questions about thrush

amyinaustin

DD was diagnosed w/ this yesterday and we started her on the Rx meds.  So far, I have no symptoms, but the pedi told me to talk w/ my OB to get started on some since we can pass this back and forth to each other.  My OB does not want to start me on anything until I have symptoms which I can totally understand, but I'm scared that I'm going to catch it, it's just a matter of time (I'm scared b/c I hear it's horrible!).  So if you've had thrush:

-does it hit you like a ton of bricks like mastitis does?  

-is it possible to NOT catch it from our LO if you're exclusively BF?

-and if you DO catch it, is it possible that it will only stay in one breast?

I say I have no symptoms, but I did have some tenderness in both breasts (one more than the other) that seems to have gone away.  I pumped for the first time a few days ago and it was REALLY stingingly painful in the nipple area and I don't remember it being that painful before.  When I pumped again yesterday, it still hurt, just not as bad. No pain though when I BF DD directly.

Seeing my OB on Thursday for my 6-wk PP appt, and I have instructions from him to call if I start having pain between now and then so he can write me a RX.

TIA!

ssinca

Ugggggggh, thrush sucks! I don't remember it hitting like a ton of bricks but I got it two-ish weeks after LO was born and I just figured the pain was still part of the BFing newness. It felt like knives were slicing my nipples, I still have nightmares from the pain, way worse than labor!

They gave both of us meds the first time and it seemed to work but I got it again a few wks later and I didn't want to wait weeks for it to clear up so I bought gentian violet. Couldn't find it locally near me but it was <$10 on amazon. From what I read, if it doesn't clear up in 2 days with the GV it's not thrush. Yes, it's messy but I put Vaseline around his lips and had him suck on a qtip and just his lips turned purple. Went away after a day. Much easier than the two wk treatment with the prescription stuff IMO. GL!

carlinlp

I would also consider probiotics for both of you. Putting a live strain (water kefir, etc) directly on to your breasts and even under your armpits is really helpful as well as ingesting it. especially before nursing. Hope it gets better soon!

el_twirpo

ssinca:

Ugggggggh, thrush sucks! I don't remember it hitting like a ton of bricks but I got it two-ish weeks after LO was born and I just figured the pain was still part of the BFing newness. It felt like knives were slicing my nipples, I still have nightmares from the pain, way worse than labor!

They gave both of us meds the first time and it seemed to work but I got it again a few wks later and I didn't want to wait weeks for it to clear up so I bought gentian violet. Couldn't find it locally near me but it was <$10 on amazon. From what I read, if it doesn't clear up in 2 days with the GV it's not thrush. Yes, it's messy but I put Vaseline around his lips and had him suck on a qtip and just his lips turned purple. Went away after a day. Much easier than the two wk treatment with the prescription stuff IMO. GL!

I took ssinca's advice with the gentian violet to get rid of thrush for both me and ds. you can get it at people's pharmacy. For the stabby pain, get the triple action nipple cream. Your Dr can prescribe it. Make sure you wash everything that comes on contact with your nips and lo's mouth in hot water with a little vinegar thrown in. Good luck! It will get better!