White nipple tip - Thrush?

[floraflora]

Have been fighting thrush on and off for almost 6 months - since week 6, DS now nearly 7 months. GP v. unhelpful, fluconazole took ages to kick in then he wouldn't prescribe more, so it came back. Watching diet and taking acidophilus have kept it largely at bay - though never completely clear. Of course I over-indulged on the chocky front over Xmas, knew it was a mistake, so have been very careful about eating since then. Last night one nipple became noticeably more sore and sensitive and today I found a white patch on tip of nipple. Tonight burning pain - but I don't think its the same as the worst thrush pain at its height. Never had a sympton like this before.
I REALLY want to keep feeding - why, oh why is it so fraught with pitfalls?
Any words of wisdom gratefully appreciated.

[Lio]

Ouch, bummer hope someone who knows comes on soon, and if not please ring your health visitor tomorrow and ask who your nearest breastfeeding counsellor is, they are fab people and to be treasured. Do you think it could be Raynaud's syndrome? Try googling it, and here is a snippet I copied/pasted from the internet for you:


Raynaud's Phenomenon of the Nipple: A Treatable Cause of Painful Breastfeeding. Raynaud's phenomenon has been reported to affect the nipples of breastfeeding mothers and is recognized by many lactation experts as a treatable cause of painful breastfeeding. Because the breast pain associated with Raynaud's phenomenon is so severe and throbbing, it is often mistaken for Candida albicans infection. PubMed. Pediatrics. 2004 Apr;113(4):E360-4.

[yellowrose]

flora - I am no expert - just someone who has suffered from thrush when DS was a baby.

I haven't heard of thrush developing as a white patch on the nipple, I am familiar with it being sometimes visible in the baby's.

Could it be a nipple blister of some sort ? I know you can develop these at any stage, but not 100% sure.

Have you tried reading kellymom.com ? Covers most things incl. thrush and blisters.

Good luck, hope an expert will come along soon.

[floraflora]

Oooo, interesting. Will check it out. Thanks!

[yellowrose]

In the baby's mouth I meant !

[floraflora]

Don't think it's a blister - has more the appearance of an area which isn't getting blood, so lack colour - if that makes sense.

[floraflora]

Yellowrose - yes realised what you meant! He's never displayed any symptoms, including the white plaques - one of the reasons my GP was so uncooperative. I did see a BF advisor at the beginning and she was pretty sure it was Thrush.

[yellowrose]

Please read this if you haven't already.

It sounds like a milk blister - a milk built up under your skin ? Sorry, just guessing, but this is what kellymom says:

this

[Lio]

And this is what kellymom says about nipple blanching - includes mention of Raynaud's.

[floraflora]

Oh isn't everyone helpful here!
Thanks Lio & Yellowrose - it's a lot to take in - will have to read both properly, i.e. not when trying to prepare reports for work tomorrow!
Oh damn, look at the time... got to get it done before LO wakes for next (painful) feed.
Cheers! x

[laundrylover]

Me again Flora!!
White nipple is just what I get when the thrush strikes! Looks like it's dead really and then recovers after a while?

Don't give up honey - I'm still going at 9 months but every time it returns I want to stop...you know my secret tho!

[floraflora]

Mumsnet is so addictive... just a quicky while I print my reports (not skiving honest!)...
Bit of tangent but I went to see a friend today who has LO of 3 weeks and is having hell with feeding - genuine problems not just getting-used-to-it-pain and may have to give up - her nipples look like a war zone. It made me glad that my problem was only thrush and I'm glad I have stuck it out this long. I'm getting 'advice' from other quarters along the lines of - well he's being weaned now, it wouldn't do him any harm if you give up. I'm rather bloody minded though and there's something in me that just won't let me. It's amazing how strong the instinct is, isn't it?

[yellowrose]

flora - your friend sounds like she is in bad shape with the nipples. If she wants to continue, has she considered getting some advice re. latch ? Is she using lansinoh ointment for her nipples to help them heal ?

[laundrylover]

Yes, can she see a trained person locally before she gives up?

I start my LLL training tomorrow - am so excited.

[yellowrose]

laundry - hi - I would love to do that too.

If I am able to get my backside into gear soon (we are moving house) I hope to be able to do it too. Let us know how you get on !

[floraflora]

Yes, the lactation consultant employed by local hosp trust has been out to her and advised on latch etc. She's very good too. Don't feel it's my place to discuss detail of someone else's problems here really. It's just so hard when everyone is telling you must carry on and you're in agony.
I've recommended Mumsnet for moral support too.

[floraflora]

Aviatrix - did you massage whole breast, or just nipple? It's hard cos its hyper-sensitive.

[floraflora]

Laundrylover - good for you. I was going to do some peer support training but we are probably moving, plus there are just not enough hours in the day. Hope to be able to sometime in future though.
Also, did you so the sugar free diet, or just take the grapefruit seed extract?

[yellowrose]

flora - I know exacty what you mean. I get a bit too enthusiatic sometimes and have found it really hard giving "support" in the real world. I keep myself to MN now, because if anyone gets angry with me for being too chirpy about bf, at least they can't hurl a pan at me

I have gone to hell and back as well with bf, which is why I enjoy helping where I can

[laundrylover]

Yellowrose, I am doing it for free through our local Surestart and will be on a volunteering rota when I qualify. Am having a bit of a crap time at the mo and feel that this is a real positive.

[yellowrose]

laundry - good for you - hope it helps you get a boost !

[floraflora]

I think it's when you have been to hell and back that you feel you have the most to give - and hopefully can!
Before I had DS I thought, well I'll just give BF a go and swap to FF if I can't - very laissez-faire. Then I went to BF workshop run by the aforementioned Lactation Consultant and was inspired. Now I know that if I gave up, I'd miss it SO much, (even though he is getting cheeky, looks at my boobs before my face at times, has demolished an heirloom bead necklace while feeding and now gives the occasional nip while trying to pass wind and feed at same time!)

[yellowrose]

So, you haven't got to the standing on head feeding stage yet then !

[floraflora]

Is that him or me standing on head?!!! (If me, is this some advanced technique of which I know nothing as yet?!!!)

[LadyClaret]

Hi. I have a six week old baby who weighs over 11 lbs. I was hoping that someone could give me some advice before the pain is too much and I give up bf. I am experiencing deep hot pain in my breast during and after feeding. The pain is linked to M's jaw on my breast. He has a very strong suck. It is worse in one breast which has beign lumps. The pain radiates across my breast into my armpit and sometimes into my back. M< has also become agitated on this breast- pulling off and crying. I have then put him on the other breast and he calms down. I have similar pain in the other breast but not as severe. The HV diag over the phone that is was thrusy and org some cream for us both. I was wondering if anyone had similar problems or could give some advice. He was very good at latching on from the start and puts on around 8oz a week. I have tried expressing but with not much success.