Blocked duct- HELP!

[popstar]

I'm just recovering from a bout of mastitis (2nd one with this baby). I woke up on Wednesday with a painful right breast, I think due to the way I had been lying, got up, expressed, fed and expressed like mad all day, different positions, massage, hot baths, brufen, antibiotics, same on Thursday, felt better yesterday and today.

BUT, although pain much reduced, flare on breast gone, temperature down, flu-like symptoms gone, still have hard lump taking up about a quarter of the breast (and they're big ones- 38H- so this is a big lump!!)

Last time (9 weeks ago) everything settled in 36 hours so I am now panicking about what might happen if I can't get this duct unblocked VERY soon. I'm continuing with the antibiotics in the hope of preventing an abcess.

Anyone been in same boat and did it eventually clear with no further problems? Anything else I could be doing? Am also having a wee glass of red wine just now for medicinal purposes!

Hot bath, hot flannels and massage the breast - so using your hands push over the lump towards the nipple. The homeopathic remedy phytolacca is good as well for those symptoms. I've managed to avoid antibiotics twice using the above methods (the hot bath is very helpful).

Go back to the docs though if it hasn;t cleared after you've finished the course or if you start to feel ill again- I've always used the above at the start of problems (rather than after mastitis).

hi there popstar - sorry to hear about your duct - been there and it's ouchy and worrying so sympthise massively. One thing I read was that if you point the baby's chin towards the blockage it can help clear it. Under normal feeding circumstances this was b'all use to me since my lumpy bits were practically under my arms HOWEVER I did try this extraordinary position which is supposed to help in this instance. You lie the baby on the bed and kind of lean over so that he/she feeds with their chin as close as you can get it to the blocked duct. The combination of suction and gravity is supposed to help. It looked bizarre but I did clear the lump and it may have been a factor - good luck!

Thanks for the tips- sounds interesting, Squirmyworm! Just finished a feed with rugby ball position, which I hoped might work as it does put his chin on the affected side, but will try your position with the next feed. I'll be off to the chemist tomorrow to browse their homeopathic range if still no joy.

I just find it strange that the mastitis seems to have settled without the duct being cleared, but will persevere. At least I don't feel quite as close to death as I did a couple of days ago.

Still in same boat this morning and feeling a bit desperate. I assume the longer this goes on the more and more difficult it will be to clear. Has anyone else had a blocked duct for 5 days? It seems an awfully long time to me.

Oh god, it sounds HORRIBLE.

The one thing that might, just might, help is acupuncture. I know I post a lot about acupuncture, but it did help a friend of mine who had the blocked duct from hell (it had defeated two courses of antibiotics AND homeopathy)- amazing near-instant cure. Where are you? I'll be offline for most of today but if you want to contact me tomorrow I'll be around. Hugs, but gentle ones of course. xxxxxxxx

It may take a while to shift but a good sign is all the other symptoms have gone. I have read of other mumnstters using a large comb to massage the lump down. Have you tried massaging it as you are actually feeding? If it has not cleared by the end of the course of antibiotics you will need to go back to your doc.

Here is a link that might be helpful
here

Thanks everyone. I think it's getting smaller, but still there. I am massaging while feeding, Mears, but will try the large comb too.

Can't find the relevant homeopathic remedy in local Boots, but might just try the acupuncture MI. I live in Salisbury and have found a few practioniers listed. We'll see what tomorrow brings. I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one who's been in this position for this length of time- I thought these things lasted a day or two, max.

Can't believe it- it's finally gone!! What a relief. I feel like dancing on the ceiling in an 80s kind of way!

Thank you MotherInferior- had acupuncture at 5pm, fed at 6pm, bath at 8pm and good pounding with the shower head, fed at 9 pm and lump GONE! The acupuncture lady told me not to expect an instant cure, so I think she'll be quite pleased when I phone her tomorrow too. Thanks everyone!

Fantastic.

Being a complete twerp I didn't ring my own acupuncturist when I had a blocked duct - it may have been shifting already, of course, but I'm so pleased I could be helpful.