Please help, think I've got thrush which is not getting any better despite having tablets from dr.

[clarabellarocks]

Been doing okay with BFing my 4 week old son despite mastitis but I think I developed thrush.

I went to the dr and he didn't ask to see my nipples but went on my symptoms - nipple burning after feed and really red - a red ring especially around the base of my nipple.

he prescribed me fluconazole (7 days worth) and some Nystatin for DS. That was on Thursday and now on Sunday. I would have thought I'd seen an improvement but both breasts are so tender and the worst side is just excrutiating when feeding it's like he has a mouthful of glass. I keep checking him and his position and it seems fine. I also have developed a shooting pain in the back of my arm. I'm starting to dread feeds. Whilst my let down was painful before it was bearable and fine once we got going but now the pain continues. I'm just confused as I thought the tablets would mean I was seeing aan improvement.

Anyone able to help....I'm desperate.

Nystatin isn't very effective and might not be enough to clear thrush in your ds, so he's passing it back to you? Are you changing bras and breastpads often and sterilising any teats or dummies etc?

Changing breast pads after each feed and not yet using dummies or bottles as trying to establish feeding. I had so many problems with my DD and gave up after 12 days because she refused to feed. It's so disheartening that my DS is up for it but we're running into these problems. I'm determined to keep going but the pain is just so horrid at the moment.

Try asking for Daktarin (thats the brand name - I think the medicine is called miconazole, but I might be wrong) Oral gel for your baby. I found Nystan not very effective - too gloopy to stay on the tongue.

You need to give this some time. You will need longer than two weeks worth of fluconazole and GPs find this difficult to believe. I will try to find the latest guidelines for you. You should also use Daktarin gel for the baby and cream for your nipples.
I have been treated and found things better on the tablets but since stopping things are worse again so i am going back to get some more.
Also, have you thought about a nipple shield? These enabled me to continue feeding my dd now 7 weeks.

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/BfN_Thrush_leaflet_Feb_2009.pdf should take you to the pdf with treatment recommendations.

Thanks gummymum.