Linda, I didn't have time to do your long post justice until today. My first thoughts were that she never received adequate treatment for possible ductal thrush; nystatin just won't reach it, and everything else was topical or not the best. Even though her symptoms continue in an atypical manner, I would strongly recommend a course of diflucan to absolutely wipe and rule out any possible yeast. I "worked" with a mother online who finally weaned for similar reasons and continued to have painful breasts post-lactation; she had tried to get diflucan but got the runaround by her hp's. I really pressed the case with her, but I know that she felt caught between two professions. If she ever got the right prescription, I am confident that she will have cleared up. At the very least, I would want your mom to try this, too, since nothing else has worked. Second possibility, as others have mentioned, is vasospasm. Or perhaps there are two concurrent conditions confusing the whole issue. I concur with Diane and Arnetta. At this level, your mom has likely suffered secondary problems, and a topical antibacterial and/or cortisonal treatment may also be needed. A sympathetic and qualified dermatologist may be able to dx the nipple pain, but the breast pain can only be done by treatment and hindsight, and better by you than anyone else, honestly. Looking forward to hearing more. -Lisa