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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Excruciating thrush...please help

13 replies

koolforcats · 07/05/2012 23:39

Having first thought I had latch problems that were causing excruciating pain along with a deep breast pain right back to my shoulder blade, I finally realised I had (and was diagnosed with) thrush. I think my pain threshold is pretty high, but wow, ouch...

I've been reading lots of mn threads about itm, LLL info and the bfn leaflet and have ordered grapefruit seed extract tablets, B vitamins, zinc and acidophilus which should arrive tomorrow. I also went to the doctor who initially just prescribed daktarin cream for me and gel for ds (5 weeks). I was convinced this wouldn't get to the deeper pain so went back and was prescribed fluconazole 50mg once a day for a week. The bfn suggests higher doses for longer though so I'm not feeling hopeful. It's really getting me down, all I want to do is bf my baby :-(. I want to keep feeding but it's really, really hurting and now he has just developed thrush nappy rash. I can just about bear my own pain but now I'm feeling as though I'm inflicting it on him too. I can't tell what's best to use on him - so far I've tried sudocreme, metanium, zinc, and weleda calendula cream but they either seem to have irritated him or just haven't done anything. I bought some 1% clotrimazole over the counter today but as it wasn't prescribed I'm a bit scared to use it. Suggestions?

So, what to do? I'm wondering about ff for a couple of days so that he and I can heal a bit and we might stop passing it between us (if that's what's happening)? I'm not keen on doing this at all - would he forget how to breastfeed in a couple of days? I'd be gutted if he did. But how else to get through it?

Everyone seems to say with bf that if you get to 6 weeks you turn a corner - i'm a few days away but nowhere near. Please tell me there's a solution, it's really getting me down, thanks.

OP posts:
BeehavingBaby · 07/05/2012 23:45

So sorry you're in such pain. How long have you been taking the fluconazole? Should start working within 3 days if you have the right dose I have been told. You need Canestan or similar for the nappy rash so what you have should be fine.

Has your partner been treated for thrush?

Original poster
koolforcats · 07/05/2012 23:55

Thanks for a quick reply. It's just me and ds. I've only been on the fluconazole since Sat, so perhaps I'm expecting something too soon? I just wish I'd not read the bfn leaflet which said 50-100mg twice a day could be prescribed as my 50mg once a day doesn't make me feel hopeful. Looks like I might need to grit my teeth for a bit longer!

OP posts:
Original poster
koolforcats · 08/05/2012 08:26

shameless bump, as it's ouch ouch ouch :(

OP posts:
CakeAndCaffeine · 08/05/2012 10:05

You poor thing - I had thrush and it was awful. I was given clotrimazole for DD's nappy rash and it cleared up in a couple of days so hopefully it will help your LO soon. I'm pretty sure I took painkillers too, I think ibuprofen, have at look at the bfn leaflet on painkillers here
You could always take the bfn thrush leaflet to your doc if you think the fluconazole isnt working - mine had a look at it and agreed to give DD treatment after reading it. I managed to BF through it with the pain killers and support from my mum looking after me! So don't know about switching to FF for a few days, wouldn't blame you, maybe ring bfn/nct/lll for advice on that? It will get better, i had thrush & blocked ducts and very nearly stopped BF - and sure enough about 8weeks in it settled down and i'm still doing it at 9 months! Good luck and i hope that very soon you are enjoying lovely cuddly pain free feeds!

FanjolinaJolie · 08/05/2012 17:59

I needed fluconozole for 10 days I think.

Ask for the script to be extended.

marianasmum · 08/05/2012 19:49

You have my sympathy.

I remember the pain like knitting needles stabbing through my nipples to my back only too well. I cried loads because I didn't want to stop BF but was going to have to because I could not stand the pain.

My GP prescribed clotrimazol at first (useless) and refused to prescribe fluconazole so I bought some Canesten oral capsules over the counter (for loading dose), and in the meantime my helpful HV spoke to GP and shared the Breastfeeding Network leaflet. Finally was prescribed a course of fluconazole and the thrush cleared up. BF was wonderful after.

Good luck with your treatment - I hope it clears up (and quickly).

Original poster
koolforcats · 08/05/2012 19:53

Thanks so much all for your replies. I'll definitely print the bfn leaflet for my next docs visit.

I so long to enjoy bfing rather than having to grit my teeth to do it. I'm now reassured that it's a possibility Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
koolforcats · 09/05/2012 20:10

Day 5 of 50mg fluconazole once a day, day 8 of daktarin cream for me and gel for ds, day 2 of grapefruit seed extract, b vits, zinc and acidophilus. And it still hurts...Sad

Went to the doc for his nappy rash today and she didn't think it looked thrushy so prescribed fucidin anti biotic cream. My doctors are great but I don't feel they necessarily believe its thrush and seem reluctant to treat it more aggressively (ie with a higher dose).

Am I expecting too much too soon?

OP posts:
marianasmum · 11/05/2012 22:56

Sorry to hear you are still in pain.

If I recall correctly, I didn't feel any better until day 9 of 10 (but I had taken Canesten tablet before the course prescribed by GP...and took another at the end), and then it was gradual over the next while.

My GP diagnosed thrush (saw her a few times) until the clotrimazole wasn't working. Then it suddenly wasn't thrush. IIRC the BFN leaflet states a dose that is not approved for BF women, so I guess that leaves GP in an awkward situation. However thrush is absolute hell. I nearly stopped BF because of it. Keep speaking to your GP. I really hope you notice some improvement soon.

marianasmum · 11/05/2012 22:58

Sorry I meant the daktarin wasn't working. It is all a blur now...(phew)

Original poster
koolforcats · 12/05/2012 06:19

Thanks marianasmum - horrible that you suffered too but reassuring to know it can get better! I do sympathise with the docs as I know they have to accept liability. I also cringe that I've become a patient who attempts to tell them how to do their job, sporting WHO guidelines etc!! But at the end of the day that's how I'm going to have to be to get it treated. I got another prescription yesterday for 50mg twice a day instead of once but it took some convincing. I just wish they'd throw 100mg twice a day at it (max dose suggested in bfn leaflet) as I'll stop bothering them then! Feels a bit like I'm fannying around a bit at the mo.

Did you try grapefruit seed extract liquid? I have some but I'm not sure how best to use it...might post separately about that.

Thanks again Smile

OP posts:
marianasmum · 12/05/2012 22:28

I was not v good at being assertive with GP and it took a bit of an embarrassing meltdown in the end. I didn't use grapefruit seed but did give up cake, chocolate (and sweets) and bread on the advice of HV.

Sorry not much help there but throw everything you can at it I say!

TeaAndSlanket · 13/05/2012 07:27

Hello, sorry you are going through this. How old is your baby? Doctors can be reluctant to prescribe full dose of fluconazole with LOs under 6 weeks as it has a long half-life and can linger in their bodies.

This may be why they've started you on a lower dose to see if that does the trick. Also, with very young babies there's often other explanations for nipple/breast pain that need to be addressed first. Not saying this is the case with you, but it could be why they are being dubious. Ibuprofen helps to ease the prickly pain.

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