Can breastfeeding cause a flare up of arthritis?

[Jambonfrites]

I'm going to sound like a bit of a hypochondriac but please bear with me on this. I'm currently EBF my 6 week old DC3. I also BF my 2 elder boys until they were each 14 months.

Previously both times I had some funny symptoms during breastfeeding: first time both knee joints swelled up massively and were really sore. I could hardly walk for a few weeks. During both previous times my hands were also sore in the joints, and, weirdly, my teeth became really sensitive to hot and cold.

Is it possible that breastfeeding is causing arthritis flare ups in me? I've never been diagnosed with arthritis and don't normally have any joint problems. I can't find any info on Google. Has anyone here experienced anything similar? Any advice?

P.S. If you think I am being a massive hypochondriac, just tell me - I can take it!

This might have something to do with a Vit D defeciency. My friend had something similar. I'm bf-ing my 7 month old and I take a supplement. Apparently it's quite common for bf babies to be vit D deficient as we normally have quite low levels. Have a google and see what you can find out.

I mentioned my sore knees to one of my mum friends and she said breastfeeding releases relaxin, which can make your joints sore.

here

Interesting. Thanks both. I am taking a pregnacare tablet everyday but maybe it's not enough. I'll mention this to doc at 6 week check.

I had wondered about the relaxin thing. In a funny way it's good to hear I'm not the only person affected with sore joints while BF!

It might be the end of pregnancy rather than the breastfeeding that's causing it, but it could also be the breastfeeding. Some autoimmune conditions (like rheumatoid arthritis) can improve during pregnancy but flare again once it's over.

It's probably worth going to your GP and getting a referral to a see a rheumatologist so you can get some treatment. Arthritis pain is horrible.

BFing doesn't cause relaxin to be released, it actually postpones the release of it (it's released during ovulation and by the womb lining during a period) BUT relaxin is still present from pg for the first few months so if you are vulnerable/sensetive to relaxin you may still feel the effects.

Generally speaking BFing reduces inflammation in the mother (one of the reasons bfing is protective against PND) but there may be other factors at play not just inflammation markers.

If you do have arthritis then blood tests will be needed (speaking as the mum of an in-remission JIA child!) - you'd be looking at getting these done.

Also, conditions like Hypermobility Syndrome (HMS) can cause joint swelling (DD2 has this as a result of the JIA and rubbish genes from her mother ). HMS can get worse in pg due to the relaxin being released to soften the pelvis.

Hope you find an answer soon.

No medical evidence for this theory, but I felt my arthritis was better during pregnancy because of anti-inflammatories and the effects of relaxin making my joints more flexible. I do remember my joints stiffening up again post birth (not sure how long) and attributed it to the relaxin and anti-inflammatories' effects fading away. I did some stretching which seemed to help.

I'd completely forgotten until I read this, but I had very sore knees for about 6 weeks after having DS, had real trouble with stairs etc. They did improve, I never really followed up as to why they were like that (was a bit busy I guess!).

Crochetcircle: there is medical evidence that shows that many women experience an improvement in arthritis during pregnancy, followed by a flare afterwards. You're not unusual at all.

Hmm... this is interesting about the relaxin business.

I didn't have sore knees or any other joint pain before pregnancy so can't compare it. But have done immediately since, although they are getting easier. Maybe it was all that extra weight on them and nothing to do with breastfeeding or not!

I also have "mummy thumb" in both hands which is a patronising name for painful tenosynovitis in my thumbs which can be caused by putting too much weight on thumbs i.e. lifting baby up. Every morning I wake up and it hurts/clicks to straighten them and then hurts to open jars, turn taps, etc.

I know this is an old post but I would like to know what did you find out?? I am having the same symptoms. I have been breasfeeding / pumping for 3 babies ( I had triplets) for over 5 months now and every morning my feet hurt when I try to walk. Also my hands and my bones when lying down to bed. The pain goes away after a minute or two after going back to movement. I have always been really healthy. Could the breasfeeding be the cause? What did you find out?

gaby I have the same thing - if you google 'postnatal arthralgia' it seems to be fairly common. I don't think it's a breastfeeding thing - more to do with post-pregnancy changes. I'm 4.5m PP and it seems to be getting gradually better, I've increased the omega 3's in my diet which may be helping.

I get something similar and came on here to ask almost that exact question. At the moment I get sore knees and feet. Dd2 is 5m. I have also noticed my right index finger is currently very sore and swollen and this is the finger I use to flip my bra down with for feeds.
My back has also been really achy this week and I am wondering if this is BF related or down to all the bending and lifting I am doing with the little one.
I think I had the sore feet with dd1 but can't fully remember as it was 4 years ago. I haven't Googled that condition baking but will when I'm on the laptop later.