Mastitis AGAIN! Does it have to mean ABs?

[DreamySleepyNightySnoozySnooze]

I have mastitis for the 3rd time. Ds2 is 4 months old, and we finally got him diagnosed with a tongue and lip tie which the NHS don't want to know about as he's gaining weight well.

He's causing my right nipple a lot of damage though, it's often cracked and I'm assuming the trauma is what is causing me to have repeated bouts of mastitis. We are in the process of getting the tongue and lip tie lasered, but need to claim it on insurance as it's expensive.

I'm going to call the doctors first thing in the morning, but I was wondering if antibiotics are the only way to treat it. I have been pumping after feeds, massaging, and hand expressing to try and work out the blockage, but nothing has worked. Is there anything else I can do? The antibiotics give me terrible painful wind, and they upset Ds2's tummy too, but they're the only ones I can have while breastfeeding apparently (and I'm allergic to Penicillin).

Any ideas?

Anyone? Please! My boob hurts!

Sounds like you're doing the right things- would applying some heat for a short period of time before feeding help?

Maybe taking some paracetamol would help with the pain too?
Rest as much as you can and see how you feel in the morning.

What a shame you've been ignored by the NHS over the tongue and lip tie - lots of women would have given up by breastfeeding by now, so well done for persevering.

I was advised by Pharmacist to take Ibrophrofen and paracetamol, each one every 4 hours but staggered, so Ibro first, then paracetamol 2 hours after that IYSWIM. But I don't know if AB are required if its got past a certain level of severity? I had frequent mastitis with DC1, I am now on DC2 and I take a couple of ibroprofen at the first sign of painful lumpiness and so far (touch wood) I haven't had mastitis this time round.
You have my full sympathy though - I've never felt so ill as I did the first time I got mastitis.

Like jimbo says, ibuprofen is good for treating mastitis as it's anti-inflammatory.

I used to find cold and then warm compresses along with combing, frequent feeding on that side (or pumping, but be careful as you don't want to overstimulate your supply as that can make things worse in the long run), extreme care with positioning and potentially pressing/rubbing clothing if there was a particular area that kept getting blocked, all helped.

I was very prone to mastitis in the first few months and managed to avoid antibiotics all but one time (also allergic to penicillin and the alternative also didn't agree with ds). You do need to see improvement from the methods above though fairly quickly if you don't take abs, as untreated it can turn into an abscess. If the shivers/unwell feeling go on for more than a few hours then get to the doctor.

Kellymom has some information on when antibiotics are required for mastitis. Could you also discuss this with your doctor? They might be able to advise that if x, y and z is the case, then you will be ok without antibiotics, but that if a, b or c happens then you need to take them?

Thanks everyone! That Kellymom info was really useful, I was hoping I could clear it myself, but as it's been 24 hours and I still feel awful I think its a job for the antibiotics.

I've been taking paracetamol, but I didn't think of taking Ibuprofen, so I will start taking those as well, thank you!

I've phoned the doctors surgery and they should be happy to do me a prescription for my husband to collect without me dragging myself down there in the snow.

Thanks again for your help. I'm going back to bed now!

Im having similar issues although, touch wood, not mastitis level yet. Im doing all the heat, pump, massage things someone recommende lecithin granuals i should have them this week. You put them in drinks or yoghurt or porridge etc it disolves the blockagea in your boobs apparently so fingers crossed this works. Its only £6 so worth a go considering the pain.

Thanks Lora, I'll have a google.

Hope you clear it before Mastitis kicks in!