J.G. asks from Provo, UT on November 02, 2008
Chronic Yeast Infection
my sister has a 6-week old boy, and the last 5 of those 6 weeks she has had this terrible yeast infection in both of her breasts. The Drs have prescribed different things, but so far nothing has worked! She is trying to stick with breast feeding, but it is so painful for her! Her doc says she should be cured by now, and they've never seen it go on this long. It doesn't look too bad on the outside, so they haven't shown much sympathy.Her doctor even said it's all in her head now, but I know she is in pain. Has anyone gone through his or know someone who has? What finally worked?? Thanks for your advice, ladies!
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C.B. answers from Denver on November 03, 2008
It sounds like a yeast intolerance. If she is in pain and the Dr, says it is all in her head, time for a new Dr.
I do this yeast cleanser called "Tri-Cleanse". I get it at Vitamine Cottage and do it when on anti-biotics(SP) I helps control the yeast in my body and is herbal.
C. B
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J.D. answers from Colorado Springs on November 03, 2008
My daughter got thrush at day care while I was still breast feeding, so I ended up with it too. The Docs tried the yellow sticky (can't remember the name) stuff for her. That didn't work neither did the gent violet you paint the childs mouth with and your nipples. (horrible experience) They finally gave me oral diflucan which goes through the breast milk and treated both of us so we wouldn't pass it back and forth. Hope this helps. Good luck and hang in there. If her doctors don't treat her as they should it is best to find someone new, and well with in her rights.
A.W. answers from Pocatello on November 03, 2008
she should start taking acidophilus asap.....also she should cut sugar out of her diet as much as possible until it has cleared up. liquid form is most absorpable....you can find it in a little fridge in most health food stores. and make sure to dry/air out nipples after feeding before covering back up.
J.N. answers from Billings on November 03, 2008
Usually when you get a yeast infection on your breast during nursing, it is b/c the baby has thrush. Has the baby been treated. If not, its only being half treated. I've had that with all 3 kids. It is something easily fixed.
GL
J.
S.G. answers from Missoula on November 04, 2008
Don't Give Up! Drs have no idea what she is feeling and some people,like myself, have candida which is too much of the normal yeast in your system and it can show up anywhere. Research Candida. Cut out sugar, it feeds yeast. Tons of yogurt, milk with acidopholus, live cultures etc. Sunrider Foods makes an apple flavored powder you can even eat plain with live cultures in it. Be sure baby does not have thrush in the mouth and is transferring it back and forth with Mom. Is this yeast on the skin or IN the breast. Any type of monistat just applied topically works great for skin irritations. See Dr Deanna Phinney, she is incredibley thorough and gets to the bottom of things. When my candida is out of control I will have to take that "just once" type of pill several times. Usually 1 pill once/wk for three weeks then it is all cleared up. Also be sure it is not recurrent mastitis. That is so painful and pain can linger even after the milk duct is cleared and the infection is gone.
Hope that helps.
S.A. answers from Boise on November 03, 2008
I had this problem for three months and no doctor would help me. They didn't believe me. Very frustrating. So I ended up taking matters into my own hands. I talked to a friend who was a nurse and she told me to get on a probiotic and then I got monistate (yes, vaginal yeast infection cream) and put it on my nipples after I nursed an before I went to bed. I washed it off before I nursed. I saw an improvement in two days. I took about a week to go away. It was wonderful. My question also, is she treating her son also? You have to get a doctor prescription for this one. My son wasn't showing symptoms so they couldn't treat him. He didn't need it though. Also tell her NOT to put moisture on them..it just breeds the yeast. Warm moist areas are what yeast loves. I know what your sister is going through. It is so painful. I almost gave up breastfeeding because of it. This worked for me and I hope it will work for her if she tries it. At this point I would be trying everything. Blessings to you and your sister.
S.
L.M. answers from Salt Lake City on November 03, 2008
Has she called La Leche League? That's my advise. They are AMAZING!!!
H.G. answers from Denver on November 03, 2008
Hi J.!
Congratulations on your little one and to your sister as well! I am sorry to hear about her struggles- no doubt she is in pain! A few things that she can do to help...
Try to eat as many raw fruits and vegetables as possible- no processed foods and limit meats, soy and conventional dairy products. NO PROCESSED SUGAR! If she mush have sweet, she should use raw honey (for her, not the baby, of course) or agave nectar. She needs to take a good probiotic- I use Shaklee's Optiflora pearls. Try and find a "pearl" probiotic because of the layers- the bactieria survives the stomach acid and gets deposited in the gut where it is needed. I think she should take Wishgarden Herbs Mastitis Remedy. This remedy will help get the infection under control. She could also try a breast compress to relieve her pain and help draw out some of the infection. And finally, please provide lots of support for her to keep keeping on with breastfeeding. I know it must bo so hard for her, but she can get this under control and will be able to enjoy a wonderful breastfeeding relationship with her child.
Other things I suggest- I think she should see a Natropath- they will work with her to identify the problems and the causes instead of just masking the symptoms.
If you (or she) would like more info or help, please feel free to contact me. Also, if she wants to try the Mastitis Remedy, I would be heppy to extend a discount to her, either one of you can email me for the details if you are interested.
What a wonderful sister to be so supportive- if only we were all so blessed! Please give your sister my best wishes for a fast recovery!
H. Gaitten
www.naturalchoices4baby.com
____@____.com
C.C. answers from Salt Lake City on November 03, 2008
my dd and I passed thrush back and forth for a while. I had to eat a lot of yogurt to help build up my good biotics where the antibiotics were getting rid of everything. until we treated the baby and I it went back and forth--so I agree get both of them treated as for the in your head doctor--roll eyes--tell her to go to another one. You don't need docs who don't listen. especially when there are so many who do.
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