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saintanneshs
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I hope I'm posting this in the right place! (I wasn't sure if this topic should go under "little ones" or in the health issues forum  )
5 week-old Caleb and I have a terrible case of thrush.  Without going into too much detail, it's really, really BAD...
I've had thrush when nursing all 5 of my babies and this time is the worst. I think it's because of the antibiotics I had to take for the kidney stone/UTI I had at the beginning of February (I haven't taken antibiotics in many years). Even though I've been taking a probiotic since delivery and we've spent the last 2 weeks on antifungal prescriptions, the infection didn't go away. The symptoms died back but within 2 days of coming off the antifungal medication (Diflucan), the infection is still raging on. So after a visit to the doc yesterday, we're back on more antifungal med. and I spent last night reading about the interrelatedness of diet, hormones and health. Problem is, my OB thinks that I'm not going to be able to break this cycle of yeast infections without weaning. Since I'm already supplementing (not enough milk--another hormone-related issue for me), it doesn't seem like that big a deal to anyone else. It is a big deal to me, though!  Even though my little guy is only getting 1/3 of his nutrition from me, I still would like to be able to breastfeed. This time around I've been able to make more milk than I've ever made before (nursing # 5)  and it took a lot for me to get here, all for Caleb's sake. I don't want to just throw all that away. (BTW, Yes, I've tried EVERYTHING that's out there to help increase my milk supply and only a few things have helped and yes, feedings are very time-consuming and it would be much easier for me physically to just let this go and bottle feed.)
So what I need to know is, does anyone have any suggestions as to HOW to fight this yeast so I can continue with breastfeeding?
I know I need to radically change my diet. I've ordered a book that sounds really helpful (The Yeast Syndrome ...anyone ever heard of it?), some oregano oil capsules, and some vitamins. What else can I do?
I'm a little afraid to continue on when my OB has said that he thinks I'll be on antifungal prescriptions for as long as I continue to nurse. This doesn't sound good! Is there anything else you can think of that might help?
Thanks! (from Caleb and his Mommy  )
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Kristine
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Elizabeth
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Oh! I SO think you can! I'm going to tag Rebecca on this one because I'm short of time and I know she has exactly what you need, but...
You need the anti-yeast diet (Rebecca, can you post?)
you need coconut oil and coconut milk in your diet, probiotics and caprylic acid capsules.
I did this when Katie was about nine months old and I was super strict with myself. I had had yeast probems since chemo. I haven't had yeast issues since.
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Dawnie
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Kristine,
Here's a recent thread on thrush...
thrush
HTH!
Dawn
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mellyrose
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I had horrible thrush with my 2nd. Gentian Violet was the only thing that cleared it up (after I spent too much time on the doctor's recommendations)
I would paint it on my nipples, then breastfeed my son. It turned his mouth purple, and my nipples purple . . . but after a few days the thrush was gone! I used it for 5 days straight, applying 2x/day. The first day I also painted his mouth twice with the gentian violet - not a lot, but just enough to get the process started.
I also watched my bras daily with a few drops of teatree oil, switched to disposable nursing pads during this time (was using cloth ones prior), and hung my bras out in the sun to dry (the UV rays kill germs).
I've also heard good things about changing your diet -- I tried to avoid sugar and ate a lot of yogurt, but that was all I did.
Good LUCK!
Melanie
Mom to boy6, boy4 and baby girl on the way!
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momwats8
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Gentian violet is the only thing that worked for me and Maggie too. I painted the inside of her mouth with it using a q-tip and then I put it on my nipples. the purple staining for a few days is well worth it. We kept giving it back and forth plus I had a double breast infection!! It was horrible!! I also took garlic tablets that I got at GNC - they are supposed to help.
Prayers for a quick recovery and for your sanity.
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saintanneshs
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Thank you everyone, for all of your suggestions! I'm looking forward to hearing about the anti-yeast diet (as I'm questioning everything I put in my mouth)!! and I'm heading back to the health food store.
Thanks. 
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JodieLyn
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I have a friend who both her and the baby had major systemic yeast stuff going on from massive antibiotics (needed).. and she never had to stop nursing.
Here's the website for the diet that she found to actually work. http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/
She also mentioned there's some lesser things you can do like take garlic regularly if baby can tolerate, cut out sugars (except whole fruit), cut out refined flours and eat a good yogurt... gentian violet for treating her and baby, oil or oregano applied to feet
My friend also mentioned that being hypothyroid can contribute to the yeast overgrowth.. best way to check on that is the basal body temp charts like for NFP.
If the yeast is systemic, the diet could prevent future problems including auto-immune disorders.
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Elizabeth
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Basic eating plan: Maintain a diet high in whole foods, with plenty of vegetables, regular moderate amounts of protein, moderate fat, and virtually no simple sugars. Ideally the diet needs to be free of artificial colors, sweeteners and dyes.
This is the basic dietary approach we recommend to all women. Those with Candida need to go on a yeast-free diet first until they complete the initial healing phase.
Our guidelines for a yeast–free diet:
1. Avoid yeast–containing foods:
Beer, wine, and all other forms of alcohol
Breads, rolls, pretzels, pastries, cookies, and sweet rolls
B–complex vitamins and selenium products, unless labeled “yeast–free”
Vinegar or foods containing vinegar, such as mustard, salad dressings, pickles, barbeque sauce, mayonnaise
Commercially prepared foods such as soups, dry roasted nuts, potato chips, soy sauce, cider, natural root beer, olives, sauerkraut
2. Avoid mold–containing and mold–supporting foods:
Pickled, smoked or dried meats, fish, and poultry
Cured pork bacon
All cheese, aged or fresh
Mushrooms
Tempeh
Soy sauce, tamari, and miso
Peanuts, peanut products, and pistachios
Herbs and teas that may be moldy
Malt or foods containing malt
Canned or prepared tomatoes (fresh tomatoes are fine)
3. Avoid all concentrated sugars:
Honey, maple syrup, brown sugar
Fruit juices (canned, bottled, or frozen)
Dried fruits
All processed sugar
Anything containing high–fructose corn syrup
High glycemic index foods
What foods can you eat in a Candida diet?
All fresh vegetables — a large variety, raw or lightly steamed, is best; be sure to include dark green leafy vegetables.
Fresh protein at every meal, including beef, chicken, fish, turkey, eggs, and shellfish. Organic is best, but fresh is essential.
Complex carbohydrates, including grains (rice, buckwheat, barley, millet, couscous), whole grain oatmeal, beans (kidney, lima, red beans), and certain types of pasta (whole wheat, spelt, corn, rice). Be careful not to get too many carbs — 15 grams per meal maximum.
Unprocessed nuts and seeds, except peanuts.
Unrefined olive, sesame, safflower and corn oils (be sure to keep them in the refrigerator after opening to prevent spoiling).
Lemon juice with oil for salad dressing — this may be a prepared product, but be careful to avoid any salad dressing that contains vinegar.
Beverages such as mineral or spring water, soy milk, and unprocessed nut milks.
Limited quantities of fruit (three daily), unless you see a reaction, then limit to twice weekly. Avoid grapes, raisins, dates, prunes and figs.
From:
women to women
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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amyable
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How long do you need to stay on this diet to see results without relapsing? Even with all the strict allergy free diets I've been on, I'm horrible at staying on an anti-yeast diet unless I have a definite ending time to shoot for...
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Elizabeth
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Makes a great Lenten fast, Amy (but you don't get Sundays off).
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Rebecca
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Dear Kristine,
I want you to feel confident that you can beat this yeast problem and can do it naturally if you so desire. I am SO with you on the yeast problem. I have struggled with yeast problems for many years, even as a child. I have had four children who have battled thrush on various levels while nurslings.
I have tried diflucan, oregano capsules, gentian violet but nothing made even the slightest difference until I used Flora Balance . It is an all natural product (capsules or powder) which consists of lactobacillus sporogenes. In layman's terms, these natural spores "eat" the yeast and kill it (unlike acidophilus which coexists with the yeast and boosts good bacteria in the intestinal tract). I found this product years ago when trying to combat a nasty case of thrush/yeast for my son and I.
The product works well alone but even better is the Candida Control Kit (that comes with the flora balance powder, acidopilius and biotin) if you have been on antibiotics or antifungals. This will begin to rebuild good intestinal flora.
It really works within a very short time to cure yeast symptoms when combined with a yeast elimination diet. The website tells you it can take months to fully rid your body of a systemic yeast problem but after taking it for only three days, the red patches on my baby's cheeks and bottom cleared up. Within a week, I am feeling more energetic, less groggy and completely over my sugar addiction. By that time the baby's white patches in the mouth are gone as well.
I order the powdered form because it can be applied topically to baby's bottom, mother's nipple area, anywhere where the thrush is taking over. You just mix it with four ounces of water, first thing in the am, a half an hour before eating breakfast.
Now, the hard part...
As the yeast dies off, especially for the first two to four days, people have flulike symptoms (headache, nausea, vomiting, irritability, chills, etc.). This is because when yeast die, they produce a toxic alcohol that taxes your body. It is very important to drink large quantities of water for the first few days and take lots of vitamin c to help flush the body of waste. Many people find themselves urinating frequently because they are getting rid of so many waste products from the yeast.
If you are addicted to sugar, as I was, you will also experience withdrawal symptoms from that as well.
I guess what I am saying is (if you decide to do this) begin this program in the morning on a day when you have nothing planned for the next three days or so and can stay home. Make sure your home is well stocked with lots of fresh fruit, veggies and yummy proteins prior to beginning the yeast elimination.
Rather than focus on the foods you can't eat, I focus on what you can eat safely when trying to eliminate yeast. There really are only a few. 
My list is a little different from the above because I do not eat any grains (wheat, oats, millet, etc.) at all while eliminating yeast (for the first three weeks), mainly because it seems to die off faster for me this way.
I eat raw fruit, raw or cooked vegetables, and protein (meat, eggs, dairy). I do eat cheese, which I know normally is not on the list but it works for me.
Beverages are water and tea.
Have hope, my friend. It can be done!
I will be praying for you and your little Caleb.
Hugs from Rebecca 
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kathleenmom
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Kristine,
I think I posted in more detail in the post Dawn linked on thrush from earlier....
but I have struggled with thrush and had it while tandem nursing #1 and #2. The only think that worked for me was using a combination of Oregon Grapeseed Tincture, Black Walnut Tincture, and Grapefruit Seed Oil. You mix these and ingest them 3 times a day, make a solution that you swab baby's mouth out with several times a day and paint your nipples with. In addition, I used a salve in between that had good stuff in it, including tea tree oil. Wash all of your towels after one use, use disposable breast pads. Be VIGILANT. You need to continue treatment until you and baby have been symptom free for atleast 2 weeks.
This in conjunction with good health care and attention to diet has always worked for me.
You can buy a "thrush fighting" kit with all of these ingredients and instructions for use from here.
Hope that helps,
Kathleen
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MarieC
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Kristine...no advice (sounds like you've gotten some good advice already)...but know you and Caleb are in my prayers!
Rebecca wrote:
Within a week, I am feeling more energetic, less groggy and completely over my sugar addiction. |
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I don't want to hijack Kristine's thread, but would you use this to get over a sugar addiction that didn't have a yeast component? Thanks!
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Rebecca
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Marie,
Many times people with yeast problems don't realize they have them, unless their baby has obvious thrush or the mother has another obvious sign. Here is a quiz to see whether you might be dealing with yeast.
If you are not, I would not see a need for the flora-balance product since its primary function is to eliminate yeast from the body.
However, the yeast elimination diet would works wonders to eliminate a sugar addiction because it levels out blood sugar and eliminates the foods that trigger the addiction (flour products and refined sugar).
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JodieLyn
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Amy - I don't know the diet that well.. but the one I linked to.. is designed to heal.. so that you can add back in foods as you heal without relapse.. I don't know what the timeline is though.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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saintanneshs
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Wow...this is going to be a rough week. I've only been on this yeast-free diet for 2 days and already I'm having a headache tonight and I NEVER get headaches  , so what you've told me must be true and I guess it will get worse before it gets better.
I'm going with the diet and I ordered the Candida Control Kit. Everything else sounds like it might have worked before things got to this point but as bad as they are (I won't gross you all out), I'd better go for the arsenal.
Thanks again. I'll let you know how things turn out.
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Kristine
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Rebecca
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Kristine,
Drinking lots of water and taking ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) will help with the headaches. It also helped me to have some quick fix foods on hand like hard boiled eggs, string cheese, fruit, etc. for the times that you are hungry but don't want to prepare any food.
Thinking of you and praying for you. Hang in there. You can do it!
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Breastfeeding Woes...need help
