Raynaud's Phenomenon

lindsay897

After weeks of excruciating pain while breastfeeding, I was diagnosed with Raynauds phenomenon. My midwife prescribed nifedipine but I'm hesitant to take it.

I am really trying to save our breastfeeding relationship but I can no longer take the pain. In addition, my son has a tounge tie which gives him a shallow latch.

Anyone have experience with this?

Lbloom

Yes I have it too. My LO had a lip and tongue tie that I just got corrected yesterday. BFing is already feeling comfortable. The doctor who performed the procedure is very pro-breastfeeding and does these corrections all the time. She used a small pen-sized laser, there wasn't even any blood. We were referred to this dr by a Lactation counselor that I hired to come to my house. This dr also has me taking a regimen of vitamin B6 and applying heat after feedings to help the vasospasms (raynauds of the nipple) and repair the nerve damage. I'm also continuing her treatment with stretching exercises to keep her wounds from healing back to the way they were. Get the problem fixed as soon as you can, you don't have to live with the pain. My nipple pain went from a 9 or 10 down to a 0 or 1 instantly when the ties were cut. Get a referral for a good dr in your area who specializes in tongue tie correction and breastfeeding help. You won't regret it and it can save your milk supply and your breastfeeding relationship. Good luck!

Sballerina

I was diagnosed with Raynaud's years ago, but only notice it in my hands and then occasionally in my feet. I don't recall that it can affect the nipples.

What do I need to watch out for once baby comes and I begin breastfeeding?

lindsay897

@Lbloom How old is your LO? Mine is 4 weeks and the tounge tie was just diagnosed yesterday. Several LCs and 2 Pediatricians told me he did not have a tounge tie but I knew something just want right. I ended up hiring the top LC in my area who referred me to a pediatric dentist. They can't get him in until November 23rd. They are supposed to be the best so I want to wait for them but can't keep causing damage to my nipples. So while I wait I'm having a chiropractor come to my house on Sunday to help release some of the tension he has from not being able to feed effectively.

I started almost exclusively pumping and only feeding on the breast once a day. Unfortunately I am not able to pump enough milk so I had to start supplementing with formula. The pain from the vasospasms is so bad that I can't even hold my son to comfort him. Anything touching my breasts, including the air, is excruciating.

I really hope to get some relief from the medicine and fixing his tounge tie. I really wasn't prepared for how difficult breastfeeding could be and although it isn't my fault, it's hard to not feel like a failure.

leah665

I totally feel the same way as you ladies. I went for my little girl's 2 week appointment today and told the nurse how painful breastfeeding has been. My poor nipples are torn up and feeding is excruciating. She examined my LO's mouth and said that she was tongue tied. She referred me to a pediatric dentist and they used a laser to fix the issue. It took them 5 minutes to do it. It hasn't even been a day, but we were able to latch without the nipple shield.

I was so heart broken because she had lost a pound since birth and I was trying my hardest to make sure she was eating. I hope this fixes the issue.

I highly recommend finding a dentist to help with your baby being tongue tied and find one that uses a laser instead of cutting them with scissors or a scalpel. The procedure didn't seem to bother my baby.

Lbloom

My LO is 17 days old. Call the dentist where your appointment is and tell them to make a note on their scheduling to get you in ASAP if they have any cancelations. I wouldn't have been seen until Nov either if my husband didn't request this. Tell them you have a newborn who isn't gaining well and you need to be seen as soon as possible. It might work, people cancel appointments all the time. And don't feel bad about trying that medicine for your vasospasms, if it helps you that is all that matters. Mine doesn't sound as bad as yours, but it was really bad during my pregnancy so I feel your pain. I called them nipples of fire. The only relief I got was from my electric heating pad. I hope you can be seen for your sons tongue tie sooner rather than later.

lindsay897

@Lbloom @leah665 They have me on the waiting list for any cancellations. I hope he can get in sooner. He has gained 1.5lbs since birth so I know he was getting enough milk, he was just sucking extra hard and causing me so much pain. Sounds like you both have had some pretty good success with so I'll keep up hope that we will too and that I will be able to breastfeed him to at least a year like I originally planned.