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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Surely this is a ridiculous reason to go to A&E but what do I do?!

170 replies

ColourfulHairbands · 10/07/2023 08:01

I know there’s men on here but I don’t care anymore! I have to post on here for traffic and to see if anyone has ever experienced similar.

For nearly two weeks I’ve had extreme pain in my nipples. The pain doesn’t come and go, it’s there constantly and the best way to describe it is that I have shooting pains directly from my nipple going into my breast.

My nipples have been hard for two weeks non stop. You know the feeling of having hard nipples when you’re quite cold and eventually it gets a bit uncomfortable, that’s my life.

I have no clue what’s going on. I haven’t stopped breastfeeding or anything like that. I don’t know if it’s a hormonal thing (I have the implant so not a side effect of my period). I called the GP and he was none the wiser bless him. He booked me in for a blood test this Wednesday but he did say that he doubts anything will show up. I called 111 and they said go to your GP or A&E.

I’m seriously considering going to A&E. I don’t know how they can help me (they probably can’t) but I think I may need to be examined at the very least. Has anyone experienced anything like this? The pain is bringing me to tears daily and I’m starting to worry that this may be somewhat serious

OP posts:
Hollyppp · 10/07/2023 19:43

See your GP or ring 111, this is not an emergency issue!!!

Prescottdanni123 · 10/07/2023 20:01

Ask to see a female GP. Or ask for a referral to a breast clinic/ward as an outpatient. Or try a walk in centre. I would try all of these before going to A&E.

Prescottdanni123 · 10/07/2023 20:02

*on this occasion

Jobreveal · 10/07/2023 20:09

@ColourfulHairbands If the GP confirms it's vasospasm it can be treated with nifedipine. In the meantime try and keep your boobs warm. A hot water bottle can help. It's excruciating and used to make me cry so you have my sympathies!

Fraaahnces · 11/07/2023 00:42

@ColourfulHairbands I had been diagnosed when my hands did the typical, painful discoloration thing and went to the GP while symptomatic. The first time it happened in my nipples (that I noticed), I was standing up in an aeroplane with absolutely agonizing pain shooting through my nipples. I ran to the toilet and had a look. I looked up causes of painful nipples on Google and when I saw that Raynaud’s was a thing, it made sense. Of course It made BF even more painful.

Icanbuymyselfflowers22 · 11/07/2023 02:06

It's not an accident or an emergency, therefore you should not go to accident & emergency. This is 100% a GP issue.

Original poster
ColourfulHairbands · 11/07/2023 09:45

Can I just say, MN is the absolute best!

I still have shooting pains in my boobs but I can manage the pain a bit more as it isn’t as strong. The cream and/or the tablet has started to make a slight difference already.

Ive decided to wear a sports bra today and that seems to have helped somewhat. It may help if I change the fabric of my bra.

Thank you for all the suggestions. I’ll call the GP on Thursday and request a face to face appointment. I’ll be seen on the day with no issues so that’s helpful

OP posts:
sumayyah · 11/07/2023 18:38

I had nipple thrush after a late miscarriage.
Nipple pain was excruciating, docs kept brushing me off until my nipples sank inwards.
I was sent to the breast clinic as an emergency and seen a week later where after some tests they diagnosed it
I needed antifungal tablets as it had spread to milk ducts

LadyTemperance · 11/07/2023 18:43

You need to call your gp and say you have breast changes and need a face to face examination.

Bluebellsarebest · 11/07/2023 18:45

How old are you? I had this on and off during perimenopause. It was very uncomfortable and distracting! Especially if it was cold! It improved with HRT

PlimplePlop · 11/07/2023 18:52

I've had this, bloody awful pain.

It was thrush and was relieved by canesten cream (it needs to be an anti thrush cream).

PlimplePlop · 11/07/2023 18:53

PlimplePlop · 11/07/2023 18:52

I've had this, bloody awful pain.

It was thrush and was relieved by canesten cream (it needs to be an anti thrush cream).

To clarify, I had it when I was NOT breastfeeding.

Denimdreams · 11/07/2023 19:07

Hi Op
You aren't taking Fexofenadine for allergies are you?
I have RS and this caused such awful nipple painI had to stop taking it.

Pearshaped20 · 11/07/2023 19:10

It could be thrush, in which case if you are breastfeeding, both you and baby will need treatment. Can you speak to midwife/health visitor

clairethewitch70 · 11/07/2023 19:16

I have reynauds in my nipples too and it sounds just like this. I also collect auto immune illnesses. Mine is cold weather related.

tunbridgeoutrage · 11/07/2023 19:19

BlastedSkreet · 10/07/2023 08:04

Sorry this is happening. But you are correct; this would be a ridiculous reason to go to A and E.

Except she was told that’s an option when she called111

TweezerMay · 11/07/2023 19:24

I have this as a reynauds response and if that’s what it turns out to be, you have my sympathies OP - the pain is excruciating! I ended up buying some boob hot water bottles meant for helping with breastfeeding. They really helped. Like this: Lansinoh Therapearl 3-in-1 Breast Therapy Breast Pads Hot & Cold 2 pack - Breast Feeding Essentials Reusable Gel Cooling Pads - Postpartum Essentials Breastfeeding Compress Hospital Bag Mum Essentials https://amzn.eu/d/1jeOsJP

SideWonder · 11/07/2023 19:43

I got what you meant about breastfeeding - seemed fairly clear to me.

Is it nerve pain? Women's breasts - and particularly our nipples - are often sensitive (usually in a nice way Grin ) but an abundance of nerves somehow damaged can be very painful. Ibuprofen or co-codamol can beat down nerve pain - which IME is worse than other kinds of pain.

YukoandHiro · 11/07/2023 19:44

They won't help you at a&e.

  1. have you done a pregnancy test? I was a bit confused by your post but if you are breastfeeding this is often the first early sign of pregnancy.

  2. can you go to a local support group where there is a bf expert to check your nipples for signs of bacterial infection or thrush?

  3. If you're bf and your periods haven't returned yet this if often the sign of ovulation. You might be about to get it back.

  4. if none of this applies and if you can afford it, a private appt with a women's health specialist GP (about £150) would be worthwhile if your NHS GP has totally abandoned you

YukoandHiro · 11/07/2023 19:45

Also if you're breastfeeding try the "flipple" technique to improve latch (google it, there are good videos)

Housekeeperbatcocoa · 11/07/2023 19:47

BlastedSkreet · 10/07/2023 08:04

Sorry this is happening. But you are correct; this would be a ridiculous reason to go to A and E.

Pain with no known cause or that is untreatable at home absolutely is a reason to head to A&E.

SideWonder · 11/07/2023 19:48

She's not breast-feeding so cancel the cheque.

Dunnoburt · 11/07/2023 19:59

I'm betting you've got raynauds of the nipple
...Google it....absolutely ruined my life for about 6 months until I was prescribed Nifedipine

Petlover9 · 11/07/2023 20:02

Try putting some cotton wool pads in your bra. Even on a warm day my nipples used to go white and cold and ache. I only had it for about four months and it stopped as quickly as it began. As you have suffered so long I would go to A&E when it was at its quietest or at the very least ask your GP to arrange for you to see a consultant.💐

Lilywc · 11/07/2023 20:05

Cabbage leaves?