Help me get rid of the thrush before the baby is born...

[insidevoice]

Ok, I have a terrible problem with thrush.  It started when I had my now 2 yo, and was given IV antibiotics in labor.  Despite trying EVERYTHING under the sun to get rid of it, I dealt with thrush throughout the nursing relationship (it was deep in the breast, even things like diflucan weren't making a difference.)

DS weaned a few months ago (I am currently pregnant and due in December) and when he weaned, the thrush seemed not to be such an issue.  

Now, as my breasts are heading back towards lactating, I'm suddenly being plagued with symptoms again.  At this point, I am only noticing it in the nipples, but I know that if it's already there, it will soon be deep in the breast tissue.  

Because of the constant pain while nursing last time, I also developed reynauds syndrome. Breastfeeding came to be something horrifically painful, and while I did continue well beyond a year and into pregnancy, it was a relief when DS weaned.  I want to be able to enjoy nursing this baby, and not resent the pain.  

Any suggestions?

[MindfulBirth]

So sorry you are having do deal with this.  Have you discussed this with your primary care doctor?  You said you have tried everything under the sun.. does that include diet changes?  I know you said you are pregnant, but you will also need to be aware that The Pill can cause thrush issues (something to keep in mind for the future).

Be sure to include lots of PRObiotics, too.  Look for the kind that is kept in a refrigerator at your health food store. 

Best wishes.

[insidevoice]

I've done dietary changes (the candida- free diet approach) and an extended course of diflucan as well as GSE, gentian, nystatin...

I know that doing that effected a change in my gut, but it seems that nothing is able to fix the yeast overgrowth in the breasts themselves.  I'm disheartened.  I will be refusing IV antibiotics this time during delivery (unless there is a very clear NEED for them) and am willing to spend an extra day or so in the hospital to make them feel better if necessary.  

[AfricanQueen99]

I had a horrible, horrible case of thrush following my son's birth and I also tried everything.  The only thing that worked for me was to follow this GSE protocol - http://drjaygordon.com/breastfeeding/thrush.html.  Only I was in such a stupor that I turned the topical treatment into an ORAL treatment (don't ask me how the heck I did that - I blame it on the exhaustion and being massively uncomfortable).  Anyway, I drank my ounce of distilled water with ten drops of GSE hourly for two days.  BAM!  It totally worked.  And then I realized it was supposed to be topical.  Oh, well.  I'm not sure the safety of doing so while pregnant, though.

[foreverinbluejeans]

Everyone in the family probably needs to be treated. If that has been done, I suggest seeing an immunologist or infectious disease doctor. Having a yeast infection that doesn't get better with treatment is a warning sign for having a genetic immune deficiency disease. I found out I have a genetic immune deficiency disease after I got pneumonia from an unusual bacteria while I was pregnant that wouldn't get better. I was in and out of the hospital. After my baby was born I had thrush and pneumonia again and then septicemia by the time he was 4 weeks old. That is when they did the tests for immune deficiencies.

I get gamma globulin IV's every 3 weeks to protect me from infections. I've been doing it for 23 years. All 3 of my children also have genetic immune deficiencies and my only grandchild has immune deficiencies. Our disease is called common variable immunodeficiency, CVID. There are many genetic immune deficiency diseases. Ours is pretty rare, selective IgA deficiency is common. It affects 1 in 400 people. People with selective IgA deficiency could have problems with thrush.

Here is a link so you can see if you have any other signs of primary immune deficiency diseases.

http://www.info4pi.org/aboutPI/index.cfm?section=aboutPI&content=warningsigns

[insidevoice]

Thanks, I already know that I have significant immune compromise (as does one of my kids.)  I'm also a cancer survivor, and my immune system was further damaged in treatment.  

I hadn't really thought about the connection between that and the thrush (I know, I probably should have- it's just so common... ) Maybe I'll look for a local immunologist to see if they have any ideas.

That would make sense.  Grr. 

[1babysmom]

This is a TON of stuff, but after massive battles with thrush (turned systemic, eventually), this is what I went through-

http://joyfilledmama.blogspot.com/2011/05/breastfeeding-what-i-wish-i-would-have.html

[insidevoice]

Hm, there are some great suggestions there- I'll have to see what I can find (and afford) locally, and what I may need to order.  

[Kindermama]

I recommend seeing a certified homeopath. I am one and I believe you would benefit greatly from a good constitutional remedy. Let m know if you need an help finding one local to you.