Thursday, March 19, 2009

it's starting already...

With Elijah, my fourth baby, I dealt with "thrush" - basically a yeast infection that happens while nursing.  Baby usually gets signs of the infection in his/her mouth (white spots on tongue/gums), while Momma gets very sore, red, ITCHY nipples.  Ouch.

I dealt with this on and off (mostly on) for 11 months with Elijah.  Seriously.  11 months.  It was awful.  I tried the prescription cream, but apparently I wasn't consistant enough, as we kept re-infecting each other........over and over and over again.

So yes, this time, not even 1 1/2 weeks into lil' Micah's life, I have thrush again.  Micah is also now showing the "white spots" on his tongue.  Ugh.  I can't believe it happened so fast!

Now I'm sure that I have an OVER-abundance of yeast in my system.  I'm not dealing with other kinds of yeast infections (PTL!! - ugh), but this one alone is awful!  

Soooooooooo.......

What I want to know is has anyone else dealt with a over-abundance of yeast in their body?  How did you deal with it?  What did you do to get rid of the excess yeast?  Did you try a certain diet?

I am on a probiotic (Acidophilous Blast) that, while it doesn't kill the yeast, it *does* repopulate the body with the GOOD guys!  I just found out that my supplement provider (www.beeyoutiful.com) now offers something called YEAST ASSASSIN LIGHT.  This actually does kill the yeast, yet doesn't contain all the harmful-to-pregnant/nursing ladies ingredients as it's full-strength counterpart (Yeast Assassin).  So I will be ordering some of those here soon as well.

I have heard of anti-yeast diets, but I'm not sure about any in particular.  We are currently eating a lot of meals from others, so we are taking what we get (thank the Lord for those families!!) - but after that time, I could really use some suggestions as to how to EAT my way out of this mess.....  And just saying "lay off the sugar".....well, what does that mean?  Just no sweets?  Nothing with sugar, or just no white sugar?  Can I have honey?  What about stevia powder?  

I have heard that basically, in order to combat the yeast, my diet should be mostly proteins (meat, beans, etc.) and veggies - while cutting back BIG TIME on carbs and sugars.  Yup, carbs & sugars......I'm guessing those are my main diet ingredients at this point.  That's what I crave - all related back to the over-abundance of yeast - which craves sugar......vicious cycle......ugh.

HELP?!?!


Overall, things are great!  My mil leaves tonight (after she takes us out to dinner - how sweet!), so I will be missing my laundry queen..........yet overall, I enjoy laundry, so it's not *that* bad.  My parents arrive tomorrow (my dad's first time to see baby Micah!), bringing back Selah - HURRAY!!  I miss that lil' girl.....

So all in all, life is great.  Right now, it just comes with itchy boobs.  great. :/

5 comments:

Blended in Texas said...

I've had a few (maybe 2?) yeast infections but I'm always able to get rid of them within a few days to a week. Really all I do is cut out all breads (or anything with yeast in it) and eat lots of fruits, veggies and YOGURT!!! I believe the yogurt really, really helps combat against an over-abundance of yeast. I eat yogurt all the time and I have yet to get a yeast infection with this pregnancy...or any of my pregnancies for that matter. I also take pro-biotics. I've never delt with thrush so I don't know how it is to have it but I'm sure it's not fun! Hope you can figure out something that works soon...! Take care!

jesnicole said...

I DEALT WITH THRUSH WITH DYLAN, HE NURSED FOR ABOUT A YEAR. WE HAD IT A FEW TIMES THROUGHOUT THE TIME HE NURSED. IT NEVER GOT TOO BAD, THOUGH. I ATE PLENTY OF YOGURT, AND JUST CUT DOWN ON SUGAR. THAT USUALLY MADE IT GO AWAY. THE FUNNY THING WAS WHEN MY SWEET, HISPANIC GRANDMA WAS ASKED ABOUT THRUSH, SHE SAID, "OH, MIJA, IT'S NO BIG DEAL!". SHE SAID EACH OF HER KIDS HAD IT. AND SHE HAD TWELVE KIDS. AND MY GRANDMA ON MY MOMMA'S SIDE HAD 13 KIDS!! HEARING HER SAY THAT SOOTHED ME, YOU KNOW, SINCE SHE'D BEEN THERE TIME AND TIME AGAIN! I JUST TYPE ALL THAT TO SAY DON'T WORRY!! I'M GLAD TO READ THAT THRUSH IS THE ONLY PROBLEM YOU'RE DEALING WITH! (OTHER THAN SLEEP DEPRIVATION!) HAHA. CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN!

Tereza said...

I second the don't eat sweets (baked goods, sugary drinks, chocolate, candy, sweetened yogurt~basically anything with a lot of added sugar) and less bread

Anneatheart said...

Ok Lori, I know everyone's advice is good, but how practical is it for you to crack down on your diet right now?

Do a google search for Threelac- this is a powder that you pour on your tongue and it dissolves. This KILLS all the yeast/candida without you have to change your diet. I have done it and the only thing was for me, I had to take half doses at first because I would have diarrhea :)

My second and third babies got thrush too, but I wasn't breastfeeding. Maybe we pass it on to them while carrying them if we have too much yeast.

Anyways, you get a three month supply for about $60 I think, and it's very easy to take. (doesn't taste bad) Do it!

Anneatheart said...

By the way, the powder is a combo of three powerful bacteria that kill off the yeast. Also, get some virgin coconut oil and take 1 T a day and work up to around 3T per day. This majorly kills yeast, you can apply it to your breasts and in the baby's mouth. It is anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial. Tastes good too.