To be pissed off at GP

[Painfulprojection]

As to not drip feed I suffer with a few minor issues (iron and folic acid deficiency and a long term yeast infection that’s spread to toe nails) along with bad depression.

The drs finding it difficult to treat these issues while I’m still breastfeeding and is being brutally honest about it. She keeps pointblank stating I’ve to let DD starve until she takes a bottle. She all out refuses a bottle regardless of teat, you name it I’ve tried it.
I seen her again today to which she, again, tried to push meds that aren’t breastfeeding friendly and opted for telling me that DD isn’t the boss and I can put my foot down till she eats from a bottle.

In all honesty the amount of time in my life that will be spent breastfeeding is minimal, I don’t mind being off the strong antidepressants and anti anxiety meds in the meantime and the 28 day course of yeast meds can wait in my opinion.

Would I be unreasonable in reporting the comments to the practise manager? Surely as DD is under 1 they should be encouraging me to continue?

Your Dr seems frustrated with you. My Practise Nurse gets like that with me. Until you stop breast feeding you won’t be able to successfully treat and cure your fungal nail infection....I know this because...

My partner had it. His treatment consisted of the nail painting as you mention, but also involved sending off nail clippings to be analysed. Once these came back he was put on tablets which can affect liver function. Had to have blood tests pre and during taking the course.

He also saw a podiatrist(?) and she advised to treat all shoes with athletes foot powder, use 20% urea foot cream in addition to the tablets and painting nails.

Whats the point in going though if you wont take the treatment? You know from your last visit whats required. You wasted her time and someone else could have had your appointment

If you are trying to get her to change milk then maybe try breast milk in the sippy cup to begin with and then start watering it down slowly with formula.

Your GP needs to offer treatment which is best for you so I can see why she keeps saying about the medication

@girlwithdragontattoo I went for contraception and a medical note, which I got.

I do understand she can’t treat everything the way they would hope or as quickly, I just can’t bring myself to put DD through it even if babies adjust quickly.

Thanks though guys, I can see I’m being unreasonable by being upset at her medical opinion.

Breastfeeding isn’t that good for a baby over FF, to warrant you not treating your MH and physical health properly, that’s the GPS professional opinion. It’s her job to advise you. You can ignore her and decide your own opinion is better if you want to.
There is no reason to be annoyed at the GP.

It’s stressful when a baby is taking time to move to a bottle for allergy reasons, could that be making you direct your annoyance at the GP?

Plus they do move to a bottle or soppy cup/some other tool when they’re hungry/tired/annoyed enough. It’s a horrible process xx

Sorry x post! :)

You can gradually give up breastfeeding, it doesn't have to happen overnight.

@jamoncrumpet

I’m shocked she’s pushing you to stop breastfeeding under the age of 1. GPs don’t get much breastfeeding training unless they decide to do extra so yes I would mention it to the practice manager and suggest they did some training.
Have you checked out the breast feeding network website? They have lots of great medication info and you can contact them for advice too!

Also mn isn’t the most breastfeeding friendly place and is probably 99% formula feeders near the age of 1 like the rest of the country.
Stopping by suddenly could also affect your mh and would be an absolute nightmare at that age.

For Gods sake, breastfeed or bloody dont who gives a fuck

@pooboobsleeprepeat yes! I think that’s my main worry, my mental health if I stop. I don’t think I’ll manage the stress on DD well and am just prioritising her happiness over my toe and a few Valium.
I don’t aim to stop before she’s 1 anyway unless it was a moderate or serious illness I plan to continue!
My other practice GP is very pro breastfeeding and she doesn’t seem worried about me holding treatment as none of the conditions are serious. I just felt angry and her comments towards feeding and didn’t find the advice supportive or helpful.

I do know it’s her job to let me know the best options available

Terbinafine for your fungal nail infection can’t be taken when breast feeding so if you want treatment then dr has told you the best option is to stop breast feeding, or just don’t mention your nail when you see the dr, that way they wouldn’t have to mention you giving up breast feeding.

Treatment for thrush can be taken whilst breast feeding, as can antidepressants in a lot of cases.

If you want to continue breast feeding then don’t go and mention the problems they can’t solve until you stop, it’s frustrating for them to go over the same info for the 5th time to someone who isn’t going to listen, if you are happy to suffer on with your problems until your baby has finished on the breast then fine, but then just talk about contraception & yr note or whatever you went for and don’t even speak about your toe nail- there’s no point. They have 10 mins per patient so it’s often a case of “why ask if you don’t want to listen to the advice?”

You should give feedback. I had two gps pressurise me to stop bf. not even to prescribe meds’, just as ‘he’s old enough now’.

It’s not appropriate imo and I wish I’d complained / feedback about it.

It’s more personal opinion than medical guidelines iyswim, which isn’t appropriate.

Why not only see the GP that is more pro breast feeding?
Also if you feel ok without the anti depressants what is wrong in taking a break from them?

I would try to find support to continue breastfeeding. It is such a short time in your life and also look into alternatives to the anti depressants. Like a waiting list for CBT or a talking therapy. This is just a suggestion. I don't know how much you need the medication but perhaps a break would even be good for you?

I don't think YABU. I think GP's can make us mere mortals feel bad very easily........

If you're constantly at the GP, wasting appointments by taking up valuable slots and ignoring all advice given to you, then of course they're going to get pissy. They probably have patients who only attend once in a blue moon for important stuff who have to wait weeks for an appointment because so many appts are being taken up by people with fungus on their toenails who won't take the advice given to them.

@Mlou32 not constantly at the GP’s or wasting appointments, had the diagnosis appointments and haven’t been back for the same issues.
@goldfinchfan I was without the antidepressants for 16 months (pregnancy and post baby) I was struggling a lot but coped. I have a mental health nurse and a psychologist so do have a lot of support without the meds which is great. I wish I’d held out for the pro breastfeeding GP to be honest but her wait was longer 🙈

I know it's not the point of your thread but many of the minor issues you have listed can be indicative of an autoimmune condition such as Coeliac disease. Have you ever been tested for anything like that?

I think unless you have breastfed it can be very difficult for some people to understand why people won't just stop if they need to.

Sounds like your GP is worried about your mental health so thinks u should be on a stronger anti depressant I suppose there just letting you weigh up the pros and cons
If your mental health is that bad it can have an adverse effect on the baby because they pic up on everything even when they are young
Unfortunately there's not alot of information about what is safe when pregnant because it's not been tested so alot are just recommendations
I mean your not even supposed to take berrocca when breastfeeding
U need to be well enough to look after your baby vitamin deficiency's can lead to serious health problems

Our second child was like that. We just waited until he didn’t need breast milk/formula anymore in the end but then again there was no pressing need. Will she drink milkshakes? Maybe if you blend a strawberry into it she may be more interested? Fussy eaters are difficult unfortunately but the strangest of things can work for them (ours really took to very spicy curry but refuses simple foods like mashed potato or fruit 🤷‍♀️). Keep trying is the best advice I can give you.

I understand the bottle refusing, my DD was the same till nearly one. DS took to it no problem, every child is different. The hormonal hit of stopping breastfeeding early will also affect your mental state and should be considered. There is a Facebook page called Breastfeeding and Medication that you might want to look at. I believe it’s run by a qualified pharmacist who specialises in breastfeeding and educating medical professionals.

People are being so harsh to you OP. It's easy to say just wean but if you haven't had a bottle refusing baby you maybe don't realise how hard it is. And it could well have an adverse effect on your mental health.
If you can I would try and see your old GP who is more supportive and maybe have a look at the breastfeeding network info before you go (there are over the counter fungal nail treatments they say you can take and several types of anti depressant I think)