[temperance]

So I was getting these raging yeast infections that sometimes had to be treated for over a week with creams and oral medications before they would go away. This happened for about a year and a half. Then, last week, I decided to have an A1C drawn, just for the heck of it. As a nurse, I tend to be a little on the hypochondriac side and think I need to be tested for EVERYTHING. Turns out, diabetes is what I have. A1C was 7.6. Not sky high, but definitely diabetic.

So I wanted to ask you ladies if you deal with yeast infections and if so, how? Do you treat them like normal yeast infections or do you try to treat it with diet (to decrease blood sugars) and natural methods instead?

Temperance

[crangie]

I totally feel you. I've dealt with the same issues. They come in phases: when my blood sugars are high during certain times due to stress or instability, I tend to get yeast infections chronically. Keep your blood sugars down and they will not come as often.

Because of my blood sugars spiking so much, they also take a LOT to get rid of. I don't use the creams anymore because they burn really bad, so instead my doctor prescribes multiple Diflucans, and I take them once a day until it goes away (sometimes it takes 3 or 4, which is HORRIBLE because they are very damaging to certain organs).

I've also similarly dealt with urinary tract infections, because to rid of them you take some kind of antibiotic (I think) that I was told can cause yeast infections. Then, I'm told that sometimes the Diflucans for yeast infections cause UTIs. So annoying! Every so often, I'll get them back and forth. It's miserable.

I've had my blood sugars in better control this past year, and have only had one UTI and a couple YIs here and there, but overall it's been a huge improvement. This is very common for diabetics. If you know you're blood sugars have been high and you are concerned, it supposedly helps to take cranberry pills (although I don't know how preventative they are in comparison to high blood sugar's power). With an A1C of 7.6, I'd guess that you will not have as much of a problem with YIs though -- my A1C ranges from 8-10! Embarrassing. Keep yours at 7!

[temperance]

I plan to bring my a1c under 5 if I can. I want to lve a normal life without having a glucometer as my sidekick. That said, I have noticed no more yeast infections since my diagnosis and subsequent change in lifestyle. Now if I can only get used to the metformin!

[acktennislady]

I hear you. I had a raging one for almost a year before I got really serious about my sugar. I made excuses to myself for it hanging on that my constant tennis playing made it hang on due to the damp conditions down there in the tennis outfit! Right! I was in total denial-well needless to say, it has gone away now that my A1C is under better control. I used all of the usual things, creams, difflucan etc, but the only thing that brought it in check was lowering my sugar. I am type 2 and was on metphormin for a couple years, only when I got really serious last summer and started my insulin therapy with diet and exercise did things get better. I had an A1C of 13 in April 2009 and when I had my last A1C test in April 2010 it is now 6.6. It has been going down steadily since I started, but for me the insulin was the answer. Work on getting your sugar under control and you should see some relief.

[carolinesdesk]

hello everyone.. i know diabetes can cause women to have more yeast infections but I for one am very allergic to Dial soap! if i even touch a bar I can't walk for a week with a yeast infection... it is banned from my house and my job...so be aware of these things also. along with the high sugar something else may be adding to the reoccurring infections

[hadassahrose]

I never made this connection before! It gives me something to think about.

[kimspins]

After having type 1 for 30 years, I finally stopped the yeast infection "roller coaster". Yogurt, yogurt, yogurt. This will also help digestive problems.

[notafraid1021]

I wanna know is it normal not getting yeast infections when your a1c is usually in 9% . I hear you ladies getting them when your in the 7% range? Im not sure if my body is just weird or if I have had them and never knew????
_________
~Pj

[saille]

Originally Posted by notafraid1021

I wanna know is it normal not getting yeast infections when your a1c is usually in 9% . I hear you ladies getting them when your in the 7% range? Im not sure if my body is just weird or if I have had them and never knew????
_________
~Pj

Chronic yeast infections was one of the big symptoms I ignored prior to being diagnosed 5 years ago, and they went away when I got my A1c down below 7.0 and into the lower ranges. I'm back up to a 9.1A1c (or a 7.1 depending which doctor I ask??!!) right now with no signs of any problems down there. I'd never heard of YI as a sign of diabetes and I've got family all over with diabetes both T1 and T2. So I wouldn't think it weird not to have YI's. And believe me....you couldn't possibly have a yeast infection and NOT know it.....I used to think that until I finally got one and yah....no.....you'd know.

[mpw]

Yes you can but probiotics and yogurt yogurt yogurt