Posts by restlessbadger2

Kyle Martin3 said:I'm also on the hunt for a good GP and a gynecologist, preferably somewhere in Brooklyn.🙂

Feel free to shoot me a private message with anyone I definitely SHOULDN'T see.😬

Personally, I’d love something on the west side of town, but let's not turn this into a debate about vaccinations.😁
As for gynecologists, honestly, you can't find a single decent one in this part of the city. I'm actually planning to switch over to Dr. Clap Pulanic (over in the Borongaj area). I know, I know—it's quite a trek, but so many women have nothing but glowing things to say about her, so I'm taking that as my North Star.🙂

Does anyone have a recommendation for a decent general practitioner in the Washington, D.C. area? I’m looking for someone reasonable—someone who won't give me a hard time about processing referrals or sending me off for diagnostic tests and various specialists. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated 🙂

Everyone seems to be singing the praises of Dr. Leonard Patrlj over at the Mayo Clinic. It might be worth doing a little digging to see what makes him so highly regarded. Best of luck with your research!

How many times have you actually gone through the coating treatment? Did it feel like it was burning at all, or did you deal with any weird side effects? And how long ago was your last session?
I’ve been struggling with this yeast infection nightmare for nine months straight now—literally without a single break—and honestly, my gynecologists aren't taking me seriously at all. I was browsing a thread about yeast infections earlier and saw someone mention using Albertsons products.

I was wondering if anyone here has ever tried using an Albertsons topical treatment prescribed by their gynecologist specifically to deal with recurring yeast infections? As far as I know, there aren't any actual sores or lesions, but I've been dealing with constant inflammation for about nine months now. 😢

They’re open from 7:00 to 9:00 in the morning.

Maria Fisher46 said:From what I can gather, the standard operating procedure whenever you visit a specialist seems to be a diagnosis of a fungal infection (with one doctor even suspecting genital herpes), potentially followed by swabs for microbiological testing and a course of anti-yeast medication.
What strikes me as particularly interesting is this: if I have interpreted your timeline correctly, at the time of your dermatology exam, you were experiencing symptoms and visible changes, yet the yeast culture came back negative; furthermore, one physician suspected genital herpes due to the presence of ulcerations.

Here is the breakdown:
1. Private gynecologist, Dec 2011: diagnosed *Candida spp.* via wet mount; treatment: Gynodaktarin vaginal suppositories.
2. Gynecologist (Mayo Clinic), Jan 2012: *Candida* identified solely through visual inspection, no wet mount performed; treatment: Plymicol vaginal suppositories and cream.
3. Private gynecologist, Jan 2012: swabs taken; while waiting for results, I was prescribed a 7-day course of Dalacin vaginal cream. During our discussion, she admitted the entire area was red, yet she insisted there was no *Candida* present and claimed the redness wasn't gynecological in nature—essentially saying it wasn't her department.
4. Public gynecologist, March 2012: *Candida* identified via visual inspection only, no wet mount; treatment: Polygynax suppositories, followed by Plymicol suppositories for four cycles (though I only finished one because the burning sensation became absolutely unbearable).
5. Dermatovenerologist (at a local clinic): April 2012: vaginal and vulvar swabs taken and immediately examined under a microscope; the wet mount was negative; no treatment provided.
6. Virogena Polyclinic (gynecological exam): April 2012: *Candida* identified visually without a wet mount; swabs for HSV 1 and HSV 2 were taken. Ulcerations were noted on the labia minora. While awaiting results, I was prescribed Betadine vaginal ovules combined with Medazol suppositories and tablets. I didn't feel any improvement whatsoever.
7. Public gynecologist, May 2012: *Candida* identified visually without a wet mount; I pointed out the redness and ulcerations (itching was almost never an issue), but she simply told me "whatever you want," claiming this is a normal state during a yeast infection😕 and suggesting I should just avoid oral sex.☕ 🤣
- She ran tests for Trichomonas and aerobic bacteria. The report stated: physiological vaginal flora; microscopic examination showed no PMNs.
The doctor told me the swab would reveal whether *Candida* was present (but how could it, when she ordered a bacterial culture rather than a mycological one?)—so, she diagnosed *Candida* during the exam, even though the culture failed to detect it.🤷
8. In June 2012, I reached out to the Reference Center for Systemic and Disseminated Mycoses, specifically speaking with Dr. Mlinarić-Missoni, a wonderful woman who has been more helpful than all the other doctors combined. I went in for a consultation and underwent all the tests (the ones I mentioned in my first post when seeking clarification on the results). She explained that while *Candida* could be the culprit, the relentless cycle of vaginal suppositories I had been prescribed might actually be causing more harm than good. She advised me to stop the anti-yeast diet, as I am clearly doing myself a disservice—which is true, given that I’ve lost 10 pounds from it—and suggested I avoid seeing a gynecologist for a while until we attempt to heal the damaged mucous membrane using 3% boric acid (daily compresses and a tampon at night for two weeks). I feel like the burning sensation is finally starting to subside.

From what I’ve gathered while digging through the medical literature regarding recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, there is an interesting point of contention among certain authors. Some experts actually suggest that in cases where... Is it just me, or does it feel like we’re constantly being squeezed between two different types of negative cultures? It’s an interesting thing to ponder, isn't it? On one hand, you have that pervasive atmosphere of negativity that seems to seep into everything, almost like a heavy fog you can't quite shake off. Then, on the other side, there's this entirely different breed of toxic behavior—one that's more active, more aggressive, and frankly, much harder to navigate. How do we even begin to distinguish between them when they both leave us feeling so drained? It makes you wonder if they aren't actually two sides of the same coin, or perhaps two completely separate forces working in tandem to wear us down. I've been thinking about this quite a bit lately, and I'm curious to hear what everyone else thinks. Is it possible to exist comfortably in the space between these two extremes, or are we always destined to be caught in their orbit? When you're dealing with persistent symptoms, isn't it vital to look at the big picture? Before we jump to conclusions, we really ought to rule out Candida as the primary culprit behind everything you're feeling. Once that's off the table, only then can we properly pivot our focus toward exploring other potential diagnoses. It’s all about being methodical, don't you think?

As you all might have gathered from the thread above, they were actually pushing back against my requests to smear the discharge onto a slide. I really wanted to see definitive proof that we were dealing with Candida, but they wouldn't budge. In the end, only the first gynecologist and the dermatologist bothered to actually perform those tests. Everything else in the meantime has just been based on guesswork and rough estimates. Is it really that difficult to be thorough when the stakes are this high?

It seems like everything aligned perfectly for you in just that one instance. But honestly, even that single data point—combined with the fact that none of the standard antifungal treatments prescribed to you so far have actually provided any relief (you know, that persistent burning sensation and the physical changes)—really makes me wonder. Doesn't it make you question whether these symptoms are truly being caused by nothing more than Candida? Or could we be looking at something else entirely?

It actually felt like things were taking a turn for the worse. The redness and irritation in that area just kept intensifying, and I started dealing with this unbearable burning sensation—which was strange, because I almost never experienced actual itching. When I was first diagnosed with Candida, I truly believed that was the culprit, especially since the initial swab confirmed it. But looking back on everything now, I can't help but wonder if I was treated incorrectly. Is it possible that the medications prescribed weren't quite right for my specific situation? I have this nagging feeling that the treatment plan might have been flawed, leading me to develop some kind of allergic reaction or something similar as a result. 😢

Does anyone happen to have the details on what the dermatologist actually wrote in her report once those swabs came back negative for Candida? I’m curious how she interpreted that erythema—did she offer a specific diagnosis or any final conclusions after that second exam and the follow-up results?

So, here’s what the lab results are actually saying: regarding the dermatological status of the anogenital area, there is some slight redness on the mucosa on the inner side of the labia. Additionally, there is a faint, whitish discharge present within the vagina. Does that make sense? It seems fairly straightforward, but I suppose it's always worth looking closer at those specific details.
So, I just had my mycological vaginal and vulvar swab done—the kind where they look at everything under the microscope right then and there—and the results came back negative. Everything looks clear on that front! Is there anything else I should be keeping an eye on?
She didn't really say much to me right after the exam, mostly because I was already outside waiting to pick up my lab results. But once I actually sat down to read what she wrote, I could hardly believe my eyes. Honestly, I was just stunned. Out of pure curiosity, I decided to take a look at everything myself later that same day—you know, to see exactly where she was seeing this "erythematous area" she mentioned. I grabbed a mirror, took a look, and was absolutely floored. It wasn't just some redness or an erythematous patch; it was actual ulceration. It finally clicked for me: the reason I’ve been feeling that intense burning sensation is likely because of those ulcers. Is it too much to ask for a bit of accuracy? I waited over a month just to get this appointment, only to have her write something so fundamentally incorrect in the report. Does anyone else feel like they have to double-check their doctors' work just to be sure?☕

While vulvodynia is certainly a possibility, we really have to consider whether there might be an underlying organic cause behind both your discomfort and those visible changes to the mucosal tissue. It’s a valid question, isn't it? After all, when you see physical alterations like that, it suggests something more than just nerve sensitivity. The reality is that we have to account for both contact and allergic dermatitis. In many cases, what looks like a primary issue is actually an allergic reaction—specifically a response to certain ingredients found in the very creams used to treat yeast infections. It makes you wonder if the treatment itself might be contributing to the irritation, doesn't it?

It seems like quite a few doctors out there don't actually have a clue when it comes to vulvodynia or any of these other complex conditions. Most of them seem stuck in a loop where they only recognize standard yeast infections or bacterial issues. To them, anything beyond that feels like straight-up science fiction. Is it just me, or does it feel like we're constantly hitting a wall with medical professionals who refuse to look past the basics?
Could anyone please recommend an exceptional dermatologist or venereologist who might be able to help me? Perhaps someone like Dr. Stanimirovic or Dr. Skerlev?
Does anyone know of a specialist in the US who actually deals with vulvodynia? I honestly find it hard to believe how many women suffer through this, only to be mismanaged because of medical negligence or a simple lack of specialized knowledge.😢
Are we really just expected to navigate this all on our own?

I also came across some information in the medical literature suggesting that a prolonged infection with Candida can, in certain instances, lead to changes not just in the mucous membrane, but also in the nerve endings that innervate the area, which could potentially trigger vulvodynia.

That isn't exactly a comforting thought, is it?😢 I’ve spent quite a bit of time digging through various sources—reading just about everything I could find—and I stumbled upon research indicating that improper treatment of a yeast infection (specifically when Candida isn't actually the primary culprit) can frequently lead to the development of vulvodynia.

Dr. Škerk should definitely rule out any infectious basis for your symptoms, especially since most clinicians seem to focus heavily on an infectious cause, primarily Candida.

Once I have gathered all my test results together, I’ll reach out to her; I don't really see any other way forward.

Maria Fisher46 said:Dear lady,

Your situation is quite complex, and even from a glance, it seems clear that solving this will require a multidisciplinary approach—which essentially means you'll need to consult several different specialists.
There are many factors at play here. As you correctly noted, finding Candida in a culture and receiving a diagnosis of candidiasis might not be the sole cause of all your symptoms.

Dear Nicholas Myers,
thank you so much for your response, and most of all, for taking the time to thoroughly study my specific case (unfortunate as it may be). If I weren't such a unique case, perhaps doctors would have recognized what was happening on their own. A multidisciplinary approach hasn't exactly lived up to its name; there have been plenty of specialists involved, but they seem to only look at their own narrow field of expertise without any understanding of other areas, nor any desire to view the whole picture. There’s a lack of connection, or even just basic empathy toward my suffering, to help alleviate it.
Since you noticed I am writing about vulvodynia, please take a moment to read through my medical history. You will see everything I've endured over the last six months:

Here are a few posts that might help clarify the situation:

In addition to infectious vulvovaginitis, one must also consider dermatological diseases and vulvodynia; seeing as you moderate the Women's Health threads, I see you have already taken those into account.

As you likely gathered from my posts, I visited the Mayo Clinic to see Dr. Suzana Ljubojević based on a recommendation. She took swabs of the vulva and vagina for mycological testing, which came back negative. Her report noted a faint erythematous area on the left labia without fluorescence in the anogenital region. Yet, when I got home and checked myself in the mirror for the first time, I saw bright red patches on both sides—looking like eroded mucosa—even though her report stated 🙂

I recommend that you undergo a specialist examination or consultation. Beyond an infectious disease expert (Professor Škerk was already recommended to you, and I would personally recommend them as well), you should see a good dermatologist. Given that you mentioned erosions and redness, it is vital to rule out dermatological diagnoses, including rare dermatoses that aren't immediately obvious. Perhaps if the issues persist, one of the experts might suggest a biopsy of the lesions; wouldn't that assist in reaching a definitive diagnosis?

I’ll keep Dr. Škerk in mind, but honestly, I just don’t have the energy to keep bouncing from doctor to doctor anymore. I need a break.
But how am I even supposed to know which dermatologist/venereologist is actually any good? I reached out to Dr. Ivan Manola and sent over my entire medical history via email. She seemed incredibly professional at first. However, after she received all my documentation, she just went completely silent. She never got back to me. Can you imagine? That is a massive strike against someone who has taken the Hippocratic Oath, and an even bigger one considering how poorly it reflects on her private practice, the Manola Clinic. So, my conclusion? She probably looked at my results, realized the case was too complicated for her to handle, and decided to just ghost me. How lovely!
Does anyone have a recommendation? I heard about Dr. Andrew Smith’s office. Apparently, he’s highly skilled. Dr. Michael Skerlev works there as well (he also practices at the Mayo Clinic).
I’m at a total loss as to where to turn next. Not to mention, I can't exactly afford to keep going on these expensive "private excursions" that lead absolutely nowhere.

Have you tried contacting a gynecologist who works within a major clinical institution (like a large hospital system, for instance, Mount Sinai or Johns Hopkins)?

No, because my current gynecologist refuses to give me a referral for something as "benign" as Candida. And I can't exactly just waltz into Mount Sinai like a paratrooper. Who would I even talk to there? When I asked my gynecologist about cytolytic vaginosis or vulvodynia, it was as if she had never even heard those terms exist.

Generally speaking, individuals suffering from invasive or systemic candidiasis are quite ill and life-threatened—usually people with compromised immune systems due to conditions like HIV/AIDS, certain malignancies, or chemotherapy treatments.

I’m currently waiting on the results for my HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C tests. I’ve tested negative for HIV in the past, but my primary care physician insisted I undergo testing again.

Regarding C. albicans, it typically doesn't show resistance. This raises the question: have you ever felt even a slight improvement or a reduction in symptoms while using the prescribed treatment?

Well, looking back at the three times I've dealt with candidiasis in my life, the one symptom that always stood out—the one that truly kills you—is the itching. But back then, that would clear up in three days with some vaginal suppositories, and that was that. What I've been dealing with for the last six months likely started as Candida, but when I described my symptoms, it wasn't itching; it was unbearable burning and stinging in the vagina and vulva, along with redness in the area. It wasn't until I saw a dermatovenerologist that I realized I actually had "sores," meaning my mucous membranes were eroded. Now I'm wondering: can that intense burning cause mucosal damage, or could the damaged membrane be causing the burning?
Using Plymicol and Canesten caused such excruciating burning that I was literally in tears. Both the suppositories and the cream were awful. They even prescribed Octenisept, which burns like hell. In the end, the skin near the vaginal opening actually cracked from using it. I don't use it anymore. Neither do I use the KMnO4 baths. Nothing has helped; it just seems to make things worse.
I haven't felt any relief in my symptoms, except perhaps that the thick discharge has subsided. Otherwise, the other symptoms are still present most of the time.

The real question here is, did any of the prescribed treatments actually provide you with even a modicum of relief?

As I mentioned earlier, they were somewhat effective at addressing the standard symptoms of a yeast infection—specifically that thick, clumpy discharge—but the burning, the stinging, the redness, and those mucosal ulcerations? Those haven't budged one bit. 😢

vividsailor7 said:MIC is determined through a dilution process—/minimum inhibitory concentration/
Essentially, it’s just the lowest amount of that specific medication required to stop a pathogen from multiplying.
I won't go into further detail since that isn't my area of expertise.

Thanks, doctor! 🙂

Does anyone else here happen to be an expert in this particular medical field? Do we have any other doctors on the forum? Nicholas Myers? Please, I could really use some guidance!

Hi there! I was wondering if anyone here who is experienced in interpreting lab results might be able to lend me a hand. I am 29 years old.
I’ve been undergoing all these tests because I've been battling persistent vaginal infections for about six months now. It feels like a constant cycle of different diagnoses—first it's vulvovaginitis, then it's candidiasis... you name it. The symptoms that have been haunting me for quite some time include redness in the anogenital mucosa and erythematous patches on the labia minora (which they tell me is caused by Candida). On top of that, there is this burning sensation in the vulva and vagina that is honestly driving me insane. (I can't quite tell if the burning is coming from damaged mucosal tissue or if there is something else going on entirely.) I've seen several doctors who were supposedly top-tier specialists, yet no one seems to grasp what is actually happening or why I'm not responding to treatment. They've prescribed just about everything under the sun: Polygynax, Canesten, Plymicol, Gynodaktarin, Diflucan, oral Itraconazole, various corticosteroid creams, Metronidazole in both vaginal and oral forms, and Dalacin vaginal cream. It has been a nightmare. 😢
For the most part, my blood work has come back normal. I've had quite a few things checked, and currently, I am just waiting on the results from some immunological blood tests.
To get straight to the point, I just received these specific results:

1. Stool mycological study - native preparation negative, stained preparation negative: this means I don't have Candida in my intestines.
2. Serum (blood) - antibodies for Candida spp., tested via three methods:
a) IIF - IgG: result 80 (reference range: 1 to ≤ 80)
b) IHA - IgM/IgG/IgA: result 160 (reference range: 1 to ≤ 160)
c) ELISA - IgG: result 90 (borderline value is 40-100)

These results seem to be right on the borderline. How should I interpret these? Are they good or bad news? Is there any actual risk of systemic candidiasis at this stage?

3. Vaginal swab mycological: native preparation positive, stained preparation positive; culture identified: Candida albicans.
- They treated the Candida with various chemical substances, and it showed sensitivity to all of them, meaning they should theoretically be effective. However, I am completely baffled—if the Candida is sensitive to these drugs, why hasn't any of them actually helped me feel better?
Here are the chemical substances listed:
- 5-fluorocytosine: S (MIC = 4.000)
- amphotericin B: S (MIC = 0.500)
- fluconazole: S (MIC = 1.000)
- itraconazole: S (MIC = 0.125)
- voriconazole: S (MIC = 0.060)

What exactly does MIC mean? And looking at these, which of these substances would be the most effective at clearing up the Candida? Would it be the first one with an MIC of 4.000?
My doctor has prescribed using 3% boric acid for two weeks, both as compresses and as overnight tampons, to help with the epithelialization of the ulcerated areas of the mucosa.
After that period, we will decide on the next steps. For the moment, I am not using anything specifically against the Candida.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what else might be helpful to promote the epithelialization of damaged vaginal mucosa?
Thank you all so much in advance for your help! 🙂

Does anyone know where I can go to get tested for a clotrimazole allergy? Does anyone have any ideas? I’ve been using Plimycol vaginal suppositories for two days now, but everything feels incredibly red and it's stinging like crazy. Instead of things calming down, I don't feel any improvement at all 😢

Does anyone have any insight on seeing Dr. Višnja Škerk at the Fran Mihaljević hospital, specifically within the urogenital infection department? Has anyone here had any firsthand experience there?

That specific type of discharge can actually be caused by Lactobacillus (those beneficial lactic acid bacteria). If you aren't experiencing any actual symptoms and it isn't bothering you, then there really isn't much to worry about.

Hi there, and welcome to the club—though I wish it were under better circumstances. I’m actually writing about vulvodynia myself, so please do make sure to read through the entire thread... honestly, I’m still in the dark about what’s actually going on with me. It all kicked off with a Candida issue; I’ve been undergoing treatment for six months now, but nothing seems to be helping. In hindsight, I suspect the treatment would probably work if I could just pinpoint the actual root cause of my symptoms. First, it was a yeast infection, then the burning started, which led me to believe I had vulvodynia, but now the yeast is back and it feels like I'm just running in circles.
Feel free to join the conversation over at 🙂

The consistency looks a bit off, which might point toward a yeast infection. Personally, I’ve always thought that watery white discharge seemed pretty normal, but then again, sometimes bacteria can cause those exact symptoms. For about six months now, I’ve been constantly diagnosed with Candida, and it just keeps coming back. In the meantime, I get this white mucus and everything feels incredibly irritated—it’s more of a burning sensation than an itch. I actually shared a lot more about my experience in a different thread regarding vulvodynia, and I even started a whole separate discussion about cytolytic vaginosis 🙂

That could be anything from a simple stomach bug to something more serious... you really ought to go see a doctor.

Do you find that pain relievers like Ibuprofen actually touch the pain for you? And have you had a chance to see a gynecologist lately? If I could offer one bit of advice: please, go see a specialist and get an ultrasound. If you’re suddenly dealing with intense pain that you’ve never experienced before, there is a real possibility it could be endometriosis. I’ve been going through this myself for the last few months—during those first couple of days of my cycle, the pain is absolutely debilitating. I can't help but think it has to be endometriosis. However, when I went to my doctor, she didn't even bother ordering an ultrasound because her clinic doesn't even have the equipment on-site. She just brushed off my theory entirely with a wave of her hand.

I’m finding myself thinking more and more that I’m dealing with either an allergic reaction—some kind of dermatitis—or perhaps an autoimmune issue. It feels like running to doctors is becoming a bit of a futile exercise; when a case doesn't follow that simple "2+2=4" logic, they seem completely at a loss. If a symptom falls outside the standard textbook definitions they were taught, their first instinct is to try and force it back into a familiar box, treating me with methods that clearly aren't working. It really feels like I've been left to navigate this whole mess entirely on my own.

I was wondering if it's possible to visit the Infectious Disease Clinic "Fran Mihaljević" without a referral and just pay for the tests out of pocket? Also, does anyone know if they offer total IgE along with anti-candida IgG and IgM testing?
Additionally, does anyone happen to know where one can go to get tested for D-arabinitol?

Since I couldn't find a single thread quite like this one (there are some out there about skincare, but those focus on general cosmetics, whereas I specifically need a dermatologist/venereologist), I was hoping you all might help me out. I am looking for recommendations for a really solid specialist... would any of you mind sharing who you've seen?

I’m currently planning to visit the Virogenuplus clinic to see Dr. Maja Grahovac. To be honest, I tried doing a little digging online to learn more about her expertise, but I couldn't find much information at all. 😕
Has anyone here actually had an appointment with her?

Of course, I am also completely open to suggestions for other trusted dermatologists—ideally someone who actually managed to solve your issues (even if just partially).

Thank you! 🙂