User Tag List

Likes Likes:  0
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12

Thread: Thrush

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Posts
    294
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Thrush

    Several months ago I was experiencing frequent discomfort in my upper chest, particularly at night, and when bending forward from a standing position. Initially I attributed this to heartburn and did not think too much about it. On my next rheumatologist visit I mentioned it to him. He looked in my throat and told me I had a fungal infection. I had no clue because it was not visible in my mouth or the forward portion of my tongue, but apparently it was quite obvious to him. Sure enough, a course of Nystatin seemed to knock it out pretty quickly. However, it has recurred and I am now on my third course of Nystatin. In the big picture, this is a very minor consequence of being immune suppressed, but from what I've read it can become quite serious if it's not treated. The treatment is no big deal, but this is something I'm evidently prone to when I am immune suppressed. Does anyone have any advice or experience to share?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    1,970
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default

    Sorry I can't help you on this,I never heard of of thrush being like that. Did he say if there is something in particular that is causing it to keep reoccurring ? Is it definitely thrush ? Hope it goes away soon and you feel better.
    Life isn't about how you survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain !

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    near Phx, AZ
    Posts
    1,809
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    7 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default

    I had it once in the hospital...seems the nurses ignored it after they cleaned up my 'nuclear spill' as they called it: utterly black projectile vomiting. Anyway, wasn't until the generalist happened thru to check on me when she found out what was going on...immediately ordered a cup of 'whatever' and voila, done. But it was painful and a bit scary until the cuppa sulfa. Had all the same symptoms as you Alaska...went away quickly once treated. Best to you.
    Knowing how to think empowers you far beyond those who only know what to think. -NdT


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Suburban Columbus, Ohio, USA
    Posts
    2,370
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    20 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default

    Hi Tom,

    I was just wondering if you are taking bactrim as prophylaxis for pneumocystis pneumonia. (I've been on it MWF ever since I was dxed.) It appears to be in the same family of meds commonly used to treat thrush. Might be worth a conversation with your doc.
    Pete
    dx 1/11

    "Every day is a good day. Some are better than others." - unknown

    "Take your meds as directed and live your life as fully as you can." - Michael Chacey, MD

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Posts
    294
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default

    When this first cropped up, I was still taking Bactrim 3 x weekly, and I can't pinpoint any other medication changes that might explain it. In looking at the Mayo site it definitely suggests that a healthy adult immune system would quash this problem before it became noticeable, so I think it is just something I am going to be predisposed to as long as I am immune suppressed.

    Regarding Bactrim, my doc discontinued it when I saw him in March. He thought it was no longer worth the risks of interaction with MTX, considering how well I am doing overall. (Knock on wood.)

    Thanks for the reply.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Mid-Atlantic
    Posts
    85
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default

    I've had a few bouts with thrush (and a yeast infection) in the last year. The worst is being starving from prednisone and not being able ot swallow from thrush!

    The Nystatin seems to work pretty quickly, but it tastes awful!

    One potential solution I've found: A month ago started making a serious effort to incorporate probiotics into my daily diet (yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, etc) and haven't had any sort of fungal infection since. Just be careful if you're immunosuppressed--I've heard that the probiotic pills aren't great, which is why I'm going for the food option.
    "Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the whole earth revolves—slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment. Only this actual moment is life." -Thich Nhat Hanh

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Posts
    294
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default

    Interesting! I was taking probiotics for months, then discontinued them because I thought they might be contributing to stomach upset and I'd read some conflicting reports on whether they were a good idea or not. I was also making yogurt and fruit smoothies at breakfast pretty regularly, but then fell out of that habit. The giant tub of yogurt at Costco is now on my shopping list. In addition to the Nystatin (I agree - yuck) I've been doing salt water rinses several times a day, as recommended on the Mayo site. Anyway, maybe the yogurt will be just enough to keep things in balance and stave off recurrences of this minor annoyance. Thanks for the reply.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    see map location in MN
    Posts
    4,374
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    16 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Alaskatom View Post
    Several months ago I was experiencing frequent discomfort in my upper chest, particularly at night, and when bending forward from a standing position. Initially I attributed this to heartburn and did not think too much about it. On my next rheumatologist visit I mentioned it to him. He looked in my throat and told me I had a fungal infection. I had no clue because it was not visible in my mouth or the forward portion of my tongue, but apparently it was quite obvious to him. Sure enough, a course of Nystatin seemed to knock it out pretty quickly. However, it has recurred and I am now on my third course of Nystatin. In the big picture, this is a very minor consequence of being immune suppressed, but from what I've read it can become quite serious if it's not treated. The treatment is no big deal, but this is something I'm evidently prone to when I am immune suppressed. Does anyone have any advice or experience to share?
    I was told I had it once for same reasons. A suppressed immune system makes us vulnerable. I developed an allergic reaction to the Nystatin though but it seemed to go away quickly by itself. I think yogurt helps prevent it along with increased brushing of teeth and frequent sinus rinses too. Heavy use of alcohol is reported to be bad in terms of increasing the risk of thrush. So I think rinsing with a mouthwash often might be contraindicated.

    I can't take Bactrim because of an sulfa allergy, plus I have diabetes so I have a higher risk for such problems related to suppressed immune system. I was told it often comes and goes in esophagus area and isn't serious problem there but if it gets into other areas of your body it can be real bad. It is just another one of those things us Weggies have to be vigilant about.
    Last edited by drz; 04-21-2015 at 10:36 AM.
    Knowledge is power! Wisdom is using it to make good decisions!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    1,970
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default

    my endo. dr. told me to take probiotics and I have asked other drs. and they all agree they are good for you.I take ones that contain soy instead of milk since I became lactose intolerate and they don't upset my stomach.I am also on the smoothie kick every morning.
    Drz,as far as the mouthwash you should get the one that say they contain no alcohol.
    Hope things start working for you soon Tom.
    Life isn't about how you survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain !

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Near Rochester, NY
    Posts
    699
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    5 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default

    I did not have the symptoms you had. I think mine was mostly in my throat as a result of inhaling steroids. I took Clotrimozole which comes in a dissolvable tablet taken 5times a day. Not a bad taste at all. The only symptom I had of thrush was a stabbing feeling in my throat .... something between an itch and a mild pain. It always made my cough even worse.

    My PCP has me take probiotic pills 3 times a day. She says to not bother with most of the probiotics on the shelves. In her opinion the only ones that are any good have at least 5 billion active cells and have to be kept refrigerated. Our local grocery store...the wonderful Wegmans...keeps it in the refrigerated section of their natural foods section. They work. I am the most regular person in the world!
    Jacquie (aka Lifelong Booknut)

    Updated status: "Honorary Weggie"

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •