Question:
I am 1 1/2 yrs. post op. I am constantly getting infections

either yeast, vaginitis. My gyn. dr. says theres nothing else he can do but send me to a vaginal specialist 3 hrs. away with a several month waiting list. Does anyone else have this re occuring problem. I am in pain and on fire down there.    — jojo63 (posted on April 13, 2004)


April 13, 2004
I know this will sound odd, do you have sinus or upper respiratory problems? A close friend who has also had bypass but that does not play into this I do not think, has been struggling with chronic yeast infections since about December that will not completely resolve with diflucan or any other topical creams. On top of that she has had "allergy" problems, dry throat, and a cough that comes and goes. She recently had a full testing of throat cultures and was found that she did not have bronchitis and a cold and a sinus infection like they kept telling her but rather she had strep throat and a yeast infesting in her throat like thrush. She was prescribed all the medications for those conditions and has not had another vaginal yeast infection in about 6 weeks. I had never heard of such a thing, but if any of this rings true for you, it may be worth checking out. She certiannly did not associate the two ends of the body being associate with each other in that regard.
   — smummert

April 13, 2004
Have you been tested for diabetes? You can have it but have no "classic" diabetes symptoms. (thirsty, tired, have to pee alot) I know from experience. I was diagnosed and had no symptoms. Anyway, uncontrolled diabetes can cause chronic yeast infections in women. Whenever my blood sugar was out of control (high), I'd have problems with yeast infections. I'd get rid of one and a week later it would be back. I also would take acidopholus tablets daily too. That helps get the balance back. Good Luck! I feel for you!!
   — Lori J.

April 13, 2004
I had that problem pre-WLS and found that if I either used Acidoplous (sp) or ate yogurt with live cultures, the problem went away. Seems I had a problem called yeast overgrowth, very well known after taking a course of anti-biotics. I'm having foot surgery tomorrow and will be taking anti-biotics for that and have already stocked up on plain yogurt to keep the yeast under control.
   —  SCbabe B.

April 13, 2004
I have been on almost continuous antibitotics since my PS and have been having trouble with vaginal yeast infections and thrush in the mouth. I also had this happen in January, about a month before my PS. I had the crud that was going around and after struggling with it for close to 4 weeks I wanted to get it cleared up before my surgery. <p>The interesting part is that prior to WLS I only ever had 1 vaginal yeast infection and that was from arythromycin, which is the nastiest of all antibiotics. For many years in a row I would get nasty sinus infections and it would take 2-3 doses of heavy drugs to get rid of it, yet I never had yeast overgrowth problems. I typically would have 2 sinus infections a winter season. About 4-5 years ago I started getting a flu shot and since then I have not had a sinus infection and have been quite healthy in the winter. This was the first winter I was hit by anything but not even as bad as many people. <p>I am thinking that something has changed in my body since WLS that makes me much more vulnerable to getting them. I did go out and buy some acidopholis and even force myself to eat some yogurt when I'm on them and I do think it has helped reduce the severity. I still end up doing Monistat or Diflucan at the end of treatment to make sure the yeast is back to normal. The burning is not very pleasurable during sex, so I want to be sure it's gone.
   — zoedogcbr

April 13, 2004
I had the first yeast infection in my whole life when I was 36 and 17 months out (August 2004). Since then I've gotten bacterial infections and yeast infections almost once a month right before my period. I know things have changed with my body and perhaps my immune system is a bit down. I also think it could have something to do with the extra skin in that area. I had a pubic lift, but there still seems to be skin that keeps me pretty closed in and I'm sure contributes to the growth of yeast. I sleep without underwear and try to keep air circulating in that area when I am home alone. I admit it also might be the tight clothes that I've begun to wear ever since I've discovered that tight pants make it seem like I have a butt!
   — Lisa N M.

April 13, 2004
Lisa, If you think about it though you had way more extra skin down there when you were heavier but did not have a problem. Same with me. So I think it has something to do with a shift in our body chemistry after WLS. I've had a LBL and I have lots of air circulating down there all the time yet I keep coming up with them, so there just isn't a good explanation as to what is really going on. Maybe it's the high degree of protein we eat that feeds it more. Who knows!
   — zoedogcbr

April 13, 2004
I too have had this problem for years. I recently found two products that help tremendously. It is Vagisil foaming wash which is in a little pump bottle. You squirt the foam on toilet tissue and it keeps you dry all day. It's also odor blocking. I also only use Summer's Eve feminine wash or bath the one for sensitive skin. Those two items will have you smelling springtime fresh. Don't worry about the scents, I could never use anything scented either, but I use the Ocean breeze foaming wash with no problem. Hope this helps.
   — MURRAY

April 14, 2004
Try switching toilet paper. This might sound weird but a few years ago, I moved in with a room-mate that used Cottonelle tp. This friend was normal sized and had yeast infections regularly. When I used her Cottonelle, the fibers in it caused me some bad irritation, not yeast but it felt like a yeast infection. I told her to try switching tp, she did and doesn't get those yeast infections anymore. She still thanks me once in a while for that good advice I gave her 10 years ago LOL.
   — mary ann T.

April 15, 2004
I recently read an article called Systemic Yeast Analysis Form for Candida Albicans Taken from "The Yeast Connection Handbook", by William G. Crook, M.D. I received it in an e-mail from [email protected]. This is a group for people who had weight loss surgery at least 1 yr ago and I thought you might be interested. To join, you send a blank e-mail to [email protected], you must also be a member of OSSG_Off_track-subscribe @yahoogroups.com. A systemic yeast infection is a very serious yeast problem that has gone into the bloodstream affecting the entire system. I hope this help. Blessings,
   — Carolyn B.

January 14, 2005

   — Honey B.




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