lactobacilli overgrowth

[Guest guest]

I am new to the group and so far I have just been listening.

This all started for me about 7 years ago. It started with what the

doctor thought was a yeast infection. The yeast treatments didn't

work. I continued to have vulvar burning and irritation. The funny

thing is they never looked under the microscope. The doctor would

just look at me and say yeast. The treatments just made me burn more.

Then my doctor decided it was all hormonal. She put me on B C

pills. Well, needless to say, I just kept on burning. So she kept

changing pills and finally I ended up on Premarin for menopausal

symptoms. After a couple years of this, she talked me into a

complete hysterectomy. She said she could control my hormones better

without all of the swings during my cycle. I don't know why I went

ahead with it. I guess I was desperate at the time. My vulvar skin

was so irritated all the time and my vagina was burning too. It was

a big mistake. I just wasn't thinking clearly. So I went ahead with

the surgery.

After the surgery, the problems got worse. I tried several forms of

hormone replacement. Nothing seemed to work. Now I had menopause to

deal with on top of the burning and irritation. After all of this,

my doctor tells me she is moving so I will have to find someone else

to work with me.

I found a nurse practitioner who finally took some blood and found

out that my body was not absorbing the oral medication. She now has

me on hormone injections. I am feeling a lot better with the

menopausal symptoms but guess what???? I still have the original

problem. This time, when she looked under the microscope she tells me

I have cytolytic vaginitis. Overgrowth of Lactobacilli. She tells

me to use the baking soda douches. Well, they don't work for me. I

just keep right on growing this stuff. It is right back the next day

after I use the douche.

I can find all kinds of books and info about yeast infections, but

nothing on this kind of overgrowth. I am told the douches are the

only treatment but part of me just can't give up on finding a cure

for this condition I have.

If anyone knows of a Dr. who works with these infections, I would

appreciate the info. I live in Michigan.

It has really helped me just listening to all of you. You are all

such strong women. I pray for a cure for all of you.

Jan