Thread: Raynaud's phenomenon/disease is miserable!

I can't remember if I had it with both of the girls, but I know I had it with at least one of them. If you've never heard of it, it's a temporary loss of circulation in the nipple that happens to some nursing mothers (as well as with other conditions, more often in the fingers and toes). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynaud%27s_phenomenon

For me, it's usually shortly after nursing, and can last a minute, or as long as half an hour. It feels like burning/freezing excruciating pain that is always in the nipple, but sometimes also radiates from the chest wall in the middle. It has nothing to do with latch or any other factor.. even happens when I pump.

I've been dealing with it for a few weeks now, and have been trying to wait it out, to see if it will naturally go away. I was previously prescribed a blood pressure medication, along with high levels of magnesium and calcium supplements. I hate taking BP meds when I don't otherwise need it, but DH is really persistent in trying to get me to have something done about it. Since the OB is 1.5 hour drive away, and I have my 6 week follow-up, I'm not sure if I should call ahead of time to see if they will prescribe meds over the phone, if I should wait until my appointment, or what.. :-\

I have this too, but only in my hands when they get cold. It sure is weird to look down and see a line where my fingers change from pink to white. I have always been told that it isn't a big deal, but just to warm up my hands so that the circulation will get going again. BUT it isn't painful for me, so that changes things for you. I don't think it would hurt to call the doctor. I hear you about not wanting to take medication that you don't need... how long did it last for you last time?? Was it the whole time you breastfed? or something that stopped in time? Hope it gets figured out!

Heather

That sucks! I have never had it but it does not sound pleasant. I hope it gets better soon. I would try to see if you can get something for it sooner then later.

Poor you, that does NOT sound pleasant. I hope it goes away soon, or at least you find relief one way or the other, in a way that you want.

I called my OB/GYN to ask what I should do. They bumped my 6 week follow-up appointment by a day, so I'll be going this Wednesday instead of Thursday. It's funny, because the none of them had even heard of this condition before. Thank God I know what I'm talking about.. HAHA! I guess that's the price to pay in a teaching hospital- most of them haven't come across the strange and unusual conditions yet. I guess I'll likely end up going on the BP med.. since I'm telling them what works.

To answer the questions- After a few weeks of nursing, I started taking the BP med, and I think I ended up taking it for several months. Everything seems so hazy because of everything that's happened since my other little ones were born. It's strange that I remembered everything so clearly the second time around (she was born 19 months after the first), but this time around, with a 4.5 year gap, my memory is shot!