chronic thrush in my asthmatic son!

[rpete]

My 12 year old son has had thrush for 1 1/2 years now on his uvula, back portion of his soft palate and upper throat. Although it is not severe, we can't seem to get rid of it. He is an asthmatic who is now on his 3rd type of inhaler (not counting his nebulizer), and his 3rd type of anti-fungal med. We have been to his pediatrician, pulmonologist, ENT, and allergist/immunologist in addition to multiple lab work and cultures of the area. I am a nurse and know my "stuff" pretty well. Still, there is thrush. Most likely (I've been told) it is caused from inhaler/med use, but did not go away while on the nebulizer and Nystatin. White count slightly elevated and rechecking in a few weeks, but white count ratios are all WNL. Cannot take him off his meds or his asthma is out of control. Am getting desperate for a concrete answer (which no one will commit to), and have an adolescent who is "so done with all this"! I need some advice PLEASE!!!


This discussion is related to Advair causing burning?.

[nettteski]

I'm sorry to hear about the problem your son is having with thrush.  I started on Advair last year, and my nurse practitioner told me before I ever went on it to rinse my mouth thoroughly after using it to prevent thrush.  Don't know if that helps or not, but wanted to mention it.

[TexasTerri]

I hate to hear that your son is having this problem. I can only imagine trying to get a handle on thrush in a young child.
I use Advair and have had thrush many times. Is your son rinsing well after using his inhaler? I rinse with Listerine whiteing pre-brush mouthwash, (half mouthwash and half water) it has helped considerably. However, if I eat something sweet like twizzlers or gummy bears, a weakness of mine, then it's necessary for me to use the rinse before and after using the inhaler.
I don't know if this will help you, but I hope so.

Also, I've never heard of someone having thrush for so long. I use the Nystatin liquid but I wonder about the Nystatin capsules. Perhaps he would have to be on them long term to get rid of the thrush. Also, after this length of time what are the chances that the fungus has gotten into the lungs or esophagus?

Please let me know how your son is doing.