) made things a whole lot worse for me. I've also been tested for diabetes which came back negative. A couple of things that have helped me: dermasilk undies which are amazing (but expensive), optibac probiotics for women (i take x2 a day) and I am now washing all bedding and towels at 60° with an anti fungal pre wash (eradicil and/or fongex) - this was advised by my gp practice nurse. Don't underestimate the possibility of re infection from bedding, towels, underwear etc if you are susceptible. It's a real nightmare and I have a feeling this might be more common than anyone realises.. i hope this helps..

Thank you for this informative post.

[Midnight Shadow]

Thank you all for your positive responses. I am improving very slowly. Have read that the Candida die off period can make symptoms worse before it gets better. Apparently, this means the toxins are being released from the body. It can cause muscle aches and pains and many other symptoms. Hadn't heard of this before. Have one more pessary to use tonight, so hoping that will be the end of it all. Started eating my live Yoghurt thanks CLKD for that recommendation and to Ann B for recommending the Garden of Life prebiotic had my first one this morning. Should hopefully be a new woman soon. Don't know where we would be without websites like this. Find it reassuring, that I am not completely mad. Thanks again for all your support.