thrush that just won't go away, please help!

[monkeybubbles]

My baby is 6 weeks old now and we've had thrush since about 2 weeks when I was on antibiotics for an infection.

I use cream on my nipples 3 times a day, I was using the drops with him 4 times a day and then switched to the gel twice a day. I'm trying to keep everything as clean as possible, but some things are difficult to keep up with while caring for a very unhappy baby!

I feel like my whole body is riddled with thrush and the pain I'm having makes me think it's in my milk ducts, but the doctor says I can't take the oral medication while breastfeeding.

If anyone has any experience with getting rid of persistent thrush I would really appreciate it.

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/BfN_Thrush_leaflet_Feb_2009.pdf

Your doctor is sort of wrong about the oral medication (Fluconazole). It's not licensed for nursing mums, however it is perfectly safe for you to take as less of the drug goes into your milk than is licensed for use by the baby directly. The dose required is different to vaginal thrush but the leaflet I've linked to explains it all.

Some people find that taking grapefruit seed extract tablets (NOT grape seed extract), or liquid in water, helps to clear systemic thrush. Also, acidophillus is good for countering the effects of antibiotics.

I'd consider using the Daktarin gel 4 times a day, not too. It's hard keeping things clean, as you say, but one tip is to dry your breasts after a shower or bath with a facecloth and keep your towel away from your breasts. Wash the facecloth at 60 degrees after every use - cuts down washing a whole towel each time. Bras and washable pads should also be washed at 60, and ironed to kill spores. You may prefer to use disposable pads (if you use them at all) for the time being. Go topless where possible to keep your boobs aired. May not be a practical suggestion, but worth mentioning!

Also worth checking if it is thrush and not actually a staph infection, or if the baby has some kind of latch/tongue/palate issue which can lead HCP to mis-diagnose thrush.

I'm not saying that any of these are what causing the pain but if the current meds aren't working it might be worth having a look into while you organise the fluconazole prescription.

Now that staph link is VERY interesting, TS. I've printed that myself as I'm off to the GP for a thrush swab/milk sample (although I suspect it's diffed pain). Will ask them to swab for this, too. Will be interesting to see what their reaction is.

DS and I had quite persistent thrush from about 10 days to 8 weeks - though part of the reason we didn't clear it was that he had a nappy rash that I didn't realise was thrush at first. Once we treated that, plus the oral and nipple thrush, it cleared quite quickly, but I did do the oral gel 4 times a day rather than 2.

We're also struggling with thrush and struggling a bit with getting the GP on side with oral treatment. I hope it improves soon OP

Thank you for all of your advice, will have a look at links later when I'm at a proper computer. It's overwhelming and difficult to try all of the diet changes and vinegar rinses suggested online, especially with a colicky refluxy baby! But today I am attempting to cut out refined sugar (no chocolate biscuits!) So we'll see how that goes!