Breast lump

[jenwa]

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.

Hey there, it may be that you've got fluid build up in the surrounding breast tissue that's causing the duct to narrow so that the milk can;t get out even with the massage.

Try doing reverse pressure massage which will help some of this fluid move out of the breast tissue, relieving the pressure on the duct.

It's painless to do and if you do it a few times and then try massaging towards the nipple (as you have been doing) it should make a big difference. I used to get mastitis a lot until a wonderful lactation consultant taught me this technique.

I hope this helps - and keep taking anti-inflammatories at regular intervals. A cold pack on the sore part may also help reduce swelling and pain.

When did you get the anti-bs? If it's mastitis now they should start working very quickly, if they don't get back to the doc asap!

Got AB's last Monday and they were changed thurs. Lump red and more prominent.
Tried the reverse pressure massage but not really sure what I'm doing!! Nothing seems to work really. Am concerned it's an abscess! I'm not in too much pain now and don't feel feverish. Had mastitis with DD2 and had the shivers and felt awful. This is more a pain in breast and lump hard. Hurts to lie on or touch too much or wear my bra!

Does your nipple look normal? I had a lump caused by a bleb (milk blister, have a look on kellymom) and it didn't clear properly till I got that cleared. I think that's when the poster above was meaning with scraping your nipple but I had to first piece it with a needle then after a hot shower rub the nipple with a flannel to get all the grown over skin off.

Have checked for spots and blisters and can't see any. No white spots or anything that looks any different! So annoying wish I could resolve it!

Well been to GP who said it looks like an abscess and best to leave until it surfaces. He said breast surgeons prob wouldn't do anything yet but we asked to check and he rang and they said to go up to hosp and see breast surgeon. Got there and they said they will drain but it needs an ultrasound to check and can't do that tonight so they will get me back in either tomorrow or weds. Glad I went up. They did say I could stay overnight but hooked up to ABs on a drip and I'd be better at home.

Well done for going back! Yes definitely better at home feeding your baby. Let us know how you get on

Thank you. Just expressing now in can't feed when they draining me! Dh can give a bottle then.