Thrush

[Libertylane]

Has anyone gotten thrush with your GAC? Also ear and throat problems?

[Jampad]

I have GCA and have had thrush in my mouth several times. The pharmacist gave me a gel to use and it works really well.

[SnazzyD]

Pred especially high doses suppresses the immune system so fungal infections like thrush can get a hold. You can get antifungal mouth drops.

What kind of ear and throat problems do you mean?

[Blearyeyed]

Thrush and Ear and throat infections can happen on high dose steroids as the immune system is lower but not after a few days or a week's doses, unlike with antibiotics when Thrush happens quicker because the antibiotic changes the flora and bacterial balance from the first day you use it.

It could be a coincidence that you get Thrush pre diagnosis of anything because you could be generally rundown from coping with pain or inflammation , but again, this can happen with even a mild infection , injury or any chronic condition or a broken tooth if you have been coping with it for some time and your nutrient levels become low eg iron and vitamin deficiencies .

But it isn't an indicator symptom of GCA , it is a side effect of changes of Medication or changes in immunity that happens after some time .

[Libertylane in reply to Blearyeyed]

I just read you aren’t supposed to take prednisone with thrush. What do you who have thrush do? Asked this before but don’t know if it went through

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Libertylane]

Keep taking the pred - and treat the thrush.

[Libertylane in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks. The walgreen pharmacist said no so I got scared knowing can’t stop prednisone.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Libertylane]

I thought you had stopped the Pred as the Rheumy had advised after your appointment. Was that not the case , or have you started it again?

People usually just treat both and don't stop steroids .

Depending on which Thrush you have you can have an oral one dose tablet or the tablet and use cream or eat probiotic yoghurt for relief from the hot itchy mouth.

Would you mind telling us what you decided to do about taking Pred , and could you remind me when your biopsy is ?

[rocketman42]

Try Mycelex Troches ( Clotrimazole ) ....they're lozenges that you must slowly dissolve in your mouth 5x per day for 14 days. Works very well oral Thrush ( Candida ).

[Rokerman]

Yes - it’s difficult to shift, no matter what - and it’s ruined my love-life.......😩

[Purplecrow]

I use an inhaler plus my prednisone. Occasionally, I have symptoms of oral thrush. For those times, I mix a tablespoon of table salt in a cup of warm water, and keep it at my sink. Every time I pass the sink, I take a small amount of the saline mix and swish it in my mouth, then spit.

As bread bakers know, Salt retards the development of yeast. Thrush is yeast...salt rinse helps.

Nicer to use this home remedy than take another drug. More severe infections need to be treated by the doc.

Just me sayin'....Jerri

PMR diagnosed 2013.

[Meggsy in reply to Purplecrow]

Thanks Jerri, handy to know. Marea