Saturday, October 11, 2008

What???? NO SUGAR?!?

WARNING....this post is not so rosy, and may gross some of you out. PROCEED WITH CAUTION. Since the end of August I have been dealing with an infection related to breastfeeding called "thrush." Thrush is basically a yeast infection that thrives in warm moist places and commonly happens to babies and moms during breastfeeding. The baby will get small blisters in her mouth and moms will get very sore and painful breasts in the process. Originally I thought Addie was just changing the way she latches on and that's why I was sore, chapped and peeling (can you say ouch?), but then I would get intense burning shooting pains following nursing. So, I decided I should actually go to the doctor to see if anything could be done. Well, Addie had a couple of blisters on each side of her mouth and the chapped, red, painful cuts (along with the burning shooting pains) I had were definitely thrush. So, I learned all about how to get rid of this horrible infection and hoped for the best. Addie and I were both put on medication. I had to throw out over half of the milk supply I had built up in our freezer and couldn't keep and of the milk I would pump at work for more than a day because it was loaded with the infection. Not to mention the fact that I was in excruciating pain EVERY TIME I would feed Addie and pump at work. I was told the infection would be gone in about 4-5 days and that a couple days after that I could start keeping all of my milk again. So, we started the meds and it worked within 3 days for Addie. Me on the other hand is a different story. So here I am 6 weeks later, 3 rounds of medication later and it is still not gone! It is definitely not as bad as it was in the beginning, but my left side can't seem to get rid of it. So, the only way to kick this things is horrible. NO SUGAR OF ANY KIND in my diet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And, NO CARBS!!!! Ahhhhhhh!!!! So, I have to stick to this thing for at least 6 weeks but probably more like 2-3 months. Once all my symptoms are gone, I have to do this for at least another month and then I can SLOWLY work sugar and carbs back into my diet. So until then, my plight is vegetables, cheese, meats, eggs, hummus and some raw nuts. The good news is, I will probably lose some weight. I have been doing this for exactly 1 week and have eaten more vegetables this week than I have in the last year. I feel like I'm going to turn green! So next time you have pasta, potatoes or any kind of delicious sugar filled dessert, please savor every bite for me! Hopefully the next few months will fly by! :(

9 comments:

Angie said...

OH Kara! That sounds terrible, especially (I hate to even mention it) with Halloween coming up. Oh the sacrifices we make for our kids...

By the way only 5 more shopping days... ;)

Trisha said...

The things we moms have to do! I'll eat extra sugar for you.

The Gray Family said...

OUCH! I am so sorry that you are having to go through that right now (particularly since it is pie month!). Feel better soon! Addie better appreciate how much you are willing to do for her...most women would have just given up the nursing thing by now. You are a trooper!

Kim and Jim said...

Poor Kara! Oh man, and I thought I was having breastfeeding troubles. I feel you friend. You are such a trooper. I completely agree that it is so great having our blogs to keep up on each other and the struggles of being a mom. Keep us posted. I am doing better, still hoping to be able to breastfeed exclusively, but currently still have to use formula to supplement. Not sure if I will be able to get the supply up, but at least he is getting some breast milk. That is all we can hope. Take care and love, Kim

munyer jerk chicken said...

ooouuuccchhh... mine never got that bad but i did bite through a brand new pencil every time i had to nurse before i finally figured out what this crazy beast was all about. good luck kicking it for good!

sara said...

Hi Brian and Kara!!! I'm so happy I found you on here. Your daughter is so beautiful and I'm glad to see you happy (besides for the thrush...ouch!!! And no sugar/carbs diet!!). It's good to see what's going on in your life. :-)

Presley family said...

Hey Kara,
What did the test from Friday show?? Is it an infection. I am so happy for you that you finally decided to go back to sugar!! win! BIG HUGS!

Jenny said...

Kara...I am so sad for you. I know thrush alone sucks but all the dietary changes too:( I'm so sorry. When we found out Tyler was intolerant to dairy and soy, I tried it for 6 weeks without eating any of it...and then we went to formula. Hopefully yours works out better than mine:) Good luck

Jill said...

So sorry. That must be so hard! It was great seeing you at Cinnamon's shower! I was just telling Roland how adorable your little girl is. Hope that you get better soon!