Thrush - Diflucan & Gentian Violet

[bubbaloo]

I have had thrush for the last 4-5 weeks. Since I discovered what it was (about 2-3 weeks ago), I have been applying Daktarin gel to my nipples and to bub's tongue, but have had no luck as yet. The last two days I have also had Diflucan and am thinking that it is possibly starting to become less painful. Should I take another one today? For how many days?

My GP also suggested that I try Gentian Violet for the thrush. Does anyone have any experience with this? I've googled and discovered that this can cause sores in the baby's mouth in some cases (very few) so I'm not sure whether I should risk this. Has anyone tried Gentian Violet? Was it successful? Were there any side effects/complications for you or your baby?

I've also just been diagnosed with mastitis (see my other thread!) and am now on antibiotics. I know that this can exacerbate thrush so I am extra eager to get this under control.

[Pandora]

Hi Nelle,

Diflucan is expensive, like $30 per capsule, unless you get it on prescription, when its about a third of the time. See if you can get it prescribed for you.

I was prescribed GV when I had nipple thrush, for use on me only, not DS.
When I was a kid, it was the normal treatment for kids too, and mum painted our tongues purple.

It is generally hard to get though, I had to get mine from the RWH in melbourne.

[bubbaloo]

Thanks RayRay.

Diflucan sure is expensive, but at the moment it is such a challenge to get to the GP (bub feeds take an hour each , so I don't have much time to get out and back, and then factoring the GP waiting time....). At this point I'm more than happy to keep paying for the tablets if it is going to make the pain stop!! Is Diflucan something you keep taking until the thrush pain is fully gone?

With the GV... How long did you use it for? Was it effective? (I'm assuming so from your post).

Thanks again.

[BellyBelly]

THIS will stop thrush in it's tracks, its mega potent and safe for baby - 1ml for babe and usual dose for you. Will also prevent further outbreaks and help with many other things too.

[Pandora]

Diflucan really should work within a couple of doses, I'm not sure how long you keep taking it for.

I still have the bottle og GV at thome. but i didn't end up using it, so dont have much advice.

Maybe you could try a probitotic in additon to the diflucan (a good idea when you are on antibiotics anyway).

Other treatments for nipple thrush are warm (not hot) water with a teaspoon of bi carb disolved in there and bath them in that.

I found the daktarin gel worked very quickly for DS, it was just me that took longer.

You could also try nilstat drops for your bub if the daktarin isn't working.

[BellyBelly]

Just to clear it up, pro-biotics should be taken after a course of AB's - the AB's will just kill off the pro-biotics if you taken them in conjunction with AB's...

[bubbaloo]

Thanks ladies. I have also been taking Inner Health Plus which has acidophilus and colostrum but maybe I should stop taking that until I'm finished the antibiotics. I thought it might help cancel out the thrush-increasing effects of the antibiotics, but if it's just being killed off I should probably not waste the pills!

Kelly - re the Fast-Tract Gluten Free Probiotic Liquid. If I order this today, how long will it take to arrive? How long will it take to work? Is this a sure thing?? Your post sounds confident that it is - I'm getting so disheartened with everything I've tried so far not working! Also, how do I give it to my baby?? Oh, and being a probiotic will I have to wait until I've finished my antibiotics?

ETA: Just read up on Fast-Tract / InLivin and I think I might give this a go - I saw a few testimonials saying that it had gotten rid of thrush when nothing else would! Ooooh, I'm starting to get my hopes up. I'll try another Diflucan tonight and if still in pain tomorrow, I think I'll be placing an order... I much prefer organic/natural approaches to things. How long does a bottle last?

I'm also going to give the bi-carb soda a go.

Thanks again.

[grifflau]

Hello PP - I was wondering - did you get the Fast-Tract Gluten Free Probiotic Liquid that was offered from bellybelly? Did it work? It's very pricey so I'm wondering if I should like sell something to buy it! My son and I are battling thrush badly, he's 5 months old and I'm ready to stop breast feeding due to the burning fire pain in my right breast. I believe we've had it for months and only recently displayed the normal symptoms of itching, the pain began long ago. He now has the white patches but hasn't until now. I am so tired all the time.

We just finished our first round of Diflucan and are about to begin another - it didn't work the first time. I've been told to boil my bras in water and vinegar for 20 minutes - is this true? It makes sense but I don't want to mess them up because they are Bravado nursing bras and I don't have the money to replace them at all. I have taken away his pacifier (dummy) so I don't have to worry about that. I will boil those though just in case we use them later on.

I'd LOVE and really truly so much appreciate any responses! <3

Thanks!
Lauren

[Taurean]

Hi Bubbaloo! Thrush is so painful! I had it for about 4 weeks with DD (well so I thought) so I know what you're going through.

I used Nilstat on my nipples and in DD's mouth. I was put on antibiotics for a suspected staph infection so the thrush got worse. I started taking probiotics and using Daktarin cream on my nipples. Still no relief. My LC suggested a 'course' of Diflucan tablets - 3 tablets with a day off inbetween. Still no relief. Dr recommend more Daktarin although it didn't appear to be making any difference. I saw my LC for a follow up regarding feeding issues and she was the one to diagnose the issue - it ended up being Vasospasm!! She suggested I get a script for Nifedipine. I was pain free within days - amazing!

Apparently vasospasm frequently follows a bad case of thrush in the breasts. It can disappear on it's own but often medication is required. Unfortunately for me, Im stuck with it and have to continue taking Nifedipine until I stop breastfeeding (have tried to stop and the vasospasm returned within days). It's a bit annoying taking meds but as it means I can continue breastfeeding, then I'm OK with it.

It could be worth mentioning this to your doctor although my doctors had no idea, had never heard of it. It was my LC that diagnosed it and my OB wrote the scrIpt for me! He'd seen several cases of it in his patients

Good luck, it's so damn painful. I hope you get relief soon.