Andrea,
The mother with costo condritis (sp?) did not have nipple pain.  Her
presenting complaint was painful burning breasts without any other signs of
mastitis or thrush.  The pain did not change significantly different times of
the day or when breastfeeding, but was painful to the point the mother was
planning to wean if nothing else could clear it up.  The physician in the
case found that the pain was actually from the rib area(inflammation of the
lining of the ribs) and not the breasts themselves--though that is where the
mother felt the pain and why she consulted an LC.

My reason for posting is to share a case of a presenting "breastfeeding
problem" that was actually diagnosed as something else.  Knowing now that
weaning will not help, the mother is continuing to breastfeed and deal with
the problem.

Thank you for sharing another situation!!!  (or do you think the thorasic
disc herniation is the problem here even after I clarified the symptoms for
you???  If so, I'll pass the information on to the professionals working with
this mother--please do let me know)

Natalie Shenk BS IBCLC
Private Practice in Findlay OH USA