Thrush and breastfeeding support group anyone?

[moonstorm]

I've noticed quite a lot of threads about thrush lately and it's so hard to carry on feeding through the pain. I wondered if anyone fancied a thread where we can have a moan and support each other?

I am 98% sure I have thrush, but I also definitely do have a latch issue as well. Don't know whether deep down I hope it is thrush and I can treat it with diet and medication or whether I hope it's all down to latch even though nothing seems to solve the problem (although my nipples seem to be healing so hopefully something is right...)

The one thing I know is I loved breastfeeding so much last time that I refuse to give up and am determined to feed well again this time.

I've not got thrush at the moment but am bf dc3 and since I had thrush with dc1 (twice) and dc2 I'd like this thread to keep going in case I need it! Feel free to moan moonstorm, have you got any medication yet?

Loo I've got: (in drabs and after several visits to the dr) - fluconazole, daktarin for nipples, ds has daktarin gel. I've ordered some grapefruit seed extract, and am waiting for that to arrive. Really hope you don't get it this time.

octopus posts like yours are scary, but give hope - the length of time is scary, but at least you made it

Getting a deeper latch has helped, but still get the burning and stabbing between feeds, but at least one issue is being resolved.

just wanted to bump this thread for anyone out there suffering from thrush.

I had it with both dc but now (fingers crossed, touch wood etc) am free of it (hooray)

It's a bugger and brought me to tears on more than one occasion. But being bloody-minded about beating it got me through in the end ...oh, and finally accepting that living on chocolate was doing me no favours

I was lucky in that with dc1 thrush was diagnosed really quickly ( by an NCT bf counsellor) and once I treated it it went really quickly. Then when I had it again (and again) I managed to zap it within a few days. I'm not using washable breastpads with dc3 as I don't do hot washes very often and if we don't have the heating on can't be sure they dry quickly. Any better moonstorm?

Anyone know if it is only refined sugar we should avoid, and is natural sugar in dried fruit any better?

I have just been told that my 4 week old dd has thrush in her mouth.... I have no symptons as yet but thankfully dd's thrsh happened to be picked up early (only on her toungue so far) whilst she was being checked by a dr for something else. Sse has nystan solution for her mouth (to drink) and nystan oinment for her bottom, and I have nystan ointment for my nipples as a preventative measure. Has anyone had experience of these treatments - are they likely to nip it in the bud?

Alos, i had no idea about the link to my diet.... is it no refined sugar and no white flour?

typing one handed while bf - excuse typos!

I'm afraid I found (and my HV agreed) that nystatin is rubbish. Daktarin gel sorted out ds's mouth in a couple of days though. I had canesten cream for my nipples.

DS also got a thrush nappy rash which looked nasty and lasted for weeks. Daktarin cream helped but didn't shift it - eventually I got some canestan hc cream (with hydrocortisone in it) which sorted it out.

Breastfeeding Network do a great leaflet on thrush.

DD and i have been diagnised with thrush -- drops forher, canestan cream for me. Feeding is still very painful (sharp hot needles at latch) and i'm wondering if that's from the huge crack in my nipple or the thrush? Should i push for fluconazale?

Bit depressing to hear how long people have suffered. Was hoping to be better soon.

Bugger - thanks for the heads up moonunit. I suspected as much as we're now on day 4 of a 7 day course of the nystan and dd's toungue is no less white. Is the best plan do you think to go to gp on day 7 (final day of nystan) and demand something else if no change (nystan not prescribed by gp - it was prescribed in a and e when it was picked up while we were there for dd's reflux which is v mild but she was dry retching lots)?

hi all, I had thrush with DS1, now almost 4, and it was the worst thing I have ever experienced. I struggled on, not sure how I did really, involved A LOT of expressing, took a long time to get rid of it. Anyway, now I have a DS2, he's 15 days old. I am pretty sure I have a little thrush. I've been taking super strength probiotics since before the birth, and I think that is why it hasn't taken hold, and remains on the one breast. I went to drs yesterday and have started the fluconazole, daktarin, canestan, etc - I figured if I take the conventional stuff, as well as the natural methods - probiotics, vinegar, etc - then I'm bound to beat it. I think it is helping already. Infact, have not had the stingy, burning pain all day today.

Totally sympathize with anyone who has it. I have extreme pain on latching on though, but I think this is separate, and would like to know when that will stop??!!!

Legallyblond, just to say that lots of strains of thrush are now resistant to Nystatin, and although they don't recommend Daktarin for babies under 4 months, my dr gave it to me. I printed this off for the dr, which he kept as he didn't know too much about it (same thing happened with my last GP, not enough info!) - www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/BfN_Thrush_leaflet_Feb_2009.pdf

The no daktarin under 4 months is due to the choking risk. I out the amount on the back of my hand, then smear it between two fingers then into his mouth. It seems easier to coat his mouth with the gel than with Nystatin.

My grapefruit seed extract arrived today - amazed at how disgusting it actually tastes!!! But if it works...

My nipples seem very tender today - the scabs are healing, so the latch must be getting better. Still painful inbetween feeds. I have ordered some breast shells to wear in my bra to stop the fabric rubbing - don't know whether it'll help, but worth a try.

I have noticed some vasospasm on my nipples (turning white and burning) but then found that this can be caused either by bad latch of thrush, so no nearer to working out the cause (just a lot of detective work)

I keep saying to myself (bits I've picked up from others)

• stopping now means I'll have gone through a lot of suffering without having reached the reward *Breastfeeding last time was so worth it I can't give up
• I fed for 2 years last time, so what's a couple of months ib the scheme of thingsa...

you are doing so well. i had grapefruit seed extract last time, is disgusting!!

mine are the same today, its all bearable, just the latch on pain is toe curling. i also have some vasospasm on the left, but like you, don't know if it's thrush or latch!!! going to a breastfeeding group on Friday, so i am hoping they can check his latch.

are your nipples very pink?

Yes - very pink (thrush???) Feel like going to the dr again. My nipples constantly hurt - clothes brushing against them is awful, the bra I bought (too big to stop them rubbing, still squishes nipples), but wearing no clothes really hurts as they get cold and that hurts them

We'll get through it It helps to be able to vent without (hopefully) boring people!!

Hello,

Both DD (10weeks) and I have recurring thrush, it's particularly bad this week.

I've tried Nystaform and Canesten for me and obviuosly none clear it up properly so I need to look at the cause.

I might have to cut out the chocolate if sugar is a problem. I don't eat loads but could probably cut it out.

I want to look at some natural remedies, does anyone have any tried & tested ones?

Just a word of warning about breast shells, as I tried them when my nipples were very sore with thrush. The pressure of the shells on my breast caused blocked ducts, which also turned out to be very painful and hard to unblock. Just what you don't need on top of the thrush. I will not use them again, but if you decide to m ake sure you have a nice loose bra that doesn't squish the shell into your breasts.

Don't worry about boring people, I could talk for England about thrush!!! It meant that bfing never properly worked for us last time, although I managed to mix feed til 5 months and did enjoy the last couple of months of it.

Yes, pink nipples can be thrush. Mine have been v pink, but I think the pinkness is fading. If it is thrush this time, I think the drugs/cream are working. I also had a bit of athletes foot (also never had that before!), which has stopped itching, and is the same thing, so I think it must be having some effect. DS2's bottom also looks a bit better. Going to bf support group tomorrow.

Yorks, you need super strength probiotics (Biocare - I have found some 75 billion bacteria, vvv expensive though). You can get cheaper, but not as effective. Grapeseed extract, wash nipples with vinegar or bicarbonate of soda after each feed. I have to say have not cut out sugar as yet, if it got really bad I would.

moonstorm, have you got the fluconazole?

hi, trying to follow all this advice! i have had 2 courses of fluconozole which has gotten rid of the deep breast pain but still have thrush in the right nipple (agonizing on latch and after feed so am expressing that side and feeding on the other.

I now have:
daktarin cream for me
gel for dd
have cut out chocolate/biscuits etc (weep)
am going to get probiotics
am going to get grapeseed extract (is this to drink or rub?)
will do the vinegar thing but should this be before or after the daktarin?

Thrush is so horrendous! Well done to everyone struggling through it x

ok that should be grapefruit seed extract.
will start using breast pads too.

thanks octopus - will do x