I have a horrible recurring case of thrush. I've been treated with diflucan twice. The first time I was given 10 days of 150 mg. (2 pills the first day), and Newman's Ointment and Nystatin for the baby. Of course it came back after that, with a vengeance. The second time I was given diflucan for 21 days, and finished my last dose on Saturday. Here it is Tuesday, and of course it is back. During my last treatment, I decided to leave no stones unturned, and on top of the diflucan, I treated myself and my baby for three days with gentian violet. I bought all new nipples and pump attachments, and boiled them for 20 minutes daily. I threw away my nipples after a week of use. I bought all new bras, and washed them in hot water after wearing each bra for only one day. I religiously cleaned myself, taking showers every night after I nursed the baby and pumped. I'm trying so hard to continue nursing, I nursed my first daughter until 15 months. I hate taking medication, but I'm trying to do everything that I can for my daughter. I'm thinking that the next step is probably vinegar nipple baths and strict diets, plus being even more religious about treating my daughter with the Nystatin. Did I mention that she shows no signs of yeast in her mouth? The thought is that she is a carrier. I'm just so frustrated. I've never known anyone else with thrush, but it seems harder to get rid of than roaches!
There is an herbal supplement for acidophilus that you can get. I had a really bad yeast infection a few months ago from antibiotics, and it along with topical treatment helped relieve it quickly. You can find this supplement in Wal-mart or any pharmacy.
Good luck.
what has your doctor recommended for you to do? it might be best to go to your ob gyn doctor and then talk your childs doctor.......my daughter had thrush and i nursed with her....her doctor told me that if i had sore nipples from her thrush, just rub some of her medicine on me and i would be fine......but i would check with a doctor first........hope that helps........
My baby and I had it for like the first 3 months. It sounds like you're doing a lot and you're on the right track. It is very stubborn. Gentian violet seemed to work for my son and I'm not sure whether it was the diflucan, acidophilus, vinegar rinses, or diet change that worked for me in the end. Don't give up! You can beat it.
M.,
Although the statin drugs (nystatin and diflocan) can fight the yeast overgrowth that is causing your thrush it will likely just come back with more viggor. What you need to do is find a good source of probiotics that will travel all the way to your gut. Three Lac is one that my family uses and loves. It comes in powder form and can be added to water or other drinks as well as things like applesauce or plain yogurt. Probiotics are health bacteria (flora) that will fight the yeast and effectively take it's place. You can find some level of probiotics in yogurt but it does not travel to the source of the problem (your gut) and is usually filled with sugars. You will also want to cut out as much sugars as possible. Probiotics are safe for both you and your baby but you would have to check on how much and what type to give her. Please excuse any misspelled words as spelling is not one of my gifts.
I hope this info helps!
God Bless,
R.
When I got thrush while breast feeding, my Lactation Specialist told me after nursing to wash and dry my nipples thoroughly, then to put antifungal cream (like Lotrimin) on them. If you put it on right after nursing, then it should all be absorbed by the next time you nurse. If you are worried about it just wipe them off first to be sure. It's also good to take acidophilus (the active ingredient in yogurt.) Acidophilus is best in live culture form. You can get it in the refridgerator section in your local health food store.
I am in a similar situation as you. We don't have it very badly, but it is persistent! Our thrush has come and gone since she was 2 weeks old (now 3 months).
In addition to what you are doing, I also take a probiotic. Our pediatrician told us that eventually, it does go away by itself. But "eventually" could be months. I have found that after the first time, Nystatin actually made things worse, so you might want to cut that out and just try the gentian violet and diflucan.
I also only wear my bras once (this is so hard - I only have a few!), and handwash them in hot water with a lot of vinegar.
All of this hasn't made it go away completely, but we can keep it manageable. We still haven't figured out who is the carrier. I would be interested if anyone has an alternative to the Newman nipple cream. I was all for it until my husband looked at the ingredient list and told me one of the ingredients is a steroid?!
Do a homeopathic search for curing yeast infections-thrush is yeast-
Also be sure that your yogurt has acidophillis in it to help your normal flora fight the yeast infection that keeps creeping up-
Same old stuff too....get MORE rest, less stress, and keep your immunity up
Also check for herbal remedies in local library
Just wanted to ask if you are watching your sugar intake? Yeast feeds off sugar and allows it to grow quickly. I read "the yeast connection" and it gave me some good insights. I am a sugaraholic (ha) so it was my issue. When it flares up try avoiding all sugar and see if that helps. I do know that it takes awhile for the yeast to die off. Be blessed . . .
M.,
i've been through thrush with both of my children. What worked for me (and it sounds funny) is I would use the Nystatin liquid they gave me to rinse the baby's mouth out on my nipples after each feeding and after showers, etc.
I, in fact, used the Nystatin on myself more than on the baby.
also, i use cotton re-usable breast pads, and just change them out like 3 or 4 times a day -- means more laundry -- but that worked for me. also, don't get hung up on the instructions to air - dry, they won't fall apart in the drier and are softer that way anyway!
ps -- have you considered getting a second opinion? it might be a deeper infection of duct blockage, especially if the baby isn't showing discomfort or yeast in the mouth.
good luck!
PS -- along with what Karen said -- don't just eat yogurt, i know people who will put some yogurt on their nipples too -- you know it won't hurt the baby!
HI, my son had thrush for a while, and he hated the nystatin, and what seemed to work the best for him is yogurt!
