AIBU to be cross with this nurse?

[GimmeDaBoobehz]

I have ongoing gastro problems that are going to be looked at, but have a specialist appointment for 2 and a half months time and wanted to see if I could take anything or do anything in the meantime to help as it's pretty debilitating and I have a young baby to look after.

She was a very nice lady and chatted and then prescribed me Buscopan (sp?). I asked if it was OK to take when breastfeeding. She looked it up in a book and said a low dose should be fine.

I got home and got my prescription and it said not to take whilst breastfeeding so I phoned the pharmacy who phoned up a head doctor who right enough said it wasn't safe to take whilst breastfeeding.

AIBU to be pretty cross she prescribed me something that could've been harmful to my daughter?

I'm not a complainer, but I really would worry that if I wasn't someone who would check up online and ask around that I could've taken it without thinking.

Speaking as both a nurse and a breastfeeding peer supporter (for what that's worth! ) I would say that she is correct in the advice she gave you. You will find that there are not actually that many drugs that are harmful to take when breastfeeding, obviously there are some that definitely are. Its all about the amount of the drug which will be present in the breastmilk. Usually its very little and not enough to cause harm.
It is always a good idea to contact the breastfeeding networks drug helpline. It is run by a pharmacist with extensive knowledge on the drugs that are harmful and the ones that are fine to take when breastfeeding.
The drug companies will always be cautious to cover their arses iyswim?

Gimme, the nurse looked up the info for you and prescribed a low dose. The doctor had a more conservative attitude. That doesn't make the nurse wrong. Of course it's up to you whether you want to risk taking anything while breastfeeding.

OK thanks everyone for the advice.

So in general I was BU but for a reasonable reason, as I was concerned and not sure which is always best to check out.

I am not so cross now, just more confused but a lot of this makes sense in hindsight.

Thanks for being so forthcoming.

Thanks Not that makes a lot of sense.

DD is my first and I am a worrier [take after my mother] so am a bit over cautious.

I am sure over time I will loosen up a little. :)

Northern is talking sense.

The NCT in our area can put people into contact with a pharmacist who has extra knowledge in this area. As someone else said upthread most meds have not been trialled in pregnant/lactating women, although experience may show few problems. There is a book called something like Hayles which rates drugs on their risk, looking at how much ends up in breastmilk. Some clinicians will play it very safe and not want to prescribe anything. It's like in hyperemesis - some docs will do nothing when for those experienced in treating it there are lots of options.

Most medicines say not to take when PG or BF. Basically because it would be unethical to test drugs on BF or PG women. The questions to consider with drugs and BF are - can it get into my milk / how much will get into the milk? And if a tiny dose of whatever did get into your milk, what harm would it do to the baby? How old is the baby? Would the drug you have to take affect your supply? Would the pain I'm in be more likely to affect my breastfeeding than the drug? I would call that BFN drugs line. And not be pissed off with the Nurse - she actually checked. Although it is your first baby so it's ok to be anxious.

As an aside IMHO if you have real gastric pain Buscopan (a very mild antispasmodic) is not going to be much use anyway.

haha massive xpost due to typing slowly!

I am BFing and take Buscopan often. It is considered safe as only minute traces get through to the milk, though information is somewhat limited whih may be why advice varies. I have checked, double checked, and triple checked with my IMW and Dr. All drug packets say don't take if pregnant or BFing, they're covering their arses as it's generally unethical to test most drugs under those circumstances. The Breastfeeding Network has a drug helpline on 0844 412 4665.