Mastitis...3 days of antibiotics and HUGE lump

[DrMcDreamysWife]

I saw the gp on Friday and got a antibiotics for confirmed mastitis. Had a small lump on left boob and it was red and sore. Felt very crap all weekend- temperature headaches etc. and have had very lirtle sleep partly due to endlrss night feeds and also becausr i was too hot and uncomfortable. these flu symptoms seem better today and boob is no longer red but the lump is bigger. In fact when I lie flat and boob falls sideways the lump (which is sort of underneath and on the side of boob closest to middle if body) feels like the size of a clementine!?

Has anyone had this?

Got anothe docs appointment today. What should I expect? Or ask about?

Have you got a blocked milk duct? Look for a white blister on your nipple which might be stopping milk coming out, scrape it off, then try to hand express the lump out.

I have no medical knowledge, nor was ever diagnosed with mastitis but got a few of these lumps and managed to get rid of them, although it was very painful!

Sounds like a blocked duct. Feeding will help clear it and also combing the breast from under armpit down over the lump towards your nipple, press firmly and it can help to do it in the bath shower.

The only otjer thing i can think would be a cyst?

But i would assume coupled with the mastitis its a blocked duct.

i have no idea, but telling him what you just told us might me a good start! Maybe ask at what point they will consider draining it? And if they do decide to drain or give you other antibiotics what are the implicaitons for your breast feeding?

And yes you may have a clogged bit on your nipple but you can.get a clogged duct without that.

I had a lump with mastitis that rooms good week or more to go. It did Jo down when feeding a bit. Hot compress before feeding and cold after to reduce swelling.

The lump could be a blocked duct or the mastitis i.e. milk outside the duct being infected as attracted by your body so the cold help reduce the swelling.

Would visit Gp ASAP, my primary concern would be an abscess.

Check what antibiotics you're on and confirm that they're a string enough dose (sometimes go are a little more conservative as bf)

That can refer for an ultrasound of your boob to check it out in more detail

If it turns out to be an abscess that you need drainage soon

However it sounds that you feel better overall but better to chec it out!

I frequently had lumps and blocked ducts so made a call to the breastfeeding network. The really lovely lady on the other end of the phone suggested putting a cabbage leaf into your bra, changing it every 2 hours. I had tried everything so thought 'why not'. I kept feeding as normal and then after a day or so- the lump (size of an egg) had completely disappeared. I was amazed. I now do this anytime I get even the hint of a lump and it seems to work wonders. No idea how. But I'd highly recommend giving it a go!

Just check if it's red and tender

Re monitoring size, can be useful to use a black biro around area to see if is getting bigger/smaller

Thank you all for answering. Some top tips here, might try the cabbage sounds like a good idea!

Gp sent me to breast clinic at hospital who did an ultrasound and then stuck a needle in and aspirated some pus out. Sorry tmi!!

Still a bit of a lump but to keep feeding and massaging in bath. Got a checkup on Wednesday to see how it's doing m.

I've not used cabbage so far with dd (3 weeks in) but it saved me with ds! We put Savoy cabbage leaves in ten freezer for a bit then I popped them in. They say change every couple of hours because, as I discovered when I forgot and my dh commented I really smelt of cabbage and we then realised I'd cooked it!!!

Also, raise your arm when feeding, that helped me clear a big block the other week as it helped it all clear through in conjunction with massage, heat etc. I also used dh's deep tissue massager on it.

Also keep feeding and expressing every. 2-3 hours to keep it clear! Which is a pain but does help! Been doing it for 4 weeks to clear my mastitus. Have had two scans so far and still clear.