Dr. Crandall's Consultation

[Guest guest]

I called and talked to Dr. Crandall before we went on vacation, and then

talked

with my doctor. He had let me try Diflucan 150mg, once a week for 6

weeks. I

saw improvement, in fact everything got totally normal twice, once for a

week, and once

for a few days, but then would revert back. Then I tried twice a week

for 2 weeks. But, , it

still seemed to be the one step forward, 3/4 step back method. Things

would get better

for the day or two after I took the Diflucan, and then go down hill.

Dr. Crandall said that once or twice a week is NOT enough. Diflucan was

originally developed for esophageal candidiasis, and the Physician's

Desk

Reference states that 200mg, DAILY is what is required. My doctor even

admitted

that it only stays in the body for 3 days, in lowering amounts, of

course.

Anyway, he was willing to let me try this. The only drawback is that my

insurance will not cover it. They want positive fungal

cultures.......and as we

all know, most of us will not test positive.....Dr. Crandall explains

why in her

info packet, and I'm sure Dr. does as well. Diflucan is very

expensive.

Cost me $328.18 for 30, 200mg tablets. (And I called all around until I

found

the cheapest place.) Dr. Crandall suggested I get the 200mg, and then

break them

in half after 2 weeks, if I am feeling better. She said it would be

cheaper.

Thirty of the 100mg costs $202.00, so she is correct.....it is a little

savings.

My doctor said he would help me put in a complaint with my insurance's

" Grievance

Committee " ......but he holds out little hope. He has tried this before

with

Diflucan, and they will not pay for it.

Dr. Crandall also pointed out that ESTROGEN PROMOTES YEAST. The risk

factors for yeast, that we can control, are HRT, BCP, cortisone, and

antibiotics. Well, I had them all.

She told me to go on the lists and tell people that if they thought, or

knew,

that yeast was part, or all of their problem, NOT to use estrogen

creams.

Estrogen feeds yeast. (She does say to use cortisone cream WITH oral

antifungals......but not alone.)

My case fits this. I had a mild off and on yeast problem from all the

antibiotics for sinus problems and surgery, 3 years ago. But, a year

ago, I was put on BCP

to regulate my erratic cycle. Everything immediately got worse. After

4 months, I

was switched to a TriCyclic BCP, for they thought I needed MORE

hormones. It was

like jumping from the frying pan into the fire. I went off the pills,

and was

diagnosed with vulvodynia.

This Feb., I started taking oral estradiol, 0.5mg. I am 44. Also was

using a

TriEst/Test gel on the vulva area. The oral estradiol did not help the

vulvodynia, but did

help the other perimenopausal symptoms. The gel helped for awhile, but

then things got

red and sore and itchy again. Well, all that is out. I've been on the

Diflucan 200mg for almost 2 weeks.. The area looked better.....pretty

normal, in

fact......pink, not red, after 8 days, which was just after my period

finished. The burning

and soreness was gone. But, in the last few days, it now feels

dry and prickly......mostly when I sit. Standing is better. The

dryness could

be due to the lack of estrogen....as I've stopped all that. But it is

more red around the

opening...... So, I am using the cortisone ointment that she also

recommends. Hard to know

what do ...just keep going, I guess.

Hope I am on the right track.....as this is not cheap, but worth every

penny if it works.

J