Extremely painful breast, help!

[sometimesyouwin]

I've developed severe pain in my right breast today since waking. I'm exclusively breastfeeding my 4.5 month old. The pain is mainly below the nipple but also in behind it and very tender to the touch. There is no redness or white patches on the nipple and I don't feel unwell so not sure it's mastitis or thrush. I've been massaging the area and have continued to feed off that side but it's agony whilst he's feeding. I'm not sure what else to do and am dreading feeds in the night! Has anyone experienced the same thing or have any suggestions as to what it could be?

[dilys4trevor]

Sometimes I am feeling for you. Mastitis is horrid and I always have lived in fear of an abscess. Hoping it clears for you.

[springbabydays]

Poor you, I understand your worry. I'd give it till tomorrow (probably the earliest you can see gp anyway) and see how you feel. You're on antibiotics so let them keep doing their work and look out for the symptoms your gp described. Try and rest as much as possible today, feed as much as possible on both sides. Hope you feel better soon

[sometimesyouwin]

So here we go again!! I'm on my second bout of mastitis in three weeks. It's on the same side and had to see out of hours GP for antibiotics yesterday morning. This time I feel really rough, aching, shivering, sweating :( The GP said it was definitely mastitis and said he could feel a hard mass in my breast and said it may be the start of an abscess and to keep an eye for any pus/discharge from the nipple. I've started to feel a touch better this morning but the area still feels very hard and bruised. Do you think I should see the GP again and push to get an ultrasound done to check for an abcess? I'm so scared of having one and I know it's best to catch them early. What do you think?

[SpottyTeacakes]

Oh rubbish. At least you've caught it early. The antibiotics should kick in quickly, keep trying to clear that blockage though. Oh and don't take your antibiotics on an empty stomach, made me feel even worse!

[sometimesyouwin]

Thanks Spotty. Took your advice and saw the GP this morning. Looks like the start of mastitis as I'm running a bit of a temperature and feeling achey etc and was in tears feeding this morning . Just off to pick up antibiotics then home to try and rest up.

[SpottyTeacakes]

I would see gp tomorrow but you still need to try clear the blockage.

Dangle feeding
Using wife tooth comb in the bath (whilst dangling ) then immediately hand expressing
Trying to get baby's chin on the lump when feeding

Are all things which helped me. I used to constantly have a blocked duct. I even had two at once one time!

[sometimesyouwin]

So I'm still in pain . There's a dull ache in between feeds and feeding on that side is toe curling! I've been doing hot compresses before each feed, massaging and taking ibuprofen but still no change. There's still no redness and I feel ok although there's a definite lump just below and deep in behind the nipple. Do you think I should give it another day (will be the 3rd day tomorrow) or see the GP tomorrow?

[TiredandGrumpy2014]

Sounds like a blocked duct- I get them lots. They can turn into mastitis although ime you have a day or so to try to shift the blockage before the mastitis arrived. Keep feeding, take ibuprofen and massage lots (I find in the shower or bath with a hot soapy flannel as you can get a nice even pressure and massage in long strokes towards the nipple).

Keep a close eye on it and if you start to feel unwell in yourself then go to dr- out of hours dr if necessary. Keep an eye out for red streaks too ad these can also be a sign of mastitis setting in.

And try not to panic too much- try a relaxing evening to take your mind off it.

Hope it feels better soon- its miserable but I do find they shift in a couple of days x

[Vacillating]

What superworm says. It almost certainly is a blocked duct. Kellymom shares lots of tips.

[SpottyTeacakes]

You could try block feeding on that side to reduce supply (once this is sorted). I think thrush is more like shooting pains through the breast and nipple.

If it was me I would probably want some antibiotics asap as I've had mastitis and vomited from the pain of feeding.

I did the nappy thing and it definitely helped. Make sure you're massaging during a feed/expressing or the milk has nowhere to go and it won't help. If it is a deep blockage it's hard to clear. You could try dangle feeding (very glamorous!) and take painkillers too.

[Superworm]

Sounds like the start of something caused by a blocked duct. Kellymom has some good info on it.

I would feed as much as possible, take ibuprofen to reduce any inflammation and enable the milk to flow through. Try lying in a hot bath and hand expressing from that side, then use a cold compress (a frozen nappy or sanitary towel wrapped in a muslin would do).

Hope it resolves soon

[PragmaticWench]

I'd look at the Kellymom website, it's really good for diagnosing breastfeeding problems. If that doesn't help, I'd try your local breastfeeding support group or the national breastfeeding helpline on the phone. Don't leave it until Monday. Usually continuing feeding is the best thing, although feeding through thrush in my breast made me cry a LOT, so you have my sympathy!

[sometimesyouwin]

Thanks littlewomen, I'll give the nappy thing a try, guessing it's like a makeshift heat pack! It could just be inflammation I guess. I've always seemed to produce more milk on that side since the start and it does get slightly engorged overnight (on the rare occasion that he only wakes for one feed!) which makes it harder for him to latch on properly. I never had any problems like this with my first DS!

[sometimesyouwin]

The pain feels like it's behind the nipple and the surrounding area just below. It's painful all the way through the feed and still very sore afterwards. Is it possible to have mastitis without any feelings of being ill? Do you think it will be ok being left until I can see the GP on Monday? Thanks for your help.

[3littlewomen]

I had this with my last two. Went through antibiotics that would kill a horse but was still in agony. The last baby a breast surgeon explained the thinking is now a lot of these issues are caused by inflammation.

I made this bearable/stopped the pain by doing the following.

Take anti-inflammatories. I started with Nurofen but my GP prescribed stronger drugs when asked. She had never heard of this theory, but was very impressed with results.

Take a nappy and pour in as hot water as you can take. Wrap nappy around the affected boob - it's not a good look, but the relief is immense.

After the heat has dispersed from the nappy massage boob towards nipple and pump.

It took a few hours, but I did get immediate relief from the nappy.

Best of luck you poor thing.

[SpottyTeacakes]

Sorry I meant where is it painful when you're actually feeding, is it still in the breast or is it the nipple?

[SpottyTeacakes]

Where is it painful? Is it any less tender after a feed? I'm suspecting a deep blockage possibly mastitis. I never had thrush but had blocked ducts all the time (didn't have to stop because of it).

[daisydee43]

never breastfed myself but i have friends who had to stop due to blockages and infections bought on by pain. in the meantime there are great creams you can buy to stop pain