Questions about mastitis

[Enraha]

Having an extremely bad run of health issues, now on my 3rd bout of mastitis and DS is only 9 weeks. I'm taking anti-b's again and doing self help treatment and starting to recover, more due to anti-b's. it only ever occurs in one side.

It seems I have a dodgy duct (at top on outer side but not in armpit) that is almost permanently blocked with a hard painful lump which has not softened in over a week. I really could do with chatting with other experienced mums to see if I can get to a strategy that works for me and gets me out of this horrible cycle.

I'm getting RL support too, but obviously no access over BH weekend.

What i've tried:
Latch check - many, many times. fine and improved since early days, feeding not quite as effective as unaffected side (pain and poorer drainage)
Change positions - use rugby ball style whenever practical
Frequent nursing - yep, DS will feed for a long time on bad side but effectiveness tails off and I take him off
Hot baths/heat pad -ok, but won't shift stubborn duct/lump
Massage - ditto
Compression - ditto
Wide comb in bath - ditto, seems to aggravate if anything
Expressing - don't get very much out, less than unaffected side, seems to overstimulate bad side and cause more engorgement

GP will see me in a week to check progress and has requested a referral to breast clinic. Meanwhile, just keen to see if others have had similar experience and what else I can be doing. Obviously I'm worried about sinister stuff, abscess, tumour, but want to stay away from unreassuring Dr Google.

So, very much open to questions and suggestions. Thanks.

Kellymom has a load of suggestions - might be worth having a read and seeing if anything seems plausible in your situation.

If you're getting recurrent blocked ducts in the same place, I'd be wondering about something pressing in that area- bra/sling/handbag?

I sometimes found when I had a blocked duct that even after the blockage cleared, the area would still be bruised for a few days- that's not what has happened to you?

Oh, and I think the telephone helplines are still open over the weekend. They could talk through your situation and would have some suggestions.

Thanks for taking time to reply Redkites. I've looked at the Kellymom thing before and there's nothing that immediately strikes a chord. I don't think I'm going out enough for the handbag strap or seat belt issue. I've spent a fortune on nursing bras, been fitted twice by different outlets. Boobs quite large, so going without brings it's own problems.

I could maybe drink more water. I'm certainly stressed and tired. It may be something physiological, but no-one has been able to make a call yet. I'm getting very down about the reoccurence and worried I might have to give up BF. I can't cope with keep getting so ill with 2 little ones to look after

Anyone followed any treatment that's really worked for them? Or Recovered (BF or not) from a similar situation?

Bump? Anyone?

Ok, could someone tell me what an abscess feels like or warning signs compared to mastitis symptoms? How much pain?

Or how big blocked ducts can get? No joy with getting a phone line response yet.

Hi OP
Sorry to hear you're suffering with your third bout of mastitis in such a short period of time.

With DD I had it only once and she was already an older baby (15mo) but this time with DS I've had it twice and I also get the same duct blocked from time to time.

A couple of nights ago after DS went to sleep I suddenly felt the same area going hard and I massaged it next time he woke up for a feed (during the whole feed) and it seemed to help.

I get it on one breast only as well and the area can be of maybe 3cm wide and from the nipple to the very end of the breast (in my chest).

RL support is important, do check again if the helplines are open today or tomorrow to get some advice. Alternatively, could you maybe ring a local La Leche League BF supporter/counsellor? I'm on my phone now so I'll come back and try and post a few links for you.

I have no experience of abscesses. Do you think you could be developing one? I'll check some info for you.

Breastfeeding network supporterline 0870 900 8787

La Leche League helpline 0845 120 2918

this link leads you to local LLL groups and when you click on them they sometimes give you personal numbers of LLL supporters (landlines and mobiles).

this one has information about mastitis and blocked ducts, etc.

I'll be back if I can find more info.

Enraha, forgot to say, if you're afraid you might be developing a breast abscess, please do not hesitate to ring NHS direct for advice.

Ask GP to refer you to breast clinic for ultra sound so you can see what is going on.

Some find taking lecithin as a supplement makes repeats less likely although not a lot of evidence on this.

Sorry you're going though this :(. I had a very similar experience last year when DD was about 7 weeks old. Like you I had a hard painful lump which would not shift whatever I tried. Was told repeatedly by GP it was mastitis and given antibiotics (wrong ones, did nothing). I put up with it for about 10 days until it got so bad and I felt so ill I went to a&e. It turned out to be quite a large abscess (they scanned me to find out). It was scary but I was actually quite relieved as at last I had a diagnosis and could get treated.

They arranged an appointment at the breast clinic the following day and I had needle aspiration (bit uncomfortable but feels much better after) and they sorted out my antibiotics. I needed 2 further treatments before it was gone for good (abscesses have a tendency to refill) and didn't need surgery.

I also managed to keep breastfeeding, even on the afftected side (DD pretty oblivious to it all!)

In answer to your question earlier, I found for me, the main difference between mastitis and an abscess was this horrible lump which didn't go away. It felt about the size of a small chicken's egg. It was very painful and made worse by massaging, whereas when I "just" had mastitis, massaging improved things.

Is there any way you can get to the breast clinic sooner? Or go along to a&e and get them to scan you. A week is a long time to wait if you're suffering. I really hope you get this sorted and feel better soon.

Thanks for replies, a very positive story from you Mahaliha - just the kind of thing I needed to hear, during a bit of a cabin fevery weekend. I have felt a bit less feeble today and was able to leave the house, which perked me up a bit. Good to hear that abcess treatment does not always have to be invasive surgery too. I have a suspicion it might be an abcess and the fact that massage causes more pain than relief points to this. Well I see the GP on Weds morning, but I guess I can A&E it sooner if it gets any more severe.

I think I had mastitis on top of it too, and the symptoms of this are starting to ease, so that's something.