For the girls - chronic yeast infection

[Kwick]

Hello All,

I've completed 2 months of Harvoni treatment and for the past month have had a chronic yeast infection that over the counter creams just aren't effective.  Has anyone else experienced this maddening symptom. The only other symptom I have quite often is diarrhea.  I wonder if I could take fluconazole oral tabs or if that would interact with the Harvoni treatment?

On a side note I had major disappointment when I went for my follow up 4 week visit and there were no viral counts. I took the blood test, went for my appointment and heard the doctor outside the door ask where my results were. He came in and only had part of the results. I suspect the phlebotomist made an error or it wasn't on the medical script.  The doctor told me it doesn't really matter anyhow because the real test comes at 5 months for me (12 week treatment) or two months after treatment and then you know for sure if your clear of the virus. Still that was highly un-motivational and disappointing.  Katherine

[nicole_1234]

Hi Katherine, I started getting chronic yeast infections about six months before I started the treatment. They tested me for everything from diabetes to HIV to gonorrhea and chlamydia twice and found nothing. I believe that it could be something to do with my compromised the liver. Any medications they gave me would mask symptoms but then it would immediately come back after I discontinued medication. I just began a six-month extended treatment on Diflucan now that I am finished with Harvoni  and I don't have to worry about drug interactions. But after taking the initial dose which was one every three days for a week the infection is still there. My doctor said because the medicine is not working it's probably something else besides a yeast infection. This is the fifth doctor I have gone to see regarding this problem. I really don't know what's going on with my body but it's horrible and I'm very frustrated. My acupuncturist said since the Western medicine isn't working I should really focus on my diet. She believes it's all to do with inflammation and my liver. I was hoping since I cleared the Hepc  that these problems would just go away but it looks like I need to do a little more work to get my body back in good health.

She told me to eliminate all sugar carbohydrates wheat, dairy and alcohol for one year. Like nothing, not even cheating once in a while. Sugars also include most fruits. I've just been struggling the last two days with getting used to this idea and not being bummed out about it. It would be great to eat so healthy but I feel like I'd be living like a nun! I just have to remember my liver needs time to heal and I was running around with a compromised immune system for 15 years!

If my diet starts to work or I find out anything else I'll let you know!

[Kwick]

Thank you for replying that all makes total sense with the liver being compromised for us. I could see how you would think it would get better after being free of the HepC virus, that is my thought as well....hmmmm. That strict diet you are on seems really awful (no carbs, sugar or fruit!) and please do let me know if you have success.  I decided to skip the diflucan (fluconazole) treatment until I'm finished with the Harvoni regime, I don't want any drug interactions to possible mess up my treatment outcome.

One good medical side effect that I have experienced is that my fibromyalgia symptoms are better.  My doctor looked at me skeptically when I told him that fact but my muscle pain really does feel much better. 

[elizabethfaraone]

Hello All,

I've completed 2 months of Harvoni treatment and for the past month have had a chronic yeast infection that over the counter creams just aren't effective.  Has anyone else experienced this maddening symptom. The only other symptom I have quite often is diarrhea.  I wonder if I could take fluconazole oral tabs or if that would interact with the Harvoni treatment?

On a side note I had major disappointment when I went for my follow up 4 week visit and there were no viral counts. I took the blood test, went for my appointment and heard the doctor outside the door ask where my results were. He came in and only had part of the results. I suspect the phlebotomist made an error or it wasn't on the medical script.  The doctor told me it doesn't really matter anyhow because the real test comes at 5 months for me (12 week treatment) or two months after treatment and then you know for sure if your clear of the virus. Still that was highly un-motivational and disappointing.  Katherine

For years, I suffered from vaginal and urinary tract infections and I believe the underlying cause was the hepatitis C virus compromising my immune system.  I think taking Harvoni temporarily compromised your immune system.  Anyway, I learned how to cure my vaginal infections.  I took one Diflucan tablet then started antibiotic treatment with Cefixime for 10 days and then on the 11th day, I took one more Diflucan tablet.  I also douched with a solution of betadine and distilled water - 1 part Betadine, 20 parts water.  Worked like a charm for me.

[Lynn K]

Haven't had one since I was probably 20 so like over 30 years ago and only the one time