[cdfiance]

Alex has developed some white spots in her mouth and has a bit of a sore throat. When we looked up what it could be, it looked like it might be oral thrush. Does it have anything to do with Celiac disease? It said thrush is caused by a yeast fungus infection in the mouth. I think I also saw that it can happen when you're on antibiotics, which Alex is. Does anyone know if the probiotics she’s on (VSL #3) will take care of this or is there a specific treatment she will need to go to her doctor for? She sees one of her docs on Friday – would it be acceptable to wait til then for the necessary treatment? She said it’s more annoying than painful and it didn’t sound like something serious that we would need to rush to the doctor for. Could yeast in her mouth/throat be a sign of yeast in other areas of her GI tract (if that is even possible)?

Thanks,
Ryan

[dionnek]

I had oral thrush when I was breastfeeding - same white stuff on my tongue. Had to have special antibiotics to get rid of it (that was before my celiac dx). Anyway, I think thrush/yeast infections can be caused by antibiotics too, so her current antibiotics are probably what has caused it. I would mention it to her dr. on Friday. I don't think it's any immediate need to treat - I've had the white tongue other times (before I had my baby and knew what thrush was) and never did anything about it, and it went away in less than a week, but with all her other problems I'd definitely tell her dr. about it when you go.

[CarlaB]

I would swish the VSL#3 around in my mouth for a few minutes if I had oral thrush. It might help some since we know it helps the intestines.

She probably does have yeast overgrowth elsewhere, so keep her on the VSL#3.

Also, try to restrict sugars and simple carbs to starve out the yeast. Try also eliminating yeast for a while ... even though it's a different yeast, I know I feel better avoiding it. I realize she's diabetic, but do the best you can with the sugar.

I think this is just another part of her body that's unbalanced due to being so ill. I would imagine it will go away on its own. Nystatin is an option, too. It's a prescription anti-fungal that is pretty benign as far as side effects.

[Teacher1958]

One time when I had to use an inhaler with steroids in it, I had to rinse my mouth after every dose, because the doctor said that it could cause thrush. It was prescribed for my bronchities at the time. This probably isn't your daughter's problem, though.

[cdfiance]

CarlaB, on May 23 2007, 01:21 PM, said:

I would swish the VSL#3 around in my mouth for a few minutes if I had oral thrush. It might help some since we know it helps the intestines.

Sounds like a good idea. Maybe once this goes away that will also help prevent it from coming back.

CarlaB, on May 23 2007, 01:21 PM, said:

Also, try to restrict sugars and simple carbs to starve out the yeast. Try also eliminating yeast for a while ... even though it's a different yeast, I know I feel better avoiding it. I realize she's diabetic, but do the best you can with the sugar.

So sugar feeds the yeast? I guess that makes sense, kind of like how beer is made. She'll probably be able to avoid sugar pretty well except when her blood sugar is low. She's already staying away from anything too sugary so I guess we'll just have to take it one step further.

Teacher1958, on May 23 2007, 05:48 PM, said:

One time when I had to use an inhaler with steroids in it, I had to rinse my mouth after every dose, because the doctor said that it could cause thrush. It was prescribed for my bronchities at the time.

Actually, Alex uses an inhaler every day for asthma. She has since she was quite young (5 or 6) I believe. It sounds like that might be part of the problem. Too bad she couldn't stop taking it for awhile but it seems to do a pretty good job controlling her asthma.

Thanks for the info everyone,
Ryan

[chrissy]

ryan, diabetics are more prone to yeast infections than alot of other people are. if she has it in her mouth it could very easily go through the rest of her system. two of my girls had esophageal thrush in the last couple of years and you could not see it in either one of their mouths at the time. yeast can be difficult to get rid of sometimes. diflucan is what both of my girls were treated with to eliminate the yeast. it is a really good antifungal Rx.

[cdfiance]

chrissy, on May 25 2007, 12:51 PM, said:

ryan, diabetics are more prone to yeast infections than alot of other people are. diflucan is what both of my girls were treated with to eliminate the yeast. it is a really good antifungal Rx.

Another great thing about diabetes Her doc gave her diflucan so hopefully that takes care of it.

Anyone know if yeast can cause sinus problems? Her sinuses have been killing her the past few days and I was wondering if there was a possible connection. Alex has been troubled on and off with sinus pain for as long as I've known her so it may just be her normal sinus problems. She's has asthma and allergies so I guess it comes with the territory. Probably just wishful thinking that the med for the thrush would help her sinuses too.

Ryan

[CarlaB]

Ryan, has she ever tried irrigating her sinuses with salt water? Works wonders for me.

I would think it's entirely possible for it to be aggravated by yeast, but I don't know that for sure.

[cdfiance]

CarlaB, on May 25 2007, 08:51 PM, said:

Ryan, has she ever tried irrigating her sinuses with salt water? Works wonders for me.

That sounds interesting. Do you just mix some salt into water or buy a prepared solution? Just snuff it out of her hand or use a syringe to shoot it up there? That would be awesome if it would wash out all the junk in her sinuses causing the pressure. Do you do it just when you're having sinus problems or all the time as a preventative measure?

Sorry for all the questions! Thanks for all your help.
Ryan

[CarlaB]

I usually just mix salt and water, then snuff it up my nose. I think there's a better way to do it though! You might Google it ... I've read how you can use a syringe to gently put it up your nose, and it runs out the other nostril really cleaning out the sinuses.