Thrush...

[suzi2]

DS and I have had thrush for weeks now. but we usually keep it managable with his oral gel and cream for my nipples as well as acidophillis tablets. Anyhow, recently it has got significantly worse on my nipples and I think it is in my breast as feeding is becoming painful with sharp shooting pains and throbbing.

I've seen 2 GPs both of which have point blank refused to prescribe me the diflucan type tablet. I even printed the breastfeeding network leaflet for them.

So I thought I would just buy the tablet myself. Does anyone know if I need more than one tablet and if so, how far apart should I take them?

really? i had it three times! i actually have a feeling that the one you can buy over the counter is a different dosage.
i had to take tablets 3 times a day i think...

When i had nightmares with thrush (mine lasted 8 weeks in all) my HV was great and even offered to sort me out a prescription if i couldnt get to my GP. I dont know how she would have sorted it but perhaps you can speak to your HV and see what she says?

hv can't prescribe the tablets... only the cream.
well... that's what i was told.

i actually went to our nhs walk-in centre once because couldn't get an appt with GP... might be worth trying ythat?

OR, at a push visiting your maternity ward? see if you can talk to a nice midwife? how old is your ds?

My DS is almost 18wks. We've had the thrush on & off since 2 wks. DS hasn't got it bad orally so I'm not sure why mines has flared up.

I don't have a walk in centre and obviously my doctors surgery have their knickers in a twist about prescribing it. It is no doubt expensive or something and I bet theri budget is tight! Apparently it isn't licensed for use in breastfeeding or something?

Hmmm... not much good if it's a different strength. Any other ideas?

yeah it isn't licensed for use in breastfeeding.. however the same thing is used for babies! and the amount passed on through breastmilk is smaller than that actually prescribed for babies!!!!

anyway, i would definitely recommend going to the maternity ward you gave birth at... mine was really great and told me to come back if i ever had any problems! lol
it really may be worth it. the time i went to the walk-in centre the doctor actually rang maternity to see what to prescribe! lol

don't battle on with it... it's really horrible.

although, it may be worth seeing a bf counsellor. I was convinced the pain i had was from thrush, but looking back i think that it was at least partly due to bad latch... so may be worth getting that ruled out too

forgot to say, if you have it then your ds will too...

I was given fluconazole (sp) tablets for the thrush/mastitis, daktarin cream and DS was prescribed nystatin. Its the standard treatment for thrush. Its all ok to use whilst b/feeding (although you need to wipe off the cream before each feed and reapply it after). It is also ok to use ibuprofen as a painkiller/anti inflammatory now whilst b/feeding although alot of GPs are misinformed about this too still it seems). Badger your GP's adn contact hte BFN or such like for help/advice too - they are great.

hiya
poor you! I remember that pain. You sound pretty well informed so I guess you already know to put the cream on after every feed, not just once or twice a day.

How about your ds as well - how are the GP's planning on treating his thrush if it hasn't cleared up yet with the oral gel? have they tried the stuff they swallow as that coats the back of the throat better I guess.

Good luck!

Maybe ask a pharmacist? It's about £13 for an over the counter tablet (150mg I think). But you may find the problem is that the pharmacist is only allowed to sell it for vaginal thrush. So if you get the information you need from one pharmacy, go buy it in another! The drug stays in your system to treat the infection for several days. But you will still need the cream as well b/c Diflucan can't kill thrush on your skin. I think there is some concern that injudicious use of Diflucan will result in resistance which may be why the GPs are hesitant since you can't guarantee you won't get reinfected from your baby which may mean you may need a higher dose or more than one dose (I am not a doctor BTW ...) Also, there is a warning on the leaflet that comes with the tablet that breastfeeding mothers should not take it unless prescribed by a doctor b/c it gets into the milk. I suppose it's up to you - are you happy to try it and can you afford to spend the money and not have it work?

PS: Trying a different cream may help? Are you on clotrimazole or mitronazole? Also, tea tree oil compresses after a feed (and wipe off before next feed).

PPS: I guess this is one of those attack on all fronts situations! Keep doing everything.

Thanks all. I'm going to get yet another appointment next week and insist on proper treatment . I'm really feeling it this weekend but am dosing up on ibuprofen & paracetamol when necessary.

Gentian violet is supposed to work really well but you'll end up with lots of purple stains

breastfeeding network is a good resource on this subject.

Good luck. I know how hard it is.

good luck suzi... this has gone on way too long for you... no-one shoul dhave to put up with thrush for that long. i thought they were supposed to be pro-breastfeeding these days!!!

another few tips to remember are:
make sure you always treat baby regularly and give all doses necessary
use disposable breastpads and change frequently.
wash bras every day in really hot water

I had mine for weeks (it went inside the milk ducts too which is agony) and in the end I went to a homeopath. It was gone within 24 hours. Coincidence? Who knows. Id've had really good experiences with homeopathy in the past.

Good luck.

Can't get an appointment until next Thursday(22nd) - not uncommon at my crap surgery!

I've been taking double doses of acidophillis, using teat tree compresses and have been using the cream too. It's feeling a lot better - quite bearable actually - but still needs something more! Thanks everyone for your help - it's a great support knowing that I shouldn't be suffering with this!