Over the holidays I stopped into a local health food store to pick up my usual grapefruit seed extract capsules (GSE) and ask what else I could do/take to raise the pH of my body to help fight off yeast (yeast thrive in an acidic environment). I spoke with a young woman, maybe my age, maybe even a bit younger. When I showed her the bottle of GSE I was buying and told her I'd been taking it on and off with Fluconazole over the last year, she freaked! Literally freaked that I was breastfeeding and taking GSE. She told me it was awful for me to be doing that, that it transfers to the baby and harms not only my body's balance of yeast and probiotics, but also that of the baby's...(Boy, did I feel like an awful mom!)
BUT...I have been told to take GSE by my Lactation Consultant who referenced the recommendations made by Dr. Jack Newman from the International Breastfeeding Clinic in Toronto, Ontario. He is considered Canada's "guru" on breastfeeding do's and don't's! So, I will continue to trust the experts and not some young person who felt the need to verbally attack a horomone-ridden new mother!
Showing posts with label Dr. Jack Newman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dr. Jack Newman. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Thrush - For the Last Time!
Yup, it's back. Last night we went to bed early, Benjamin and I because he is teething and out of sorts. He fed around 7:30pm and struggled to sleep on and off until we fed again at 9:30pm. At that feeding I realized that yes, my nipples were sore (I've been sore for a couple of days, thinking it was just a stretching while feeding or something - I should have known!). I applied APNO and went to bed.
I woke at 11pm with a very painful vaginal burn that any woman who's experienced an vaginal yeast infection would recognize. I experienced relief from just one treatment, so it's confirmed, I've got an abundance of yeast again...gggrrrrrr.
Well, I guess I am willing to admit that it's never really left my system. It's been around since before Benjamin was born because I was treating a vaginal yeast infection the week he was delivered. The many treatments I've taken over the last year have simply reduced the amount of candida fungus, but have not eliminated it from my body, and over time it flourishes back to a quantity that causes me problems.
I managed to sneak in to see another doctor in my family doctor's practice (she's out on maternity leave, go figure). I went armed with my 3 notebooks of our history with thrush/yeast infections and Dr. Jack Newman's book with his treatment plan. I didn't need any of it! The doctor I saw was a sort of kindred spirit; an experienced breastfeeding mother herself, she reviewed my file and right away suggested we consider I take Fluconazole for the remainder of my breastfeeding experience. I have no idea when I plan to stop. After some discussion, we settled on repeating Dr. Jack Newman's 28 day protocol followed by a slow weaning of the daily dosage to get me on the minimum amount required to keep the yeast at bay. I will also continue using the APNO as needed and will take probiotics and grapefruit seed extract capsules daily.
She also suggested I discuss the matter with Lorraine, my Lactation Consultant, and see what her thoughts and recommendations would be about this treatment and prevention plan.
I am so thrilled! I finally feel confident that this will be the last time I suffer from thrush while breastfeeding!!!
I woke at 11pm with a very painful vaginal burn that any woman who's experienced an vaginal yeast infection would recognize. I experienced relief from just one treatment, so it's confirmed, I've got an abundance of yeast again...gggrrrrrr.
Well, I guess I am willing to admit that it's never really left my system. It's been around since before Benjamin was born because I was treating a vaginal yeast infection the week he was delivered. The many treatments I've taken over the last year have simply reduced the amount of candida fungus, but have not eliminated it from my body, and over time it flourishes back to a quantity that causes me problems.
I managed to sneak in to see another doctor in my family doctor's practice (she's out on maternity leave, go figure). I went armed with my 3 notebooks of our history with thrush/yeast infections and Dr. Jack Newman's book with his treatment plan. I didn't need any of it! The doctor I saw was a sort of kindred spirit; an experienced breastfeeding mother herself, she reviewed my file and right away suggested we consider I take Fluconazole for the remainder of my breastfeeding experience. I have no idea when I plan to stop. After some discussion, we settled on repeating Dr. Jack Newman's 28 day protocol followed by a slow weaning of the daily dosage to get me on the minimum amount required to keep the yeast at bay. I will also continue using the APNO as needed and will take probiotics and grapefruit seed extract capsules daily.
She also suggested I discuss the matter with Lorraine, my Lactation Consultant, and see what her thoughts and recommendations would be about this treatment and prevention plan.
I am so thrilled! I finally feel confident that this will be the last time I suffer from thrush while breastfeeding!!!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Thrush...again!
My left breast has been sore; I think I had a blocked duct on Monday, and my nipple's gotten sore so I finally went to the walk-in clinic today and was diagnosed with thrush...again! (pretty sure this is bout 5 or 6).
Once again I am on Fluconazole, 400mg loading dose with up to 28 days of 100mg twice a day; until pain free for a week. (Ref. Dr. Jack Newman). I am also using the All Purpose Nipple Ointment after each nursing and taking Grapefruit Seed Extract (1 capsule three times a day) and probiotics (10 billion cells three times a day). For the first few days I will even treat my nipples with Gentian Violet in the morning (while Mister is at daycare all day) and simply wipe it off before nursing (he is lucky enough not to get thrush this time).
After speaking with our Lactation Consultant, I will stop all Domperidone, blessed thistle and fenugreek seed. Blocked duct earlier in the week is probably due to too much milk and Mister not taking it all from me.
Once again I am on Fluconazole, 400mg loading dose with up to 28 days of 100mg twice a day; until pain free for a week. (Ref. Dr. Jack Newman). I am also using the All Purpose Nipple Ointment after each nursing and taking Grapefruit Seed Extract (1 capsule three times a day) and probiotics (10 billion cells three times a day). For the first few days I will even treat my nipples with Gentian Violet in the morning (while Mister is at daycare all day) and simply wipe it off before nursing (he is lucky enough not to get thrush this time).
After speaking with our Lactation Consultant, I will stop all Domperidone, blessed thistle and fenugreek seed. Blocked duct earlier in the week is probably due to too much milk and Mister not taking it all from me.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Thrush...it's back!
Last week I finished a 5 day treatment of Fluconazole for thrush and a 6-day Canesten treatment...and the symptoms are still here!!! GRRRRR!!!!!
Today I began another round of Fluconazole treatment, as advised by my lactation consultant who referenced Dr. Jack Newman. I'll take a 400mg loading dose and follow it with up to 28 days of 200mg; until I am pain free for a week. I'll also take Grapefruit Seed Extract in capsule form (1 three times a day) and probiotics (10 billion cells three times a day). And I'll be using the All Purpose Nipple Ointment after each nursing.
You can only understand the pain of nursing when you have thrush if you've experienced it. If you have or are going through it, I feel your pain and wish you good medical care to get the right treatment! My Dr. would never have prescribed Fluconazole like this if the lactation consultant didn't recommend it!
Today I began another round of Fluconazole treatment, as advised by my lactation consultant who referenced Dr. Jack Newman. I'll take a 400mg loading dose and follow it with up to 28 days of 200mg; until I am pain free for a week. I'll also take Grapefruit Seed Extract in capsule form (1 three times a day) and probiotics (10 billion cells three times a day). And I'll be using the All Purpose Nipple Ointment after each nursing.
You can only understand the pain of nursing when you have thrush if you've experienced it. If you have or are going through it, I feel your pain and wish you good medical care to get the right treatment! My Dr. would never have prescribed Fluconazole like this if the lactation consultant didn't recommend it!
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