Mastitis (again)

[jodesxx]

’m pretty sure I have the start of mastitis. This is the sixth time I’ve had it now and my daughter is 8 months. I had a bad case in mid October and was in hospital as borderline septic. I then had it again around 22nd November, treated with antibiotics and cleared up very quickly. I then had it just before Xmas. This cleared up with antibiotics but they referred me to the breast clinic as there was a large lump. The appointment was nearly two weeks later and there was a small lump so they referred me for a scan which I literally had on Friday but they only did my right side. Apart from some cysts which they weren’t concerned about, there was nothing.

Today the pain has come on but it’s been slow. This evening I’ve got a headache, feeling a bit cold and temp is in 38s so not too serious atm.

Latch was checked in October, she feeds regularly. I do occasionally pump as I’m back in work but that’s been recent. I just can’t understand why I keep getting it. It’s alternate sides as well each time as it’s my left side this time.

I have PCOS and the only maybe other link in timings is that I have had small spotting yesterday and today which I’m sure I noticed two other times around that time. Not full periods but they’ve always been irregular and I am carrying a bit more weight at the moment.

I’m wanting to stop but then now I can’t as it’s the worse thing I can do if I do have mastitis and then I’m worried when I do stop I’m going to get it again.

Has anyone beeen in this situation before? What should I be asking doctors etc.

I’m going to take paracetamol and ibuprofen regularly as I want to last until Monday as I want to see my own GP, not out of hours. She does have a bottle before bed normally so I’m going to pump around that time just to be on safe side tonight.

Oh bless you, that sounds awful. I found the La Leche League really helpful when I had mastitis if you want to give them a call? Heat on the breast (like hot flannel) and combing the breast towards the nipple helps (I used a bit comb!) but it sounds like a serious case so beam glad you're going to the GP on Monday.

I think there is medication the GP can give you to dry up your milk if you want to stop feeding.

*A nit comb!

Try dangling boob in sink full of warm water, warm flannel on inflamed part and gently stroke and massage towards nipple and boob in the sink. Helps to drain blocked duct.
Ive said this before but a dark green cabbage helped me. The wives tale is true. Gently squash the central stem a bit so the skin is broken. Put it in your bra on the inflamed area. It brought me relief time and again, it’s quite cooling too. Swap for a fresh dark green one after about 3 hours. No need to wash boob before feeding. Good luck with GP on Monday

I can totally understand why you want to stop. How are you feeling this morning? Have you spoken to 111?

I'd give one of the BFing Helplines a call this morning for support with recurrent Mastitis and stopping BFing.

There's also good information on Kellymom on Mastitis here

How are you today @jodesxx?

Ouch! In your shoes I'd be trying to get to a bf support group as often as possible. When you say you had latch checked in October as a bf peer supporter I'd like to clarify that latch is dynamic and it's often necessary to adjust and tweak latch several times over in a two year feed journey, sometimes mums need to adjust every few months.

Are you regularly doing lymph drainage massage? I wouldn't suggest this whilst you're having investigations but hopefully everything comes back normal and then this is important to do daily to help prevent mastitis recurrence.

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