Oral thrush

[Junglechicken]

I know that this is an issue that is frequently discussed on the forum. I’ve just discovered that after weeks of sore gums thinking it was something a dentist needed to look at that it is in fact thrush. I got some Daktarin gel from the pharmacy but it stings where the discomfort is at its worst. Is this a good sign? I’m not expecting an immediate response as I’ve only used the gel a few times. I’m also rinsing with bicarbonate as an extra treatment. If anyone can advise that would be great. Thank you

[strongmouse]

First are you sure it is thrush? I think normally it also affects the tongue and is usually a white, cream coloured furring. If it is only on your gums is it red and like a blister?

It is important to get the right treatment for what it is. A doctor would be able to help. Although I understand that there are different types of candida, which may look different.

Some images -

cariestop.com/thrush-on-gum...

[Junglechicken in reply to strongmouse]

Hi Strongmouse. Thanks for the reply. Yes, it is thrush. I do have some white gunk right at the back where my wisdom teeth should be and the roof of my mouth at the back is a yellow colour (thrush can be this colour too).

[Bevvy]

I had lots of issues with this. Tried different prescribed treatments. None of which worked.

In the end gp suggested I rinse lots of times with salt water! And this cleared it up.

Any time I feel starting I ensure I rinse with salt water.

[Junglechicken in reply to Bevvy]

Hi Bevvy. I did try a table salt water solution but it just made my throat and gums more irritated. I find bicarbonate is much better and seems to be working well. Interesting how we all respond to different things. I got the gel as an add on treatment. Tonight my super soft toothbrush didn’t feel so abrasive on my gums which is a positive step.

[LisaLuv3000 in reply to Junglechicken]

Try rinsing and gargling with diluted apple cider vinegar. I've found it works really well for me. Best if you can get the proper, unpasteurized stuff. Could also try an oil pull with coconut oil.

[Charlottewalker2017]

You may need antibiotics but be careful because the side effects of that can also give thrush! Try and remember to wash mouth or have a cold drink once taken inhalers! Use mouth wash and also salt water! The gel should help to start but may need follow up treatment

[klaradb]

I find eating yogurt daily keeps it at bay. Daktarin etc don’t work for me but I have some fluconazole on repeat prescription if it gets really bad. One pill is usually enough.

[Junglechicken]

Thanks everyone for your replies. My mouth is certainly starting to feel better but I think it might take a little while to properly clear it up. I’ll just stick at it.

[Angelgoth]

I get oral thrush evey time I take pred which is often, I find the only treatment that really helps is flucanazole tablet. its very unpleasant and makes eating painful I find. Hope it clears up for you soon. when i had a very stubborn case few years ago my doc took swabs to confirm it was thrush

[StaceyN21 in reply to Angelgoth]

Hi what type of doctor did you see to get swabbed for diagnosis?

[Angelgoth in reply to StaceyN21]

I just saw my normal GP and the nurse took some swabs from my mouth, they wanted to be sure it was definitely thrush as it had been going on for ages

[StaceyN21 in reply to Angelgoth]

Ok thank you. I havent found a dr that swabs it

[StaceyN21 in reply to Angelgoth]

Sorry to bug you again, but what does your tongue look like when you have thrush what pther symptoms do you have?

[Junglechicken in reply to StaceyN21]

Hi StaceyN21. My symptoms started as sore gums in all parts of my mouth (felt like they were being cut) and the back of my throat turned yellow. I also had the sensation that my teeth were not very clean even after thoroughly brushing and using mouthwash. It developed into white gunk on my molars and tongue. General mouth discomfort too.

[StaceyN21 in reply to Junglechicken]

Was the white gunk creamy and you could scrape it off or it just stayed on there?

[Junglechicken in reply to StaceyN21]

Yes, I would scrape off. It is a little sticky with the texture of a gel and has an unpleasant odour.

[StaceyN21 in reply to Junglechicken]

Ok thank you. I dont know if I have thrush or not. I have a white layer on my tongue and have lost so kuch weight worrying about it. The medicines Ive used like the mouth wash and lozenges hurt my tongue to the point they felt raw. Im on orsl intraconazole for 7 days now but no changes to my tongue color. I have burning and dry feeling every so often but not constant, especially when I got outside I get super dry and need a drink. Do you get that?

[Angelgoth in reply to StaceyN21]

Hey that's ok I'm happy to help, I get white patches over my tongue and my tongue becomes sore when I eat.

[5050russ]

I found that it was toothpaste that made my thrush flare up. Make your own with Bicarb, it works well.

[millymumpkin]

Hi, yes I get thrush when I take prednisone for the whole summer. I find over the counter mouthwash such as Signal, Listerine (non-alcohol) works better than anything on precription. The best time for me to wash is the one at bedtime & I don't wake up with a sore dry mouth. I also salt water rinse after eating & eat yoghourt without rinsing. Hope that helps! I also put on weight, get a moon face & get keratitis in my eyes. We hate pred, but it is a life saver for many of us.

[Junglechicken in reply to millymumpkin]

A lot of the replies have mentioned yoghurt. Do you have any idea what’s in it that helps, millymumpkin? (Fab username by the way)

[millymumpkin in reply to Junglechicken]

Yes - it contains good healthy bacteria that kill the fungal thrush.

[Junglechicken in reply to millymumpkin]

Is that just common or garden yoghurt or something special like probiotic? Thanks

[millymumpkin]

Either, but probiotic good for your gut health too, especially with antibiotics

[AsthmaSufferer]

I had used the drug "Nystatin" years ago due to systemic candida overgrowth in my body. After using Breo steroid inhaler for many months, my mouth and throat started hurting. I asked my Pulmonary doctor for a prescription of liquid Nystatin, and it helps a lot. I only take one tablespoon at night whenever the pain starts (usually once every week). This seems to work well for me. I also think that yogurt/Kefir Milk is very good to eat, as steroids may encourage Candida overgrowth, and yogurt keeps putting good bacteria back into our bodies. I have read below how others are having troubles in this hot & humid weather. I am too. I noticed that if I stay in sun longer than 5 minutes, I feel ill for rest of day. But, the high humidity affects me even worse. Thank goodness for air conditioning. Best of luck to you.

[Junglechicken in reply to AsthmaSufferer]

Hi AsthmaSufferer. Thank you for your reply. I contacted my GP this morning as the situation isn’t improving ( now have a nasty sore throat) and have been prescribed Nystatin which I’m hoping will sort everything out. Having a sore mouth is no fun at all!

[Loopylass1960]

Hi

How are you? Did the nystatin help? My symptoms were same as yours and I too found the gel stung when I first began using it, but after a day or so it didn’t hurt and was having an effect. Then I moved onto fluconazole and have been on that for 5 days, slowly improving - but feel I may need to stay on it a bit longer than the 7 days course.

My tongue is going back to pink colour again, less soreness too. Good luck

[Junglechicken in reply to Loopylass1960]

Hi Loopylass1960. Things are better. I think it my take sometime for it to clear completely but so far so good. Gums are much less sore and my throat is starting to turn a healthy pink.

[Loopylass1960]

Good to hear - it’s amazing how long it takes to go isn’t it?

Never had it before and I never want it again 🤞

[Loopylass1960]

Hi did it clear up for you?

[Junglechicken]

Hi Loopylass. Still an ongoing issue. It is much much improved though. My GP has given me another course of Nystatin as it is making a difference but it was quite nasty so it may take a little longer to clear. My mouth is now tender rather than sore enough to keep me awake. Thanks for asking 🙂

[Loopylass1960]

Hi Junglechicken- just wondering if your mouth cleared up with the Nystatin? Mine seemed to go and now it’s come back again and Fluconazole isn’t shifting it. Thanks

[Junglechicken in reply to Loopylass1960]

I'm having exactly the same problem. I've had four courses of Nystatin and one Fluconazole tablet which I took last week. I've seen a slight improvement with Fluconazole as I no longer feel like I've scalded my throat with a hot drink but still yellow gunk on my tongue and yellow on the roof of my mouth plus back of throat. AN has recently changed my medication from a dry powder to a MDI so I can use a spacer. I remember my toe nail fungus took months and months of daily treatment to clear. Fungus is obviously a stubborn little devil!

I feel a bit more relaxed about it knowing I'm not the only one.

[Loopylass1960]

Sorry to hear you’re still suffering tho I agree it makes me feel better knowing it’s not so abnormal to have persistent thrush. I’m on second week of fluconazole - it seemed to make a difference in the first week, but then it’s like the fungus got stronger and took over again. I haven’t been given Nystatin yet, but have used daktarin gel, and didn’t help much. I’ve been drinking kefir daily for the last 3 days, and I’m going to resume saline rinses alternating with bicarbonate of soda ones.

I think overall my mouth feels 50% better than it did before any meds, so I’m presuming it is indeed fungal - only spoken to GP on phone so no swab to confirm

Good luck

[Loopylass1960]

Ps I’m taking fluconazole 50 mg daily - sounds like you had a higher single dose?

[Junglechicken in reply to Loopylass1960]

Yes, one off dose of 150mg. The mind does run rampant doesn’t it when a medication that should be working isn’t. I did read that a nasty infection can take weeks of treatment to clear up. I’m giving it two weeks then I’m going to talk to AN again to see if anything else can be done.

[Loopylass1960]

Hi - how are you getting on? I’m still taking fluconazole 50mg, on the 4th week now. It’s better than it was but is improving very slowly and some days better than others

[Junglechicken in reply to Loopylass1960]

Hi Loopylass. Still having problems unfortunately 😔. It was improving until the start of this week and my throat started to burn again. Did a quick check of the tongue and low and behold gunk back. I think I should talk to nurse about a course of anti-fungal treatment rather than a one off tablet. Thanks for asking🙂

[Loopylass1960]

Sorry you're still having symptoms too. Dr has given me some Nystatin to try and we will see what happens when i finush fluvonazole at weekend. Think you'll benefit from regular fluco, it helped me a lot, just taking ages to completely clear

Good luck