mastitis hell

[Saila]

Thanks for this link, really helpful

I'm pretty sure it's my useless inverted nipples. That's what i keep being told. Possibly being tired doesn't help

Apparently some mums just get it all the time which is fine, as long as I can treat it ASAP

I'm going to ask for a repeat prescription next time and give bf another go. But tbh, I can't have 2 days in bed each month sweating pints with a toddler and new born to look after. It's just not possible... Plus my partner can't keep taking days off to help out. :(

[jperry]

Salia I really feel for you. I had mastitis with my second child and it took me two visits to the doctor before they would give me antibiotics (although at least I managed to get an appointment!) as I didn't seem to have the 'obvious' signs of it like redness and swelling. I've never felt so sick in my life. I got it when I was weaning my son so luckily I didn't have to give up bf. My husband was due to go o/s for work and we ended up having to pay for someone to come in and help me with the children (like you, toddler and baby). Could have been avoided had the first doctor I saw (Seldoc) been able to help me out.

It's completely unacceptable that you weren't given an appointment - this was the very reason I left Melbourne Grove and went to DMC. As others have said, it's not perfect but I've always been reasonably happy with their level of service.

I really hope that you have someone you can call on to help you out as it's really terrible trying to look after two little ones when feeling so crappy.

Feel better soon! xx

[rugbywidow]

Salia, I really feel your pain. I have the dreaded inverted nips too - so much harded to get BF sorted in the first place and then the dreaded cycle of mastitis and thrush as a result of the antibiotics...my son then also got thrush in his mouth and we passed that back and forth for a while too!

The thing I found most helpful in dealing with the mastitis was the microwaveable wheat packs - similar to this kind of thing:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aroma-Home-Body-Wrap-Microwaveable/dp/B00294U7N0/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359495784&sr=8-1-fkmr0

If you can get one made with a soft toy or fleece material the better - they make massaging the affected area, provide heat which helps shift the blockage without actually burning your skin and you can mould them around your boob/armpit and leave it there and be fairly comfortable. You can also use it while feeding to try and further help shift the blockage because massage and feeding at the same time is nigh on impossible unless you're Mrs Tickle!

I hope you feel better soon - it's truly horrid. If you live in ED I'd be more than happy to drop my wheat cushion round tomorrow for you to borrow/try, just drop me a PM.

Best, Kate

[Fuschia]

I have heard lecithin as a good treatment for recurrent blocked ducts/mastitis

[Saila]

Thanx Fuschia, willing to try anything at this point

Rugbywidow - really kinds of you, many thnx. I have pm'd you.

[Fuschia]

http://kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/lecithin/

[Saila]

Morning mastitis gurus

This is new a new symptom to me so I thought I'd ask you all as everyone's been so helpful:

I've woken up with weird symptoms. Temperature has completely gone but right side breast hugely swollen and the lump has grown, walnut size (is that possible?). It's v painful to bf and it feels like I'm not producing any milk that side. He is feeding every hour, so I'm shattered.

Did any of you guys get this? This is new to me. All my other times, the lump went and all was fine after I started antibiotics.

[shaunag]

Hi Saila. You need to unblock the duct. I never had one that size but had tremendously swollen breast when lo was 5 days old from engorgement (with mastitis). What worked for me was a bath as hot as I could bear. Get breasts under the water for 5 mins- they will soften and you can then massage from extremity of breast all the way into the duct. Start right in your armpit for outer sides of breast as the ducts go all the way back. The milk should start flowing. Baby is great at helping as they have a strong suck but you have to get the milk behind the blockage to push the blockage clear. This takes a while in the bath, so if you can be someone to watch the little ones while you sort it out. This worked for me 3 times out of 4 so hope it works for you. Best of luck. Xx

[Saila]

Thnx - will try that now

[RenF]

Have seen recommended using shower attachment to aim hot water directly at the breast too to help with this.

[Belle]

I wouldn't recommend DMC, I'm on the verge of leaving them after constant trials and tribulations - I have several times been refused appointments on the day for relatively important things or had repeat prescription requests not completed leaving me short of essential medication. I hear good things about forest hill road practice, not sure if that's an option for you? Sorry I know you're more posting about the mastitis but just think that when things get sorted it's easy to leave the ongoing issue (the poor service from the health centre) but worth sorting to avoid the headache next time. Poor you - it's a really stressful time as it is. I had a terrible fever/flu when my second was 2 weeks old, and again at 3 months, not mastitis but I can relate in terms of the fever and having to cope with toddler at the same time. Horrid.

[JS33]

[Re-sent as PM]

[cashewnut]

Hopefully you have cleared the blockage by now but I found a really useful explanation of how to massage a blocked duct a while back on the Dr Sears website. I found this to be quite effective when I had repeated problems with blocked ducts (none as bad as you describe). It does involve being quite focussed for a little while though - as others have said you might need someone to look after the little ones. Am working today or I'd offer to come over and help out!

From Dr Sears:

Try a pressure massage on the area of your breast that is swollen and painful because of a plugged duct. This may help to loosen the plug. With pressure massage, you do not actually move your hand over the skin as you would with a normal massage. You simply press more and more firmly with the heel of your hand to move the plug in the duct down closer to the nipple.

To do pressure massage, start at the edge of the lumpy area closest to your chest wall. Apply pressure to that area with the heel of your hand to the point just before it becomes too painful. Hold the pressure at that level until the pain eases off. Then increase the pressure again, (without moving your hand) and hold it until the pain eases. Continue to gradually increase pressure at that same site until you are pressing as hard as you can. Then pick your hand up, move it down toward your nipple about a half inch, and repeat the pressure massage in this area. Continue moving your hand a half inch and repeating the massage until you get all the way down to the nipple.

You may see the dried milk come out from an opening in your nipple. Even if the plug doesn't actually come out, you will at least have dislodged it and moved it toward the nipple so that when baby goes to the breast and sucks, he will remove it with his suction. Always put baby to the breast on the plugged side first, when his sucking will be the strongest.

http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/breastfeeding/common-problems/plugged-milk-ducts

Edited to add:

Just thinking that your description sounds rather unusual. If it doesn't clear soon I think you should get a doctor to take a look (last think you want to do I know). I have never had an abscess but I know it's a possible complication of mastitis.

Sorry I'm not medically trained and don't want to imply any expert knowledge - but you might need to consult someone.

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Breast-abscess/Pages/Introduction.aspx

[Saila]

thanks very much - really helpful

i think i have got it. Altho its incredibly deep down and still hurts, so i'm not 100% sure

just going to keep going with heat and pressure like you say

feeling much better now - such a lovely day too!

[Fuschia]

An abcess is an area of excruciating pain deep inside the breast, then a hot red lump, eventually starting to weep pus. Antibiotics struggle to helP as they don't get into the centre of the pus-sy area

I hope that's not what you have

Might need a change of antibiotic