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Mastitis- please please any advice?

57 replies

whiterabbity · 24/07/2025 18:27

I’m suffering extremely from mastitis. On Monday evening I felt very unwell and breast slightly sore. Tuesday- rock hard, red agony. Got antibiotics from gp. It’s now like baby is trying to pull glass through my nipple, I was writhing earlier and I think I cracked a tooth at the back from gritting my teeth too hard. My breast is about 3x the size of the other, Red but no discernible lumps. Absolute agony. Tried warm shower and comb/ massage- nothing came out. Tried hand expressing, nothing apart from a few drops. 10 mins of pumping for about 5ml out, would usually get at least 50. Have managed to feed Dd on it but didn’t relieve pain or swelling. Have tried cabbages. I feel awful. Does anyone know what I should do? I’m begging. I tried to call health visitor this afternoon but couldn’t get hold of her.

OP posts:
mamakoukla · 25/07/2025 03:07

Please do follow up. Typically, if the antibiotics have been matched well to the cause of infection, you should feel an improvement within 24 h, 48 h is generous. With mastitis, you may experience a rapid decline if the infection gets worse. Don’t mess around with this.

Hope it turns around soon for you.

Not sure about in the UK; sometimes they can use ultrasound therapy in conjunction with the antibiotics. It is meant to help break up the infection. I had this after my third bout of mastitis in 7 months and it seemed to do the trick.

Coffeeandcrochet · 25/07/2025 03:12

ForMauveSquid · 25/07/2025 02:54

Apply warm compresses, nurse frequently (start on affected side), massage gently toward the nipple, rest, stay hydrated, and contact your doctor—antibiotics may be needed if symptoms persist or worsen.

Sorry but nearly all of this is outdated advice, please see the ABM protocol I linked to - most of these things either have no evidence of benefit or may make things worse. I've copied some of the relevant text below:

Feed on demand. Overfeeding from the affected breast or ‘‘pumping to empty’’ perpetuates a cycle of hyperlactation and is a major risk factor for worsening tissue edema and inflammation.

In some instances, in which the retroareolar region is so edematous and inflamed that no milk is expressible by infant breastfeeding or hand expression, the mother should not continue to attempt feeding from the affected breast during the acute phase. She can feed from the contralateral breast and return to feeding from the affected breast when edema and inflammation subsides.

Edema may resolve more quickly with ice and lymphatic drainage.

Avoid deep massage of the lactating breast. Deep massage causes increased inflammation, tissue edema, and microvascular injury. The most successful technique approximates manual lymphatic drainage with light sweeping of the skin rather than deep tissue massage (and there's a handy diagram showing lymphatic massage AWAY from the nipple, not towards).

Ice and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce edema and inflammation and provide symptomatic relief and paracetamol can provide analgesia. For example, ice can be applied every hour or more frequently if desired. Ibuprofen can be dosed 800 mg every 8 hours and paracetamol 1,000 mg every 8 hours.

Although heat will vasodilate and may worsen symptoms, it also may provide comfort for some patients. The use of warm showers and antipyretics did not improve mastitis outcomes in a randomized controlled trial.

Londonmummy66 · 25/07/2025 10:22

Coffeeandcrochet · 25/07/2025 03:12

Sorry but nearly all of this is outdated advice, please see the ABM protocol I linked to - most of these things either have no evidence of benefit or may make things worse. I've copied some of the relevant text below:

Feed on demand. Overfeeding from the affected breast or ‘‘pumping to empty’’ perpetuates a cycle of hyperlactation and is a major risk factor for worsening tissue edema and inflammation.

In some instances, in which the retroareolar region is so edematous and inflamed that no milk is expressible by infant breastfeeding or hand expression, the mother should not continue to attempt feeding from the affected breast during the acute phase. She can feed from the contralateral breast and return to feeding from the affected breast when edema and inflammation subsides.

Edema may resolve more quickly with ice and lymphatic drainage.

Avoid deep massage of the lactating breast. Deep massage causes increased inflammation, tissue edema, and microvascular injury. The most successful technique approximates manual lymphatic drainage with light sweeping of the skin rather than deep tissue massage (and there's a handy diagram showing lymphatic massage AWAY from the nipple, not towards).

Ice and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce edema and inflammation and provide symptomatic relief and paracetamol can provide analgesia. For example, ice can be applied every hour or more frequently if desired. Ibuprofen can be dosed 800 mg every 8 hours and paracetamol 1,000 mg every 8 hours.

Although heat will vasodilate and may worsen symptoms, it also may provide comfort for some patients. The use of warm showers and antipyretics did not improve mastitis outcomes in a randomized controlled trial.

Edited

But it is clear that the OP is well beyond this - she has all the symptoms of bacterial mastitis - described very breifly at the bottom of the guidance. That very clearly says that if the ABs haven't started to help after 48 hours medical help should be sought - 111 take this VERY seriously - had a home visit within the hour. I suspect OP needs to be in hospital for an attempt at IV ABs and a scan to see if there is an abcess - highly likely and if caught now it may be possible to get away with draining it.

OP - 111 asap

justasking111 · 25/07/2025 10:48

I deeply regret listening to a midwife who suggested cabbage leaves etc. twenty years later was still having infections requiring antibiotics. Mammogram done consultant explained how much scarring, and damage I had so to wear a bra day and night which thankfully has worked. Post menopause I had two infections in six months hence the consultant. I had red lines radiating upwards, a temperature GP said if the antibiotics didn't start working in 24 hours I needed intravenous ones.

I was unlucky so please see the GP.

whiterabbity · 25/07/2025 12:37

I have been prescribed medication to dry my milk up and more antibiotics because it looks like my other breast is becoming infected too. Yay.

OP posts:
KateShugakIsALegend · 25/07/2025 13:01

whiterabbity · 25/07/2025 12:37

I have been prescribed medication to dry my milk up and more antibiotics because it looks like my other breast is becoming infected too. Yay.

Wishing you well ❤️

justasking111 · 25/07/2025 20:15

whiterabbity · 25/07/2025 12:37

I have been prescribed medication to dry my milk up and more antibiotics because it looks like my other breast is becoming infected too. Yay.

You poor thing. It's horrible I know 💐

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