Blocked Duct will just not shift. Help!

[Jools78]

I've had a blocked duct for over a week and even when my boob is totally empty it is hard and a big lump size of half a plum deep in my breast. Please read on if you have patience and offer any advice...

I got mastitis 10 days ago, went on Anti Biotics (500mg) as had it in both boobs. Took them for the course (1 week) but unbeknownest to me, although I had cleared the infection, I had not cleared the blocked duct in the left breast in the centre, and I got an infection again, so am now on another 2 week course of antibiotics. The first time round, I was quite blase, assuming the ABs would do it for me, I now realise you have to work HARD to clear a duct.

For 36 hours I have been trying everything under the sun to clear it: hot flannel or bath before feeding; combing; dangling boobs in hot bath water; massage; feeding in different positions (rugby, cradle, dangle); spoken to a LLL and NCT counsellor; fennel tea; going to try homeopathy once off the ABs.

Got GP appointment in 4 days, when I will have had it for 2 weeks in case I need surgery or heaven forbid it's something else, but does anyone have any words of wisdom, hope or encouragemnt??

Ibuprofen - 2 tablets 500mg an hour before you do this.

Go in the bath and make sure it's a hot bath and lay flannels over the boob. Get nice and relaxed (enjoy yourself you will be in here for at least half an hour).

Get a hairbrush (yes really, someone suggested this here and I tried it and it really works) and brush from the armpit to nipple and all the way round, press down quite hard (you see why you need the ibuprofen first - ibuprofen is also anti-inflammatory. You may also need to (I'm sorry it's horrid) twist your boob around a bit to compress the affected bit.

It's very unlikely to be anything other than a blocked duct. But obviously if all else fails you may need an ultrasound/mammogram to check if you have a bit of lego stuck in your nork

Thanks, whomovedmychocolatecookie. I've tried combing with a afro comb thing which is fairly thick and wide, guess the idea being the same thing as a hair brush.

Would pressing quite hard and twisting not do the boob damage? The midwife told me not to massage with my knuckles but with the palm of my hand so this sounds a bit pokey. But you swear it works?

Like the lego comment! We've only progressed as far as duplo with DD1. Heaven forbid it's a bit of duplo!

Actually, if you've got a sticklebrick, that might work rather well to 'comb' out the lump

Well you know when you've got a spot and if you sort of roll round it, it forces it to a head? (Sorry this is fairly gross) - sort of like that - that does work. I didn't mean do corkscrews with your entire boob - that would be v painful and while interesting on a 'I wonder what will happen if I do this' level probably not too helpful!

I doubt Duplo will have the same effect as sticklebricks. I have a nylon hair comb which is really stiff which does it.

Thanks, guys. Still there. Tried the comb last night. Have also been advised to try a grated potato?!

Hi Jools - I've had quite a few blocked ducts in my time, have done lots of internettage on solutions, and have tried everything you mention above. I don't honestly think there is much more you can do (not sure about the potato - I tried it once for sore nips, and it helped a bit, so worth a go I guess!!). Seeing as you've had the problem for so long (most blockages go within 2 or 3 days if not sooner - no help to you I know, sorry), I would see if you can move your appointment forward so you can get a referral to have it looked at properly sooner rather than later? Sorry, don't want to worry you - I'm not any kind of health practitioner! - just it sounds a little unusual to me. Hope it shifts soon, must be agony

thanks, anothercoldcupoftea - appt is first thing on monday morning so no moving forward going to happen (find the weekend walk in things worse than useless).

Actually, it isn't agony but that is probably the antibiotics. I was trained in Reiki 1 in february and just tried to blast it with that, which seemed to help a little. I'll try anything!

Jools, maybe ask GP about ultrasound treatment. I had this due to recurrent mastitis and blocked milk ducts and it made a difference.

The only thing that worked for me was my HV massaging the duct whist I fed (there's no modesty anymore once you've given birth is there?!!!!). I had had antibiotics but it didn't sort the blockage. In the end, after a week or so I phoned my HV, she came over and helped me. SHe must have magic hands! I would be very careful massaging too hard though.

Ouch! Sounds nasty . Do you have a fever? Is there any chance it could have developed into an abcess? Perhaps it might be worth getting a health professional to take another look?

Will def ask for an ultrasound on Monday = thats when seeing the doc. She's a mum of 3, so hopefully will know what she's looking at. It's so deep it feels impossible to massage when feeding... Will try it though. Left our modesty at the birth suite, eh?!

mamakoukla in what sense did US make a difference? Curious...

GP said to leave the lump... NOt very happy with this. Sure that when AB finish I'll be back with mastitis within 36 hours. ANyone any advice? It's taking over my life trying to remove this lump... Anyone had a similar experience and had to give up BF?

jools, do not leave the lump. i've had surgery three times in the last two months for a large mastitis lump. it started with a small lump that wouldnt shift and got much worse.

ultrasound was done to check for the pockets of infection and what it looks like under the skin.

have you had any of it taken out with a needle to check what the infection is and if there is pus in it that needs removed?

sounds like you are doing all you can but your GP should have referred you. i was referred after the first week of antibiotics. main thing is not to stop feeding, any infection there will feed off the engorged milk.

can you speak to your HV or any of the Breast Feeding support people e.g. La Leche?

Thanks, chipstickmammy - I am seeing LLL tomorrow for a meet up, and will get their advice, plus some other networks. I just got advised to iron a savoy cabb leaf through a tea towel then put on as compress. Also seeing acupuncturist as well as homeopathy lady this week. Really appreciate your post, as intuitively didn't feel that leaving it was the correct course of action. Feel like my GP won't budge, doesn't understand. And she's had 3 children, BF them all, had mastitis.

NOt sure how to budge her position and get a referral. It's like she holds the key... Perhaps I should try a different doctor?

what helped me was expressing while doing breast compression on the lump. but sounds like yours is too deep to do that

sorry

Jools your option might be NHS24? Not sure how it works in your area but an out of hours call to them in my area will let you visit a doctor at a contact centre at one of the hospitals.

I'm not sure how close you are to one though.

Hopefully your chat today might get someone else to have you seen. One thing I've learned is that my GP speaks to my HV and also BF support in my area! They are really good that way.

Also, dont feel like you're asking for too much. Its better for your body and your baby to be pushy.

The cabbage thing is good too. Cut the stalk out (it makes Savoy leaves into a cup shape) then put them in the freezer for a wee while. Not too cold, otherwise your norks wont speak to you again for a while

I've unblocked a duct before with a sterile needle. It's very satisfying as a whole jet of milk comes squirting out. I did this when I was out of the country and going to a doctor would have been complicated - the needle was a desperate move after googling for solutions. However, it did work very well.

yes the needle is what the surgeon used. last time it was a large sterile syringe they stuck in it and pulled out the gunky milk.

horrid but did the trick.

V quick post as baby crying - when you do the combing/massage stuff, do you ever get a milk blister forming in the nipple? If so, can you then scratch the end off? This plus feeding on all fours (dangling norks!) after a hot bath is the only thing that worked for me - constant blocked ducts for months and always on brink of mastitis

nomoresleep my HV suggested on all fours. I needed another set of hands or a cushion to hold the baby underneath.

DH thought it was hilarious but also meant he got involved in feeds which he seemed to like!

Thanks for your continued ideas! The GP said there's no lancing of the breast, and the lump is still too deep to be doing anything with needles and blebs.

I just had acupuncture yesterday and start on homeopathy as soon as I come off the ABS. The breast is pretty full now so better go feed. The blockage is still there... Will keep you posted.