I see our group is here, so I felt compelled to write again...😁 The exact same thing happened to me (well, it's still happening), except even the Pope wouldn't help me out. If you can, please reach out via private message. It took me quite some time to figure it out, and it turns out it was some kind of bacterium that’s incredibly stubborn—you really only treat it if it starts causing symptoms (or during pregnancy). Being the Baksuz that I am, I haven't managed to shake it off since the beginning of the year, so now I'm left trying alternative methods and maybe one more round of antibiotics... I'll have to switch over to socialized healthcare next month because I've already poured way too much money into this, and honestly, I'm starting to dread what comes next. The sooner you get this handled, the easier it is to resolve everything, so please, fight for your rights...😉
I managed to calm myself down a bit, and I’m going to give what she prescribed a shot... if this doesn't work, I honestly don't know what else is left to try. It’s actually quite interesting, because I was looking things up earlier—that antibiotic she gave me preventatively during my first visit, the 🙂 one... it says it's used for pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis, and gonorrhea, in addition to respiratory infections. And these vaginal suppositories? They're meant for Trichomonas (which I suspected from the start, since I know vaginal treatments won't touch it without an antibiotic specifically for that), Gardnerella, Atopobium, and Candida. It feels like a game of elimination at this point... if it isn't the first thing, it's definitely one of the others. 🤦 Anyway, along with all that, she gave me some Lactogyn capsules for oral use and the Lactogyn suppositories. My plan is to start with the suppositories for those microorganisms first, then move on to the Lactogyn... and I'll take the capsules daily. There are 15 of them, and she wrote 2x1. I'm starting the capsules now, but I'm not sure about the suppositories yet, since they aren't supposed to arrive until later today.
I just can't deal with the arguing anymore, I've had enough, and I honestly don't know what to do next. She keeps insisting everything is perfectly fine and that my flora is finally recovering, so she gave me some Lactogyn vaginal suppositories and a few other pills... But I'm just sitting here crying from the sheer frustration of it all. Everything has just piled up on me at once, and I don't have the money to see a private doctor, so I really am at a loss...
I’m already feeling so stupid and guilty because I keep demanding things and calling them, but I know I’ll just have to anyway 🕺 How long does this actually take? Should I call tomorrow to ask about the results, or is there still more development needed or whatever...
melloworca6 said:When are you planning to head in for those referrals?
I get my blood and urine tested pretty regularly, so I can tell you how it works with my doctor.
I usually just swing by a CVS or Walgreens and pick up a few collection cups to keep at home—you don't need a prescription or anything for that, they’re just sitting there on the shelf in any pharmacy. I make sure to see my doctor the day before to have her write the referrals for the blood work and urine test. Then, I show up at the clinic during her morning hours, usually between 7 and 8 AM, because that's when they draw blood and collect samples. I always coordinate it so I catch her in the afternoon to get the paperwork ready, then come back the next morning to get everything done. The nurse draws my blood, and I just hand over the cup I filled at home. I told her straight up that I can't wait around at the clinic; once I wake up, I have to go, and trying to hold it that long would make the sample totally unreliable. She told me it didn't matter—as long as I put my last name and ID number on the cup, we're good.
The rule is either use your first pee of the morning or don't urinate for at least 4 hours beforehand (the longer, the better). They say that first morning pee is the most accurate since it's the most concentrated.
I mean, maybe you don't really need to worry about it yet if you aren't having actual symptoms, but you still want to rule out any issues. What you actually need is a Pap smear. You’ll have to see a gynecologist for that and basically beg them to do it. If you go to a private clinic and pay out of pocket, expect it to cost you around $333. That’s why people try to squeeze every bit of value out of their insurance referrals—it adds up fast.
I can't make it in during the afternoon shift today, but my mom knows a nurse who works there, so I'll try to get that referral through her and hopefully get this sorted quickly. I found a specimen cup at home; it's still sealed, so if the referral comes through, I'll be ready for tomorrow. I'm honestly so worried I won't get this done in time... I'm traveling at the end of May, and if I have to wait for her to agree to the swabs, I might be waiting until 🕺... And things could get messy while I wait, because unfortunately, seeing someone privately just isn't an option for me right now. I'm still kicking myself for not doing this sooner. In my opinion, I should have gone immediately... with these symptoms, it could be anything, and you really shouldn't mess around with stuff like this.
I honestly have no clue how to even go about this, since I first need to see a doctor just to get a referral or something... 🤷 Or does it not strictly have to be after urinating? Is it actually possible for that kind of discharge to be linked to urological issues? This is the first time I've even heard of such a thing...
My primary care doctor sent me off for a urine culture, but I'm wondering... what exactly can they find from that? Honestly, I’m really not looking forward to this whole ordeal. If it turns out this isn't even a urological issue—though with this discharge, I have my doubts—I'll be stuck dealing with doctors for a long, long time... 😢 She actually told me she gave me antibiotics just as a precaution and that I should have seen the doctor sooner. But the fact that she didn't mention anything about seeing my GP to anyone else... well, I might as well have just checked my horoscope for advice.
melloworca6 said:She’s asking for a swab and a urine culture. Tell her you feel better now and you aren't about to start guessing which antibiotic to take. Mention the pain too—since you already told her it hurt during the exam—and don't let them brush you off.
I went to see my OB three months in a row. I refused to let them sweet-talk me into thinking it was "normal" for an ovary to ache occasionally (mine was killing me, and it definitely wasn't normal), and thank God I stood my ground because it turned out I had an ovarian infection. Untreated infections can lead to infertility, so don't mess around with this.
She actually knows... I couldn't help but flinch a little from the pain, though I think she took it pretty lightly... But at least I have some answers (I think?)... I have some small cysts on that ovary, so that’s probably why... I know, I really do... but I just blindly trusted that what was prescribed would work... 🤷 Yesterday, I drove down there myself just to try and get an appointment... I didn't call ahead because I know how the receptionist acts when they're busy... just sets the phone on the desk and walks away to do something else... but I didn't have enough time to sit there for two hours just waiting to be heard... so I'm heading back again today...
melloworca6 said:So, did you actually get a swab or a urine culture done? If you haven't, you really shouldn't be guessing with this—self-medicating like this can honestly just make things worse. When you were on those antibiotics, did you take a probiotic? Antibiotics kill off the good bacteria too, which throws everything out of whack, and they love to mess with your balance. Especially vaginally, where *Candida* tends to really settle in and take over.
And what does the discharge look like?
I haven't had a swab or anything else done yet. I know it’s hard to explain, but it was my first time ever having an exam and I was just... a little bit out of it. If I hadn't been alone, I would have asked how anyone could possibly know for sure without tests, since those symptoms could mean so many different things. I went to the doctor on February 10th, and I started the medication that very same day... the course lasted ten days. And yes, I’ve been drinking all sorts of kefirs and yogurts and whatever else... It doesn't seem like a fungal thing, though. Sometimes the discharge is heavy, other times there isn't any at all, but the worrying part is the color... it's yellowish or greenish, I can't quite tell exactly. I'm just so afraid it's going to keep coming back...🙂
Well, I'm back. Time to vent a little bit. The outcast has returned. Honestly, I’ve just had enough of all this and I really don't know what to do now... 🙂 How is this even possible?
I mentioned I’d follow up with the results. The doctor told me it was just a minor inflammation, but then she handed me two boxes of antibiotics 😕 along with those vaginal wipes. I'm not sure if it was because of the inflammation, but the ultrasound was incredibly painful and uncomfortable... I actually broke out in a cold sweat. She just said we'll see how things go, and that was basically it... 😉
I know this isn't technically supposed to be in this section, but we already agreed that a few snippets might end up here anyway, so it feels a bit out of place 😁 Once I get everything sorted out, I'll post the cause... I'm sure someone down the road will find it useful 🙂
So, can I get a urine culture regardless of whether my period is going on? It’s just a little awkward to ask because my whole family knows both the doctor and the nurse working there...🕺
Thanks, John Thompson53, but I honestly don't think it's Candida this time...🕺 Regarding that urine culture, how does that even work? Where do I go? I really have zero experience with any of this... I'm debating whether I should just wait 10 to 14 days and then get everything checked out by the gynecologist—assuming they'll actually see me without making me wait forever—or if I should just go ahead and do the culture right now...
The thing is, I’m due for my period in a day or two, maybe even tomorrow... and they say you shouldn't really be getting swabs done during that part of your cycle. Should I just wait and call them once it's over?
Thanks everyone 🙂 Will having my period start in about 3 or 4 days affect the swab tests? I'm just worried about getting a false negative result... I was thinking about calling tomorrow to ask because there's really no point in waiting two months for this, but I'm honestly terrified of coming across as rude or acting like I think I'm more important than everyone else... Does anyone have an idea what this could be? I've been Googling non-stop for the last three days and everything seems to point toward something sexually transmitted (I’ve had Candida before and this discharge isn't even close—I handled that one with a better diet and Canesten—but I'm certain it's not that)... I'm just scared they'll think I'm lying to them... 🤷 Is there any way it could have been picked up from sharing a towel or using a public restroom? I've been using both a bit more frequently over the last month... Sorry for all the questions, but this is my first time going through this process, so I truly don't know what to expect...