Kate,
I want to thank you for sharing this case. I had brought up my case
entitled SEVERE THRUSH just a few weeks ago. My patient, also, was referred to
an infectious disease specialist by both her OB and primary docs in St.
Petersburg, FL USA. In both cases, my patient was well armed with Newman and Hale
information about the treatment of systemic candidiasis, but in both docs
cases they were reluctant to follow the protocol because they had never
prescribed such high dosages for long periods. To me it seemed that they were both
dropping her like a hot potato. (Referral to infectious disease
specialist--now she is his problem. Next patient please...)
The infectious disease specialist she was referred to had no idea why she
was in his office. I personally was upset that she had to go to an office that
could easily send an illness/infection more serious back to a baby under six
months. This doc at least considered her information from Hale and Newman,
and promised to "investigate" and get back to her.
Is it me or do some docs appear "ill equipped" to recognize and treat
thrush? I have had too many cases to mention where the doc has referred the
mom to me for help, has ruled out thrush, and then when I see her, she has such
a "CLASSIC" case of thrush that I now have an issue because (1) doc has
already said it is not thrush, and (2) he wouldn't prescribe thrush meds because
he has already decided that it is not thrush. Does anyone feel my
frustration???
It is my opinion that we are seeing cases of thrush that are very
similar to the super bacteria cases. They are NOT going away easily, and it takes
a patient, KNOWLEDGEABLE, practitioner to deal with the case. I do not doubt
that sugary/starchy diets DO NOT help. My severe thrush case loved her
sweets, breads, and cheeses--a diet that keeps thrush happily fed. However, it
seems that once a case of thrush goes beyond a low dose anti-fungal, a good
portion of our medical community don't know how to deal with it.
I always think of the mom in this case because if we as lactation
consultants are frustrated, imagine how the mom feels? Granted in Kate's case, the
mother is no longer nursing, but she is still dealing with a phantom itch all
day long with what appears to be no relief in site. Add nursing to the mix,
and now we have a mom with sore, cracked nipples fighting to keep the
nursing going while everybody argues how to treat her, and if professionals don't
treat the baby also (and of course, half don't--ugh!) then she will be back in
the same position within days/weeks. My severe thrush case has been through
both her primary, OB, and infectious disease specialist, and is now working
with a homeopath. Last time I spoke to her, the next treatment was borax to
be followed by good ole gentian violet.
I am tired of watching women needlessly suffer with thrush. If there is
any way we can get the word out to more physicians, I would appreciate it.
Perhaps a Hale/Newman Tour for OBs and PEDs would be a good place to start???
Debbie Albert, RN, Ph.D., LMHC, IBCLC, RLC
Advanced Lactation Care, Inc
Tampa, FL
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