Have you ever used ACIGEL and/or BORIC ACID for thrush?

[vtempo]

Has anyone every used ACIGEL and/or BORIC ACID as a treatment for thrush? I am suffering from recurrent thrush that I am unable to shake off, despite using pessaries and oral medication. My GP doesn't seem overly clued in to the treatments for recurrent thrush. From my own research, I have seen ACIGEL referred to as a means to discourage the growth of thrush by making the vagina less alkaline. I have visited several pharmacies and it appears that ACIGEL has been discontinued. I have seen BORIC ACID referred to as a potential altenative. Has anyone ever used either of these treatments?

[ktlou]

Hi vtempo - I totally sympathise with you over this - I had thrush on and off (more on than off though!) for months and it really got me down!! I'd never heard of Acigel or Boric Acid but do know that I went to my GP in a complete state after nothing was working and she gave me a really really strong pessary to use and an oral tablet - I used both and I've never ever had thrush since then!!! So maybe just pester your GP about it!! Also (you prob already know this but nevermind) try and wear cotton underwear (knickers not thongs as these make it tons worse!), don't use bubble bath or wash your 'bits' with soap as these can dry it out making you more succeptable to thrush.
I'm not sure I would want to use something that I knew nothing about on an area as sensitive as this so if you aren't sure then it's better not to use Boric Acid or ask your GP about it!! Good luck, I hope you get it sorted soon!!

[n00dles]

Hi vtempo

Sympathies from me also. Many moons ago would get this due to having anti-biotics (some can trigger it off - because it breaks down the immune system), a viscious circle would ensue which was not very pleasant. As ktlou says cotton undies and something my then GP recommended Aqueous cream (large tub - cheap - lasts a long time) to wash with on the delicate area. I still use it to this day although thankfully never get thrush now (probably cos I don't have a cervix!). Another thing you could try is live (bio) yoghurt, which coincidentally the doc recommended to my mum recently when she had to take extra powerful anti-biotics for something else, as she didn't want her to suffer with the dreaded "T".

The Aqueous cream is usually at the pharmacy counter in Boots.

Hope your soon feel better xXx ☺

[sophie_1003]

I'm currently taking Fluconazole at the start of every month as from April to November last year I had thrush every month nearly constantly! It took the doctor AGES to refer me to a gynaecologist but when I saw him he changed the pill I was on (I was on microgynon and am now on marvelon) and gave me Fluconazole at the start of every month for the next 18 months and it has worked wonders! You can also get this herbal stuff called Acidophilus (think thats how its spelt!) which is meant to prevent it but I wasn't tasking it very long before I got better from taking Flucanozole regularly so don't know personally if it is any good! Hope all gets better soon, ask to see another doctor, the one I saw to start with was very unsympathetic but another one I saw on about the third time of it ahppening (out of many more) was lovely and made me feel much better!

[vtempo]

Thanks to all of you for such quick replies and your advice,

Aqueous cream sounds good - I have bought special soap free products, but they are so expensive!

I saw a very nice female locum a few months ago and she prescribed fluconazole tablets taken every two weeks, but for only 3 months...it came back after I stopped taking them. Took one a few days ago (bought myself) and although I am much better, I don't think it has completely gone.....

I think I have seen three different GPs at my practice about this and each one suggests something different - the one I am seeing at the moment is very sympathetic but I sense she hasn't had much experience with this type of issue. She did suggest using a pessarie after intercourse, as sperm is aparently alkaline, which encourages the growth of thrush.... Anyone had experience of post-coital treatment like that or with anything else? I read on the net about diluting vinegar with water, and inserting that via a tampon!

I had a swab taken a few weeks ago and ironically the results were negative....(just after the course of fluconazole)...so my GP didn't prescribe anything...then a few days later, it came back with a vengeance! I couldn't get another appointment with her until the end of this month....

Ideally, I need a doctor who has had experience of this sort of thing....any ideas of whether such a practictioner would exist and how to find where they are? I live in Cardiff.

Anyway, thanks again....good to get it off my chest!

vtempo

[sophie_1003]

Ask to be reffered to a gynaecologist, or you could make an appointment at your local family planning clinic or GUM clinic. They should be a bit more experienced! I haven't heard about the vinegar and water thing but if you dip a tampon in natural yoghurt then put that in it relieves the symptoms although doesn't actually get rid of it. I stopped taking the Fluconazole at one point as I was waiting for another appointment to get another prescription and my thrush came back then it's so annoying!

[vtempo]

Thanks Sophie....

I have just received the result of a cervical smear that is slightly abnormal.....they will just keep an eye on it by doing another test in 6 months time...

I don't think that there is a link with the thrush, but it is all slightly disturbing....

vtempo

[sophie_1003]

i had the same sorta thing, after getting thrush loads started having the worst pain during sex, they changed my pill and did everything i mentioned above and its cleared up but still don't know what actually caused it, very annoying! hope everything gets better soon!

[vtempo]

Thanks Sophie....

Vtempo

[chloe50]

My friend used acigel years ago after years of suffering with vaginal yeast infections and it completely cured her. I have been trying to get my daughter's ob/gyn to give us an Rx for it but she won't. Don't think she knows what it is. It is only by Rx now. Does anyone know of a doctor that will prescribe this? Would like to know if you ever did try the acigel vtempo or the boric acid? I noticed that bellevue pharmacy online in the uk has it if you are near there.