Joint pain due to BFing

[Nicole_ac]

Hi,

I have experienced joint pain since having my daughter 10 months ago. It is worse first thing in the morning, last thing at night and when I have been inactive for any period of time. I feel it predominantly in my hands (plus swelling in my fingers), my wrists, my feet and knees. When I get out of bed in the morning or during the night I feel like an old woman hobbling around!

All of the blood tests came back negative. Mr Dr. and OB/GYN say these symptoms should go away once I stop breastfeeding.

This is my second child, I breastfed my oldest until she was 20 months with no problems whatsoever.

I am hoping that some moms who have experienced what I have can give me some tips, I am feeling so sore that I am thinking of giving up breastfeeding altogether... how sad!

[GoJoJo]

I don't get it - did Dr. explain how bf'ing causes joint pain? Can you contact your local LLL to see if they have input on that diagnosis?
I was going to suggest you look closely at thyroid levels, but you'd probably be experiencing other symptoms - like crushing fatigue and a swollen thyroid - if that were the case. (My joint pain was alleviated when I started thyroid hormone replacement for post-partum thyroiditis.)
Maybe you're vitamin depleted?
Sorry to offer these uneducated, shot-in-the-dark guesses - I just can't imagine bf'ing can be the root of the problem!
I'm so sorry you're suffering with this - hope you get relief soon!

[Nicole_ac]

Thanks! No, I got my thyroid checked, it's fine. Could I be only dehydrated and vitamin depleted, could that be it? I take my prenatal/BF vitamins though....

Anyone?

[akind1]

It isn't all joints, but a friend of mine's orthopaedist said that she had DeQuervains Tenosynovitis - and this he said could be related to breastfeeding (sounds like it could happen to anyone who holds babies alot)

FWIW I have aches that come and go, but mostly on my right side. (right knee, right foot, right arm) wonder if it is how I am sleeping?

But I don't know if the OP's pains will go away once you stop nursing. there is only one way to find out, and that's to stop. I wouldn't in my case, DS is only 6 months old. but if he were over a year and showed signs of weaning, I might.

[sahmmie]

Could it be arthritis? I don't know how old you are, but arthritis can start younger than many people think. I'm not sure if you can take this while nursing, but Aleve would probably help a lot.

I started having arthritis like pain after the birth of my son and I was only 41. It was mostly in my hips, but sometimes knees and wrists. It still bothers me from time to time but definitely improved as he grew. I never heard of a link to nursing so I wasn't focusing on that as a possible cause, but it was worse when I was nursing and gradually improved when I stopped.

[Katie T]

I have had joint pain since my DS was born 3 1/3 yrs ago. I don't know if it will end when I quit nursing, DD2 will be 2 this months and is no where close to weaning but someday I may find out. (I nursed DS through my pg with DD2)

I have gone in for tests as well and everything is fine (except my kidneys, but that is a heredity issue from long before DS. I go in for a nerve test on Friday as I have been having numbness that is increasing and I am "done" dealing with it.

Will be interesting to see what others have to say. In the back of my mind I had wondered if it was from constantly holding a baby/toddler.

[kismetbaby]

I have been having muscle not joint issues since my DS was a few months old, but of course the MDs all say I am fine. .. I sometimes wonder if it is the hormonal change or maybe just the added stress of no sleep, lugging around a heavy baby, etc.

Stressful times and hormonal shifts can bring on inflammatory issues (arthritis being one of these). If I were you I'd be very strict about my diet (stay away from white flour and sugar esp) and maybe do some gentle yoga and see if that makes a difference. A good chiropractor may be able to offer some relief too.

[Nicole_ac]

I have started drinking much more water these days and giving my LO a little bit more of solid food + cereals twice a day. She seems hungry, she loves her veggies. The pain is still there but it's getting a tiny bit better. A sign of hope!