Constant oral thrush on Fostair

[GMcC2]

I am constantly struggling with oral thrush on the roof of my mouth and now painfully in my throat. I take 2 puffs morning / 2 puffs night Fostair. I use a spacer, brush my teeth, rinse my mouth and it still keeps happening. Usually Nystatin works but this time (after finishing antibiotics) it’s not budging. GP suggested different inhalers (dry powder) but both contained lactose & I am allergic to milk. I’m at a loss what to do to stop it continually happening. Can anyone suggest anything please that might help?

[Troilus]

I follow much the same regime as you. I also usually follow it up with a drink of fizzy water, just couple of mouthfuls. (I tell myself that the bubbles are giving my mouth a deep clean - probably not true.)

I’m also inclined to chew on some sugar free gum.

[peege]

My habit is to rinse and gargle before using Fostair as well as afterwards. When taking two puffs id the same both times. I've got a notion that if my mouth & throat are watered then whatever medication is diluted as soon as it hits the oral membranes. Obsesive I know but I don't ever want to get thrush again. Anyway, it seems to help as I've not had it for 5 years. Sugar feeds the fungal growth so eliminate all sugars and tropical fruits if you can as well as buying live yogurt. I use Yeo Valley or Onken which contain live cultures. Then for good measure I take a daily probiotic capsule, Healthspan's Pro 20 Which contains 20 billion. YearYears ago my then gp prescribed probiotic along with antibiotics as abs can make thrush much much worse. Hope this helps. P

[slram]

Probiotics and prebiotics increase your good bacteria, long with rinsing. It may help, good luck to you!

[GintyFerguson]

I also have two puffs morning and night of fostair. I gargle and rinse with water quite a bit immediately. The gargling is important. Thrush likes sugar so maybe reduce your sugar intake. Eat pro biotic yoghurt? It doesn't like vinegar, eat pickled foods ? I have had probs in the past with oral thrush and those are some of my remedies! Daktarin is most effective treatment for me if all else fails and yes, antibiotics makes me more prone. Good luck .

[Alberta56]

It sounds horrible. i hope some of these suggestions help.

[Izb1]

My sister swears that by eating something (like a piece of toast) just before using her inhaler and after this stops any problems, give it a go it may just help x

[Nula2]

Hi GMcC2, I take fostairs 2 puffs twice a day. I am fanatical about rinsing and gargling several times before and after and then cleaning my teeth after using. I get the bathroom already with toothbrush and paste to hand so I can rinse and gargle and clean teeth as soon as I put my spacer down. I get mouth ulcers but put Gengigel on as soon as they appear which seems to keep them from getting too bad. I also take a pro/pre biotic capsule every day and try to drink lots of water (I drink tepid water rather than cold as find it easier to drink more). I haven't yet found anything to help with the extreme dry mouth I get at night (assume it's the fostairs causing it) but keep hoping I might! Take care xxx

[Lutontown]

Ask GP for Fluconazole. As usual this can have side effects, but is works. Thrush usually due to us with dodgy lungs being on antibiotics.

[Jaybird19]

try gargling 3 times and see if that helps I used to clean my teeth afterwards until i was told that the tooth cleaning might fosce steroid particles under the gum --- didnt believe it but it happened and had rapid breakdiown of front tooth . so stopped the tooth cleaning drectly after the steroid inhaler > charlie told me that on this site . (that is charlie with the cystic fibrosis daughter .) actually we havent heard from him lately

[Saintssuperfan]

Hello, I use Fostair 100 with spacer and tend to have oral thrush problems once or twice a year and have to take Nystan. I boil water before hand and so use warm water to rinse before use and then after the first puff and finally after the second dose. I rinse four or more times around the mouth. I know that you will be washing out the spacer device regularly and following the advice on the NHS website videos about inhaler usage. I have enquired about the powder based alternatives and have been told that some who have begun using this inhaler have had mouth ulcer/fungal problems as the technique for inhalation to the lungs proves more difficult for some and no spacer is used with this type so I would be careful if you transfer onto this alternative. I have found occasionally that one 30mg Nystan prescription doesn't get rid of the thrush, so I have requested another dose and this has finally worked. I'm sure the antibiotics will have complicated your symptoms. I was once prescribed hydrocortisone tablets for a particularly severe thrush, but this was some time ago. I know how painful and distressing coping with oral thrush can be, so I do hope you see a resolution soon. Best Wishes.

[Mavary]

I had a very sore tongue for nearly a year with Fostair I was on two puffs twice a day as you were but luckily I could change to the powder type and am now I fine. I’m sorry I can’t help you with any other inhalers there surely must be others like you. Maybe speak to your Dr or Consultant.

[Mavary in reply to Mavary]

I’ve been taking these for a long time and I eat Activia yogurt daily but it didn’t stop me having a sore mouth or being ill with different things. I had Aspergillosis before Christmas and I’ve just got over Covid and Shingles so I’m beginning to doubt whether they have helped in any way. Mind you I blame the Dr for cutting me down on my Fostair without even consulting me. That could I suppose be why I was susceptible for Covid and Shingles. I know I felt pretty ill.

Friendly bacteria.

[Chilly24]

After

3 weeks of oral thrush the 1st week barely able to eat and talk. I started a coarse of antibiotics and funglin lozengers the 1st week. When antibiotics finished I started taking a non dairy probiotic morning and evening and on my doctors advice am rinsing my mouth l twice a dad with a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda mixed in a half glass of water. Definitely feeling much improved. My tongue can finally move without pain. Still taking the lozengers.

I did a bit of web searching for foods to avoid and foods to eat. Which has been very helpful as well. Requires a lot of persistence, dont give up. For me I know anything with sugar will help flare it up. So challenging not to eat any.

[watergazer]

hi. Like others I always have a good gargle after taking my fostairnexthaler. I do get ulcers from time to time which I’m not sure if the cause- maybe the inhaler. Sometimes I gargle with salt water and often plain tap water. I have a mouth spray that I use when I get the ulcers and sores on my tongue and inside my mouth. X

[GD53]

Hello 👋. Good advice from fellow lung buddies 😀 Nystatin was no good for me use Daktarin(miconazole) oral gel. Not cheap to buy but worth every penny!😊 works for throat and gullet. Hope you get fungal bacteria under control. Good luck. Dawn.xx 🥰

[Bevvy]

Following gp advice I gargle and rinse my mouth with salt water. I have found doing that much more effective than prescribed medications.

[Jaybird19]

so much info here, this is when this website is invaluable in passing on helpful information

[Burbagegran]

Hi,

I use Trimble which has stories in it. I always rinse my mouth out twice and fingers crossed I’m yet to get thrush.

Hope you get your outbreak fixed.

Best wishes

Joan

[Polly62]

I have a partial palate with 2 false teeth and my consultant advised me to clean the palate with Milton as sterident or similar doesn’t kill the fungal infection.

[vinny88]

I have to take 2 puffs in morning and again ay night l had thrush at first but cleared up l take with spacer then gargle mouth out each time,its the only inhaler l need now, so stick with it a bit longer.

[WeaverS]

My GP has prescribed me Nystan (30 ml bottle for oral thrush). It has always worked for me, though occasionally second bottle needed. No trouble for years now. Good luck.