Raynauds

[MEcatlady17]

Just looking for some support and camaraderie ... I have Raynaud's and some days the pain in my nipples is so bad I have to practice taking deep breaths when DD latches on. Once she latches and my milk lets down (which is also burning and painful) the pain in my nipples goes away until exposed to air again. It is similar even when pumping at work, initially uncomfortable and then better. With pumping though I am more exposed to air ..which sucks.

The last few days DD is more distractable and pulling off and going back on...I think this is why I am having super sore nipples and more painful latch-ons again. I did not know I had Raynauds until breastfeeding...just thought I had cold feet and it was 'normal'.

Anyone else out there with Raynauds? What symptoms do you have? What makes it worse? And what I really want to know, what helps? If there are supplements or something I can do to make nursing more comfortable I want to try it! My breastfeeding goals are long term, so this is just part of the deal for me, but I'd love to know if I can be more comfortable.

[rhiandmoi]

You could try warming up your boob with a rice sock before you nurse. This should help keep the blood vessels more dilated and less painful.

[LollyMom]

Hi, I have it and I follow the protocol that I think is from Dr. Jack Newman -- I take megadose of B-vitamins and magnesium every day, it actually works. I have little to no pain now, just blanching.

[MEcatlady17]

Wow, thanks. I will take a look at how much Vit B I am already taking and how much more I need to take. The only magnesium I have aside from my multi is in calcium (but haven't been remembering to take it). Do you think that matters?

[cocoanib]

I have this! OMG, I feel you on the pain!
It was horrible and had me in tears many times.
I tried other things, but what helped me was using heat directly on the nipple right after DD comes off.
Keep a towel or something right near you with a cup of hot water or a heating pad or something, so you can put it right on the nipple after.
Once I started doing that it was like night and day. My nipples and breast pain has almost diminished now.

Also, I noticed when I would go out into the cold I would have really bad pains as well. Now I always keep nipple pads on to protect them.

[peacelove&camping]

i came onto the breastfeeding issues board to post about *my* raynaud`s, and saw your post! i`ve known i have it for years, but never knew it could affect this. today has been really bad, i`ve got terrible burning on the one side and it`s not even relieving during feeding. i would think it was an infection instead, but the blanching isn`t resolving either; also i started micronor three weeks ago for my apparently never-ending pp bleeding, but did not know it could make both raynaud`s and hyperactive letdown worse. are you on any birth control? stopping it could probably help, although that of course opens up its own can of worms also, there are some prescription medications you can take to ease your symptoms systemically, unless you have asthma.
Posted via Mobile Device

[MEcatlady17]

Interesting about the birth control. I chose not to go on anything hormonal for now. I heard caffeine can make it worse

[Amy@STL]

My LC thinks I may have renauds as well. I am taking Nifedil for 3 days and it's worked like magic.

[Otterella]

I had a brief spell of it when my son (now 3 1/2 yo) was about 2 months old, during a historically record-breaking cold spell (this was in Kentucky). I found that wool breast pads helped, to keep my nipples warm, but the cold spell only lasted about 3-4 weeks, and it went away with the warmer weather. There are even some with a thicker section in the center. My father in law has Raynaud's in his hands. I knitted him some 100% alpaca gloves to wear when he's working outside in winter, and he told me he hasn't had an attack since.

[mrforbes]

I do! (did w/DS 1 and now expecting #2 and already worried about my BFing issues)

Can you describe the protocol from Dr. Jack Newman? Is it safe to take that during pregnancy?