[Jayci]

Hi
I have recently been told I have Group B Strep and I am not pregnant and have had antibiotics prescribed, I was wondering if BV and Group B Strep is the same? I am over being fobbed off by doctors, and not getting answers from the gyno and having to undertake more testing before we get to what could be the course.

I am frustrated and so so over it all, its been ongoing for 10 years on and off.

Thank you

Jayci

[lafemelle]

I was wondering the same thing.

I've had symptoms of BV for a year and a half now, and treated (both medicinally and naturally) with everything you can imagine, yet several tests over the past 18 months have revealed I'm clear of actually having BV. I think the only thing in the world I haven't been tested for is strep b, and I'm wondering if I tested for it if I'd have it...would explain a lot. It would be just as discouraging, though...

[Jayci]

I just got in to see my doctor yesterday to find out some test results and was able to ask some questions that I couldnt to the gyno. BV and Strep B are the same. BV is the name given to the bacterial infection you get there. So yes, I have had reoccurring BV and for a long time. The medicine they give for BV and Strep B are the same thing... and the antibiotics as a friend of mine who is studying nursing said sometimes don't work.

Lafemelle, I am surprised that your doctor hasnt tested for Strep B, next time you get an attack, go and get tested for it, push for it if you have to. Least you are finding out what is making you uncomfortable, I understand how discouraging it would be as I know that there is nothing that can prevent it in the future and I am going to be prone to it for a long time. I am still trying to find out how to manage it before it gets into a full blown attack.

I'd say whilst you are there look into your iron levels as well, my Gyno mentioned to me that the reason why some women get Strep B and not pregnant is to do with an underlying issue, which could be your immune system is shot or low in iron (which I am low in). He also mentioned that some women are Strep B carriers and it gets out of control and needs to be treated like I am currently being. Strep B is a good bacteria and its always there, it can live in harmony however, when it gets out of control that's when there's issues, like weak immune system, cancer or diabetes. Have you been tested for any of these? I know that I am not diabetic however, it does run in my fathers side of the family.


Jayci

I was wondering the same thing.

I've had symptoms of BV for a year and a half now, and treated (both medicinally and naturally) with everything you can imagine, yet several tests over the past 18 months have revealed I'm clear of actually having BV. I think the only thing in the world I haven't been tested for is strep b, and I'm wondering if I tested for it if I'd have it...would explain a lot. It would be just as discouraging, though...

[xxpaula]

I was recently diagnosed with Strep b and my doctor was not really clear on what it was so this post really helps. He put me on an metronidazole and a cream and it didn't really clear up. It got better but not 100% so now I'm on a second round. DO you have any advice on what to do because I have a feeling a second round of the same meds aren't going to work

[Jayci]

Hi
I, too am on my second dose of Metronidazole (EMYCIN) and yeah, the first dose hasn't worked. You are right about assuming that these wont work. As I had them for a few other times in the past. My only advice is check on the other thread about Strep B and not pregnant on this site, they have advice on management, which I will be looking into shortly.

Unfortunately Strep B can not be prevented and its not really common for healthy women and not pregnant, which I am finding a small amount of literature on.

I suggest to go out and buy acidophilus (Inner Health Plus) tablets, to help maintain the good bacteria that these antibiotics are stripping away. if you haven't already. It is ok to take these Inner Health Plus tablets whist taking the antibiotics, take them a few hours after taking the antibiotics. I have also been told to look at getting Vit B supplements and how that should help in every day life. I am also taking Zinc, Iron, Multi Vitamins, Hiprex (I have no idea about these tablets but the chemist suggested these to help produce more acidity).

My gyno told me that the reason why there could be an overgrowth of Strep B is because of immune system being down and or low in iron cause of having reoccuring bouts. If you haven't done so, check those out. I am having to go to a doctor to look into my absorption of iron as my level was down when I was tested in May 2009, however, my iron has increased this month as I was on my Multi Vitamins.

He also suggested that my acidity levels down in the vagina could be too neutral and may need to be made more acidic, try taking a high dose of Vit C and using that to help. It was also suggested to buy aci gel (its a cream you insert into the vagina to help make it acidic), unfortunately if in Australia, the UK and a few other places they have stopped getting it in, which has me a bit upset about as I was really wanting to try this as I am not a fan with the vinegar solution. He also suggested making a solution of Vinegar (white) and dilute it with water, 1 tablespoon of Vinegar and 15 of water, insert a tampon in the solution and then put it in your vagina for a few hours.

I hope this helps, pls let me know how you are going.

Jayci

I was recently diagnosed with Strep b and my doctor was not really clear on what it was so this post really helps. He put me on an metronidazole and a cream and it didn't really clear up. It got better but not 100% so now I'm on a second round. DO you have any advice on what to do because I have a feeling a second round of the same meds aren't going to work

[Jayci]

Please read the below thread as well.

Bacterial vaginosis sufferers-READ THIS (long)

Cheers Jayci

[xxpaula]

Thank you so much for the advice. I will definitely try some of those suggestions while I wait for my next appointment. I am only 18 so I've been going to my family doctor but he just referred me to a gyno. Hopefully he'll be able to find something that can help. I have been taking cranberry pills but I didn't knwo about the other vitamens and supplements so I will try those. My doc told me it was ok to douche with a mixture of vinegar but I have always heard that douching is bad, so I haven't tried that yet. Also, he told me that with Strep b I am more susceptible to getting TSS and so I should be really careful and try not to wear tampons as much. So you might look into that since you have the strep b too

[Jayci]

Thank you for the advice I don't use tampons myself so hopefully I wont get Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Cranberry tablets help, however, I dont think they help for what we have. Cranberry tablets are only used for more UTI's which have the E-coli bacteria found in the results, as they prevent the E-coli from growing on the Urinary Track. I often use those for any Bladder Infections that I had in the past. Let me know how the Cranberry tablets get on for Strep B, as I might start buying them again and using them to help.

I think I started having my problems about your age, so almost 9yrs running, so I understand and know exactly how you are feeling. I have had Urine Track Infections, Bladder Infections, Thursh to now Strep B over the past 9 yrs. It's starting to be annoying

Thank you so much for the advice. I will definitely try some of those suggestions while I wait for my next appointment. I am only 18 so I've been going to my family doctor but he just referred me to a gyno. Hopefully he'll be able to find something that can help. I have been taking cranberry pills but I didn't knwo about the other vitamens and supplements so I will try those. My doc told me it was ok to douche with a mixture of vinegar but I have always heard that douching is bad, so I haven't tried that yet. Also, he told me that with Strep b I am more susceptible to getting TSS and so I should be really careful and try not to wear tampons as much. So you might look into that since you have the strep b too

[sweety79]

How was you diagnosed with strep b? I have been suffering from reoccuring BV for a while now. Metronidazole seems to clear it or help while on it, but symptoms return a few days after being off. My doctor always does a wet mount test which she looks under a microscope. She says there is clue cells which is what you have with BV, but i can't figure out why it keeps coming back. Also do you have any pain vaginally? I keep having a type of stabbing pain at the entrance when I know the infection has gotten bad.

[xxpaula]

They diagnosed mine with a urine culture. They found the Strep B in the sample of urine I gave them and I think they found some white blood cells also. I have not been diagnosed with BV but I am going to a new gyno in a month so we'll see what she says. I have been on Metronidazole twice and it only helps for a little bit and then my symptoms come back. The medicine is horrible too I throw up every time I'm on it. I don't have a stabbing pain though. My symptoms are weird because it's like a mixture of a bladder infection and yeast infection. They include: itching like crazy, the feeling I have to pee right after I go, a little bit of pain when I wipe or use tampoons-it's not really a stabbing kind of pain though, just sore, and also clumpy discharge. If you think you have Strep B I would just ask to have a urine culture done and they will be able to tell