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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Breast lump

58 replies

jenwa · 01/01/2014 13:27

I woke with a hard lump on Monday. It's nearer the edge where my bra sits and it's quite hard. Drs given me antibiotics but still not going. I've tried to massage with hot flannels and have hot baths and showers but mines still not going. Feeding lots on that side and expressing too to relieve it. Am sore on that side but no redness. Worried its something serious now as dr said she would refer me to breast consultant if not gone and have to go back tomorrow!!

Just after advice really. Sad

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PassTheCremeEggs · 01/01/2014 13:32

This may not be what yours is but always worth a suggestion - I had the same once and nothing would shift it until my friend suggested gently scraping the nipple in case it was a blocked hole - I poo pooed it on the basis the lump was far back in the breast so felt like a blocked duct but gave it a try anyway as I was desperate and bingo! Milk spurted out, lump instantly gone. Worth a try?

Original poster
jenwa · 01/01/2014 13:36

How do I scrape the nipple?! Sorry not sure if you mean scrapping across the top of it or the sides etc and do you mean with my fingers/ nails? Have heard about using a comb to comb up from lump towards nipple which I've not yet tried. Will try the scrapping though but just want to make sure I know what I'm doing Smile
Thank you.

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PassTheCremeEggs · 01/01/2014 13:39

Literally just gently scratch it a couple of times with a clean fingernail. Gently so you don't hurt yourself! If there is any milk build up that's solidified it will get rid of it.

SpottyTeacakes · 01/01/2014 13:40

Sounds like a blocked duct. If there's no redness or fever I wouldn't have thought it was mastitis (could have been though).

You just need to keep feeding. Dangle your boobs in the bath, massage towards your nipple with your knuckles a few times then hand express and repeat. That's what always worked for me. Or use a wide tooth comb. I got it all the bloody time and would usually be in tears trying to get rid. It's grim. I hope it clears soon.

Original poster
jenwa · 01/01/2014 13:50

Thank you. Will try the scrapping and the comb. Just freaked when dr mentioned breast consultant!!
Also had a friend who had an abscess and it burst inside and she ended up with serious problems!!
My husband tells me not to worry but when it's not going it's getting me panicked. Not helping that I had a section 3 1/2 weeks ago and have been in a lot of pain and had infection and leaky wound. Just feel fed up and want to be better as I have 2 DDs to look after as well as My new DS.
Am being lazy in bed today and DH taking DDs to cinema so I can rest Wink

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Original poster
jenwa · 01/01/2014 14:04

Thank you. Will try the scrapping and the comb. Just freaked when dr mentioned breast consultant!!
Also had a friend who had an abscess and it burst inside and she ended up with serious problems!!
My husband tells me not to worry but when it's not going it's getting me panicked. Not helping that I had a section 3 1/2 weeks ago and have been in a lot of pain and had infection and leaky wound. Just feel fed up and want to be better as I have 2 DDs to look after as well as My new DS.
Am being lazy in bed today and DH taking DDs to cinema so I can rest Wink

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Original poster
jenwa · 01/01/2014 14:04

Whoops I didn't mean to post that again!

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SpottyTeacakes · 01/01/2014 14:16

Honestly try not to worry. I used to get a few at once. I think some people are just more susceptible. If you don't manage to clear it though do go back to the gp.

Original poster
jenwa · 01/01/2014 14:58

Tried the comb and the scrapping and the electric tooth brush but no luck Sad
Will go back tomorrow to see drs. Urghhh hate having to worry about other stuff. Just wish it would go away!

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weebarra · 01/01/2014 15:40

Glad you are going to doc. I had similar, 3 GPs told me it was a blocked duct and didn't refer me. BF midwife did refer me, I'm now halfway through a course of chemo and going to have a mastectomy. Don't mean to scare you but I think I was just dismissed because I was 35 and breastfeeding.

SpottyTeacakes · 01/01/2014 15:48

Yes best to go back they can get you an ultrasound. Hopefully it'll clear over night though Smile

Original poster
jenwa · 01/01/2014 16:34

Oh no weebarra!!! It's scary when they don't refer when they should. They just presume it's something. I know I should be glad that the dr is on the case but I'm really scared! Did you notice the lump when breast feeding? I've never noticed this lump before. Have been trying to get DS to latch on properly and would like to think I'd have noticed it when cupping breast recently. It was when I woke up sore after lying on it and when I held it I felt the lump.
I'm so sorry your going through this. Must be very scary for you? Do you have to finish chemo before mastectomy? Or will they do it soon?

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SpottyTeacakes · 01/01/2014 16:45

Weebarra hope everything goes well for you Thanks

Op the fact that you'd been lying on your boob before the lump appeared really does point to a blocked duct. Try to lay on your back if possible

Charlie01234 · 01/01/2014 16:55

I had this with my first. Was referred to breast clinic and had mammogram and needle biopsy - just milk can out, it was a blocked milk duct - fingers crossed it's the same.

Spero · 01/01/2014 16:59

I would never ignore any hard breast lump. I think your GP is right.

Yes, statistically it is highly likely NOT to be cancer but the consequences if it is are so serious you need to put your mind at rest or know what the score is so you can take action.

I was only just 42 and had a grade 3 tumour. It was very fast growing so seemed to appear quite quickly. I was referred to a clinic and had a needle biopsy - they knew immediately they looked down the microscope something was wrong as it was so aggressive, but it took another week to confirm. the quicker they diagnose, the better the prognosis.

weebarra · 01/01/2014 18:10

Yes, I noticed it when feeding - it was right next to my nipple so meant that DD couldn't latch. She was only about 6 weeks when I was diagnosed.
Chemo first, then op, then radiotherapy. Should all be done and dusted by this time next year, fingers crossed!
I know my consultant said they would much rather have needless referrals than miss anyone.

Original poster
jenwa · 01/01/2014 18:44

Sorry your having to go through this and especially with a baby to look after. A year of treatment not nice but if it means it's sorted then that's a positive. Hoping all goes well for you. I'm hoping mine is nothing serious. Feeling completely exhausted after emergency section and not sure I can deal with anything else at the moment. Worrying myself silly about it Sad

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SpottyTeacakes · 01/01/2014 18:46

Jenwa does it feel slightly less painful after you've fed? Try to feed and express from it as often as you can.

Original poster
jenwa · 01/01/2014 19:18

It is painful when expressing and still after although not as much as when my breast is full I don't think. Am sat here really worried about it. Think I've read to much on the internet Sad

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SpottyTeacakes · 01/01/2014 19:24

Honestly that's a classic symptom of a blocked duct! Try googling that instead to put your mind at rest Wink then see the dr tomorrow. There's no point worrying if it could be nothing.

Original poster
jenwa · 01/01/2014 19:37

Thank you. Just such a weird lump and won't go and it's painful like a bruise. Do some ducts stay blocked for a long time if they are deeper in the breast?

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SpottyTeacakes · 01/01/2014 19:45

The worst one I had was really deep. So deep I couldn't massage it and it turned into mastitis. I vomited with pain and cried to dp that I would never get rid of it. I did though Smile

All the other blocked ducts I had were closer to the edge and bruised is how I would describe it. Bruised and tender. Some lumps bigger than others.

weebarra · 01/01/2014 20:23

Please try not to worry - the odds are that it is just a blocked duct! Bloody sore though.

Original poster
jenwa · 01/01/2014 21:44

Thank you all. Hopefully drs tomorrow will get me somewhere and I can get it sorted.
You've all been a great help though. Sad to hear of some stories though but glad your being treated. Our bodies are scary as we never know what's happening. Hard though when we have kids and a newborn and trying to juggle everything. Think I'm tired and still recovering from section and trying to do what I normally do and it's just not possible!!

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Spero · 01/01/2014 21:49

Good luck. The chances are you will be absolutely fine - the fact you say it is painful is actually a very good sign as I think cancerous lumps in the breast are generally painless.

But even if it is cancer, if caught early it is very treatable. I was told it was one of the 'best' cancers to get in terms of treatment.