So tired, so frustrated, so confused

[lil_earthmomma]

My title pretty much sums it up.

I've been an avid supporter of breastfeeding for years, and always knew I'd breastfeed my babies. I knew it would be hard as I'd witnessed the struggles of new moms but I also thought at if you had the right support anyone could breastfeed.

My ds is 7 mo, and it still hurts. This week it's been pretty bad, where as it's been just a slight pain for the last few months. My nipples are firey white after he comes off, or just for no reason they will start to hurt and I'll look down and surprise surprise, they look like hot brands. Then they fade to bright redish pink.

Do I have thrush? Who knows. I'm starting to think not though, because after every treatment known to man plus elimination diet and even boiling my bras and sheets etc. I'm still having these symptoms.

I'm sick of going to the doctor and being perscribed this or that. I need a definitive answer. Is this thrush? Is this raynauds? Is this wicked vampire baby syndrome?

Sorry about the rant, I'm just coming to the end of myself.

[laoxinat]

are you seeing a white line across your nipple? if so, your babe may need to lengthen his tongue. you can try this excercise, it works pretty well: place a clean, short-nailed finger in babe's mouth nail side down, and let him suck. as he sucks, turn your finger over slowly so he keeps sucking. slowly draw your finger out, keeping a little pressure on his tongue, so it cups your finger. the idea here is to lengthen the tongue a bit so he stops tongue-thrusting. some babes are tongue tied, meaning their tongue doesn't sparate from the bottom of their mouth enough. if the first excercise doesn't help, i'd see a lactation consultant. nursing shouldn't hurt. good luck, mama!!
laoxinat

[MilkTrance]

You may find this helpful

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/...blanching.html


You may also find it helpful to know that you are a hero to your sweet baby, for whom you are perservering in order to give him the best start in life and a deep emotional bond. That's just so great. You should be so proud of yourself!

FWIW, it doesn't sound like thrush to me, but you should get that checked just in case. In my experience, doctors over-prescribe for thrush, though. It's like that's the only BF problem they know about. I'd talk to an LC instead.

[crazycandigirl]

This sounds just like what thrush feels like for me! I had to use the doctor prescribed cream to heal it up (DD1 had to be treated too). Within hours I felt soooooo much better and it no longer hurt to nurse- It was amazing. I went from almost giving up nursing because of the hot stabbing pain, to enjoying it again. I hope that you feel better soon!

[yarngoddess]

Hang in there! You seem well ahead of where I was at that point of nursing! This sounds like thrush to me, same as my symptoms. Do you crave Peanut Butter, or eat a lot of it? That can be a sign that you have thrush- PB feeds yeast! Another great Breastfeeding knowledge. The only thing that worked for me with thrush was Gentian Violet. I use it LIGHTLY on my nipples, and just Barely coat baby's mouth with it. Then I repeat day after that. There is some controvercy about Gentian Violet- but it is the only thing that works for me. You sound like you really need some help IRL- do you have a lactation consultant avaliable? Even if you can't afford one they will probably help if you are in desperate need. Or try LLL, IMO the Dr. doesn't always know his/her elbow from bobo!

HTH and hang in there- you are doing what is the best for you beautiful LO!

[lil_earthmomma]

Thanks everyone. This community is so awesome!

To address some of the thoughts posted, I have been seeing a LC dr. who has prescribed:

Creams
GV
Nystatin Oral for ds
Nystatin for me
Super mega loading dose second time around
more cream

I've also been taking grapefruit seed extract, cutting all sugars out of my diet and like I said, boiling the he*# out of everything.:

I'm not getting a white line, (ds is a pro at sticking his tongue out and no where near tongue tied) but the entire tip of the nipple is that whitish no blood in it color. Then it fades. I've been doing some more research and this sounds like raynauds syndrome:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.or...ull/113/4/e360
to me, but try getting a Dr. (even if she is an LC) to listen.

I think I need her to test me for yeast. Does anyone know if there is a test for yeast?

[Breastfeeding Insomniac]

Wow, if you are still in pain at 7 months, and nipple is white and blanching, it sounds like vasospasms, and possibly Raynaud's of the nipple, there are corrective measures to help, and if not you can take a med called nifedipine. Here is some info, maybe you an talk to your LC and ask her to consider this as maybe the problem as its not likely you have had thrush for 7 months.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/...blanching.html

[Breastfeeding Insomniac]

Originally Posted by lil_earthmomma

Thanks everyone. This community is so awesome!

To address some of the thoughts posted, I have been seeing a LC dr. who has prescribed:

Creams
GV
Nystatin Oral for ds
Nystatin for me
Super mega loading dose second time around
more cream

I've also been taking grapefruit seed extract, cutting all sugars out of my diet and like I said, boiling the he*# out of everything.:

I'm not getting a white line, (ds is a pro at sticking his tongue out and no where near tongue tied) but the entire tip of the nipple is that whitish no blood in it color. Then it fades. I've been doing some more research and this sounds like raynauds syndrome:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.or...ull/113/4/e360
to me, but try getting a Dr. (even if she is an LC) to listen.

I think I need her to test me for yeast. Does anyone know if there is a test for yeast?

Sorry, I just read this after I responded. Ok, so you and I are on the same wavelength, is your LC an IBCLC? Why would she not address this? If she won't use the corretive measures to manage it, and seek out your OB if you do need the meds.

[lil_earthmomma]

Oh thank God I'm not the only one who's thinking Raynauds!!!

I'm going to make an appointment first thing tomorrow and address this with her.

Thank you again everyone.

[Breastfeeding Insomniac]

Originally Posted by lil_earthmomma

Oh thank God I'm not the only one who's thinking Raynauds!!!

I'm going to make an appointment first thing tomorrow and address this with her.

Thank you again everyone.

You are definitely on the right track, Raynauds was the first thought that came to my mind when I read your story. The blanching and whiteness of the nipples and the pain are so symptomatic of this condition. If you need any help, feel free to pm me. Stand strong w/ the LC and make her here you, if she doesn't then move onto a different Dr.