I have been breastfeeding for 4 months now and have been having these sharp burning shooting pains in my right side for 3 weeks now. They happen all through out the day and even wake me up. I have been to my OB who treated me with Quad cream and for mastitis. Then I went to the breastfeeding specialist 1 hour away. She thinks they are vasospasms caused by temperature changes. I am finding this to not be true (the temp changes). Has anyone else experienced this and what helped? I have been taking Advil and Tylenol around the clock and it helps but if I don't take it- I am practically in tears! Thanks Ladies!
Hey Ladies! Thanks for all the advice. Most of you were suggesting thrush. I did some more digging around, increased my fluids and rested! My baby didn't ever show any signs of thrush which can happen even if mom has it. I was so upset when I read the treatment for it! The next day my symptoms were so much better, then the next day they were gone! I am not sure I will ever know exactly what was going on but I do not think it was thrush, thank heavens! I wasn't drinking enough I know that, and maybe being stressed out about it made it worse. I now am happily breastfeeding pain and problem free! Thanks again everyone-until next time-C.
To help with the pain, I have used cabbage leaves...they work wonders! I take the leaves and give them a good whack with a rolling pin, then place them in my bra over my breasts. It was instant relief for me!
I have been bfing for 7 months now and we had trush 3 times. OUCH. Talk about pain. You could look into seeing if it's trush, but I would think your DR. or the bfing specialist would have notice it. Did they check your baby's mouth? I also have very strong letdown that hurts as well. Good luck!
A.
Like the others, it may be thrush (and if your little one also has it he/she's tongue will be white) This was the case with me anyway. You can try extra garlic in your food (unless that makes the baby cranky as some foods you eat will). I also used a heating pad which helped and bought breast pads that did not have plastic on the back. (motrin worked better for me than tylenal also).
Hope that helps.
Kristi
I also vaguely remember having some kind of weird shooting pain in my breasts early on. I didn't do anything for it and it eventually went away. Also I had VERY strong letdown pain/tingling when I first started breastfeeding but that also has minimized greatly. It was to the point that it would make me jump when I had a letdown, now I can still feel the letdown but it doesn't hurt. My daughter is 14 months. You just have to give your body time to adjust. I don't know about the thrush thing, your baby's gums would have white spots. You can check with your OB on that.
Sounds like a yeast overgrowth to me. Try Gentian Violet. It is very messy purple stuff though. Your baby may have thrush. You paint Gentian violet on your nipples and when let your baby nurse as usual. It will treat your baby at the same time. I have had it many times. When ever I've used it, I've used it three days in a row and it clears up.
Also I'd take an acidophilus suppliment. It is the actual bacteria that keeps yeast under control. Otherwise you can just eat yogart. The live culture is in there too.
If you ever have any breastfeeding issues Milk Works here in Lincoln are a great source! I'd give them a call.
I second Tracey's nomination of thrush. There's some good info about treatment at http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/thrush.html and http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/yeast.shtml and
C., sorry to hear you are so uncomfortable. I hope you get some good advice and feel better soon! C.
Hi C.!
I know this may sound crazy and, if you are breast feeding, it may not be the case, however...
Do you drink caffeine? I had terrible pain (shooting and achiness) in both breasts, sometimes more in one than the other, but my mother had the same issue when she was about the same age. I stopped caffeine and it went away.
Just a thought!
Hi C.,
I too had these wierd pains. And have heard a lot of nursing moms complain of them. I also had mastitis and it's totally a different kind of pain. No one ever figured out what it was but in MY opinion, it had something to do with the ducts - like collapsing or filling or something. I don't have them anymore but once in a blue moon, but for the first several months i had them off and on. It might be the beginning of mastitis too...?? Hope you find out what it is.
Ok, this is just a thought. Could it be thrush? Do your nipples hurt, itch, are they red, irritated? Thrush can also cause sharp pains to run throughout your breast. Good luck with your situation.
