If it's not thrush, what is it? (Discouraged 1st time mommy)

[LilMomma83]

Ok, let me give a little back ground on the situation...

It took about a week to figure out how to get DS latched on properly and by that time I had cracked, sore nipples. I started using Lansinoh cream and making sure the baby latched properly each time and by 1 1/2 wks my nipples felt pretty much completely better and were not cracked anymore. I did get what I assume was a plugged duct (a hard spot on my breast that went away after about 2 days) about 3 days later I got a white (milk blister/bleb?) on the same side (right side) that has been disapearing and coming back ever since.

After one week of pretty much pain-free nursing my nipples started getting progressively more sore - a deep burning, shooting pain (worst of my right side). My nipples were not cracked but were pinker than usual. I saw the LC who said it was thrush and prescribed an all-purpose anti-fungal ointment for my nipples (did not help and I'm still using it).

At 4 1/2 weeks I saw my CNM for vaginal burning (sorry if that's TMI) and after examining me she, said everything looked fine, but sense I had thrush in my milk ducts it could be anywhere in my body so everything was probably related, she prescribed 100mgs a day of Diflucan.

At my 6wk PP check-up I did not feel any better and asked about meds for the baby (she said he was getting Diflucan through my milk and didn't need anything) the CNM (who aparently also spoke with the OBs and LCs) decided to up my dose to 200mgs a day of Diflucan.

Yesterday (7wks) I stil felt/feel the same, my nipples are RED and a little skin is peeling off so I spoke with the LC again who STRONGLY reccomended DS be put on something for thrush even though he does not have white spots in his mouth. We saw the pediatritian today and he said that because DS has no white spots and is gaining weight fine than he does not have thrush. He also said that if I have not seen any improvement than I was probably given the wrong diagnoses. He said I should see a specialist to check the diagnoses - so I'm trying to get prepared for this appointment...

Also: I've been washing everything that comes in contact with milk/spit up milk in hot water, using vinigar wipes on my nipples, changing and washing clothes/sheets every day, changing nursing pads the second they get moist, sterlizing breast pump parts, bottles, nipples and pacifiers daily. (BTW baby does not really use a bottle - just a few times a week preparing for my return to work and I only give him milk pumped in the last few days - I'm not saving any).

Every LC and La Leche League leader that has looked at his latch in the past 4-5wks has said it's fine, in fact I don't even have to help him with it now he latches on perfectly from the beginning of the feeding.

I am absolutely determined to BF no matter what, but I really want to enjoy it...and right now it hurts!

Everything I've read seems to point to thrush - except that I have NEVER had a yeast infection in my life?

I guess I'm just looking for either reassurance that I'm being given proper treatment and baby doesn't need any or how to convince them I need different treatment (and what?) or how to convince them baby neads treatment or what else this could posably be???

Am I just over-reacting? This is my first time to BF, so maybe it just is painful to me? Will it be like that next time too?

I'm not giving up - I'm just frustrated/discouraged.

[mengmommy]

I know there are other momma's with more experience in this (I've never had thrush), but I've heard many women say that the diflucan doesn't work and they go straight to Genetian Violet. Hopefully someone who actually knows about how much to take/give/etc will pop on and help you out!

[arlecchina]

the baby needs something oral (miconazole?), the dose you're getting comes out in your milk at something like .06 mg, which is not enough to dose your baby....

It sounds definitely like thrush that your baby is passing back to you.

[ani'smommy]

Yes, I would give something to the baby as well.

And take lots and lots of acidopholis. It's the only thing that helped our horrible horrible four month bout of thrush.

Good for you for hanging in there, it is pain like no other, I know.

[purplerascal]

Consider the possibility of a non-thrush infection too - the most likely culprit is staph, in which case antibiotics are what you need. It's incredibly painful, a lot like thrush, but has slightly different symptoms (red, dry nipples; a barely detectible yellowish ooze, cracked nipples, radiating pain during and after feeds). A lactation specialist can help out, but any old doctor should be able to spot it using an otoscope. That is, they should be, but they might not know to look for it, so if you can find a doctor who specializes in breastfeeding, OR a lactation consultant with knowledge of bacterial infections, you'll be better off.

NB I am not a doctor, just someone who suffered months of pain, treated it like thrush, and found out it had probably been a bacterial infection all along - it responded after two rounds of abx, some antibiotic/antifungal ointment, and some serious abstaining from nursing in favour of pumping. Infected nipples are much more easily traumatized than normal, which can lead to all sorts of secondary pain and discomfort, so I hope you can get it fixed as soon as you can!

[jwpsgurl]

I am having what sounds like the same kind of pain (OUCH!!), only my midwife told me that it is definitely not thrush and is an infection. She prescribed some antibiotics. I would definitely get a second opinion, good luck!

[silly_scout]

Assuming you really do have thrush and not a bacterial infection, you'll need to treat your baby at the same time you treat yourself. This is something that a lot of doctors don't know. Your baby can be asymptomatic and still be carrying the thrush, which will only reinfect you every time you nurse.
Diflucan is only approved for use in babies over 6 months. Nystatin liquid is probably the best medication to start with for treating baby because it is not systemically absorbed.
Continue with the vinegar wipes. Some people swear by grapefruit seed extract. I cannot take any anti-fungals like Diflucan due to liver issues, so I have to treat the symptoms of thrush (I've had it for nearing 3 months at this point). I've found that a diet change helps a little bit. Eliminate unnecessary processed sugars, leavened breads, and dairy (except yogurt) from your diet. Eat yogurt, drink kefir, and take a probiotic supplement.
Here's another trick: don't let your girls get overheated. Any time I start feeling warm in the breast-region, I strip down to my skivvies because the pain triples in the heat.
Thrush is the devil. Like you, I refuse to believe that I can't breastfeed (my parents keep begging me to wean because my health hasn't been very good lately and they think that weaning will make me better! It ain't happenin').

[LilMomma83]

Well I had my doctor's visit for the "second opinion" today...

He says he's almost posative that it's thrush...but he also doesn't think it's an infection - he says that it looks like my nipples just have not been able to heal because of the baby nursing? He prescribed me a cream to help them heal and told me to pump through the weekend or until I feel 80% better - he said I can start feeding on the left side sooner if it feels better sooner.

I'm a little frustrated because I just think it's more than that...I don't understand why I would have had a pain free period if it's just "inflamed nipples." *And won't pumping hurt just as much as feeding..I think it does..? But, who knows maybe he is right, or if not I follow his advice and he says if it gets worse or stays the same he will look into other posible problems.

[ani'smommy]

When I had thrush, it took me several months to convince my doctor that that's what it was. Baby was asymptomatic so without the tell tale white spots, noone would believe that I had thrush.

Acidopholis, I swear, is the best. It won't hurt anything to take it and you should anyway if you are prescribed antibiotics.