is this mastitis? lump in breast

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I've been BFing for nearly 5 months and have suddenly developed a lump in my left breast. it appeared yesterday and was about plum sized but this morning had spread to about 2/3 of my boob. it doesn't feel like engorgement (which I've had before and am always careful to massage/feed out). it's a bit softer than the 'marbles' that i get with engorgement and a larger more uniform lump. it is sore to press on, like a bruise, but not agony. doesn't seem to improve with feeding or massage.

other symptoms: my breast aches on and off. can't hand express much out of that side, though DD seems quite happy to feed there. it's always been the less productive side.

also, DD has suddenly become refluxy (though that could be because we just stopped her reflux meds a few days ago). don't know if this could be linked?

no redness, unusual warmth, discharge. no fever. haven't changed feeding pattern and haven't had any engorgement or felt any smaller blockages.

Dr has given me antibiotics (though only 7 days, I have read it should be more?) but I am wondering whether it really is mastitis. Dr says the antibiotics will show whether it is or not, but I'm a bit reluctant to use antibiotics as a diagnostic tool iyswim.

if it is mastitis, what else should I be doing? is ibuprofen safe to take while BFing?

thank you!

I have this today and am wondering if its a plugged duct. I had mastitus last year and felt flu like very quickly and there was a bright red line on my breast and it felt hot.

But I went from having a plugged duct to mastitus and feeling very unwell very fast so am going to see if mine clears too and see the gp if not. Sorry not much help!

thanks. have been feeding lots and I think the feeds are starting to help, or maybe it's the 2 antibiotic pills I've had so far, anyway lump is softer than this morning thank goodness. DD has a powerful suck so I am using her as treatment, she doesn't seem to mind!

I had thought a plugged duct would be a small hard lump, whereas mine is much larger and not very hard...or am I wrong about that?

Grapes, yes I do have dry white skin at the ends of both my nipples, and they are a bit sore, but I've had that for ages (DD had tongue tie and still has a slightly poor latch post snip). no blisters though. thanks for the advice. I only wear soft bras at the moment, no wires or padding so hopefully they won't contribute, will take off to sleep though. never been able to get lying down feeding to work (small boobs and DD crappy latch) but will try out other positions and also heat.

I do feel very tired and have a sore throat but have had that on and off for a couple of weeks so hard to say if it's related to the boob.

thank you! hoping it will be better tomorrow morning (at least if DD wakes for a 4am feed there is an upside!)

if it's mastitis you'll have a fever and feel wretched, you'll know. it could just be a blocked duct, i used to get these sometimes - does it get worse if you go for a while between feeds? i cleared several of these by hand expressing with my nipple dunked in warm water, you could try that? if your nipples are sore, it is not unlikely there's a bit of damage which might have caused a blockage. (lansinoh will help with the sore nipples).

hope you can clear it without developing mastitis.

thanks. no i dont have fever or a nipple bleb, boy do they look painful.

good point about the nipple damage, will get back on the lansinoh.

yes it gets worse overnight nomnom when dd doesn't feed much. just about to pump to drain as much as poss.