Recurrent ductal thrush treatment

[tinkerbellvspredator]

I've now had 2 courses of fluconazole, pain-free breastfeeding (though still some vasospasm) during treatment but within a few days of stopping treatment each time the thrush is back. Sore breasts, though not too bad, stinging nipples while feeding. Not quite as bad as before but I imagine it will just get worse again. I've had 2 courses in line with NICE guidelines (300mg followed by 100mg a day for 10 days, second time the same but 200mg a day, plus daktarin cream for me and gel for baby).

The NICE guidelines say if not resolved get specialist help. Anyone know what help this might be - thrush specialists seem to be genitourinary consultants. Or should I just ask for more treatment.

DS is a large 5 month old so I don't think I need to be worried about his exposure to fluconazole particularly?

Does your DS have nappy rash?

Never, he had oral thrush before the first lot of fluconazole but it cleared up quickly with daktarin.

I've suffered quite badly with this. Took about 8 weeks to clear up. Are you washing bras after every wear ? Towels after every use etc? Anything that goes in baby's mouth (toys etc)? It's really difficult, but try to make sure you regularly wash/sterilise anything that comes into contact with your nipples and the baby's mouth. Hope it clears up soon , it's a horrible thing.

Have a look at the guidance on The Breastfeeding Network website, Nystatin may be better for treating your baby's oral thrush and you might need to use the daktarin cream on yourself for longer to completely clear the infection - my GP suggested 2 weeks after being clear of symptoms. Also, only sterilisation with heat is effective in clearing the infection, again the GP said the old fashioned method of a large saucepan of boiling water for 15-20 mins is what's needed and not to forget dummies. She was the third doctor I saw and the one who actually helped clear DS and I of thrush, great advice largely because she had suffered recurrent thrush with her own DS.

Are you sure it's not the vasospasm causing the pain? I'd be inclined to treat that first with a course of nifedipine before treating the thrush again.

Thanks all. I think it is thrush not the vasospasm as I'm completely pain free while taking fluconazole. I also have had recurring thrush in the corners of my mouth which I've had on and off for 15 years (usually dab a bit of canestan on and it goes) I got a thrush sore come on 5 days after the fluconazole course finished at the same time boobs got sore again.

I've been back to GP anyway this morning and she prescribed another course she said she didn't really know what else we could do but did suggest using bicarb in water to wash nipples and wipe round babies mouth after every feed.

I will step up the hygiene, I've been ironing the inside of clothes that come into contact with the boobs but probably need to do something about towels. DS puts the occasional toy in his mouth but generally is just his hands and boob, no dummy or bottles. I might wash his hands in bicarb water! And I'll continue with cream for 2 weeks after the end of the course.

Have a look online at grapefruit seed extract good for killing thrush so soaking clothes, towrls, breast pads in (the reusable ones have me awful thrush).

Ditch the antibacterial soap it kills the good Bacteria that helps kill thrush.

Dd1 had daktarin oral gel and I had daktarin cream (plus a few courses of fluconozole!)

But we cleared it in the end.