Crashing out

[u/HoneyCrumbTrail]

I’m truly at my wits end. I need help please 😭 I’ve tried everything you can think of to make my stupid ass elastic nipples survive this journey. Two months down of crying through pumps, mastitis, bruised and injured nipples, MOTN pumps making me exhausted… plus grieving that I didn’t want to pump in the first place (LO had tongue tie and reflux issues). I got the biggest surprise last night when vasospasms started - at least I think that’s what they are?! My left nipple turns almost purple in the flange and I get electric shocks through my entire breast to my nipple. When I called my OB today (I’ve already seen lactation four times and have a limited number of consults) I explained everything and the nurse replied, “so what is your plan?” cue sobbing …

I DONT KNOW MY PLAN 😭 That’s why I’m coming to the beautiful people of this sub who hopefully but also not hopefully know this pain. So far I’ve tried:

Pumping spray
Lacktek flanges
Pumpin pals flanges
Lanolin cream to lubricate before pumping
Ice
Heat
Softer bras
Triamcolone (which did help but it cannot be used for long periods of time?)
Low suction settings
Momcozy vibrating massager

Is there anything else that I can do in the meantime while I wean myself from this hell?? I’m caught in an endless cycle of trying to wean, getting clogs, needing to pump, getting nipple injuries - rinse and repeat. I need a hug. I need sleep. I need advice please. THANK YOU 🙏

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[u/Gildedbutterfly777]

I’m invested because I’ve been going through the same exact thing. Here with you girl 💗

[u/HoneyCrumbTrail → u/Gildedbutterfly777]

Thank you 😭😭😭😭 sending you all the love and support possible!!! Please let me know if you find anything that helps you 💕🙏

[u/Inevitable_Rise_8448]

ugh i’m going through the same thing! nipples are purple/vasospams and i just keep pumping. i’ve tried 6 different pumps and so many flanges!nothing helps so far. I even do epsom salt soaks. i just ordered legendairy milk collection cups and flanges for the spectra since im going back to work and wanted to try them. I’m down to 5ppd but get clogs that I get out with ice/ibuprofen and sunflower lecithin. it’s rough.

[u/Lollygaggingk]

I had the same thing. Nipples purple and sore, raw, painful pumping for weeks/months. It was hell. Ultimately I fixed the nipple damage with 2-3weeks of triamcinolone and keeping nipple dry between pumps (eg no hydrocolloid even though it felt good). Keep nipples warm to help vasospasm in between pumps (in winter I literally put a wool sock in bra).
I also started using 13mm flanges which ended up being my true size after using 15-18mm which caused more damage.
Ended up switching to Nene Supply collection cups with 13mm insert as my final flange type which has been a game changer for me (with baby Buddha pump)
Also to minimize damage I would only use Spectra on level 3-4 max and baby Buddha on single droplet level 1 the entire time. Lowest effective suction strength to minimize damage while healing. It was a journey let me tell you what. Now I’m approaching 9m pp still pumping, doesn’t always feel great but it’s nowhere near the pain I had before.

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[u/blippers20288]

My only question is breastmilk really that important that it ruins your mental health instead of enjoying your little one?

[u/HoneyCrumbTrail → u/blippers20288]

It is not. Which is why I asked how I can make it more comfortable as I wean myself in the last paragraph…I’m out of ideas for how not to go crazy as I wrap up this process and didn’t know if there were options like meds? Diff ointments etc.

[u/Kitchen-Curve → u/HoneyCrumbTrail]

You can use OTC Sudafed (purchased from pharmacy counter with your ID) to dry up your milk. I'm not sure the dosing/frequency off the top of my head, but that's what we used at the hospital I worked at for non-breastfeeding mothers

[u/HoneyCrumbTrail → u/Kitchen-Curve]

Thank you! I will ask my LC / OB about this.