Mastitis/Thrush/Latch?

[blushingmare]

Goodness it seems like I'm always posting on here at the moment - sorry if you're sick of me, but just wondered if there's anyone out there with more knowledge than me that could shed some light on what might be going on.

I have developed a really painful left nipple. It was a bit niggly over the weekend, but this morning is agonising sharp pain. The pain is when I'm feeding - as soon as DD starts to suck, although its a bit tender the rest of the time too. the pain did wear off throughout the feed over the weekend, but today it's constant throughout the feed. That breast has always had more supply than the other and its quite often a bit engorged and lumpy. It is fairly lumpy at the moment but the lumps aren't sore for now although have been in the past. The nipple is not cracked, there is no redness in the breast and no colour change on the nipple. There are no white patches indicative of thrush on my nipple or in DD's mouth. I am
otherwise well although had a nasty tummy bug over te weekend and was coming for about 24 hours.

Have been to the GP this morning and he says it could either be thrush or beginnings of mastitis. Said its less likely to be thrush as is only on one side. He has given me antibiotics for treatment of mastitis as said its better to treat it as this as better safe than sorry when it comes to mastitis, but he did warn that if it turns out it is thrush then the antibiotics could make it worse...

I wonder if it is a latch issue. But DD is five weeks now and surely this would have raised problems before? Have tried to contact my local NCT breastfeeding councillor, but haven't managed to get hold of her yet.

Does anyone with some knowledge have a theory. I feel like we are stabbing in the dark a bit and really need to get on top of this pain as its unbearable to feed on that side. Any ideas for managing the pain and optimising recovery would be much appreciated. This morning I expressed a little before feeding, which seemed to reduce the pain a little. DD doesn't seem to be feeding for as long as she used to for the past couple of days - don't know if this is linked in anyway.

Thanks for reading and sorry for long post.

Sorry - was vomiting for 24 hours!

From what you've said, I would probably rule out thrush and mastitis.

Personally I'd be reluctant to take ab's for something the GP seems unsure about as it could leave you open to getting thrush.

Could it be a blocked duct?

You could keep going with some massage, frequent feeding and hot compresses and see if that helps. Good idea to chase your nct bfc too as she will be able to see if there are any latch issues which are either causing pain or causing a blocked duct.

The Breastfeeding Network have good factsheets about thrush and diagnosis of pain. See here

Hope things improve for you soon.

Hmmm
I'm inclined to agree I don't think it's mastitis - I somehow don't feel ill enough for that. I've already been on a course of antibiotics following my 4th degree tear so am not keen to take any more, but at the same time I really really don't want mastitis so if there's any chance that's what it is I kind of feel I should put up with the antibiotics...

Don't think it's a blocked duct as the pain is in the nipple not the breast tissue. The pain feels like the stinging I sometimes get with let down, but just much stronger.

The more I think about it and reading your link, I feel like its most likely to be a latch issue. I've never been 100% convinced she has a great latch and I think I do have some flattening after a feed. But it just seems strange it's come on so suddenly and after 5 weeks of being ok.

How are you feeling today blushing?

Can you see someone who can observe a whole feed and check the latch?

Thanks for asking badger. Actually I'm surprised but the pain is much better today. Maybe despite my scepticism there was something in the mastitis thing and the antibiotics are helping? Or maybe it's a fluke! Strange that it went from being so unbelievably painful to so much better. Anyway, it's definitely spurred me on to doing something about getting our latch looked at as am sure she's not great at it and I don't want a repeat of this. Still haven't managed to get hold of the NCT lady, but there's a bf clinic at our local children's centre on Mondays so think I'll pop along there. Really hope this is it on the mend now. Thanks for your help.

Ah well that's good to hear that you're feeling better.