Thrush??? Please help - it hurts

[moonstorm]

I have an 8 day old ds, but feeding is still painful - had pain last time, but went as nipples got used to the feeding.

Latching on is painful, but loads of people have looked and said I'm doing everything right. I get a deep, pulling, strong pain down the centre of my breast. The pain lasts throughout the feed, but then for a good few minutes after. Sometimes the other breast hurts during the feed as well..

Does this sound like thrush? I'm waiting for the dr to ring back.

as I loved breastfeeding last time, now I'm starting to get really stressed about feeding.

There's some good info here about thrush.

It does sound rather like you could have it. Other people should be along soon to give you suggestions about what works best to clear it up.

HTH

I had this; it was thrush. Drs disagree over whether you can get it! I saw one who said it didn't exist then the next week I saw another about something else who saw my notes told me he thought it was thrush and prescribed a course of antibiotics. this fixed what had become horrendous pain and my nipples and breats had been all red and sore. So make sure you don't get fobbed off by someone who says it doesn't exist - there's just not enough evidence apparently so the official line I think is that you can't get it. I carried on bfing while on antibiotics. Good luck. I know how much it hurts - like hot needles at letdown! Oh this was my DC2 also - didn't have it with DC1. And I second the bfing network advice linked by crikeybadger.

The dr at first suggested nipple shields

Have now got a 10 day course of Fluconazole - says not recommended during bf-ing, but if this is what's used...

Really, really hope it is this now, so it can sorted. Any idea how long it could take?

She wouldn't treat ds as there is no evidence in his mouth... but said traces of the drug would get through the milk to him anyway...

Just found info on website saying pain can go through to shoulder and back - I have had this loads while feeding!! Really think it is thrush - hope the medication works quickly!!!

Doesntvsound right to me that the doctor is not treating the baby as well. Can't they be asymptomatic?

Moonstorm - If your DS doesn't get treated you could end up in a cycle of thrush, treat, thrush, treat. However the young age of your DS does make prescribing things tricky (see below) which is why your GP hasn't given him anything.

I had nipple thrush whilst tandem nursing and even though only DD2 and myself showed signs of it DD1 was also treated - she only had one lot of Nystatin though as she had an allergic reaction to a flavouring in it - luckily she was given some Medised (for other reasons) with it as well which stopped the allergic reaction being too severe (she had arthritic urticaria where all her joints swelled up).

I was only prescribed 1 fluconazole tablet when I had ductal thrush though as my GP didn't even believe the BfN leaflet I brought along to show her what to prescribe .

I'm a bfing peer supporter and we have recently been given a 'Breastfeeding Problems & Solutions Professionals Guide' leaflet (NHS) and this is what it has to say re Ductal Candidiasis treatment:-

Mother : Miconazole cream 2% small amount applied to nipple area after each feed
Neonates - No current licensed product availible however Community Practioner Nurse Prescibers may exceptionally prescribe Nystatin suspension to neonates where they are absolutely clear the diagnosis is on of oral thrush at the dose recommended in the Children's BNF. Nurse Prescribers must be clear that they accept clinical and medico-legal responsibility for prescribing and must prescribe with in their own competence.

Clotrimazole cream 1% x 3 times daily to baby's nappy area

Change breast pads after every feed.

Steam sterilise all feeding equipment or boil for 20 mins (cold water sterilisation is not as effective against candida)

Hot wash all clothing in contact with breast

Use treatment for a full week after symptoms have gone - may take 4 weeks to clear.

N.B. Many mothers experience deep breast pain which resolves with topical treatment however if the above course of treatment fails, oral Fluconazole may be indicated. Fluconazole is not licensed for use in breastfeeding, however it is excreted into breast milk in amounts less than the does recommended for treatment of neonatal mucosal candidiasis.

Health professionals can refer to www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/thrush-and-breastfeeding.html for further information on treatment with Fluconazole.

Hopefully the 10 day course will provide enough fluconazole through your milk to kill off any lurking candida before your DS is colonised with them.

If you do notice any thrush in your ds's mouth, don't be fobbed off with nystatin - get daktarin oral gel. It's not recommended for babies under 4 months (because of the choking risk of shoving a lump of gel in their mouths - you just have to be careful to smear it) but they can prescribe it for newborns.

Breastfeeding Network leaflet on thrush is excellent.

Well ds is being treated now, but with Nystatin. Dr refused Daktarin .

Really red up with drs - I've had to diagnose myself, do the research and chase vup all the medication .

But after 3 doses of Fluconazole, things are starting to get easier. Hope it does the trick - worried about the sugar contnt in Nystatin, though - doesn't make sense when Thrush likes sugar...

Can't bare the thought of this lasting beyond this one treatment.

When I had thrush, my son showed no signs in his mouth, but did have a really nasty bottom. I was given cream for me, separate tube for boobs, and a third tube for his bottom, as well as oral dose for me. cleared it up quickly, and no signs of it returning. I think you're recommended to just keep feeding (which you will be doing all the time anyway with your little one!).

Good luck, and hope you feel better soon.
xx