Mastitis has lasted almost a week in spite of anibiotics and has migrated to other boob. I'm in hell.

[LiliAnjelika]

Long story. My ds had a bad cold a couple of weeks ago and couldn't suck from boobs. I decided to pump his feeds and feed from a bottle. Health visitor said it would be okay. Anyway, I have definitely overpumped and now my boobs are constantly engorged and absolute agony. This week it turned into mastitis which refuses to shift in spite of antiobiotics. Feeding is like pulling a tooth without anaesthetic. I don't understand why my body hasn't sussed that it doesn't need as much milk as it's producing. It's been a fortnight since I stopped pumping. Am at the end of tether and if it doesn't clear soon, I shall definitly quit bf. I bf dd for 14 mths and I really don't want to but I can't stnad the pain any more. Any tips?

How old is ds? You poor thing - must be awful for you. Have you tried warm flannels and sort of rubbing down the breast towards the nipple - or does it hurt too much to touch? When did you finish the antibiotics?

you poor thing. no tips i'm afraid but lots of sympathy. What a brilliant mum you are for persevering through the agony. Hope you find a solution

My ds is nine weeks old. I'm still on antiobiotics and have two days to go. I cant see it shifting though. Have tried all the remedies - they provide temporary relief but not much else. I'm getting shitty advice from doctors and health visitors and I don't really know how to go about feeding = do I feed from affected breast more than other or will that aggravate engorgement etc? I cna't believe how little support there is out there, especially in view of te fact that we're all told to bf!!

Right - nine weeks old = mega milk production (for me anyway) and I guess that's why we are where we are. If there's two days left of the ab's then there is still time for them to kick in and do some good. Personally - I would say feed first from the affected breast - that's what I did when I had a blocked duct and it did clear it - but I've never had engorgement and don't really know what's what with that - however if I keep wittering on someone with training will happen by I'm sure
Re the advice - have you rung any of the helplines - LaLecheLeague do one I think - and NCT? They will know lots more than your GP etc.

What antibiotics, what strength and how long was the course?? Need to be right ones, strong and long course. (i speak from experience...)

I will phone LaLeche and Nct tonight I think. I am persevering with affected breast but like I said, I don't know whether I should be trying to deplete the milk in that breast or not. It looks like an angry space hopper at the moment and is actually bigger than the other one.

Ring a le leche league counceller straightaway. It's free advice from women who've breastfed and been trained in bf support.

I've had mastitis several times so I know how awful it is. They were very helpful.
You ring and if someone doesn't answer or you get a machine, hang up and ring again and you will go through to the next on call person. I would still ring at this time.

Hope you feel better soon. It is better to keep feeding on the affected side btw as it has to be drained.

Helpline Call 0845 120 2918

Oh, x posts, do ring them.

let us know how you get on

Thanks for the number Mrs Carrot. I have left a message. Bex, I'on fluxocillin or however you spell it, 500g 4 times a day for 7 days. Is that what you were given?

I had that for a breast abcess - it did do the trick but it took the whole of the course (5 days I think) and a day or so after to clear the thing! So there's time yet for it to do the trick I would say

Bloody hell. A breast abscess. That sounds like it might rank up there with childbirth in terms of pain. I thought they had to drain abscesses surgically so goes to show what I know. Good to know I'm being given licensed abs though!

you can keep ringing if you want to speak to someone soon though, just re-dial, it goes to a different person. The lady where you left the message will understand.

Oh okay. I can't have been listening to the recorded message properly. I'll try again - thanks.

Sorry no advice, just lots and lots of sympathy.

My mum says that she has never felt as ill as when she had mastitis whilst bf me, and she's had cancer/chemo etc!

Thanks so much for the sympathy. I never appreciated how horrible it is. I'm amazed that women carry on bf when they've had it twice or trhee times. I don't think I could.

the abcess wasn't fun - especially when I picked my dd up - she was about 2 1/2 then - if she pressed against the affected bit I just about dropped her!

Just a quick one - anyone heard of making up a poultice from vinegar and brown paper. An aunt recommended it. Sounds vile of course.

Fluclox dose can be up to 1g 4 times day ie double what you're on. Course should be 10 days. I had mastitis 3 times in 5 weeks and part of the problem causing recurrence was not taking antibiotics regularly for long enough. When i religiously took them for 10 days it resolved. I was on erythromycin as i'm allergic to penicillin.
Abscesses can be aspirated and don't always need surgery.

I've had it six times since last January, Lo is 10 months now. Never had so much as a sore nipple with my older two.

I haven't heard of the poultice, maybe it draws things out like the cabbage? I took loads of vit c, had hot ginger baths, homeopathic phytolacca, herbal tea for fever, endless massage and feeding and REST, that is the main thing. Easier said than done but it's crucial.

if you phone nhs direct they have a mw you can ask about your abs as well - how i found out mine were completely dud! so gps def do give out the wrong ones/wrong dose/wrong time
much much sympathy

How are you today, did you speak to someone?

Lili - there are a few possibilities

• the abs you have do not 'match' the infection in your breasts. Sometimes, the infection comes from the baby's nose and the fact your baby had a cold makes me think this might be the case with you...and you might find it helpful to raise this with the docs, get a swab taken from the baby's nose and cultured, and then have the right ab.

• the abs you are on are not powerful enough

• the course you are on is not long enough at 7 days

You have been on them 5 days, and they are not working - should have seen a diff. by now

In some desperate situations, fully pumping once seems to recalibrate the breasts in some way. I also wonder if you already have an abscess. May need Heavy Duty abs to shift it, or possibly a surgical drain or aspiration. Some places use ultrasound, but I have only read about that, never spoken to anyone who had it shifted that way.

Hope you get proper help soon.

LiliAnjelika. I´m in your position exactly
: ( and pleased in a peverse way not to be alone. Will mention baby´s cold to doctor and see if a swab can be taken.