Gaaaaahh - thrush, thrush, thrush and now mastitis!

[Belgrano]

I am bf DC2 at the moment and have no intention of stopping but we've had a rough ride!

We've had thrush incessantly since the very beginning due to antibiotics at birth for both DS and me (Group B Strep positive and a quick labour). DS had thrush in nappy area badly (was hospitalised at 10 days old with it, poor boy!), then in his mouth, then my nipples, then his mouth again, etc etc you get the picture.

Anyway it has finally been knocked on the head by Daktarin (I think, but still using the Daktarin in case it returns).

Then yesterday I developed a v sore patch on my left boob, under the nipple and near the ribs. Its very deep so I can't get to whetever the prob is to feel it - might be a blocked duct but the duct in question is right in the centre of the boob if so. It s sore and I also have a sore throat and am slightly feverish so am thinking either its a blocked duct and a throat infection has come along coincidentally, or its mastitis. There is a reddish patch on the breast but its not agonising as I remember mastitis being with DD, more a dull ache than a sharp lancing throb.

But I desperately don't want to take any antibiotics if it is mastitis, because then we'll be back to the thrush probblems again!I ALWAYS get thrush from antibiotics.

Any advice on non antibiotic treatment of this kind of thing?

Oh PS I have tried to get apps with both doctor and homeopath but both are remarkably un helpful and unsympathetic and can't see me for days (doc) or weeks (homeopath). Marvellous....

bump

You have my sympathy, it's grim isn't it.

I found top dose ibuprofen really helped and I read somewhere (possibly Kellymom) it can be very effective in treating mastitis without the need for antibiotics due to the anti inflammatory properties.

I think that grapefruit seed extract tablets were what finally knocked my symptoms of thrush on the head once and for all. It was recommended as a complementary treatment on the La Leche thrush leaflet and by fellow MNs.

HTH

I had this with DS2, we have only got rid of the thrush in the last couple of months.

For the thrush, I added white vinegar to the wash, ate lots of bio yogurt and didn't use breast pads as they made it worse.

Plus Daktarin. I used the oral gel in the baby's mouth and on my boobies, much easier.

For blocked ducts (which I have had a lot) I used heat and massage, and gravity feeding. (DO NOT DO GRAVITY FEEDING IN PUBLIC. NOT DIGNIFIED!) When I got a temperature as well, I took to my bed like a Victorian lady and fed the baby off the blocked side pretty much constantly for several hours.

Full blown mastitis needs anti-bs, but I find the doc prescribes them for infections that you probably could fight off with rest, fluids etc.

You have my deepest sympathies. This is my third baby, and the first time I have ever considered giving up, and also the first time I have ever given FF myself. Thrush is a hideous, hideous thing and should be banned.

PS, a supplement for your diet called Acidophollos or something, and Brewers Yeast can also help. xx