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AIBU?

To expect not to be told to stop breastfeeding in order to take a drug that has been classified as SAFE for breastfeeding

215 replies

BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability · 22/07/2013 19:25

I have a rheum appt coming up and am psyching myself up for it. I have psoriatic arthritis and need to start DMARDs asap, however consultant refuses to prescribe them while I am breastfeeding. The paperwork I was given by the hospital says sulfasalazine is safe for BF, directly contradicting the consultant!

DS2 is 15m and on one feed a day now. I'm half tempted to say I've stopped, I won't as I don't tell lies to HCPs, but IABU to think the consultant is BU? I went in last time saying "but it says its safe" and was told I was wrong Hmm

And, what do I do? If it were a GP, I could get a second opinion easily, yes? How do I do that with an NHS specialist?

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maja00 · 22/07/2013 19:29

Can you take the information in with you for him to look at?

Maybe print off the details for that drug from LactMed and have the Breastfeeding Network drugs helpline number to hand for him to call and check there and then?

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maja00 · 22/07/2013 19:30

Here's the LactMed page with references - not sure what argument he could have against this?
toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~pdoqli:1

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YankNCock · 22/07/2013 19:31

Can you contact the pharmacist at the Breastfeeding Network and ask for help getting evidence showing it is safe? www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-in-breastmilk.html

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YankNCock · 22/07/2013 19:32

The Drugs in Breastmilk helpline generally isn't picked up during the day, you tend to leave a message and she comes back to you, so I wouldn't leave it till the appointment to talk to her.

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MrButtercat · 22/07/2013 19:36

Jesus you'd risk a child who is perfectly old enough to be weaned for what reason exactly?

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maja00 · 22/07/2013 19:37

What risk MrButtercat? You sound confused.

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McNewPants2013 · 22/07/2013 19:39

mrButtercat the drug is safe.

Perhaps the consultant isn't used to dealing with breastfeeding patients and is wary of prescribing a medication.

However tell him to look in the BFN book

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MrButtercat · 22/07/2013 19:40

May be a risk,may not.

I personally never even took a paracetamol,a heavy duty drug that may or may not be safe depending on who you're listening to not a chance.

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HoneyDragon · 22/07/2013 19:41

I had similar, my consultant checked the drug and agreed to prescribe Smile

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maja00 · 22/07/2013 19:42

Check out the LactMed link above for some evidence of risk MrButtercat. This particular drug is classified as safe and isn't a reason to stop breastfeeding.

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BaronessBomburst · 22/07/2013 19:42

Congratulations MrButtercat.

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HoneyDragon · 22/07/2013 19:43

My pharmacist checked for me as they have up to date info and faxed a copy to my consultant .

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BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability · 22/07/2013 19:43

Congratulations to you, did you miss the bit where I am fucking disabled though and in chronic pain? Hmm

I will print out the info and take with me, prepared to be told my random internet info is wrong though...

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BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability · 22/07/2013 19:44

Ahh, pharmacist faxing over info is a very good idea! :)

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MrButtercat · 22/07/2013 19:44

Accepts.

If it was a newborn I'd understand however 15 months.Why would you want any exposure that you don't have to give? You don't need to bf at 15 months.

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PeazlyPops · 22/07/2013 19:46

No-one has mentioned risking a child?

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HoneyDragon · 22/07/2013 19:46

You don't need to breast feed at all MrButtercat.

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Viviennemary · 22/07/2013 19:47

If it was me I would tend to follow the advice of the consultant especially in view of the age of your child. Medicine isn't an exact science (so I've been told) and opinions differ. What is the point of risking this drug being passed on to your child. None as far as I can see.

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BaronessBomburst · 22/07/2013 19:47

Unfortunately LIMITS YABU to expect to get sense out of a lot of healthcare professionals, relatives, friends, work colleagues, and The Daily Mail when it comes to BF. Grin

And when it comes to lying to HCP, does that include HVs? Wink

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MrButtercat · 22/07/2013 19:47

Ok exposing a toddler to a drug that it doesn't need to be exposed to then.

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5madthings · 22/07/2013 19:49

The evidence is that its safe, this particular baby is only bfeeding once a day so the op will be able to time tge meds to make sure there is less chance any is present in milk (tho evidence shows it doesnt really go into the milk).

bfeeding is not just about nutrition but it does have nutritional benefits as well as being good for immune system eyc but its about comfort and security. Weighing up minute/minimal risk against immesurable benefits for the child.


How marvellous some people can afford to be so precious as to not even take paracetamol when feeding, others have health conditions that require medications so they can function etc, the risks and benefits have to be weighed up. And given i bfed for over nine years i couldnt avoid medication for that entire time, so i looked at the evidence, spoke to specialists and made an informed choice with the backing of my hcp each time.

Op print out the relevant info and maybe get them to speak to the relevant peoole at bfeeding drug helpline, my consultant did this :)

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JacqueslePeacock · 22/07/2013 19:50

Oh for goodness sake Buttercat, BFing a toddler has far more benefits (health and otherwise) than taking a safe drug (which may not even pass into the milk) has drawbacks.

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MrButtercat · 22/07/2013 19:50

As I said with a newborn I understand the dilemma to some degree,with a toddler not at all.

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neunundneunzigluftballons · 22/07/2013 19:50

Mrbuttercup this is symptomatic of a lack of awareness around use of medication in lactating women among health professionals. Breast feeding benefits toddlers hugely and they temd to be healthier than their non breast fed peers so it is a risk benefit exercise.

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neunundneunzigluftballons · 22/07/2013 19:51

Posted to soon Op can you ask for a second opinion

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