I need help! Sore nipples for 7 weeks but NOT thrush!

[LuckyD]

Hey all,

I need some help and some ideas!

My LO is almost 11 weeks old. After she was born I had to have antibiotics, and then she went to hospital and had antibiotics at two weeks old.

At four weeks I had sore, red and shiny nipples and pain when breastfeeding, and LO had a rash on her bottom.

The Dr did a swab of her bottom which WAS thrush, and gave us a cream which has cleared it up.

I have been using Daktarin and vinegar water on my nipples, have cut out sugar, have given my nipples air, and taken acidophlus and probiotics. I also had the one-off dose of Diflucan, but it didn't help.

Last week I went back to the Dr and she took a sample of my milk and a swab of my nipples. I just got the results and it says there is no trace of thrush!!

So WHY are my nipples sore and red? It hurts to latch LO on but then the pain goes, so I don't think it's poor latching. I also get some shooting pains in my breasts.

What on earth? I am hoping someone has some ideas as to what this could be!

Thanks!

 

[Cattia]

It really does sound like thrush, I had it with my daughter and it wad a nightmare to clear. Would it show up in your milk? If it has gone to the milk ducts it is possible that it might not show up on a surface swan of the nipples? I am no expert so I don't know but I don't think of it is thrush that a one off dose of diflucan would clear it, you would need a course. It might be worth getting in touch with La Leche League as they have some good information on thrush and also mighy be able to suggest othefs causes if it isn't that. Sorry you are going through so many problems, it's miserable I know.

 

[CeriB]

I don't have any experience of thursh, I'm afraid. Have you tried a nipple cream like Lansinoh? It really does have magic in it On a serious note, the skin may need extra moisture to help and recover.

 

[MelanieAnn]

It does sound like thrush. Is there any possibility that you've been given somebody else's test results? Mix ups do happen.

https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/Differential_Diagnosis_of_Nipple_Pain_March_2009.pdf

https://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/thrush/thrush-resources.html

https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/BfN_Thrush_leaflet_Feb_2009.pdf

Links might help!

 

[MelanieAnn]

It does sound like thrush. Is there any possibility that you've been given somebody else's test results? Mix ups do happen.

https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/Differential_Diagnosis_of_Nipple_Pain_March_2009.pdf

https://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/thrush/thrush-resources.html

https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/BfN_Thrush_leaflet_Feb_2009.pdf

Links might help!

 

[LuckyD]

It really does sound like thrush, I had it with my daughter and it wad a nightmare to clear. Would it show up in your milk? If it has gone to the milk ducts it is possible that it might not show up on a surface swan of the nipples? I am no expert so I don't know but I don't think of it is thrush that a one off dose of diflucan would clear it, you would need a course. It might be worth getting in touch with La Leche League as they have some good information on thrush and also mighy be able to suggest othefs causes if it isn't that. Sorry you are going through so many problems, it's miserable I know.

Yeah, I can't believe that it isn't thrush! The Dr took a sample of my milk and it came back as saying there was no trace of thrush. I was thinking of contacting La Leche...I think I will! Thanks, yes it is miserable - I haven't had any pain-free breastfeeding since my LO was born 11 weeks ago..grrrr!

I don't have any experience of thursh, I'm afraid. Have you tried a nipple cream like Lansinoh? It really does have magic in it On a serious note, the skin may need extra moisture to help and recover.

You are sooooo lucky to not have any experience with thrush! I have been staying away from the lanolin as if it was thrush the moisture would make it worse...however if it's not thrush then I guess it's worth a go!

It does sound like thrush. Is there any possibility that you've been given somebody else's test results? Mix ups do happen.

https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/Differential_Diagnosis_of_Nipple_Pain_March_2009.pdf

https://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/thrush/thrush-resources.html

https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/BfN_Thrush_leaflet_Feb_2009.pdf

Links might help!

Thanks for the links! I hope there hasn't been a mix-up...I do need to get my right nipple swabbed and tested again, so hopefully that will clear things up one way or another...


I was wondering - I have quite flat nipples and while I do work at getting my LO to latch deeply, she often pulls off and gets back on and is not a calm breastfeeder at all! She also comfort sucks for quite a while and has a strong suck on her...could my nipples be sore from a shallow latch/comfort sucking?

I don't know.....?

 

[MelanieAnn]

It is sounding as though it might be complicated. Flattish nipples are resolveable, and the on/off action you describe is characteristic of tongue tie amongst other things. Would it be worth making an appointment with an IBCLC? Because if there are a variety of complicated things, an expert's time is well worth paying for.

 

[KateR]

I'd be interested to know if you found out what it was. I have exactly the same problem - lactation consultant said thrush, so I used miconazole for three weeks and a one off Fluconazole treatment, but my nipples still hurt and feel raw and then they itch. I've been expressing exclusively for about three weeks now as it hurts so much to feed, dr did a swab but if came back saying no sign of thrush, but any time my boobs get near my wee girl she gets oral thrush. Ideas?

 

[Dk1234]

Sounds like thrush. Diflucan needs to be taken for like 10 days after pain is gone. One dose isn't gonna touch ductal yeast.

 

[LuckyD]

I'd be interested to know if you found out what it was. I have exactly the same problem - lactation consultant said thrush, so I used miconazole for three weeks and a one off Fluconazole treatment, but my nipples still hurt and feel raw and then they itch. I've been expressing exclusively for about three weeks now as it hurts so much to feed, dr did a swab but if came back saying no sign of thrush, but any time my boobs get near my wee girl she gets oral thrush. Ideas?

Hey, so sorry you are going through this. My LO is two and a half now, but I remember this time all too well!

I wish I had a magic answer for you, but unfortunately we never found out what it was for me. It ended up going away of it's own accord, I think around four months?? Can't remember exactly when. I still think my symptoms sounded just like thrush, as do yours.

I wish I could be more help - I'm sorry! I hope it gets sorted soon x

 

[tartlet]

Candida will not always show up in a culture! You need a high dose of diflucan for 2 to 4 weeks. I have been suffering from the same symptoms and just finally got my doc to write me a proper script after doing my research and taking it with me to my appointment.