This sounds a lot like Raynaud's syndrome to me.  Typically it occurs in
wintertime (is it winter in New Zealand right now?).  I get it every year
and it's EXTREMELY painful.  Usually one will be more painful than the other
and they take turns.  The nipple will be completely white at the tip and
look bruised (bluish/purple) closer to the areola.  I also had a flare-up of
my Raynaud's during my most recent pregnancy (I'm 4 weeks post partum and
it's been 110* or more for most of July -- that's in the low 40'sC)and my
older two continued nursing through the pregnancy (I'm nursing three kids
now).  It went away as soon as I gave birth.  I have never taken anything
for it in the past, not realising that I could but my sister in law, who is
an LC, told me that I can take nifidipine for it so I will try that this
winter.  Apparently you take it for 2 weeks and then you're good.  I'm not
sure if you take it once in your life and you're done forever or if you take
it for 2 weeks at the start of each winter when it flares up.  Either way,
I'm looking forward to having something to do as I've suffered every winter
since 2000 putting heated up (in the microwave) breast pads in my bra to
give some relief and crying through nursing sessions at times b/c the pain
was so bad.  I was bound & determined not to wean over it but boy I can sure
understand why women would stop nursing b/c of it!

Raynaud's is known in the medical field; however, it's most commonly
manifested by the symptoms occurring in the hands and feet.  I do get it a
little bit in my feet - my toes will be ice cold to the touch and white with
blue & purple blotches on it.  I believe it only affects the nipples in a
lactating mother (i.e. when I'm no longer nursing, I'll still have it in my
toes but not in my nipples anymore).  Doctors aren't familiar with it
occurring in the nipples and may balk at the idea.  My saving grace is that
I can say it occurs in my feet and also I happen to get it in my nipples.
Honestly, though, I barely notice it in my toes -- the pain in my nipples
overrides any pain I might have in my toes!

That's my only experience with blanched nipples.  I've only experienced it
myself; none of the mothers I've ever counselled in my years as a LLL Leader
have ever reported anything to me that leads me to think they have
Raynaud's -- I don't know how common/uncommon it is.

Margo - LLL of Southern CA/Nevada
Proud Canadian
Mummy to Liam, Ceilidh & Rhiannon
See us at www.picturetrail.com/canadianmade

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