Can you get back from blockage/mastitis without antibiotics?

[Rooners]

I'm nearly 9 months into bf ds3 and since yesterday evening have had a really sore blocked duct on one side.

There is a red fuzzy line coming from the nipple, am feeding him as much as possible and have taken ibuprofen - also done the hot bath thing and will continue to massage etc.

I do feel shivery but any fever is pretty low, ie not above 38 so far.

I'm hoping to avoid antibiotics as most of them make me ill, I can't take any cephalosporins, fluclox etc. so invariably have to stop the course, it is pointless taking them in the first place.

But I have three kids to cope with and not sure if I'm being overoptimistic.
I have had a lot of blocked ducts in this boob - it seems prone to them but only one or two mild episodes since he was born (had mastitis the week before he was born - that was great!)

Any advice welcome.

[Sunshine200]

I had it twice and recovered without antibiotics, doesnt sound like I did it any differently to you though - just fed through it (ouch!), and laid on my side in a hot bath each night to soak it. Good luck.

[Rooners]

Thankyou that is good to hear.

I am a bit worried about the red line though, is all. I don't normally notice one of those. Does it mean my boob is about to fall off?

[RedKites]

Kellymom has some suggestions on when antibiotics might be needed . If you have any concerns, could you see your GP and say what you've said here?

[Rooners]

Thankyou that's a really good link.

I took ds to a party just now and felt dreadful though temp is still not that high...have rung 111 and will be getting a call back at some point (or so they say!)

I don't know what to do if I need antibiotics. Sort of running out of options going by the list of most usual ones for mastitis - I can't take any of them.

[Sunshine200]

I had a red line too, just thought that was normal.

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

In any other situation, red streaks would require medical attention. I was under the impression that it was infection spreading. I don't think this is any different.
Redkites link says see the GP if red streaks are present.
Personally, being an old hand at mastitis, I would go for the antibiotics. Things like Erythromycin make me feel truly dreadful, but bad mastitis is WORSE.
At its worst, I was bed ridden, wearing 2 sets of pyjamas, a dressing gown, a hot water bottle and 2 duvets, shivering like I was in a freezer. I was delirious and practically unable to look after the baby. I know that sounds a bit scare monger, but I have never felt so ill and antibiotics sooner would have helped.

[MrsDavies]

hi roomers, I have had both blocked ducts and mastitis, and the redness indicates mastitis. its best you see your GP. my mastitis knocked me out after I had the redness about 12 hours - shivverring, hot sweats, exhaustion, no appetite. I had to get my DH home from work to look after the baby! hope your feeling OK but best to get it checked out. if you don't get antibiotics to clear it, you could risk getting an abscess in the breast and/or needing to be hospitalised

[Rooners]

Hi guys, thankyou so much for taking the time to post. I went offline yesterday and we all had an early night.

Actually the Dr rang me and said he wanted me to come in and be seen last night, but I was feeling a bit better by then and said I'd wait it out overnight. (not keen at all to take antibiotics!)

It's much better. My temp went down and I felt a lot less wobbly which was such a relief. I think all the massaging and squeezing (quite aggressive) plus ds feeding from that side a lot must have done the trick.

It was scary how quickly it came on though and I was really concerned for a while. The redness is much less now, and though it is still sore (probably quite bruised) I am pretty much back to normal in myself and I don't think I'll need antibiotics if it continues to improve.



Thankyou again, it is great to be able to come on here and ask real people who have been through it.