Thrush in COPD

[chrisw]

Ellen's post this morning about thrush prompted me to add this here.

Thrush is a fungal infection in the mouth/throat area. It is normally present but is usually kept completely in control (so that you are not aware of it) by the natural (good) bacteria in the mouth.

However if these good bacteria are knocked out, either by anti-biotics or by excess inhaled steroid powder from Advair, Symbicort or similar, then the fungal infection can thrive. Those who have had it know that it can really make you miserable

We can (help) prevent it by remembering to rinse after inhaling steroids but the combination of inhaled steroids and anti-biotics can be a real bear (sorry Barry, not talking about you here) and will almost guarantee a dose of thrush.

There are drugs like Nystatin (swish and swallow) that will cure it.
However if you eat yogurt you can pretty well prevent the thrush from developing, and maybe even cure it if you catch it in time. As a kid I used to HATE yogurt, but the new flavoured yogurts (I like the Vanilla Activia) actually taste pretty good! A side benefit of doing this is that it will probably also prevent the upset stomach and associated 'runs' that are the usual side effect of anti-biotics.

[cocojax]

Thanks Chris, I have been very careful about rinsing with salt and water, after taking my inhalers. I do love yogurt also and eat it every day if not a couple of times a day. I have never had a problem with thrush before, and since I just started another dose of Biaxin I will keep taking the swish and swallow..I think what happened is my immune system is out of whack from lack of sleep and this chest infection...The weather here is so changeable and lots of pollens in the air, I will just have to be more careful. I also was to a funeral, and again you don't want to seem unsympathetic and not go, but I think in my own best interest I should have stayed away. I am now officially putting myself in quarantine.

[the bear]

Hi Ellen; I did not know what thrush was until I got it a while ago. Went to doctor who prescribed Nystatin and it was cured in a couple of days. The directions said to finish the medication which I did, and have not had it since. Knock on wood (or substitute my head). Good call Chris. Hugz, as ever, bear

[morningstar]

Hi Chris, bear and Ellen,

Thrush is a pain. I have it now and I don't like you yogurt, but have learned to love strawberry Acitivia don't really know how it cures but it does. Good post Chris I'll bet there are many out there that won't have a clue what is happening to them now on top of the COPD

[LindaNY]

First time I got that fungal infection after taking an antibiotic, my doctor prescribed Mycelex, and now I have an emergency script for "just in case"
www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/clotrimaz_ids.htm

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

A great reminder Chris re: thrush

Apart from the fact you can "know" for sure when you have it; for me personally there's also been a time or two when I didn't even realize I've had it (sometimes my mouth gets sore just from the meds so it's easy to assume that's what it is)

I'm not familiar with Mycelex Linda (other than what I just looked up after your post) but I am familiar with Nystatin. It's funny though, last time I used it it didn't clear things up entirely.....had to resort to the good old fahioned (and messy but effective) Gentian Violet.

Yogurt is NOT something I care for (don't like the texture) BUT I do enjoy the Danon Mousse. Love it! For those of you who don't care for Yogurt; do yourself a favor and try the Mousse.

[morningstar]

Well I hate the Yogurt and I thank you for telling me about the Danon Mousse I will be trying it. It is the texture of the yogurt that drives me crazy. Thanks Jackie for the idea. I will be trying it. Do you have a favorite flavor one you have found that tastse better than the others?

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

I like the vanilla and the orange Rose. The Mousse isn't "creamy";

that's the thing I dislike...the creaminess ...Yuck.. This is like frozen whipped, (whipped cream) (after it;'s been thawed )....the texture is TOTALLY different.

[morningstar]

Thats what makes me want to gag. And the orange sounds like I would like it. I will try it. Thanks again.

[LindaNY]

I make my own yogurt and kefir.

You could drink kefir if you don't like yogurt. It's somewhat like buttermilk but has the beneficial bacteria in it.

www.kefir.net/

[John]

Hi Every one . I eat the Yogurt. I like the raspberry ,strawberry ,orange key lime mousse with real whipped cream I' ve been eating 2 or 3 a week & so far in almost 2 years haven't gotten T-------whisper ! x'd fingers x'd toes x'd legs x eyes