Painful breast after mastitis (treated)

[IWishIWasAFrog]

Hi,

I had mastitis diagnosed and started ab's on the saturday of Easter weekend. There was a lump the size of a golf ball at the 6 o'clock position, rest of breast soft, no fever, GP gave antibiotics, 4 x red 'flames' on underside of breast next day, ab's kicked in pretty quickly and it felt better soon. Milk blister came up the same time, still there, grrrrr. But, it is still really sore! The area is soft but it burns after each feed! I had mastitis in both breasts just after DS was born, fever, red areas on breasts, first the one side and then the other, but it resolved ok. Could anything else be wrong? DS is 29 weeks, ebf and >99th centile, I don't think there is flow problems, he gets loads judging by his size and the nappies! No idea why it developed to begin with...I don't want to give up (can't get him to take a bottle anyway)...

Thanks.

I'm not trained but I'll try to help. How long a course was the antibiotics? Only I think it should be 10 days and most GPs only seem to prescribe 7 days.

Have you read the information on Kellymom on mastitis, here?

It might also be worth speaking to a BFC. Are there any locally or you could try the National Breastfeeding Helpline.

HI Julie,

Thank you so much for replying. Spoke to the GP this morning and seems like it's mastitis again, same area, she has prescribed ab's Augmentin again for 7 days. It's red, hot and very, very sore. I'm really considering giving up bf :( Just so painful. Thanks anyway, have a nice weekend!

Sympathies. I have had recurrent mastitis. Only a 10-14 day course of anti-b's seems to shift it for me, so lobby your GP to prescribe more. I take penicillin, fluclox. It seems I have some long-term blocked ducts on one side which won't shift, so I have to be ultra careful about feeding intervals, massage and general breast health.

Not loving BF yet, but thus far sticking with it, with plenty of RL support, despite awful interference from HV's re: weight gain.

Try to alternate different feeding positions, so you don't end up with under-used ducts. From what you're saying, try a rugby/underarm hold To feed when convenient. Ibuprofen helps to relieve inflammatory pain and is safe to take.

Mastitis is truly horrible. Get as much rest as you can to get over it.

Sorry far too many posts from me (!), burning sensation post feed may be a thrush infection triggered by anti-b's, but it's hard to get diagnosis of this without the classic visible symptoms e.g. Milky/cheesy deposits in baby's mouth. Worth mentioning to GP. I've kept it at bay with acidophilis supplement (friendly bacteria), to combat the yeast, taken alongside and after anti-b treatment.
Horrible vicious circle.

trying to remember my BFC stuff from a few years ago!! different positions help as said above or even gravity feeding...on all fours on teh bed over the baby!! looks mad but can help milk to flow and drain.
Just wondering if you may have breast thrush?? very common after antibiotics and if I remember rightly from when I had it, you get like a burning along the ducts, back into your breast after feeding. Well,, I did. Could try googling it. Alos there was another post recently re breast thrush. Hope you resolve things.

aha. Enraha beat me too it with the thrush theory!

Hi sorry to hear about your boob troubles. I developed mastitis on monday & it is been truly grim. My midwives changed the antibiotics from Augmentin to flucluxacillin in line with the national guidelines & on the advice of the post natal ward. The ward said lots of women get admitted having been on augmentin & end up with iv fluclux. They have upset the baby though do seem to be helping. A 10-14 day course is also recommend.

Here's a link with the info:

www.cks.nhs.uk/mastitis_and_breast_abscess/management/scenario_mastitis/view_full_scenario

Hope you feel better soon