Antibiotics for Block Duct?

[LovelyLionfish]

Had a two minute phone consultation with nurser practitioner today as a result of a blocked duct I've had for about 10 days now. Currently breastfeeding my 4 week old. I've tried massages, warm compresses etc. but it just isn't shifting. It isn't at all sore or red, I can just feel it under the skin.

She has prescribed a weeks course of antibiotics. Is this normal? I am just a bit concerned about taking antibiotics with the risks of thrush etc. for something that isn't at all bothering me. Everything I have read seems to say not to use antibiotics unless you have symptoms of mastitis.

We have had a really rocky breastfeeding journey so far, and I don't want to add to the challenges with thrush or baby fussing even more when feeding, but I realise if it progresses to full blown mastitis that would be very unpleasant!

I would take them OP - you definitely don’t want mastitis! I don’t think it necessarily follows you will automatically get thrush from them, and they will have a totally minuscule effect on baby through your milk. Have you tried expressing on all fours? I found that quite effective when I had a blocked duct, gravity/change of position really helps

I’m with you OP, if I took antibiotics every time I had a blocked duct, I’d have been on them constantly. But I also know at first it’s hard to get a hang of what the symptoms are and how blocked ducts/ mastitis feel. So you have a lump under the skin, what are your other symptoms? You said it isn’t at all bothering you - so I’m not sure it’s definitely a blocked duct, as they are very uncomfortable.

I really don't have any other symptoms at all! I just have a small-ish lump under the skin which I'm 99% sure wasn't there two weeks ago. I think it's a tiny bit tender now because I've been poking it loads! I've had a couple of other similar lumps but massaged them away in the shower or with a warm compress. Everything I've read said mastitis would be really painful, there would be red patches and I would be feverish/unwell so I'm struggling to see it's an infection. But you are right - I really wouldn't want mastitis!

@LovelyLionfish how's your blocked duct? Has it cleared? If yes, what did you do? I'm currently going through exactly what you described. Mine has been there for 12 days now. Thanks

Personally I would take the antibiotics.

I did this 3 Times for mastitis, never got thrush.

While you take the antibiotics cut out all yeast- no bread, marmite etc, alcohol

Cut down on sugar

Take a probiotic- like yakult

Eat a shit load of live yoghurt!

Sorry @Bigbear123, only just saw your message. I eventually pushed for a face-to-face GP appointment. The GP wasn't happy it was a blocked duct as it's larger than I realized and painless so I have been referred to breast clinic on 2WW, with appointment next week. It's pretty scary, but I'm glad I pushed to see GP. How big is yours? Probably worth pushing for someone to actually look at it rather than just diagnose over the phone if it's still there.

@LovelyLionfish thanks so much for your reply. I've contacted GP again and hope to get an appointment on Monday for further investigation. May I ask what you meant by '2WW'. Thanks x

Two week window for urgent referrals.

@LovelyLionfish how are you getting on? Mine turned into mastitis and I'm still in pains even though taking and painkillers!

Ouch! Hope the antibiotics work and you feel better soon. The consultant is pretty confident mine is a milk cyst but he is reluctant to stick a needle in to confirm his diagnosis as that could introduce infection, so he is just monitoring it. It isn't bothering me though and he said it will probably stay until I stop breastfeeding. So as long as it's nothing sinister we'll just leave it be. So on my case not taking the antibiotics was the right thing to do, as there's no infection at the moment.