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.

Does it matter what type of vinegar? I have some clear, is that ok?

It's interesting what you say about the deep breast pain going, but it still being there in the nipple, sweatpea - I feel the same- more or less gone from the breasts, but my nipples are so pink, shiny, sore and the latch is awful. Maybe things are starting to heal, though.

Do you wash off the vinegar and cream before the next feed? Or would it have soaked in? Thinking about being out and about.

Have had a slice of cake to celebrate giving up sugar... But giving up sugar must be easier than this pain

We'll get there!!!

Thanks.

My symptoms have been really bad today. Trying to comfort myself in the fact that apparently they can get worse before getting better here will worry about it not getting better later.

Going to try to get a higher dose of Fluconazole from dr.

So - battle plan:

Fluconazole
Grapefruit seed extract in water 3x a day (yuck - orange juice makes it bearable, but worried about sugar content)
Daktarin cream for nipples
Vinegar rinse for nipples
Cut out yeast/ sugar

Daktarin gel for ds (am going to ask whether to do it after each feed)

Ibuprofen when pain too much/ nighttime to get me through the night.

Vinegar in every wash of clothes (fabric conditioner drawer
Disposable breast pads to stopp nipples infecting clothes
Breast shields in bra to stop nipples rubbing/ getting squashed against clothes (ouch)

Phew!!

Breast shells, not shields

Oh moonstorn - poor you! It sounds like you are doing everything you can!

I went to the GP today as DD's toungue is still as white as ever after the full 7 day course of nystan all round (solution for her mouth and ointment for my nipples and her bottom). The GP has said to continue with the nystan on my nipples and her bottom (thankfully DD's thrush was caught v v early so treatment to my nipples is still preventative at this stage.... no symptoms yet so fingers crossed) but has prescribed daktarin gel for DD's mouth.

My only concern is that DD is only 1 month old... my GP said that the choke risk is minimal if I use a v small amount, despite the 4 month and over warnings on the pack but has said I can continue with nystan for DD's mouth if I am concerned...

What have you guys found? Are the tiny babies really ok with the daktarin. I am probably just being paranoid, but am slightly concerned... That said, I BADLY want this thrush cleared up BEFORE it transfers to my nipples!

Also, DD just keeps putting her hands in her mouth... does anyone have any tips on how to stop her chewing her fingers then reinfecting herself with her now thrushy fingers!

And how much vinegar are people puting in each wash...?

Oh and moonstorn, re washing cream off nipples, the paediatritian who originally prescribed (with nystan ointment for nipples) me said that if its been more than 2 hours, the ointment will have soaked in so its fine for baby, but any less then I should wash it off with cotton wool and water.

Unfortunately I find that by the time DD has finished her feed and I've got round to putting the ointment on, its then less than 2 hours (during the day - DD goes 3/4 hours between feeds at night... she's still only tiny!) till the next feed. if at home i do use cotton wool and water, but if out and about, I just wipe it off with an unscented baby wipe

Moonstorm, you are so dedicated! I don't think I could manage to go to such lengths, so well done you.

Does anyone know how to tell the difference between the deep breast pain of thrush and vasospasm? I've got nasty cracked nipples that are slowly getting better, and I'm wondering if the pain I get between feeds (like a sharp tingling inside my breast, that comes and goes in waves) is thrush so I should ask for fluconazale, or vasospasm that will go when the nipple crack is better.

DD has finished a round of nystatin drops and her tongue is no longer white (but she still has spots on the inside of her mouth) so maybe it's going? On the other hand, the nipple crack is more like an open wound after a feed, and the lactation consultant seemed to think that could mean the thrush has gotten inside.

Please advise if possible, wondering about working up my nerve to go see dr. (with 4 kids in tow) this afternoon, but if it's just vasospasm I won't bother.

I really don't know, Dublinmum - I'm going to the dr in an hour and will ask about this. But I did read that thrush (and bad latch and nipple trauma) can cause vasospasm. I do get it - when you get the burning pain, have a look at your nipples - are they blanching white at the same time? It can also take a little time after the nipples are healed for the vasospasm to go.

half way down

Just realised that you posted this morning - how did you get on? I'll report back when I come back.

Well the dr didn't even acknowledge the vasospasm, even though I mentioned it a few times (although I did also say I've had my latch checked out by a LLL consultant).

I've got an extra week's Fluconazole, but the same strength, but have some Daktarin cream for my nipples with hydrocortisone in it (have to keep it in the fridge, so could be awkward...)

Hi, couldn't log on yesterday because I had a feverish/vomiting 2 year old to deal with!

Yes, my nipples do go white and back again *kind of freaky, isn't it). I had mentioned it to the dr (with a different baby, not the current one) and he just looked at me blankly. I think they've got no idea.

So I've decided today that even if it's not feeling better (yet) it's certainly not getting worse, so that's something. How are you?

Today I put some wet/damp cotton wool balls into a sandwich bag to wipe any excess cream off my nipples before feeding.

Thank goodness this an anonymous forum! The things I'm discussing!!!!

Good grief. Just come across this thread because have probable thrush and just started treatment.

I had no idea how crap this can really be.

bf dd for a year without a hitch, no infections, good latch etc. so never had to find out.

4 weeks with ds and have thrush, latch issues, pain, pain and more pain.

Plus have a new GP as moved house just before ds was born and he seems to have no idea (much better with dodgy hips and heart issues! lactating mother with newborn not really in his demographic).

Moonstorm thanks for the to do list will be adopting it to.

Welcome to the club a dubious pleasure...

I know what you mean about a good bf experience last time, it was this thsat gave me the strength to continue.

Have you seen the breastfeeding network leaflet? here

This can be helpful to take along.

Also you can get grapefruit seed extract in tablet form - much nicer.

Hope things start to get better soon

I wondered how long it took for others breasts to return to normal? Stopped expressing 2 months ago and still get odd tingling sensation and leaking milk VERY occasionally. Obviously always convinced that there is something more sinister but I always suspect everything is terrible and usually very simple explanation:)

Hi, I've been wondering if DD2 has thrush.....she has the white coating in her mouth and has done since birth (sh'es now almost 18 weeks) but I have no symptoms....no pain or anything. Is it thrush or just milk?