Thrush as well as what to do about it

+++ This is part of an email I sent to Whitney at the height of my breastfeeding crisis. +++

I hope you never get thrush.

The stinging, burning pain is virtually unbearable. I want to chew with my chewbeads. I have that desire to “throw the infant across the room” while nursing that I had at the extremely beginning. I believe “they” phone call it feline tongue or something however it feels like a rat is gnawing at my ta-tas. as well as not just during, however afterward, for three hours.

I hope I have thrush.

Because that’s what I’m treating by taking this pill (for 3 weeks before I get full relief) as well as painting my nips purple. since if I don’t have thrush, then I don’t understand what to make with myself in one more 16 days when this still hurts so much.

I dislike to end my illustrious as well as productive nursing occupation on a low note however I am not planning a success infant to comprise for it. If this is exactly how it will go down — in flames, so to speak — then so be it!

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First, there was itching (annoying however bearable). then came the bleeding; I observed blood dripping from my baby’s mouth during already-painful nursing; he appeared like a bit vampire. When these symptoms progressed into intense hellfire pain deep in my milk ducts, my physician suggested thrush as the culprit, even though my infant never provided with any type of symptoms. She stated that thrush is rather difficult to diagnose however simple to treat with an anti-fungal pill (same as you’d get for any type of yeast infection). though I wondered if my diet plan of sweets as well as treats may be to blame, she stated I might take the pill together with my coffee as well as donuts. Gotta like western medicine.

Unfortunately, my doc likewise told me that the pill may take the full 21 days before I felt any type of improvement. So in addition to the medicine, I bought some over-the-counter purple stuff to apply — umm, err, exactly how to put this delicately? — topically. Yes, I painted it on my nipples.

There, I stated it.

Using a Q-tip dipped in Gentian Violet antiseptic (to keep the liquid sterile), I swabbed myself when each day before nursing for four days. That stuff spots like crazy so be prepared with the nursing pads. The purple stuff assisted immediately, however only a bit bit. I took four days off as well as did one more four days on.

Because of the thrush, I cut my nursing down from five sessions to three ideal away. since of dropping sessions, I likewise got plugged ducts. Twice.

Unfortunately, after six weeks of different develops of treatment, it still hurt. While the agony was minimized (see “burning hellfire” comments), the discomfort was sucky sufficient that I might no longer validate nursing a almost one year old who barely cared one method or another. as well as so we stopped altogether, however I can’t assist question if I requirement to cut back on the sweets anyway. [See likewise I provide up, whining about weaning.]

Thrush is a hot mess. While I talked with genuine doctors, lactation consultants, friends, as well as “Dr. Google,” I can’t diagnose you over a website. What I discovered on the internet about symptoms as well as treatment, I discovered from the kellymom guide to a lot more than you ever wished to understand about thrush. If you’re suffering from it as well — as well as I hope you’re not!! — inspect out these articles. as well as great luck to you!

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This publish was originally sponsored by Q-tips as part of their tipster program. Unfortunately, the story is mine.