Thrush

I haven't seen any posts here or in Australia about Thrush but in my nursing days it was relatively common in patients who were on immunosuppressive drugs. Nilstat drops were always the treatment of choice but iodine gargle should work as well (check with your doctor). Its a miserable condition to have on top of everything else you are going through

Thank you for responding. I'm on my second bottle of nystatin. I didn't even know I had it the first time. The second time around I knew for sure it was back. I could barely swallow because of my really bad sore throat . I'm feeling lots better since I started the second bottle. Thanks for reaching out.

As with many of the side effects of prednisone people mention on here, yes, I believe I have had thrush. My dentist first brought it up when found white patches in my mouth . I thought I had burned my mouth on some hot food so didn't believe him. Then I had to increase the prednisone during a flare and I had bad pain in my mouth and down into my throat. It made eating difficult. I at first thought it was a side effect of the methotrexate I also take for PMR but believe it was probably thrush. It got better when I lowered the prednisone dose. All I can think of to do is get the doses of both drugs as low as possible.

I didn't know I had it the first time either. I sure did the second time. I could barely swallow too. You're lucky it went away without treatment. I am taking 7.5 of prednisone now. I will taper to 5mg next week. I sure hope I don't get the pain back. It's awful. I had never heard of PMR until I was diagnosed with it. Lucky us, huh?

I've just worked out what the burning sore feeling is under my tongue and along the inside gum. Finally got a good look in a mirror and yes, it's thrush. It's been building over a few weeks, starting with mysteriously losing my taste for sour things and feeling a funny change in skin texture in my mouth. Then starting yesterday it was painful to move my tongue.

Surprisingly, I haven't seen it mentioned here much, but it's not a nice thing to talk about. A weakened immune system from prednisone causes it.

@besmith57 did you have to reduce the prednisone while taking the Nystatin? Prednisone and anti-fungal treatments interact with each other, apparently.

No, I didn't reduce my prednisone. My dr never mentioned interactions. I'm sorry you are having pain with your thrush. Like I said in my post I didn't even know I had it. Good luck!

Thank you. This can't wait till my doctor's appointment in a couple of weeks, and I see we can buy it from the chemist without a prescription, so I'll try to get two bottles tomorrow.

Fluconazole is the stronger antifungal that shouldn't be taken with prednisone. It's a systemic anti-fungal. Nystatin (Nilstat) seems to be okay.

I had to use a bottle twice before it cleared up. It's a pain to use with the swishing action four times a day, but it doesn't taste bad. Hope it works for you!

Thrush happened to hospitalized patients all the time. Prednisone or antiobiotics or a combination of both was usually the cause.

"Medications. Drugs such as prednisone, inhaled corticosteroids, or antibiotics that disturb the natural balance of microorganisms in your body can increase your risk of oral thrush.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/oral-thrush/symptoms-causes/syc-20353533#:~:text=Drugs%20such%20as%20prednisone%2C%20inhaled,the%20risk%20of%20oral%20thrush.
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We used the liquid form of Nystatin the most.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/nystatin-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20065146

I’ve had it twice, and had success treating it with anti-fungal lozenges that you place under your tongue. Maybe a little easier than the liquid, but require a prescription.