Solid bits like scabs in discharge

[glitterberrys.livejournal.com]

I've been Googling like crazy about this over the last few months and so far the only hit that relates to my problem is an old post *I* made years ago when I was experiencing a similar problem (I was on Metrogel then, so I blamed that, because that stuff will do a number on you.)

For months now, I've been getting little solid bits in my discharge. Usually they look brownish against the paper but if I hold them with my fingers they're actually white. I figured they were dried mucus - I've had ridiculous amounts of discharge for months now, too, which I wrote off as misfiring hormones (I carry around at least one big ovarian cyst at all times) as my skin is a disaster and my boobs ALWAYS HURT.

But for a while - and this went away but now it's back - there were tiny bits that looked like scabs. Really hard and dark brown in spots, white in others. This concerns me.

My first fear is malignancy, but I was just at the GYN a few months ago for a cyst check (holding steady at 5 cm!) and pap (since I was there and about due). The pap came back normal (I assume, I actually never did hear back. But they're very on the ball about reporting abnormal results; the one time I did have an abonrmal pap the doctor called me himself. Otherwise I usually have to pester them to find out. I guess I should call and make absolutely sure.)

So I feel like a clear pap and largely clear transvaginal ultrasound means my possibility of cervical, uterine, ovarian, whatever-else-can-go-wrong cancers are fairly low right now. But PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong because I've been sitting on this for the better part of a year and if I need to see a doctor right away, I'll get on that. And yes, I should've told him about this issue when I was there, but I was having some really concerning symptoms surrounding the cyst and it just slipped my mind.

I have no STDs; I'm in a monogamous relationship with the same person I've been with for almost 5 years, my only sexual partner, and with the exception of HPV a few years ago, I've never had anything show up on tests. My period just ended a day or two ago.

I worry about this but I have no idea if I need to, because no one else on the internet seems to have had a similar experience. Help?

Chronic yeast.

[lovediscomfort.livejournal.com]

Feeling like I'm at my wit's end with all of this...

I've been getting a yeast infection every month for the past 4 or 5 months during the week before my period. Without fail. Usually I treat it with the 1 day pill, or the OTC 1 day tioconazole. Or both. That helps, but it always comes back. If I don't treat it, my period doesn't cure it like it used to in the past when this would happen from time to time. My doctor is hesitant to prescribe the one day pill monthly because it's hard on your liver. But that leaves me feeling like I have no options... I currently can't afford any OTC treatment because I'm broke as a joke.

I got blood work done and my doctor said I have candida overgrowth. Which makes sense, because I was on antibiotics for months because of an autoimmune issue. I'm off of them now, but am now on Nystatin to help the candida and am continuing to take a strong probiotic twice a day. While on the antibiotics for months (since December), I only had 2 yeast infections. Toward the end it got worse.

I decided to try putting garlic up my vagina last night looking for some relief from the YI coming on. Didn't seem to help much. Now I just smell like garlic, can't afford treatment, and my doctor isn't willing to prescribe the 1 day pill.

I'm feeling depressed. At a loss. With one health issue after another, I am feeling like...powerless and like I'm not in control. I hate it. 1 week out of the month I have a yeast infection, sometimes longer, then I am also PMSing, bleed heavily and painfully for a week or more because of my endometriosis... that leaves me with two weeks of normalcy. Once I get back to normal, it all goes to shit again.

I'm going to see my boyfriend at his new house tomorrow, and my vagina smells like garlic and I still have an infection. I just feel raw, my whole vulva. I barely have any discharge or odor, but my vulva is drh and cracking like it does when I have yeast. I want to cry. It's just embarrassing and frustrating, and I don't know what to do. :( He is 100% supportive, I just wish this wasn't an issue. I'm on the copper IUD btw, and love it. This issue with the yeast EVERY month seems to start after I stopped using Nuva Ring, also.

Does anyone have any experience with chronic yeast infections? How did you treat it? What should I do? I don't know who to talk to besides me doctor who doesn't seem seem o know much about this.

Thanks guys.