oh dear, it is an abscess - any advice

[squirmyworm]

the saga of poor squirmy's breast continues. Enormous lump has not responded to anti-bs, in fact has got bigger. got referred by gp to acute asseesment unit at local hosp so have spent most of the day there...........

managed to coincide with outpatients breast clinic so got to see a consultant who stuck a vast needle in a cuple of times and drew off loads of yuk. says it's a large abscess but won't know if there's anything else until it's been drained off a few times. When it has been, apparently I'll either need an op to polish if off or just an ultrasound to make sure it's all hunky dory in there.

need to know: - anyone had this? coddy did you have any luck with the other mumsnetter you mentioned? and am I likely to be able to breast feed with any subsequent babies? apparently my ducts are probably crooked and I am susceptible to mastitis/blocked ducts. If I were to have another baby would I be wise to just knock the idea of breastfeeding on the head? I'm sooooo sore at the moment and don't want to go though all this again....

[frogs]

Eeeek, squirmy, you poor creature. No experience, but lots of sympathy and hugs.

Is this your first baby? If not, might all be different with subsequent babies. I've had four lots of mastities and antibiotics in three months with dd2, but had no probs at all with the two older ones, and know lots of people who've also had problems with one and none with other babies. Someone told me that the bug that infects you with the mastitis comes from the baby's mouth in the first place, hence I guess it would make sense to have it with some and not with others. But don't know how reliable this is.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Piffleoffagus]

OWWW!!!!!!!!
Had one too ten yrs ago with DS after repeated mastitis, had it drained given iv antibiotics as well. I fed my son the whole way through with ice packs, painkillers and gritted teeth
I had it drained twice, and it cme back, they did then actually cut into it to lance it properly and excise the wound, this was agony, but soon sorted with good pain relief taken regularly.
One small butterfly suture and I have never stroke never had a problem since, and I fed my son for another 11 mths.
I have had another baby since now 19 mths and b/f her with NO mastitis, blocked ducts or anything
Best advice being get a good really good bra, drain breasts thoroughly using one breast feeding as core.
Poor Squirmy
Get well soon, sorry about self obsessed prose above, just wanted to give a good news reply

[Piffleoffagus]

also re frogs info
women who do not b/f also get mastitis as do cows who do not b/f once weaned their babies
It is usally caused by a blocked duct, oversupply, inadequate draining of the milk, overtight bras
Am pretty dure and safe in saying a baby cannot "give" you mastitis
HTH

[frogs]

All right, Piffle, I stand corrected! I thought it sounded plausible that some otherwise harmless bug in a baby's mouth could cause problems when combined with a blocked duct, but I'm happy to be told it ain't so.

But it does seem odd how so many people report problems with feeding one baby and not with others.

[Piffleoffagus]

with mine it could be many things
with ds 1 he was huge feeder I had massive oversupply, frequent snacking, and so brokeas single parent could not afford proper bra. He also never slept and I am so not exaggerating... The first time I knew I had mastitis was when I passed out hanging out the nappies!
With dd I have had lovely supportive hubby, nice lifestyle, house and income,proper nice active birth centre bras, dainty feeding little daughter and lots of rest as she was good sleeper!
Plus I was a bit more savvy after what I learned from the first time round...
Number 3 will clinch it LOL
seriously though squirmy it is so painful my boobs cross nipples when I recount the details...

[squirmyworm]

thanks frogs and piffleoffagus - that sounds reassuring - yes ds is my first and from what you say, it sounds like all is not lost on the old bf front which is good news (ie I don't just have terminally useless boobs)!
not self obsessed at all P, very useful to hear what happened. I have to go back next week for another giant needle (oh joy) but I suspect this may be a long journey so I'm bracing myself (if you imagine two golf balls mashed into a sausage shape, that's the rough kind of size/shape of it)
ah well these things are sent to try us!

[Libra]

I had an abscess last year after mastitis. Went into hospital once to have it drained and then really high-strength antibiotics sorted it out. They said I would get an appointment to go back for a scan, but a year later I haven't
Have to say, breast feeding did peter out after that. I didn't seem to have the milk supply on that side. But having had major difficulties with feeding for the first 4 months I probably didn't try as much as I could have done.
My one worry is that, 12 months on, I still have an ache in that breast. Went back to the doctor, and she said not to worry... but you do!

[Canadianmom]

OW! I am sorry to hear of your unfortunate and painful situation. I've been there and I also thought that it was impossible for the baby to 'give' you mastitis until my abcess was drained and it turned out to be strep pneumonia that they cultured. Having had no problems with our fist two (bf for 20 and 24 months), our third was often ill and a sluggish feeder. Eventually, I was a desperate enough mother to feed him any way he would eat (despite his pathetic latch and weak suck).
As for the abcess, I refused to believe that it required surgery as I could not bear the thought. I eventually found a breast specialist at Guy's Hospital (Prof Fentimen SP?) who was willing to repeatedly aspirate it and continue with the anti-biotic treatment. Can't remember if I had it aspirated 4 or 5 times but eventually it did stop refilling and one year later there is no sign of the small 'lump' it left.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

[squirmyworm]

Thanks Libra and Canadianmnom - that gives me hope that I can get it sorted. It's now sore and kind of itchy feeling but I think it has shrunk down and my next appointment for needle-work(!) is in a couple of days so fingers xed it will start to get sorted