Breastfeeding, painkillers, joint pain, some combination thereof

[Scarlettsstars]

Hi all,

Really hoping for some solid mumsnet advice here. I've been exclusively bfing my DS now 4 months. I've developed bad radiating neck pain which is now so bad I can barely turn my head and lifting DS, let alone 3 year old dd is agony. It's destroying our quality of life, mine and the kids as I'm struggling to handle a demanding toddler, a non sleeping 4 month old and relentless pain, to the point that I've been thinking of returning to work early ( as my job is physically less demanding than chasing the baby and dd everyday- yes it's that bad!!). I have heard that breastfeeding can produce joint pain. Does anyone know more about this? Also, my gp is saying that they cannot give prescription painkillers to bfing women and that ibuprofen is the only available help. Since this is slightly less effective in dulling this specific pain than, say, a large brandy would be, I'm a little unhappy to hear this. Can anyone offer any insight or advice? I'm truly climbing the walls here.

You poor thing.

From what I have read, your body continues to carry Relaxin up to 5 months postpartum and even longer if you are breastfeeding so this can make you more prone to over stretching muscles and injury.

Don't know about pain relief but would topical ibuprofen be more effective do you think? Have you got a physio referral from your GP?

What position are you feeding in? Could you switch it up and try lying down feeding/laid back/baby sitting upright with legs round your waist?

If funds permit you could maybe try Alexander technique too.

Sorry if you've already tried all this and hope your neck feels better soon.

Sounds awful Can GP at least refer you to physio?

I feel your pain. I've had pain between my shoulder blades and intermittently in my neck since early pregnancy due to poor posture at work (desk job). Things that make it worse are carrying baby for long periods (now 8 months old but v heavy) and lying in a funny position when co-sleeping and breast feeding. Also leaning over to pick baby out of the cot can bring on an episode of pain.

I've seen a physio who gave me some advice on my posture and exercises for my back. I manage it with paracetamol and ibuprofen but the exercises are by far and away the best way to deal with it. I do 15 minutes of exercise (combination of neck exercises from physio and Pilates) every day and sometimes twice a day when I've got time. I can actually feel my spine loosening up and the vertebrae almost clunking over each other! It also definitely feels better after a good sleep.

When you say radiating what do you mean? I have heard that BFing can bring on joint pain due to relaxin levels being high and oestrogen levels being on the low side. In my case though I do think it's postural and due to lifting. I second other people who suggest seeing a physio, regular pain killers and sleep when you can should help as well. Are you getting much help?

Thanks all,

Queenofknickers, I've been referred to a physio for a trapped nerve but this is a whole new thing. Gaa it never rains but it pours! Thanks gunpowder, I tried the ibuprofen cream today and it did help a bit- thanks for the suggestion!
Plummy, sounds similar to me. I've got pain though that radiates up from my neck to my ears and the lower part of my face and down into my shoulders and even forearms. It's horrible! I tried doing yoga - a shoulder workout i got on YouTube a little while back and I was totally crippled for days after. Maybe its best to get a professional involved (!) . I just desperately need a break I think and pain plus sleeplessness with 4 month sleep regression baby is probably not a good thing. Thanks for your posts, makes me feel more human

Your doctor is wrong, and more powerful painkillers can be prescribed. I was given diclofenac while breastfeeding after my c-section.

Latest advice from the experts is here:
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/dibm/analgesics_for_website_july_2013%20(2).pdf

That's interesting Noblegiraffe. Thanks! I was thinking that it was a bit odd, but then my gp was a bit dismissive really. His general attitude was, yeah, pregnancy, weird shit happens right? Which is fair enough I suppose but unhelpful if you've actually got to care for a toddler and a baby while feeling like you've been in a car accident. Hmm maybe I should go back to the surgery.

I have arthritis and was having a really bad flare up when dd was about 4 months old and I asked to be referred for accupuncture. I had many more sessions than is usual as it was helping and I was improving each week so that might be worth a try.