[wanthealth]

Hi All, I am new here but have been suffering with recurrent vaginitis due to "heavy overgrowth Group B Strep" (says the culture that my doc ran). Like many of you, I've tried mulitiple rounds of antibiotics (Keflex, b/c I am allergic to Penicillin). When she test the culture for sensitivity to Keflex, it works and it does get better when I am on Keflex, but then comes back within a week or two--even this last time when they treated my husband at the same time. Plus to be really certain, we have not had sex just to see if that would keep me from getting it back. Nope.

I am also undergoing IVF treatment (using donor eggs) but this started before all of that. I have had two early miscarriages. I wondered if any of you have had fertility problems or recurrent miscarriages?

I have tried: many different probiotics, both orally and vaginally (including Fem-Dophilis and Jarrow EPS and now "Renew Life Ultimate Vaginal Support") as well as tea tree oil, garlic suppositories (which actually worked for me once 2 years ago when I had it but then GBS came back about a year later after I took Cipro for a UTI). I've also tried hydrogen peroxide (diluted with distilled water) and tea tree oil suppositories.

Also, a question for Sheilam1965 -- How did you hear about that supplement? Is it "Allimax"? I went to their website and you can buy directly from them. So you took for 30 days, 10 capsules per day? And had you tried any other remedies before that?

Many thanks. I hope we all find a resolution to this rare and crappy problem. I am at my wit's end.

[sheilam1965]

Wanthealth, I heard about the supplement Allicin Max after researching on-line information about natural/alternative treatments to fight bacterial infections, in particular the benefits of garlic. I was already ingesting raw garlic, and I felt that it was helping, but I just could not keep that up. I came across this fantastic paper discussing the benefits of allicin when I googled something like "allicin alternative treatment for bacterial infections."

And, yes, I took 10 capsules a day for 30 days. I began to feel better after about 10 days, but I kept taking them for a full month. And even now I still have some in my cabinet just in case.

I also really have tried to cut out too much excess sugar. And I have continued taking my Jarrow-Dophilus EPS. I don't know if the Jarrow really helps, but I figure it can't hurt.

I believe that I was susceptible to this stupid Group B Strep overgrowth because of the antibiotics used for my e-coli urinary tract infection and also because my immune system was already weakened from me being somewhat anemic. Ever since I hit my 40's, my menstruation has been heavier than it used to be, and my iron levels are on the lower side.

Before the Allicin Max I tried all kinds of things: coconut oil, bee propolis, vitamin c, kefir, FemDophilus. I felt that all of those things made me feel better, but that the Allicin Max REALLY was the final thing that made me feel the absolute best.

I don't know for certain that the group b strep is gone (or that it ever will be), but at least now it's not causing me to have pain. And I do know for certain that antibiotics were the one thing that did not help me at all and seemed to screw up my system in the first place.

Anyway, if you have any other questions, you can email me at sheilam1965 at gmail.com. I know how frustating this bacteria can be. I try to look on the bright side and say, well, it has caused me to be healthier than I was as far as eating better.

[sheilam1965]

Actually, if you have any other questions. Just post them here. That email isn't working.

[Jayci]

New Here, Need Advice Group B Strep Nighmare- Not Pregnant

Hi guys
I like you suffer this regularly and like you go and get antibiotics to clear it up.

My gyno has advised there is no way you can get rid of this as it is a normal bug that lives down there. She has got to the point of not giving me antibiotics as they clearly do not work and they aggregate my other issue (thrush).

My dr has given me a cream to put around the lips when getting symptoms and I found that it worked but I was afraid I was using it a lot, so I have stopped.

I have found in the past six months I have not had as much issues with this horrible bug, I believe it was because I've become more aware of what I am eating (more cleaner and healthier food), diet and I use a soap/body wash that won't affect your ph level - dermaveen.

Do not waste your money on an infectious disease dr, I found it a waste of time and money as they have restated it is a normal bug that can overgrow and gave me no recommends on how to overcome it.

My own GP and gyno have been my saving grace from this nightmare.

JC

[Lilmama86]

Hello i am new to this but i have ben dealing with bacterial infections for the last 2 years now i got my tubes tied 3 years ago but my ob just determined that the bacterial infection is group b strep. this happens to me at least once a month normally a 2 weeks before my period its devastating to me becouse it just wont go away no matter what kind of antibiotic we use has anyone ever heard of them using the antibiotic they use in pregnant woman....
severely discouraged

[Belle36]

Hi all,

I am another strep group b sufferer. Although I am now almost symptom free, my initial symptoms were itchy/burning vagina, itchy anus and kidney pain (no discharge thankfully).

I developed the problem after becoming ill with a chronic sinus infection and having three big doses of antibiotics that stripped my body of good bacteria. I initially thought it was thrush (so itchy) but after 2 weeks of unsuccessful treatments my doctor did some tests and they came back with the problem - strep group b. I didn't even know you could get strep 'down there' and started a course of flagyl narrow spectrum antibiotics. I quickly realised however that antibiotics had stripped my body of its good bacteria and caused the strep so they would be unlikely to cure it.

I looked online for natural alternatives and found this forum. I started taking lots of the supplements listed on this site but didn't change my diet very much (just cut back on sugary items). I reduced the itch slightly but it still drove me crazy. I knew that I needed to go beyond supplementation and made the decision to go on a strict diet to starve the bacteria. I already ate quite well but I knew that my fruit breakfasts were feeding the strep. Within three days of starting the diet the strep had died down to a mild itch (once or twice a day itch). I have managed to keep the strep under control for three weeks now with just two small flare ups. The first flare-up occured when I had too much carrot (high in natural sugars) and then second occured after a bath. Somebody wrote that we have to leave our bodies alone down there and I agree with that. I shower each day and have a quick wash with water but bathing or douching makes it worse (in my experience).

My local pharmacy recommended Emla cream and it is a godsend for flare-ups. You apply it around the itchy area (don't insert it though) and it numbs the area for a couple of hours. It burns a little for a minute after I apply it but then I feel nothing at all (bliss). The only problem is that it is very expensive ($20 Australian for a tiny tube).

For anyone who is interested my diet is largely based on the candida diet. That is of course for thrush but most of the foods that feed candida also feed the strep bacteria. I am yeast free, sugar free, fruit-free, dairy free, pulse free, refined carbohydrate free (no white flour, white rice etc) and mainly grain free (except brown rice). I eat lots of brown rice, lean meat, fish, almonds, almond milk, almond butter, brown rice crackers, salad veg and eggs (frittatas, omelettes etc). It isn't a very exciting diet (and I get a bit blue about it at times) but it is worth it to have relief from the strep.

I would REALLY love to say that there is a quick cure for this but in my experience that is not the case. Treating the symptoms (and not the cause) will only result in the strep taking over again down the track. In my case my body and immune system was really stripped after too many antibiotics and I needed to build it up again. When my body is strong enough I am planning to take garlic tablets (Allicin Max - 10 tablets per day) that I bought off Ebay from the UK and I am hopeful that they will get rid of the strep infection completely. I would then gradually reintroduce foods into my diet (not too much sugar though). For now though I am just happy to get through each day relatively itch-free.

[sheilam1965]

Belle, you are right. Our diets make such a difference! I'm not as strict as you are, but when I'm eating really clean, things are fantastic. Earlier this year I went on a cruise and kind of lost my mind (I ate waaaay too many pastries and cookies), and I felt like I had a serious flare-up of symptoms afterwards.

Nowadays I'm doing well, though.

One thing I noticed about the Allicin Max when I took it is that at first I felt a little worse, but then I got remarkably better. It kind of felt as though the Allicin was making my immune system really kick in, and I swear I felt like there was a battle going on, but then the good bacteria won out :-)

Anyway, thanks for sharing your story, and best wished to you.

[Jayci]

Hello i am new to this but i have ben dealing with bacterial infections for the last 2 years now i got my tubes tied 3 years ago but my ob just determined that the bacterial infection is group b strep. this happens to me at least once a month normally a 2 weeks before my period its devastating to me becouse it just wont go away no matter what kind of antibiotic we use has anyone ever heard of them using the antibiotic they use in pregnant woman....
severely discouraged

It sounds to me that you are in a position like I was. You need to stop taking antibiotics, it is doing you no good.

Itchy before your period could indicate you could have thrush, talk to your dr about testing you for it. It is possible you have cyclical thrush (that happens as your period comes to town).

As I just started my period again after a two year break (implanon), I noticed itchy and annoying flare ups. My gyno did mention to me once it could be dry skin. Try using dermaveen bath/shower oil to keep it moist as soaps can be too harsh on our bodies - as can be shampoos and conditioners.

Good luck.

JC

[alyssa03]

Things I found that worked

I know you had posted over a year ago however i was just recently told after loosing 2 babies that i had strep b, not only that it is constant... For months it was a bother and i completely side with you on the paranoid part. I did lots of research and went to my doctor about it. I take 2 garlic and cranberry supplements every day. It calmed down the symptoms a bit, the burning wasnt as harsh and the bladder and kidney infections calmed down as well. Also my doctor had told me to bath in epsom salts, that worked a tone. Truthfully it only tends to flare up a week before my period and its probably the most uncomfortable thing ever. I still search up and down all the time for things that will help. I even found a supplement that helps produce natural flora to help fight off the strep b. I hope this helps a little bit

[kervicz]

My syptoms started about 3 months ago i first went to the doctor who said my labia minora was bright red she gave me steriod cream it helped, she did herpes test etc... came back group strep b i was too concerned as Ive always been a carrier, went to bali for 2 weeks had niggle's but nothing major on the last day i used my husbands shower gel by mistake & 3 days after coming home flare up presented to the doctor again more test still group b nothing else was put on anti b she also decided to treat me for trich wich i didnt have! so was on 2 lots of anti-b's at one point! Finally referred to gyno who spent the whole of 5 mins with me & said itd dryness caused by the pill put paw paw ointment on your labia which i didnt do..... felt i got nowhere!!! Decided to see a different doctor who thought it could be a skin problem im having & to use my steriod cream for 3 weeks did do that but dont think i was putting on nearly enough its did clear up some spot like bits on my labia but the problem still there been taking allimax , 2 weeks ago i went to my local sexual health clinic they have done all the swaps again & i go back again next week she gave my a estrogen cream as she said my labia looks thin & pale its helping a bit, I really think i have a skin problem down there read a article from a sydney dermotoligist who said most problems down there are skin hence why gyno's cant seem to fix it! If my test come back clear seeing a dermatologist is my next step really hope i get some answers soon!!