raynauds and vasospasm

Have you ever heard of Raynauds Phenomenon?  Perhaps you experience pain in your hands or feet in extremely hot or cold weather?  Maybe it doesn't bother you so much, or maybe it is so extreme that it is debilitating?

Raynauds Phenomenon is not that uncommon, and in most cases, not serious or overly problematic.  

Raynauds is not restricted to hands and feet...some women report raynauds effecting their breastfeeding.  And not everyone who experiences raynauds when breastfeeding, experiences it in their hands or feet - they may never have even heard of it before.  If you experience painful breasts or nipples, it is worth considering that it might be due to raynauds, or vasospasm.  Avoiding extreme changes in temperature is often all that is needed, but sometimes delving a bit deeper is needed too.  Some of the links below suggest calcium or magnesium may be required to help, along with avoiding caffeine, nicotine and other vaso-restrictive drugs.  And often thrush is misdiagnosed (and treated for) when thrush is not the problem. 

So if you experience the frustration, pain and confusion that can come with apparently inexpliciable breast or nipple pain, perhaps it is raynauds or vasospasm at work. It doesn't have to mean the end of breastfeeding. 

These links may be helpful:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/113/4/e360.full
http://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?pagename=doc-V-RP
http://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme/helpme_asklc_ans45.html
http://www.thewomens.org.au/nipplevasospasm
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/helthrpt/stories/s1181487.htm
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/nipple-blanching.html
http://www.breastfeeding-problems.com/Raynauds-disease.html
http://raynaudssyndrome.im-well.com/raynauds-syndrome-and-breastfeeding/