[maggiedee]

And me too....

I am 64 years old and have just had my very first problem with Bacterial Vaginosis. No discharge - just the fishy smell. I am a widow and have not been in a sexual relationship for over 15 years so it certainly is not related to sex in my case. It just came out of the blue. A swab showed BV. I was put on Metronidazole orally but after three doses I had to stop as I was so nauseous. Next I was given Metronidazole Gel for 5 nights - had no side effects but have just finished the last dose and the problem smell is still there.
Is there anyone from the UK who can tell me where I go from here. I am devastated that this is happening as it is such a personal problem and like the rest of you I want it gone. Is there another drug that they can give me that might be more effective. I dont want to be stuck with this..

[Another Sarah]

Im in need of assistance, any at all! i dont know if i have bv i dont know if i have anything at all i do know i cant afford to go to the doctor right now so im hoping someone can help me. Ive posted in a few threads but havent gotten responses.

I've been getting this strange discharge, sometimes white sometimes clear... i can smell the odour only sometimes when i go to the bathroom most of the time i cant its the discharge itself smells bad i wouldnt describe it as 'fishy' though its so hard to explain what it smells like i wish i could find the words...Any suggestions, ideas??

Its soo embarrassing, im too embarrassed to have sex with my boyfriend and wish it would go away so i dont have to put this off any longer...

It's difficult to know really. A yeast infection usually has a thick creamy coloured discharge, a bit like cottage cheese. It can smell a bit, but it's not a strong smell. It sounds more like BV, but it's impossible to diagnose over the internet (plus we're none of us doctors, I don't think - I'm definitely not anyway! )

As regards the smell associated with BV, it's a difficult one to describe. I don't think I'd describe it as fishy either. It's just very unpleasant. When I get it, I can only smell it when I'm going to the loo, not the rest of the time.

[Another Sarah]

I am 64 years old and have just had my very first problem with Bacterial Vaginosis. No discharge - just the fishy smell. I am a widow and have not been in a sexual relationship for over 15 years so it certainly is not related to sex in my case. It just came out of the blue. A swab showed BV. I was put on Metronidazole orally but after three doses I had to stop as I was so nauseous. Next I was given Metronidazole Gel for 5 nights - had no side effects but have just finished the last dose and the problem smell is still there.
Is there anyone from the UK who can tell me where I go from here. I am devastated that this is happening as it is such a personal problem and like the rest of you I want it gone. Is there another drug that they can give me that might be more effective. I dont want to be stuck with this..

Hi from someone else in the UK. I'm struggling to find a decent remedy currently. I was using RePHresh gel, which was brilliant for the BV, but gives me thrush. I wrote the other day about a study which actually vindicates this - ie that it acts as a disinfectant and allows candida to flourish. If this isn't likely to be a problem for you, you could try that. The other one is Balance Activ, which is similar. I quite like the Femmesil cream (Google it - you have to buy online), which I use out of desperation around my period, but it is very messy (dark grey cream!)

Some people on this thread have had good results with inserting whey/lactose. Personally I bought some lactose tablets especially designed for this sort of thing, only to have it emerge whole the following day! Others are finding that sorting out their PH internally is helping. Other things mentioned throughout thread are things like folic acid supplementation.

Hope this helps a little.

[x.st.angel.x]

Does anyone have any ideas of how women get BV?

[Another Sarah]

Does anyone have any ideas of how women get BV?

It's likely to be caused by an imbalance in our systems. eg. I get BV every month during/after my period, when the alkalinity of the blood alters my PH and allows the bacteria to flourish. There are lots of bugs in our systems - it's just a case of keeping them under control, rather than wiping them out, in my view.

[maggiedee]

Hi from someone else in the UK. I'm struggling to find a decent remedy currently. I was using RePHresh gel, which was brilliant for the BV, but gives me thrush. I wrote the other day about a study which actually vindicates this - ie that it acts as a disinfectant and allows candida to flourish. If this isn't likely to be a problem for you, you could try that. The other one is Balance Activ, which is similar. I quite like the Femmesil cream (Google it - you have to buy online), which I use out of desperation around my period, but it is very messy (dark grey cream!)

Some people on this thread have had good results with inserting whey/lactose. Personally I bought some lactose tablets especially designed for this sort of thing, only to have it emerge whole the following day! Others are finding that sorting out their PH internally is helping. Other things mentioned throughout thread are things like folic acid supplementation.Hope this helps a little.

Thanks Sarah. I have seen the Rephresh in Boots but as you need a weeks applications to treat BV and the pack holds just 4 applications at nearly £15 a pack this is going to be costly. As a pensioner I am not sure that I can go down that road unless I know it is definately going to work and of course no one can tell me that.
I just feel a bit sick at the moment to find that the antibiotic gel did not work and after reading so many of these posts I am starting to feel scared that I will be stuck with a chronic problem. At least I am not in any sort of sexual relationship so I dont have that to worry about thank god. I dont know how some of you manage in those circumstances. It is such an awful thing to have. Thanks for taking the trouble to answer. Maggie

[Another Sarah]

Yes, RePHresh is very expensive. You might find you don't need to insert a new one every day though. I never have - when I've used it I use one every 4 days. Balance Activ is a bit cheaper. I liked that one at first, but then I developed a sensitivity to it. I actually have an unopened box in my cupboard if you want me to send it to you!!!

[maggiedee]

Thanks Sarah
I will see what the doc says first and if I will be put on any other antibiotic. I will come back to you on that one as it probably is a good idea to keep something as a backup Maggie

[Another Sarah]

No problem - just let me know if you want it. Good luck at the docs.

[x.st.angel.x]

RePhresh is starting to work for me actually, but it is really expensive, dont think i could buy it all the time!