Breast pain - in montgomery gland?

[marksmummy]

Hi ladies, I have a small lump in my left areola that I think is a montgomery gland. I never noticed it before I was breastfeeding but it's noticeable to the side of my nipple and when my breast is engorged and leaks a small amount of milk also comes out of the lump as well. It wasn't a problem at first but in the last couple of weeks it has started to hurt - a lot - when dc sucks.

I find bf quite painful anyway but it was starting to get better, even though I have some symptoms that I think are in line with vasospasm. Sometimes it's more painful than others - I've noticed that when I can feel tenderness in the lump before bringing dc to my breast it's more painful - and I mean so painful I can hardly talk. I've taken to pumping twice a day to give dc a feed by bottle to give my breasts a rest.

Has anyone experienced any problems with montgomery glands or pain with a lump in the areola, or know anything about it? I have found very little information on the internet or mn search so am expecting that my GP will not have much experience with it either and would like to gather as much info as poss before going to see him. Thanks!

when i was breastfeeding my son i had a large lump in the same area. after 2 weeks of toe curling feeds i finaly went to the docs i was given 2 weeks worth of anti biotics and told to contiue feeding. (mastitis) my advice would be go to the docs and have it looked at asap as i can remember how sore it can be.

marks, have you got a local Bfing Counsellor you could talk to?

no, though I've seen there are some helplines I could call. I have actually seen a lact specialist who said dc's latch was fine, and at my 6wk check they did a breast exam and said no probs, but the pain has come on since then and as it didn't hurt at the time I didn't mention that the lump secretes milk (I assume it's milk since it's only when I get my let down and milk is pouring).

That makes me think it's not a blocked milk duct as the lump appears to behave like a gland, am suspecting it may be infected since I get whole breast pain and perhaps thats what cleared up stephanie's, but I'm wary of another course of anti-b's since I already had those 6 wks ago for mastitis (complete with fever etc).

Guess I'm just wondering how common this montgomery gland thing is as I don;t want to sound like a hypochondriac who thinks she has everything she reads on the internet!

I thought Montgomery Tubercules only secreted sebum? I had two very sore and raised M Tubercules in the last weeks of pregnancy - one of them seemed to exude a bit of colourless liquid - oil? - if pressed. They cleared up without my doing anything, but were still occasionally sore while bf.

You pain sounds much more severe than mine was, and given that you have pain/milk on let down there, I think it must be part of your milk production equipment rather than a montgomery gland. Though I may have that wrong! Def call an NCT counsellor - 0300 330 0771 - and perhaps also check things out with your GP. And please let us know if you get things sorted out! Good luck!

Agree with Reshape. The NCT line should be able to answer your questions and they should also be able to give you details of any local Bfing Counsellors.

No joy with NCT unfortunately, very nice lady though it must be a milk or friction blister and referred me to Kellymom website for advice. Also explained she couldn't really diagnose as not a medical person, which of course I understand and even a doctor would have a hard time diagnosing over the phone!

I have had a look at Kellymom and based on the picture/description I am fairly sure it's not a milk blister, it's not on the nipple or white and the secretion is just weird. It seems like milk as a little drop appears when I get a let down, and if I wipe it away another drop appears. Not tasted it to check though! I will have to trot off to the doctor and hope he can enlighten me. If I get any good advice will post here in case anyone searches on this topic in future...

Thanks for the advice all!

I've heard that some people do have milk ducts that exit through their montgomery gland. Could that be the case with yours and the lump be a little blockage? Maybe because of its location it doesn't get drained thoroughly (as presumably is not in baby's mouth)? Kellymom has symptoms of a blocked duct.

Do you have a local bf support group you could go along to so someone could have a look in person?

Ok, so have you got the number of a Bfing Counsellor you could see in RL?

I had an infected montgomery gland - it can happen. It was enlarged, red, and hurt like hell when DS fed. I went to the Dr and got antibiotics which cleared it up in days (think it took about 36 hrs to stop hurting).

Sorry for TMI... but mine had some whitish fluid that may have been pus??

Best off going to the GP I think.

Have you tried the other breastfeeding lines? They may have a counsellor nearer to you? But I agree the GP sounds like the best bet.