So it looks like I'm about to join the ranks of nursing mothers with chronic pain. A little background - I have a two month old daughter. She's my first child. About two or three weeks ago, I started to have pretty bad joint pain. At first I chalked it up to being a new mother and toting a small child around all day. The pain got worse though so I went to my doctor. While my doctor also wanted to chalk it up to that, she decided to run some blood tests just to be sure. Well, it looks like it isn't just your run of the mill new mom pain. The tests point to lupus. I meet with the rheumatologist in a couple of weeks to confirm the diagnosis and start a course of treatment.

Between now and then, what do I do? I'm in terrible pain and it is really impacting my ability to care for my daughter. Nursing has stopped being a pleasurable experience. Holding her is excrutiating. Trying to pick her up off the floor is terrifying - I think I'm going to drop her since I can't hold her very well and getting up takes SO much effort.

I know there are at least a few moms dealing with chronic pain who hang out at this site. Can anyone offer me tips? Were there products/gadgets that made things more comfortable - especially for nursing? Nursing stools, pillows, etc.

I hate that this is impacting my time with my daughter, especially since I have to go back to work in a couple of weeks. This is the last time that she and I are going to have this kind of just us time together and I can't take advantage of it. I can barely take care of her basic needs. If anyone can offer any suggestions for managing during this time, I would really appreciate it.

-Angel