Thrush

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Cally86
Cally86 Member Posts: 6
edited September 2020 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

My mother has developed thrush during her chemotherapy treatments. It is pretty severe and she has stopped eating actual food. She has been on a liquid diet...which is even difficult for her to manage also. She is on a medication for her thrush but it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. She just recently completed her chemo treatments about 4 weeks ago. Does anyone have advice or suggestion to help us deal with the thrush and what she can eat to regain strength and energy. Thank you so much Inadvance.

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited September 2020
    Did she get Magic Mouthwash from her doctor? That really helped me when I developed it.
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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited September 2020

    do you have an oral rinse? Some of the compounded rinses can have some meds to numb the mouth and throat & that really helps. Rinse, gargle and if it's in her throat, swallow slow tiny sips, wait 20 min and then eat/drink.

    If you don't have an oral rinse, send me a PM and I'll give you the compounding recipe which you can ask your Dr to prescribe

    Gentian violet will also kill thrush. 1% aqueous solution. Turns everything purple and will stain clothing etc but very effective against Candida albicans.

    Speak to her Dr. If she's not better in 4-7 days of treatment, might need a culture done and new meds.

    Also try popsicles to numb the mouth. Ice cream. Puddings. Milkshakes. Protein shakes

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2020

    Cally, welcome to Breastcancer.org, although we're sorry you have to be here for your mom's diagnosis.

    Besides the wonderful advice from tangandchris and moth, you may want to take a look at the following articles from our main site:

      Expert Tips on Eating Well During Chemotherapy
    Eating When You Have a Sore Mouth or Throat
    Mouth and Throat Sores (Mucositis)

    Hope this helps, and hope she feels better soon!
    Warmly,The Mods
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  • Cally86
    Cally86 Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2020

    Thank you so much for the help. Yes she tried the mouth wash..but the way that you explained for her use it is what we will start trying today. Thank you so very much. ❤️

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  • Cally86
    Cally86 Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2020

    Thank you so much! I’ll check those articles out right now.

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  • Cally86
    Cally86 Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2020

    She did receive a mouth wash but it didn’t seem to be helping much. She was given a new medication she has only been on for 3 days. It’s just so heartbreaking to see her so weak. Someone shared a suggestion about how to use the mouth wash..that might be more effective than what she has been doing. Thank you so much

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited September 2020

    Be sure you have the "magic" mouthwash that contains 3 main ingredients - a numbing potion, an antihistamine potion, and I forger what else. If that's not what you have, maybe Moth can post it on here so we can all remember.

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited September 2020

    The 3rd thing in the mix is the antifungal for thrush. Usually nystatin suspension is the one used

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  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited September 2020

    Cally86, Did the doctor put her on fluconazole? It depends on kidney/liver function the dose and length of treatment. Usually 2-weeks. There is also a clotrimazole lozenge if she is having difficulty with the mouthwash. Sugar free plain yogurt a couple of times a day might help soothe. Can she drink an ice cold supplement like Ensure or Boost? I hope she gets some relief soon.

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  • Cally86
    Cally86 Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2020

    Good morning and I will definitely see if her mouth wash has those ingredients. If not I’ll speak with her doctor. Thank you so much

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  • Cally86
    Cally86 Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2020

    Hello, at one point she was admitted to the hospital because she was dehydrated. She was given fluids and fluconazole. She was only on that medication for about a week. They have changed her medication..I can’t remember the name at the moment..but it’s side effects are blurred vision. Today will be her 4th day on this new medication. We tried the yogurt..she said the consistency is making her gag. She shared with me that the thickness of the yogurt is an issue for her as well. I feel like we are at a standstill. Thank you so much for your feedback.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited September 2020

    Cally - I drank Carnation Instant Breakfast during & after chemo since I didn't like the taste of Ensure. I added extra protein powder since I wasn't eating much. MD Anderson recommended Nestle's BENEPROTEIN. Tasteless, odorless and mixes in with just about anything,

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