Mastitis - how long before I feel better?

[TarkaTheOtter]

I have had a blocked duct in my left breast since yesterday and was feverish all last night. This morning the breast has a big red patch and dh is picking up some antibiotics for me from the doctor.

I can't get the duct unclogged despite trying everything I have read online. The lump is quite far back (I think it was caused by far too tight nursing vest) and just won't be shifted.

Will it clear up with the antibiotics evenif I can't unblock it? I'm so achey and shivery and dh's paternity leave ends on Thursday so I'll need to look after nearly 2yr old dd as well as 2 week old ds.

So sorry for your pain-mastitis is a bitch!
Maybe 24 hrs after starting the pills?
Did you try using a breast pump while rubbing in circles towards the nipple? Worked for me! Kind of suction with pressure together. If the duct unblocks, you will feel a sharp pain then relief. Cabbage leaves in the bra are not a myth, they do work a bit, too.
Hope you feel better.

Thanks - I've tried pumping with massage and hand expressing with massage in a hot shower. Even with the rest of the breast "empty" I can't seem to clear it. I'm taking ibuprofen but I think the area is quite inflamed so it's difficult to see/feel where the blockage actually is.

I've tried feeding in various positions too but because the blockage is diagonally up to my shoulder I'm struggling to point his chin at it as he's so small still

Another vote for (white) cabbage in the bra - it really works.

I am very mastitis-prone so completely sympathise...I've always begun to feel better within a day of starting the anti-b's. The nipple can be sore to feed from for several days afterwards so I take paracetamol for that. Reflexology can help with the aftermath.

It's a major bitch, I feel your pain Tarka! Get well soon and good luck with the 2 DCs.

I've never had it but my mum group have discussed mastitis lots, and when things are grim they all recommend getting DH to help out with a strong suck. I've used this method when I've been uncomfortably engorged and its a bit weird but he says he wishes he could do more to help, and it was helpful!!

Don't you point the nose at the blocked bit, not the chin?

I thought that - and that's easy to do (although it hasn't made a difference. I'm sure I read on the lll website that it was the chin though which is a bit harder to achieve!

i had this too very painful, pump or feed baby as much as you can (even though it will hurt, will get it down and better) and have a nice hot shower/bath and massage the lump

It takes 24-48 hrs for the antibiotics to kick in, feed as much as possible from as many angles as possible and if you have a hot shower use some olive oil to massage from the lump to the nipple even if it doesn't clear it will help loosen it up. It's so horrid you poor thing.

Thanks everyone. You were all right - have felt much better since the day after starting antibiotics. Duct is still blocked I think so I will try some of your tips over the weekend when dh home to watch the dc. Otherwise I think I'll go back to the dr on mon.