Help!!!!! So painful all of a sudden!!!!!

[Lua]

Right these things always happens to me on the weekend when no GP is available!!!
Could the wise MNmums help me figure out what is going on?
Started last night. one side of one Breast really sore. shooting pains, burning sensation. Noticed this morning nipple very red, and triangle red parch on the sore side of nipple/breast. Now I am in agony! Remember the curly toe feeling of the first week? Multiply by 5! That's how it feels when DS (who is 2 months)latches on!
mastitis? yeast? how can I tell? What can I do???

[popsycal]

thrush?

[Lonelymum]

If there is a sore red patch, I would say that was mastitis or the beginning of it. How do you feel yourself? Isn't it typical that these things happen at the w/e?

[Lonelymum]

I had thrush and that tends to hurt more when the letdown is happening. As the baby sucks, it goes away a bit. Does that sound familiar?

[WigWamBam]

The sore, red patch does make it sound like mastitis. Try cabbage leaves down your bra, hot flannels to ease the aching, keep feeding to stop engorgement exacerbating the problem, and try and get to see your out-of-hours GP because you may need antibiotics.

[Lua]

Love you guys!
Yeah the pain does ease up a bit after 1-2 minutes feeding, but I do feel a continuous, bearable burning/pains sensation

So if it is mastititis can I wait until monday, or you reckon I should ring them tomorrow?

Do I want GPs, or do I need to see someone that actually knows breast thingies, IYSWIM...

[WigWamBam]

I think you should go as soon as you can. A GP will be able to diagnose and sort you out.

[Lonelymum]

GP would be fine. I don't know how long you should wait. With mastitis, you can get a fever and feel quite ill so if that were to happen, I would get the out of hours doctor in.

[Lua]

new info: just showed to dh, which immediatly spotted a lump in the aeroala, next to nipple on the offended side!
So perhaps blocked duct? even if in the aeroola?

I feel well, with no fever or chills, which is I wasn't convinced it was an emergency, and GP wouldn't do anything...

[Lonelymum]

Believe the lump may have something to do with mastitis too. let me get a link for you to the NHS direct website....

[Lonelymum]

here

[icklelulu]

Sounds like a blocked duct to me, I have had many!! Lots of massaging the breast especially when feeding, this should clear it. I found cabbage very soothing but it has to be a big green leafy one like a savoy! Just dont use it for sunday lunch afterwards Take a nice warm bath or shower and try to hand express a bit paying special attention to the lump, this is what I normally do.If for any reason it doesnt clear or gets worse I would get to a doc immediately even if u have to call one out or go to a & e. To answer your question about leaving it till monday I wouldnt. If it is mastitis and goes untreated for too long it can develop into an abcess. Sorry I dont want to scare you but Ive had one (after gp didnt give me proper treatment for mastitis) and I wouldnt wish it upon anyone. Sorry I am babbling on!!! Good luck and happy massaging

[Lua]

Thanks for the help!
Just took a nice scalding bath! Not sure if it help the specific problem, but sure was nice!
The lumpy thing is definetely the source of all pain. and the red patch is definetely around it. I will keep massaging it and feeding. Hopefully it will get better soon.
TMI alert! there seems to be a tiny "white head" in the lump.. should I try to squeeze it?
Sorry, getting gross!

[Lua]

icklelulu,
In your experience, how long would it be too long for me to wait for this thing to go away on its own?

[berolina]

hi lua - sorry you're having this, sounds nasty.
A friend of mine used a grated raw potato wrapped in a bit of muslin and put in her bra to sort out a blocked duct. It worked

[Lua]

Hi Berolina! Thanks for the suggestion!
After intense reading - I really should b esleeping! - I am more convinced is a blocked milk duct. He just started having a bit longer sleep at night, and I have been feeling more engorged at night lately. I guess I am now payimg th eprice for the sleep!
How are you doing?

[berolina]

Thanks for asking! Am doing fine, but think I might have got my periods back [puzzled] (see thread above) so am wondering what's up!

[mummyjojo2D]

I have exactly the same thing! I have put it boun to thrush after lots of advice last week from some great mn'ers and a call to the breastfeeding network. I went to gp and he said it was mastitis and gave me antibiotics even though pain I had no fever. I wasn't convinced he was right which is when I made the call to the BFN who told me they thought it was thrush and that the antibiotics would make it worse. I also spoke to the HV who agreed. I am using Daktarin oral gel on my nipples and have noticed a big improvement. I was also taking pain killers just b4 feeding. Daktarin is available over the counter. I have the lump you discribed in the same place which is definatly the most painful bit. btw I didn't take the antibiotics. Hope this helps, belive me I know just what you are going through

[Lua]

mummyjojo,
thanks for sharing your experience. So, do you know why would the yeast infection cause the lump?
The redness seems to have gone down a bit this morning, but the lump might be a bit bigger, and still has a little white blister on top...
Did your baby had any signs of thrush? and did you treat baby too?

[Lonelymum]

When I had thrush, I had no visible symptoms but searing pain on first breastfeeding which eased a bit as the feed continued. If it is that then yes, you do need to treat the baby too otherwise they can keep passing it back to you. I had a cream for the nipples and some drops to put in the baby's mouth. It worked pretty quickly.

If I were you, I would go to the GP tomorrow if it is no better by then as there does seem to be some confusion as to what is the matter.

[Lua]

thanks!
I will definetely go to the GP tomorrow and report back.
I actually got desperate and squeeze the white thing... it feels a bit better now when I am not feeding. Still hurts a lot when I am feeding though...

[mummyjojo2D]

I'm not sure what caused the lump I think it maybe a blockage. I managed to squeeze it a bit this morming. The Daktarin is definately helping and as it is an oral gel dd gets treated too. dd is not showing any signs though and hasn't since it started a week ago. There is such a thing called a milk blister which is linked to thrush. There is a link on the thread I posted I'll try to find it for you.

[fredly]

Lua, you have a mastitis. The lump is a blocked duct. Go to your gp asap to get antibio (before the fever starts!), but don't stop feeding or it will make the engorgement worse. My mastitis was cleared in a week and the pain went away after a few days.

[mummyjojo2D]

milk blister Hope this helps

[pollybee]

I have been there several times and have had varied experience with varied GPs (ALWAYS happens at weekends!)

I was told that the red triangle definitely suggests mastitis. But mastitis can be a symptotm of something else not quite right with the feeding, and does not necessarily need antibiotics straight away. (In fact this can make things worse)

You need to clear the blocked duct, by massaging or 'combing' (sounds odd but helps) and as much feeding as you can bear . Feed from the bad side first. Take mild painkillers if you need.

Have you slept awkwardly, or worn a too tight bra, or just rushed a feed, which meant the latch wasn't quite right?

Anecdotally (my own personal observation) lots of my friends seem to get mastitis around 4-6 months, maybe they are rushing around more, or 'getting back to normal'?

Also, the breastfeeding organisations are BRILLIANT and know loads and loads and will gladly offer advice.

Hope this helps, and you feel better soon .

[icklelulu]

Lua it normally takes me a couple of says to massage to lump away!Any longer than that and I go to the GP. Make sure if it is mastitis they dont only give u a weeks antibiotics cos that is wrong but alot of them do. U need atleast 10 days.How r you now?Hope you get batter soon