Dealing with Oral Thrush: My Ongoing Struggle
Greetings! I’m a 46-year-old woman, weighing in at 150 pounds. While I do smoke, I generally consider myself healthy and don't take any regular medications. My health challenges began in December when I contracted RSV. Just a week later, I developed a sinus infection, prompting me to seek treatment at my workplace clinic. They prescribed antibiotics as I was experiencing symptoms of a fever. After five days on the antibiotics, my fever returned, accompanied by white patches on my tonsils. This led me to visit a local walk-in clinic, where I received a diagnosis of oral thrush. The clinic recommended that I continue the antibiotics and prescribed me Nystatin for a two-week period. However, about five days later, I was hit with Bell's Palsy, necessitating treatment with steroids and antivirals. By this time, the thrush remained persistent, so my clinic prescribed a second round of Nystatin for another 14 days, yet there was no improvement. Following this, I was given a daily dose of 200mg Fluconazole for two weeks, and to investigate potential diabetes, they ordered some blood tests. Unfortunately, the Fluconazole didn’t yield results either, leading to an increased dosage of 400mg per day for another 14-day course. This attempt also proved unsuccessful. As a last resort, my doctor then recommended Mary’s Magic Mouthwash and a weekly dose of 125mg Fluconazole, but again, I saw no relief. The results from my bloodwork returned, revealing that I was not diabetic, but there was an issue with elevated liver enzymes due to the medications I had taken. Eventually, I was referred to an ENT specialist who has now prescribed a daily dose of 20ml of Itraconazole for two weeks, which I will start shortly as a final effort before my appointment with the ENT. In preparation for my treatment, I plan to adopt the candida diet and incorporate Candidase Pro into my regimen. I'm seeking advice on any additional steps I might take. I've also managed to reduce my smoking by half, but I believe my history of developing yeast infections after antibiotic use may indicate that my yeast is resistant to Fluconazole, which could explain the lack of effectiveness.
Answers (1)
3/21/2025, 4:30:49 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’ve been through quite a challenging experience with persistent oral thrush, especially given your recent health history and the medications you've tried. Your concerns about treatment effectiveness and resistance to antifungal medications are valid and important to address as you start on Itraconazole.
Key Points:
- Oral Thrush Causes: It often occurs after antibiotic use, as antibiotics can affect the normal balance of yeast in your body. Smoking can also contribute to this issue.
- Approach to Treatment: Since you've already tried several antifungals, managing your risk factors will be crucial while you start the new medication.
Explanation:
Oral thrush (candidiasis) is typically managed through antifungal medications, as you’ve experienced. It's particularly resilient in some people, especially after repeated antibiotic treatments that disrupt the natural flora. Additionally, elevated liver enzymes indicate your liver is under strain, which can be affected by the antifungal therapy, so keep this in mind as well.
Next Steps:
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Start Itraconazole: Take the prescribed Itraconazole consistently for the full duration. It may take some time before you notice an improvement, so be patient and monitor your symptoms.
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Maintain Oral Hygiene: Brush your teeth regularly and consider using a soft toothbrush and gentle mouthwash to keep your mouth clean, which can help reduce yeast overgrowth.
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Review Your Diet: While adopting the candida diet may help, you might also consider foods that strengthen your immune system (like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins) and stay hydrated.
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Consider Probiotic Use: Introducing probiotics into your routine may help restore the balance of good bacteria in your gut. Look for those specific for oral health or those containing Lactobacillus strains.
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Reduce Smoking Further: Try to continue reducing or quitting smoking altogether, as it can weaken your immune system and promote yeast growth.
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Track Symptoms: Maintain a journal of your oral health, medication timing, and any dietary changes. This can be useful for your next medical appointments.
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Communicate with Your Healthcare Provider: Keep your ENT informed about any changes in your symptoms, especially with pain, difficulty swallowing, or any new spots, especially if they change in appearance.
Feel free to reach out with any further questions or updates about your treatment journey. You're not alone in this, and systematic follow-up will be key in finding a solution. Take care!
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