Need advice on weaning quickly for medical reason...

[Smylingeyz]

Hi - I've had a breast lump for about 6 months that I've been trying to treat naturally, and I just discovered It's more than doubled in size recently and looks like some kind of tumor. I'm getting a biopsy, but I have to wean first. DD is 17 months, and I want to bf for a few years. Does anyone know, is it possible to wean on just one side? I started doing that today but I need to be sure it works like that. That way maybe I can start nursing both sides again after the biopsy.
Also, any tips for helping the pain of the weaning process? I was told not to stimulate the breast at all for faster weaning, but can't that give me a blockage or something? It's starting to hurt a lot. I dunno if it's counterproductive to nurse a little bit when it gets really really full... So any comments would be great. Thanks everyone!

[alegna]

What is their explanation for why you have to wean for the biopsy?

-Angela

[pbjmama]

Yes, it is possible to just wean on one side. Do not go cold turkey. You will get an infection. Slowly cut back on the side you want to wean on - nurse to your comfort level at least.

Based on the information you have been given by this hcp so far I'm guessing they are not very breastfeeding friendly/savvy. I would like to suggest a doctor that is more informed and understands that breastfeeding is important to you. In many cases weaning on the breast that needs a biopsy is not necessary. Here are some links -

Nursing After a Breast Biopsy
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBJanFeb97p20.html

Breastfeeding after Breast Surgery
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBsurgery.html

You should continue breastfeeding- Jack Newman
(look under breast problems)
http://www.kellymom.com/newman/09a-i...ther_baby.html

[Smylingeyz]

alegna - I was told I cannot have a biopsy while breastfeeding because of some possible complication... I don't remember the word, but basically that the needle hole wouldn't heal and could form some open sore kind of thing. Basically a liability issue I've explained how I want to breastfeed long-term and it's very important to us, but they just brush it off because DD is over a year, and extended BFing doesn't seem common in our area. I really don't like my doctor, but my options are limited since we have state insurance. I would lie and say I stopped just so they'll do it, but I dunno if that could be harmful to me.

pbjmama - thanks; I was starting to go cold turkey but it's so painful. Plus the lump was already sensitive, but it is very painful when I let my breast stay full... no idea if it's because of the pressure on it or because it's a breast blockage maybe. I tried treating it as a blockage but it didn't work.

I was trying to think of who would be good to consult with since my doc and the biopsy people know nothing about BFing... maybe a lactation consultant or La Leche League leader? Dunno what area this kind of thing fals under. Oh and I've noticed for awhile that when I nurse that side i feel pressure on the lump like she's suctioning it... think it makes sense to be a blockage of some kind. Just wish I didn't have to dig for this information, and that medical professionals were more aware of BFing issues.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Many woman have to nurse from just one side due to a few different issues. I would go that route and then you can try and relactate on the other side once you have healed.

I hope it is just one of those benine things that happen. Good luck to you

[alegna]

I ask because I've seen moms here with the same info and they found out it was bogus- good luck!

-Angela

[Smylingeyz]

Thanks for everyone's input After reading your comments, I think I'm gonna wean on that side as fast as I can but nursing a bit when I'm uncomfortable. It'll probably be mostly done within a month, if it's not totally dry when the scheduled biopsy comes around, oh well. They did say it was mainly a liability precaution anyway. I think it'll be dry by then anyway. In the meantime, maybe I'll talk to a naturopath and see what other natural options I can pursue, would be so awesome if it went away on its own and I could avoid the biopsy altogether

[pbjmama]

Let us know how it goes. I do also wonder if it is breastfeeding related - a breast abcess perhaps since it is not being drained properly by nursing. I understand your insurance situation is not ideal. Will they cover you consulting with an IBCLC?

[PatioGardener]

Good luck with it.

I do agree with Angela - there are breastfeeding supportive surgeons who do biopsies on nursing moms ALL THE TIME. There may be a higher risk that the biopsy site won't heal and milk will leak out, but milk contains lots of immunities and infection fighting cells, so tends to help breasts heal rather than hinder the healing.

Whatever you decide I hope the procedure goes well for you!

[Smylingeyz]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener

:there are breastfeeding supportive surgeons who do biopsies on nursing moms ALL THE TIME. There may be a higher risk that the biopsy site won't heal and milk will leak out, but milk contains lots of immunities and infection fighting cells, so tends to help breasts heal rather than hinder the healing.

That would be SO awesome, but how would I find someone who is that supportive of BFing? I also wouldn't have to wait to wean, ya know esp since it's growing quickly and is quite painful...

pbjmama - What does IBCLC stand for?

[pbjmama]

International board certified lactation consultant = IBCLC.

If you really want to find someone get on the phone tomorrow with LLL, you will probably have to move up the food chain as the first person you reach is unlikely to know the answer to your question. LLL has medical liasons to help you find resources in this type of case. Call the hospitals in your area and ask to speak to the lactation consultants, don't just speak to one they may have different contacts and options for doctors. Get your medical records from your doctor to review for yourself. Call around to different doctors that are covered by your insurance and interview the staff over the phone- is the doctor knowledgeable/friendly to breastfeeding? A second opinion can't hurt. If you want to pm me your area I may be able to help you.

Have you had an ultrasound of the lump?

[alegna]

Originally Posted by Smylingeyz

pbjmama - What does IBCLC stand for?

IBCLC= international board certified lactation consultant

-Angela

[Smylingeyz]

Yes I did have an ultrasound, they ruled out the possibility of it being a cyst and said it was a solid tumor-like mass. Also that they can't know whether it's benign or cancerous until they do a biopsy.
That sounds like quite a run-around, esp in MA where my insurance is... seems like a super liberal area. It's unfortunate because I live 2 hours away in NH (due to separation) and my area has lots of awesome doctors but I can't pay hundreds of dollars to consult with one So I have to plan ahead and take work of to go to MA for a day to doctors that I hate... ironic I guess.

[Mrs-Mama]

I had a biopsy on my breast while I was breastfeeding my son. My surgeon never mentioned weaning. I had an "fna" (fine needle aspiration) which is suppose to reduce the risk of milk leaking from the biopsy site.

[Smylingeyz]

Originally Posted by Mrs-Mama

I had a biopsy on my breast while I was breastfeeding my son. My surgeon never mentioned weaning. I had an "fna" (fine needle aspiration) which is suppose to reduce the risk of milk leaking from the biopsy site.

Interesting... my prep nurse didn't mention it since they don't normally see such young women she didn't think to ask me... then right before I got off the phone I thought to ask whether there was anything special I needed to know for BFing such as not nursing for a bit afterwords. She asked the charge nurse and came back with I had to wean first. Wish I hadn't asked cause the bipsy would be done by now if I hadn't. Maybe I should look into doctors up here or something and try to find financial aid of some kind. In my area they're very cold and nasty.

[annekh23]

Originally Posted by Smylingeyz

Yes I did have an ultrasound, they ruled out the possibility of it being a cyst and said it was a solid tumor-like mass. Also that they can't know whether it's benign or cancerous until they do a biopsy.

If there is any possibility it is cancerous they shouldn't be waiting a month to allow drying up that breast and with a solid lump, there is always that possibility, at least as I understand it. I had an ultrasound on what was assumed to be an abcess that needed draining, instead a solid lump was found, this was on Christmas day, they had me in for a possibly biopsy the next working day, which as this was the UK and on a Thursday meant it was the following Monday. By some miracle, the lump had vanished by then, so we'll never know what it was, my son was 7 months and there was no suggestion of weaning when it was thought that I would need a biopsy.

[Smylingeyz]

See ya that's what I thought! They did take it seriously but I think because I'm only 23 they didn't prioritize it as much. And I'm kinda thinking what's the point because I had the lump fur at least 3 months before I got it checked (I know I'm an idiot), and I had it checked well over a month ago... so if it did happen to be cancer it'd be way too late I guess. I just scheduled the biopsy for Aug 31. There's no way DD will be completely weaned by then, but I'm gonna do what I can and relactate as soon as the spot is healed.

[pbjmama]

I'm glad you went ahead and scheduled it and I agree that the doctors are not taking it seriously enough. I hope everything goes smoothly.

I also want to say fight for yourself, for your health, for your care. Think about if your dd was in your position, what would you want her to do? The results of these test will make a difference in her life too.

[Smylingeyz]

Thanks pbjmama