Conjunctivitis while breastfeeding

[Utini]

I woke up this morning with the sudden onset of what I think is bacterial conjunctivitis. Sore, itchy red eyes that were stuck together with a crust, and yellowy discharge all day. The redness is getting worse and my vision is a bit blurry although I think this is from the discharge.

I went to the pharmacy but was refused chloramphenicol as I'm breastfeeding, even though my daughter is 2.5 years old, so they would happily sell me it if it was too treat her. There's no way the amount she'd get through my milk will be anywhere near the amount she'd get from using it herself.

They sent me to the walk in centre where the nurse also refused to prescribe chloramphenicol, as "the absorption is different through milk". She reluctantly gave me a delayed prescription for fucidic acid drops but it's not valid until Friday.

Tried my gp, the receptionist called back and told me to see an optician. I've tried the ones they recommend but can't get an appointment until tomorrow now and have been told they can't prescribe, they can just check there's nothing more serious going on.

Currently waiting on my GP to call again, but think I may just have to go to a different chemist and lie about breastfeeding.

Has anyone else used this while feeding? Am I missing something - I really can't see that it can be risky if a two year old can use the drops?

[Easterbunnyiscomingsoon]

Breast milk is great for conjunctivitis op!

[moreismore]

Oh FFS. What do they think you’re going to do? Inject the bottle? Bugger all will get into your milk, as you know. In your situation I would just get someone to pick some up for you. Or go to another pharmacy and don’t tell them you’re breastfeeding.

I’ve taken it while bf FWIW and the pharmacist just said ‘we can’t guarantee it’s not harmful’. Much like pretty much any other drug.

[Utini]

Easterbunnyiscomingsoon that's worked before for DD but I've dripped some in a few times and sadly it doesn't seem to be helping.

[Utini]

moreismore thanks, it is absolutely ridiculous! I waited for over an hour in the walk in because I thought that it there was something slightly safer it would be better to get that.

I thought someone, somewhere would just use a bit of common sense, but apparently not. If my GP doesn't call back soon I think I will just go to another pharmacy and lie of I'm asked, as it's getting worse and is driving me crazy.

[StripyDeckchair]

breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/wp-content/dibm/eye%20infection%20and%20breastfeeding.pdf

Breastfeeding network is great for advice. All the fact sheets are produced by a qualified pharmacist and fully referenced.

FWIW I've had 2 bouts of conjunctivitis while breastfeeding my DS and in both cases it's been unpleasant but cleared up by itself in just over 24 hrs. Just bathed it gently with warm water a few times and didn't wear my contacts.

[moreismore]

It’s the pits! The ultimate insult on top of sleepless nights and everything else that goes with a new arrival! The pharmacist i saw didn’t hesitate to give it to me-just gave me the standard advisory. I believe if you gently press to close your tear duct as you put the drops in you reduce the risk to basically non existent but to be honest I didn’t bother! Hope you get hold of some soon and it works quickly!

[moreismore]

Was just looking for the link above to post!

[Utini]

Well the GP didn't call back so I've bought some chloramphenicol. Hopefully that'll do the trick but I'll be keeping a close eye on things as my eyelids are a bit puffy and there's quite a lot of discharge.

[TheChineseChicken]

I've had conjunctivitis a few times (probably picked up from toddler) and I would say it's not worth using the drops. It may not be bacterial and it usually clears up in a few days anyway. If you start the drops you have to finish the whole course - it's an annoying regimen and timings and you have to keep them refrigerated!

[Utini]

Well now my eyelids are swollen half shut, I have puffiness under my eyes, and I've never seen them so red. Don't know if this is an allergic reaction to the chloramphenicol or if I could be developing cellulitis. Got an appointment soon under our areas minor eye conditions service, fingers crossed it's nothing serious.

[moreismore]

Yikes! Really hope you’ve got something to help.

[Utini]

Fortunately the person I saw today was great, did a thorough examination and said that it looks like the swelling and extreme redness is just the result of a nasty bacterial infection, plus a couple of sub conjunctival haemorrhages. I've been told to carry on bathing and using chloramphenicol, and to call straight away for a referral to opthalmology if it gets worse, or go to a&e if it's out of hours.

Luckily my eyelids are already looking a bit less scary, so hopefully the antibiotics are doing their job.

I can't imagine what state they'd be in if I'd listened to the nurse and not used any antibiotics.

[moreismore]

Thank goodness! Hope you’re back to normal soon.

[Utini]

Thanks!