To be annoyed that 7 HCPs did not realise I had a breast abcess? (also any advice...)

[Jackstini]

Nearly 4 weeks ago I showed my mw a painful swollen lump in breast. Said was prob mastitis and gave me some tips to cope/get rid. (also posted on here and took all the advice!) From then it got bigger and more painful and I was seen by 2 mw, 1 hv & 4 gps. Only when I kept insisting I was seen again did they refer me to the breast institute 'just to rule out anything more sinister' - fair enough.
I go to said appointment and within 10 seconds was being told - oh my, we need to treat that abcess straight away. Have now had it drained twice (not pleasant!), am on antibiotics and got to go back a few more times yet.
According to docs there, it should have been an obvious possibility and been checked out sooner, I could have been referred same day and then it would not have got to this stage!
Sorry if long rant but upset and annoyed I have been in pain for 3 weeks and may have affected bfing/supply

YANBU that sounds nasty. I do hope the antibiotics start working very soon.

When you're feeling up to it, I's consider sending a letter to the local Health Turst & GP surgery & Supervsior of Midwives requesting that all of the professionals you've seen get sent for further training.

I'd consider....

Thanks Becky. I am wondering what approach to take when I see the hv at clinic and the doc on Monday....

Well there's no much point ranting and getting cross (although I'm sure that's what I'd do!) as it doesn't really get you any further forward. However, if it was that obvious to the specialists and given you'd seen 7! different people previously who had all failed to spot it, I think you've got a very valid complaint.

Can you tell them what it really was, and request politely that are given further training if possible? that way maybe the same HCPs will not misdiagnose an abcess if they meet one in another patient.

Also could the specialist clinic offer the HCPs advice? we've seen a specialist for a medical issue for dd1 and he's been quite happy to write the the GP to inform them of the current treatments (rather than the very outdated one the GP offered while we were waiting to see the specialist). He seemed very keen to make sure the front line medical people had up to date knowledge in his area. Maybe the breast clinic feel the same?

Hopefully now you're being treated the supply will come back to what it should be. I also hope your baby's nappies aren't too effected by the antibiotics.....

Yes I will ask the breast institute to write to my GP and will mention it to the hvs and mws I see to pass on the information.
Don't want anyone else to have to go through this!

YANBU! I really feel for you. I had similar experiences although not an abcess thank goodness. 2 mw, 1 hv said I definitely had thrush and to not let my GP diagnose otherwise. GP said mastitis and refused to diagnose anything else, thankfully she was right. 6 weeks of painful mastitis though before I got to that stage.

FWIW, my mum had an abcess and said as soon as it was drained and she had ABs, she felt better v. quickly so hopefully you will too.

I'd mention it to HV or write a letter to GP when you feel better and can write calmly.

Thanks Wizzska - am hoping should be better in a couple of weeks. Like your Mum described it does feel slightly better after draining.
Am at the docs for something else (ds's belly button!) on Monday anyway so will mention it and see reaction before I send the letter.
Maybe they will apologise profusely and ensure better awareness...

jackstini -yanbu ... but would defo complain as imho training is needed and this kind of misdiagnosis and delay is what put people off b/f... Its not my thread but I had similar issue and I'm not sure I'd bother b/f in future after my experiences

I am a doctor and work in the breast clinic a lot.

can I just say i can understand you being p*ssed off but it might have been quite hard to tell initially. It can often be impossible to tell whether a breast infection is an abscess or simple mastitis without confirmation on an ultrasound scan anyway.

If you feel they have messed you about I don't want to put you off complaining but the fact they didn't get the correct diagnosis doesn't mean that they need retraining or have been negligent

By the way I really hate it when docs in a hospital play the 'everyone you have seen before you came here are f*ck wits and have mismanaged you' thing - I mean how can they know the thought processes of the people who saw you or how obvious or not the abscess was at the time? these things do change and often it can be things like the fact its getting worse despite antibiotics that would make you be more concerned about an abscess.

Sounds to me like they did the right thing - tried the antibiotics and then when they didn't work sent you in for further assessment. Afterall mastitis is much more common than a breast abscess!

Not doign the 'we look after our own' rubbish that docs sometimes do either - just pointing out that it can be difficult to make this diagnosis early on and that actually what they did may have been entirely appropriate. Still feel for you that it took a while to get sorted but not necessarily a fault of the people that saw you

I agree alicet - it's rude and unprofessional

its bad but common I think, I was told by nurse and doctor that i had mastitis, i eventually fainted, went to A&E and had to have an operation under GA, it was not pleasant but not as bad as having the dressings changed - I feel for you.

Thanks all for the support and for the professional opinion Alice. I had been complaining/being seen for 3 weeks - is that a normal length of time to wait for correct diagnosis? I just felt they were only referring me to stop me moaning, yet the breast nurse knew in seconds it was an obvious abcess.
Anyway had to go into hosp again on Thurs as it got really bad. Had oramorph and put back on dihyrdacodeine/paracetamol and then drained again yesterday. Is now constantly weeping but does feel better as not under pressure. Going back again on Monday!