:wave: Hi, I also posted this on the lupus board but have got no responses yet and so thought I'd expand my search and hope somebody else goes through this too maybe. I have been very newly diagnosed with SLE which has been going on for possibly 3-4 years if not longer. I am 25 years old.

Since the birth of my second baby 18 months ago, I have been plagued plagued plagued by chronic yeast infections. Mostly vaginal but I have also had thrush on nipples several times, under my breasts, on my hands, under my wedding ring. For the first six months of my babies life I probably had at least 12 vaginal yeast infections. I also had boils during this time as well which have resolved themselves unexplained. When I used to get a yeast infection (before baby #2) I would take one 100 mg diflucan and it was resolve within 24 hours. Well my current and most recent infection has required nine 200 mg diflucan tablets (one tablet daily) and a 24 hr OTC Monistat suppository to clear (and I'm still not sure if it's clear). I have had tests to check for an undiagnosed STD or an infection that is not candida like trich etc... Everything was negative.

Has anyone had this happen or had yeast stubborn to treat like this. What do you do?? It's really messing with my life and it seems like they're getting more stubborn all the time. help if you can, thanks! :wave:

I just thought I'd pass on some info to anyone who may need it. I asked my gynecologist about this problem and he stated that Diflucan is specific to candida albicans (however you spell that) and that there are like a million other different strains of yeast. He told me that if one or two pills don't do it, nine certainly won't. So if you have this problem contact your doctor and tell them what you've tried and how many. My doc said there are many medications which can eradicate the other strains. Just thought if anyone needed this info, I'd pass along what I'd learned. Have a wonderful day!
Shawnee

caden/logenmom--

I was just like you and kept getting recurring vaginal yeast. I'd use Monistat 7 over and over. It would seem like they never went away. Then I got this very painful condition called vulvodynia. Pain down there SO bad I thought I'd die. Saw many gyn's, and kept telling me no yeast. I knew better...I KNEW I had some type of yeast. Finally I found a great GYN who was a yeast and vulvar disorders guru. I had a very bad resistent yeast called Glabrata yeast. It's very difficult to get rid of, and it took us 2 months of messing with it too do it. First I was on oral Nizoral tablets, 200 mg a day, for 5 weeks. It reduced it, I could tell as it felt less painful, but it was still there. (He said I had a lot of it) Finally he had me use Terazol 7, every 12 hours, for 10 days, and I upped my Nizoral to 200 mgs 2 x a day. (didn't tell my doc, as he didn't want me to take it any longer because it can ruin your liver, I told him afterwards, and we did liver tests. I was so desparate, I didn't care) During the day I used a tampon to keep it in. I took it upon myslef to go on an anti yeast diet for 10 days! It was hard but I did it, I was desparate! Finally after 10 days of this aggresive treatment, it went away. The burning subsided, but pain remained. Turned out I had hypothyroid/auto immune type, (Hashimoto's), and that's what set off all of those infections for 2 years! The doc said that I probably had that glabrata for a long while. He also said that I probably got the resisitent yeast from over using the Monistat, as it kills off all of the albicans yeast, and then the glabrata takes over. (the glabrata is there in minute amounts to start with) He said when he was doing his fellowship like 7 years ago, they would see one patient per month with it, and now they see it daily. They think it has become more common since yeast meds went over the counter for vag. yeast. There are a few women on the thyroid board who say they had recurring vag. yeast infections before they were dx'd with thyroid disease. Diabetic women also get them often.
Recently my thyroid levels went very hypo, and again having problems, also fungus on my toenail which I NEVER have had before!
Funny thing about that glabrata yeast is I never saw a discharge on my panties, only a few times a day when I urinated.
Hope you get it figured out and treated soon...
Deda

Shawnee--
I'm sorry, later when I reread your post I realized that you said you have SLE. I have read that we're vulnerable to yeast whenever we have any autoimmune disease. (or any type of infection, from what I understand. :(
It's funny that you mentioned the rash under your wedding ring, I've had the same thing the past few weeks, and I've had to quit wearing my ring. I have been putting antibiotic cream on it, but after I read your post, now I'm putting Lamisil on it, just to see if that helps. I wouldn't be surprised if it does. I also get seborrheic dermatitis on my hairline and scalp, which went completely away when I was on oral Nizoral. Dr. said the rash on my forehead had to be yeast if it cleared when I was on antifungals. But it returned, and now if I put Lamisil on it a couple times a day, it stays away. I also avoid yeasty, sugary foods...what a pain!
Hope things are much better for you soon...
Deda

Thanks for your reply Deda---
That is good info for me, I've managed to be cleared up for almost 2 months now -yay! But if I have antibiotics of any kind I start with the icky yeast monster all over again. Want to hear something icky regarding yeast infections on the skin, I get it in my belly button from time to time, it gets red and sore and has the little white dots, I use a vaginal cream and it goes away quickly. I guess that's just the perfect place to grow it when I'm having yeast problems. I decided that in the future, if I have to take more than one diflucan to clear up an infection it's going to be worthwhile to have a wet prep and culture done at my gyno's office just to see which strain of yeast is creating the problem to see if I can get relief sooner than 2-3 weeks. Talk about curse of the woman!!! Oh by the way, I've been hypothyroid since I was 17 and have been on levoxyl ever since (I'm 25 now). I've been tested for diabetes like three times in the past year but I'm okay that way, thank heavens--I had in in pregnancy and there are much funner things. Well thanks for your post, wishing you the very best!
Shawnee

Hey Shawnee....(I love your name btw)...

I'm so sorry to hear you have hypothyroid as well as the SLE, you poor thing! I'm having a hard enough time just dealing with the hypo and how it's affected my health, it's been tough, let me tell you, but it is starting to get better just recently. And you're so young! But you sound like you are managing well. :)
I know, these yeast invasions are just sickening, gross...oh I hate it! I was shocked when I got it on my toenail! :eek: !!! I also had to laugh when you said that you've used used the vag. cream on other parts of your body too, as I have done the same! LOL! I guess some of us just have more yeast in our bodies than other people. :( Do you take probiotics? I take 2 PB-8 pills daily. I would like to take the nizoral for a week just to try to kill off some of the yeast in my bod, but I already take enough pills, and being that those are hard on the liver, I don't want to take a chance.
Yes, I think it's a good idea to always have a wet prep done whenever you suspect a vag. infection, just to make sure that you are treating the right thing. Sometimes a bacterial inf. can seem just like a yeast infection. The doc told me that's why so many women are getting these resistent yeast inf. now, as they are using OTC yeast treatments over and over, and sometimes they may not even have yeast. But it does get to be a pain running to dr.'s all the time too.
Take care hon...
Deda

Hi Deda--
I'm really lucky as far as hypothyroid goes, as long as i take my pills I don't really notice much by way of symptoms, but if I don't take them for a few days I fall flat on my butt and can't get out of bed for anything. So I just keep getting my levels checked every year and keep taking my meds, thank heavens they're not as expensive as some maintainance drugs are. As far as my SLE goes, I'm not doing so well but I'm trying to take things a day at a time and hoping for a definitive diagnosis and subsequent treatment soon but I know some people wait for years not really knowing. I'm scared to death that I'll go back to the rheumatologist and he'll say there's nothing wrong with you it's all in your head, your bloodwork is showing nothing. What a thing to be worried about, I'm actually having dreams about it at night though silly me. About probiotics, I try to eat yogurt often but have not used a supplement, I'm not sure if some are better than others or what. I did decide though that when the next one hits or if I have to go on meds that make you more yeast prone I am going right out to the health food store or wherever I have to go to find some. I think it would probably help me feel better in general anyway, hopefully it would, something has to right? Well anyway, wishing you the best, it's so nice to talk with you!!
Take care of yourself and hang in there!
Shawnee
P.S.--How are you managing with your hypothyroid?? Have you started medication, are your symptoms improving?? Let me know! :wave:

Shawnee--

Yes you are lucky if your hypothyroid doesn't give you any problems. :) Oh, well, I'm on Armour thyroid, after being dx'd last July. (Was on Levothroid first and it caused a lot of problems) Some of my original symptoms went away after I started meds, in some ways I have become worse. I think I had it for a long time before I got dx'd, and that's where a lot of damage is done to your tissues, etc. I have had a lot of painful muscle problems, I think I have tendonitis in my right leg, (had that before I was dx'd but it's really gotten worse), and just a lot of scarey symptoms, numb spots, always something. And the fatigue has been horrible, literally not able to do anything on some days. But I think the biggest reason is the darn doctor of mine treating it so conservatively. Really keeping me on the hypo side as far as my levels, and I upped my dose myself and whatja know?...I'm finally feeling better...duh! I know how to read my levels from my bloodwork, and I know they were bad, but she would say, "they're fine". We're in N. CA and we have Kaiser, so we have just decided ENOUGH! and will be switching insurance companies PRONTO!!!!! You have to have a decent MD with these autoimmune diseases!
Yes, I eat yogurt daily too. Also there's a feminine product called, oh what's it called? Vagi-fem (or vagi-gard)...I think. It's a 2 week course of probiotics, oral, and it also comes with a 2 week course of vag. suppositories that contain lactobacillius, which you insert, and they fight off yeast or bacterial infections, or just put some good bacteria in there. I like to use this every now and then, just to keep things healthy there. I'm not certain about the name for sure, but I can find out. I buy them at the health food store.
Shawnee, what are your symptoms, leading to thinking it's SLE? I have heard that it takes some people years to get dx'd. Well, same thing with just about all of these autoimmune disorders. I sure hope that they can give you a definitive dx soon. Are you on any medication for it yet? And do you have two little ones? (It looks that way from your user name) I hope you are feeling well enough to do your mommy things!
I have enjoyed talking with you too. :)
God bless...
Deda

Hi Deda--
Oh my symptoms, I feel like anymore I can't even remember all of them to list out but I'll do my best. It started with fatigue which seems to be getting progressively worse even though I've tried lifestyle changes etc... to make it better. I also get slammed by fatigue during what I would call flare up times, I noticed at first that these were when I had IBS problems and every time I had a period. My doctor decided to test me for Lupus because I stated that I had joint and muscle pains and extreme, profound fatigue when on my period and during IBS flares. I think this has been going on for quite some time. Fatigue is my worst most difficult symptom and pain is my second. I have been in flare for over three months now and it is the worst I've ever had, this is what I've experienced:
-Joint pain, swelling, redness (all joints, symmetrical, floating arthritis)
-confusion, memory problems, brain fog (I feel like I have alzheimers some days)
-daily headaches (sometimes all day, sometimes several per day) also migraines
-photosensitivity (if I am in the sun even an hour, I spend the rest lying down and am usually sicker the next few days, all my symptoms are worse after sun)
-mouth sores, also got nose, ear, and vaginal sores last bout
-loss of appetite
-muscle aches, muscle stiffness, morning stiffness, tender points are tender,
-flu like aches
-IBS w/ severe abdominal pain with flare and nausea and vomiting
-chest pain with shortness of breath (I believe paricarditis and pleuritis but did not have a chest x-ray done)
-lymph node swelling
-hair loss
-malar rash
-tremors after much fatigue, my arms and hands shake uncontrollably
-erythmos nodosum (painful bumps on lower legs)
-easy bruising
-dry, gritty eyes with frequent conjunctivitis
-chronic mild sore throat (5days per week)
-chronic yeast infections (of course)
-positive ANA 1:160 homogenous
-I also had PIH and preeclampsia during both of my pregnancies (not common) and I've come to find that the only difference between these preeclampsia sx and lupus flare sx during pregnancy are your complement levels, I'm not sure if these were done or not, probably not.
That's all I can remember right now, quite a list though. I'm nervous I'll go see a rheumatologist in October and they'll look at the list and send me to a psychiatrist thinking I must be some kind of hypochondriac. I did take Prednisone for two weeks 40 mg for 1 week and 80 mg for 1 week and noticed improvement all around for the most part. Not on anything now as the retiring rheumatologist who is seeing me until my real one can needed to see my symptoms and prednisone masked my bloodwork as well. I have an almost three year old and a nineteen month old. They were born sixteen months apart and they are so much fun. I love being a mommy and that has been one of the most difficult things for me about being sick, I feel so guilty that I'm not able to be the kind of mommy I want to be some days. But I'm learning that those are the days you read stories in bed or watch movies together and just hang out inside. I think that's what we all have to learn when it comes to chronic illness is just take things one day at a time. Sorry for this novel, hope you had time to read this huge thing! HOpe you're improving--I think the insurance change will be a very good thing as that will open up a new avenue as far as available doctors that hopefully will be a little more aggressive! Hang in there and hope you have a great day!
Thinking of you Deda!
Shawnee

Oh Shawnee, honey, I feel so bad for you! How are you coping with all of those symptoms? Do you live near your family, so someone can help you? I feel so bad for whining about my symptoms so much (and I have many too, but nothing compared to what yours are) after I've now read your long list. :( But I promise you that I'm praying for you, starting tonight.
Why must you wait all the way till Oct. for an appt? Yeah, I know they often take a long time to get you in with a specialist, but that's terrible to have to wait when you're feeling so badly. Have they given you any pain relievers for those really difficult days? You poor girl...and you just sound like such a sweet person too. Don't worry about you're kids, and don't feel guilty, it's not your fault! You sound like you give them all your love, and still manage to give them the attention they need, so they will be alright. :)
I also had pre-eclampsia with both of my pregnancies. Of course that was 25 and 30 years ago, but I remember it wasn't fun. But you also said when you were pg that you had PIH, and I don't know what that is.
I notice you are up kinda late too, like me, the nite owl I've become. What time zone are you in? I'm in CA.
I sure want to hear in Oct. how your Dr. visit turns out, and I will most certainly be praying for both you and your Dr's, for a diagnoses for you so they can get you started on treatment, so you can start living a great life once again. And I'm sure this will be taken care of, and you will get better, Shawnee. :)
Please keep in touch...you'll be in my thoughts and prayers for sure!!
Love, Deda

Hi Deda-- You're such a sweet heart!! Thanks so much for your kind words, your thoughts, and especially your prayers. That means so much. We all have our own lot to deal with don't we but God won't give us anything above our ability to handle, I guess that's a little of what gives me strength every day just knowing that. The biggest thing I'm learning I guess is just take things a day at a time and in the very bad moments, a moment at a time. Don't worry about tomorrow just make the best of today and somehow we'll all get through this stuff that makes us feel yucky! I have to wait until Oct. just because that's the first available appointment, can you believe it?? I did get in with a rheumatologist who is retiring in Sept. though and I saw him for the second time today, it went pretty well. I've been in flare and I started having bad chest pains with shortness of breath so bad I couldn't read stories to my kids without getting winded, so he agreed to see me on short term until he retires. My first appointment was difficult because I'd been put on 80 mg prednisone by my family doctor after I was begging to him for some help and when I went to this other doc he couldn't make much of my symptoms as they had improved somewhat plus the prednisone masked my blood results. But I went off prednisone and got worse again and then went back today. I was able to show him my malar rash, mouth sores, swollen joints, etc... He ordered some blood work and wants me to get my rash biopsied by a dermatologist. He says he's just trying to get as much info as possible for me to take to the doc in Salt Lake who will see me in Oct. but even though I don't feel well, I'm happy to be anything that 's a step in the right direction toward a definite diagnosis and thus treatment. PIH is just pregnancy induced hypertension, you probably had it too before you developed full blown preeclampsia--isn't it the ickiest. I am actually not a night owl but I am at work watching my patient sleep while I type sometimes. I work 3 nights per week as a sleep lab technician. It's hard because I don't get much sleep because i go home and my kids wake up an hour later but at least I don't worry about who they're with and not getting to spend time with them during the day. I"m in the mountain time zone. I live in Cedar City, Utah. Where are you in CA, southern? northern? Thanks for everything Deda, I hope you're doing the best you can right now. Take care of yourself and let me know how things are when you can.
Love,
Shawnee