Breast Problem. Know what I should do but,

[tw1nkley]

Sorry this is long...

I know I should go to the GP about this,but I have called them this morning and there are no female GP's on until next week. I really don't want to see the male GP's about this, I always end up seeing the male gp's when my dc are ill and I really don't want to go in a and discuss a confusing breastfeeding related and possible lump problem.

I've contacted the local walk in centre and they also have no female doctors on.

Essentially, I've been feeding for a long time. A couple of the ducts on my bigger boob had blocked over at the nipple 2 weeks ago, I unplugged them and they started flowing fine, then over the course of friday my boob went like rock.

I discovered that the same 2 ducts had blocked again, I managed to get the cheesey stuff out again (sorry tmi ) and in combo with an electric pump and a hot bath managed to empty big nork to comfort point.

Over the weekend the scab that keeps forming on my nipple reblocked the duct each day so I've been having to carefully take it off/ pierce it ,( I can't drain that segment of my breast unless I do.) Last night another duct in my nipple was also blocked. Another segment of my breast that wouldn't drain.

I don't understand why this has happened in the 1st place, going back to basics latch is good.

Whats really worrying me is that on friday when big nork was full of milk that wasn't coming out I could feel a lump. It felt like a rock hard ball bearing. Big nork also looks a different shape atm in that area and hurts like hell ( hopefully just due to the compressions and pumping to get unblocked)

My GPs surgery will have a female gp back on on monday, I don't think I can face explaining all this to a male doctor, I am convinced that the 1st reccomendation will be for me to stop breastfeeding whether there a need to or not. At the same surgery I was told to quit breastfeeding before to get rid of thrush. The female doctors there are both great and very pro breast feeding, sorry this is long, no-one to talk to here and I just don't know what the do, should I try to wait until monday?

bump

I think you might need to just go and see one of the male GPs - sounds like there might be an abcess in there, and that will need urgent antibiotics (but remember that you can bf with most antibs, and feeding is the best thing to drain the milk off)

Thanks CMOT I hadn't considered that possibility. I have rung them and they will now see if I they think I need to be seen really don't want o see them about this. I know its stupid, its just I know I will find it hard to go back with my kids problems with a gp that I have had an arguement with and I can just see it coming. Is hurting so much I've got tears streaming now. I'm an idiot.

You aren't an idiot - just ill and worried.

Do you have a printer ? If so, why not print off the BFN leaflet on Mastitis which is fully referenced, and their antibiotics one which is equally as scientifically valid. Will give you a back up, which should let you also be a bit calmer.

Is there anyone who could come with you for some moral support ?

Thanks CMOT, Gp rang back,

I explained the situation and he tried to convince be to stop b/feeding.
I told him it wasn't an option, he said he doesn't know enough about blocked ducts to be able to advise me well, which at least was honest.
He's prescribed me some ant b's to collect, he didn't want to see me at all, I'm to do 7 days of antib's and then if I'm still having probs to make an appt. As for the lump I found, he said to let them know if it was still there after 2/3 weeks !

I'm wondering if the initial nipple damage was caused because ds2's top teeth have just come through and he's nipped me a couple of times. Fingers crossed this will sort me out.

Thanks for talking to me.

Have you had an argument with him already or are you expecting one? I saw a male GP for thrush on my nipple while I was breastfeeding and he was lovely. Cooed over the baby for a few minutes and really put me at ease. Said I was doing a good job and gave me and DD some cream, she had oral thrush too. I had my top lowered, not off, so he could have a look and if you have a breastfeeding bra on you don't feel too exposed just unclip the top.

Hope you get better soon

wellmeant Already have and did again today, see post above. I'm glad that you had a really good response from your gp when you had thrush. When I had thrush the gp was shit. Did not wash his hands grabbed my boob squeezed it ( painfully) and told me that it looked ok to him, it was early days breastfeeding dd2 at the time,and I still had a certain amount of engorgement. Was not a pleasant experience, I have been feeding for a very long time and I'm perfectly happy to whip a boob out to feed anywhere( not what you'd call shy!), but not to be roughly pawed and told to quit. I have seen some great male gps, but they are a bit thin on the ground round here. Also it is as much that I don't want to be discussing an intimate problem of mine with them one day and ds1's allergies the next iyswim?

I'm going to change practises for me I think.

Thanks for the support.

Sorry cross posted with you, I am writing an essay at the same time as posting so not refreshing page often enough! I would definitely vote with your feet then, no point in having a GP if you don't feel comfortable going to them for help! Good luck x