I just read a 1994 letter to JHL earlier today that said that bcp's as well
as low calcium/magnesium can contribute to Raynauds.  You can find it in the
JHL archives by searching for "Hormones, mineral imbalance, and nipple
vasospasms: A relationship?"  The letter suggests discontinuing bcp's (which
may have also contributed to her decreased supply) if applicable, and taking
2000mg of calcium and 1000mg of magnesium in divided doses throughout the
day.  Other articles regarding vasospasms suggest that the winter weather
often contributes to the symptoms and that the same dyad might not have any
difficulties if it were July and not January.

I have read in a breastfeeding textbook (can't recall which one) that a
cotton ball soaked in olive oil and inserted inside the bra at the nipple,
between feedings, helps to keep the tissue supple and less likely to create
blebs.

How about ultrasound for treatment?

HTH,

Debbie Gillespie, LLLL, IBCLC
Tempe, AZ

On Jan 4, 2008 11:33 PM, <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I  usually lurk but I need some help as I not been able to find
> information on this. I have a mother with whom I have worked with for two
> children. She had major problems with her first attempt at nursing. Her
> nipples were almost gone when I first saw her when her baby was 1 week old.
> With her current baby ...She has Reynauds that is being treated. She also
> keeps her breasts as warm as possible and wears a warm vest too. She has
> chronic plugged ducts in her left breast with chronic milk pimples. The milk
> that comes out of the clogs is very thick like spaghetti and when she pumps
> she has a lot of cream and very little blue milk.  She is now taking the
> maximum dose of Lethicin a day and is on the maximum does of nifredrin. Her
> baby is about 6 months, things were going well for about the first 3-4
> months  and then began to deteriorate. Her baby has been to the chiropractor
> and her jaw has been adjusted. I have sent her back to the chiropractor and
> he says baby is fine. I have a long r
> elationship and great success with him so I do not think the problem is
> with the baby. Mom is taking fenugreek and blessed thistle 3 caps 3 times a
> day as her milk supply dimished because of the baby's nursing before jaw
> adjustment and baby is having trouble gaining weight. Baby is treated for
> GERD. So many problems have improved, however it is the plugged ducts that
> are driving her mad as they are quite painful. Baby seems to have alot of
> trouble nursing on the affected side with lots of pulling and kneading on
> the breast with her hands. This is painful for Mom.  Mom is pumping after
> feeding on the left side as baby has such difficulty. We are about to try
> the sonic treatment to try and break up the clogs. My question is that if
> Reynauds causes vasospasms can it also cause spasms in the milk ducts?
> Thank you so much for any insight on this problem.
> Camille  Edmunds MA CLC
>
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