Help! 26 weeks pregnant with chronic thrush

[mumbum]

Has anyone experienced chronic thrush during pregnancy and can share their pearls of wisdom? This is my 3rd pregnancy and whilst I had thrush the previous 2 times, it passed after 1st trimester. I've had 3 pessaries and cream from GP but to no avail. I think I've become desensitised to its effects. I've also tried yoghurt and whilst it cools the symptoms for all of 5 minutes, I just end up smelling like a fermenting dairy product!! Any advice would be much appreciated as I'm seriously demented with it now!!!

Are you sure it's thrush?I could be Bacterial Vaginosis which is v common.I had thrush a few weeks ago (I'm 24 weeks) and the Dr prescribed the pessary and cream and it worked a treat.She said if it didn't work to go back and she'd do a swab.I think you should go back and ask to be tested.Hope you get sorted soon.

Oh you poor thing. I was the same when I was pregnant with dd (also my third) I had recurrent thrush almost all the way through the pregnancy.

Have you tried taking pre and probiotics? They can help to rebalance your system and encourage the good rather than bad bacteria. You can get them from good health shops and they decent ones should be kept refrigerated.

Another good thing to do is drastically reduce your sugar intake. Not only refined sugar but things like refined carbs (white pasta, white bread etc), dried fruit, bananas etc. If you have a lot of sugar in your system it helps the yeast to thrive by changing your ph/bacterial balance.

In terms of comfort, if the cream isn't helping, try dropping a couple of drops of tea tree and lavender oil in some boiled cooled water and soaking either some cotton wool pads or flannels in them. Apply directly to the affected area several times a day, particularly after using the toilet. I found this really helped to relieve the 'heat' and discomfort. (You need to boil wash the flannels after each use though.)

I read that the yeast organisms in thrush have started developing a resistance to clomitrazole (the active ingredient in Canestan) there are different treatments available but GPs are reluctant to prescribe them as they haven't been tested during pregnancy (neither has Canestan, but it has been used enough for them to say they 'believe' it to be safe unless taken orally).

I have also read that there are homeopathic treatments available, but only if you visit a qualified practitioner.

You have my sympathy, its hard enough being pregnant without having that to deal with as well. Hope it settles down for you soon.

Thanks ladies for both your advice. Definitely don't think it's BV as my symptoms are that of thrush and not as those described for BV. I also had a swab done at 14 weeks which confirmed presence of thrush. I think i've just built up a resistance to the canestan as I had thrush pre-pregnancy due to anti-biotics for which I took canestan.
Moosemama, had thought about the old pre and probiotics but when I went to Holland and Barrett the sales assistant said she couldn't give me anything whilst pregnant. I had heard off pessaries made from Lactobacillus acidophillus which are meant to be really effective but the website states consult doctor if pregnant. I'm kind of thinking they're worth the risk due to the natural ingredients plus seeing my GP is a real ball ache as it takes forever to get an appointment and my 2 and 4 year old DS tend to go wild in the waiting room. Has anyone tried these pessaries?

Hi mumbum,

I am only 18 weeks but have had thrush since about week 6. Last week I almost went mad and went to the dr again post using the canesten pessary and high dose internal cream (it seemed to make things worse not better). At this point they gave me some steriod cream which I opted not to use as I can't see that steroid cream can be a good thing during pregnancy.

On friday I started putting 3 or 4 drops of tea tree oil into a warm bath at least once a day. I also (and this is not for the faint hearted) applied a very small amount of tea tree/witch hazel cream to the 'area'. It burns to start off with but it takes your mind off the itch and only lasts for a few minutes. I started feeling better within 24 hrs. Thursh seems to have almost gone and I'm feeling so much more comfortable then when I was using the canesten.

Good luck. x

Oh my word you have my total sympathy I'm in exactly the same boat. I'm 24weeks and throughout pregnancy so far have used canesten external cream, 3 canesten pessaries of which the last one burnt me alive so GP prescribed gyno-daktarin cream. This really helped first few times I used it but last time burnt me to shreds again. Think I've just built up a resistance to anything medicinal. The only thing that works for hmm, all of 5minutes is activia yoghurt! I'm also bloody allergic to tea tree oil otherwise I'd be swimming in a bath of the stuff.

Pmsl middledaughter and first1! I know I shouldn't but visions of us either itching like a demented dog with fleas or running about like a loon with their bits on fire cracks me up! If i didn't laugh I'd cry - more than anything it just makes me feel so bloody unclean!

I just read that garlic is good too so one can try putting a peeled clove up oneself wrapped in muslin but "be prepared to smell quite strongly of garlic" lol. I'm sure it would have great results with over amorous partners too - unless they were Italian!!!

First1, check out Biocare Intrafresh, maybe these are an option if tea tree is a no no. Thanks middledaughter for the tea tree tip - i think i'll give that a bash first and failing that I'll try the biocare pessaries.

Thanks mumbum! I know I agree laughter is the best remedy, DH does a lot of that seeing me walking round like John Wayne! I asked my pharmacist and he's told me to try a probiotic supplement called Bimuno which you dissolve in any food or drink. I'll give it a whirl and will report back. Its about £6 for 20odd sachets

Totally sympathise, I had thrush throughout my last pregnancy - it is grim.

I found limiting yeast & sugar, and taking probiotics useful. Also when you wash your underwear make sure you do it at 60 degrees or higher, otherwise apparently the fungus doesn't die off and you can re-infect yourself.

Good luck!

Just thought I'd report back on the results of taking Bimuno...I've taken 4days worth (one sachet a day mixed in squash) and feel loadssss better!

Just offering my sympathies, I am 32 weeks and in exactly the same boat, since about 20 weeks or so.

I'm thankful for all the advice and I'll be off to get Bimuno tomorrow!

I'm 16 weeks and have just used my second Canestan pessary. God, it's grim.

I would second the probiotics - I've gone for the really big guns and bought these ones on the advice of a nutritional therapist (who says they're fine to take during pregnancy and have been shown to reduce the likelihood of your baby suffering allergies).

And the clove of garlic thing is good too, I just peel one, use a needle and dental floss as thread to make a 'handle' to get it back out and you can put a couple of drops of tea tree on the clove itself as well. And I'd second the dilute tea tree applied with cotton wool after every time you go to the loo.

The most difficult part for me is reducing sugar and yeast in my diet - I'm so exhausted at the moment that those are the foods that keep me going!

I nearly went demented last night with the itching. I'm seeing my GP tomorrow and hoping she can help. Why is it so much worse at night? Will try the probiotics too. Such a relief to know that I'm not alone.

you poor thing. Thrush is bloody awful. Honestly try REALLY cutting down on sugar and all white flour products - even things like juice. This REALLY does help. Eat probiotic yogurt. Good luck