Help! Breast abscess and breastfeeding

[user301204]

Hi, wondering if anybody has had similar, and how you got it resolved. I'm currently breastfeeding my 9wo. Four weeks ago I got mastitis which turned into a breast abscess after a week. I've been into A&E for IV antibiotics twice and was admitted to hospital as the infection got so bad, and then two weeks ago finally got an appt at the specialist clinic that can deal with breast abscesses. I've had it drained three times (possibly a 4th time tomorrow) and have been on antibiotics for four weeks now. They keep draining it and sending me away, and it keeps coming back. In the meantime I'm still breastfeeding off the good side (the bad side is blocked by the abscess) but that's now becoming sore as well as being depleted and we're topping up with formula.

Has anybody had similar, and how was it resolved? I really don't want to keep going back and forth to have it drained as it doesn't seem to be working, and it's also a nightmare arranging childcare for my older child and I also need someone with me to take care of the baby while I'm having it drained. Really interested to hear others' experiences.

Thank you.

Are they giving you the right antibiotics? I was on antibiotics for ages (also got sepsis from it) but once they'd drained it and given me different antibiotics it just went.
They tend to give coverall antibiotics to start with but I'd demand either a change or high dosage. Also are they draining it properly as once it's drained you should be able to express immediately, therefore dragging any leftover crap out

Good question. I was on a coverall type for 3 weeks and a different one (once they got microbiology results back) for the last 5 days but it's a low dose so I'm going to ask about a higher dose today. And that's interesting what you said about being able to express as after each drainage I've only been able to express drops despite it feeling full. I think the problem is that the abscess is very close to the nipple.

You poor thing! You have been through the absolute wringer. I don't have advice even though I breastfed both of my kids, because I was fortunate enough to never experienced the hell you're going through. If weaning and using formula is the best for your health, then certainly do that. My heart breaks thinking of how exhausted you must be.

I'd recommend calling la leche league. They can help you firstly with getting that abscess sorted (you poor thing it sounds terrible) and secondly with whatever you want your nursing journey to look like from here on in. Be that stopping, getting back to exclusively bf or something in between they'll be able to support you.

The helpline is manned 24/7 but I'd suggest calling tomorrow am just because the professional services whoever takes the call can access for you will be open

Nothing to say, just wanted to send huge hugs and as you have had such a horrible time. I hope you get sorted soon

Oh it's horrible I had a horrible abscess too! I was admitted overnight for if antibiotics too but I was still able to feed from both sides. I actually felt that feeding from it was a total relief as it's the best way to drain it so if you can manage at all I would suggest that. I was back and forward about 4 or 5 times I think getting it drained which is horrible. They can cut it out but I think they only do that as a last resort now as it's more invasive. You could maybe ask at what stage they will consider that.
Have you had an ultrasound? They did that to me to find out how deep it was so they could try and drain as much out as possible and that seemed to make a difference. I can't remember what antibiotic I was on-think it might've been flucloxicillin (spelling!). Hope you're feeling better soon-I can totally sympathise.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will give the La Leche League a call to see if they have info on abscess recovery and also feeding from one side only as I think that's the way this is going.

Yesterday when I went in to have it drained for a 4th time they actually decided to remove it surgically instead. All went well and it was patched up, but then it started to pour with blood and I went into shock. At which point they called an ambulance and I went to A&E for IV fluids and observation. Then today it started bleeding again so we had to go back to A&E to get it redressed. I'm hoping this is the start of it getting better. I definitely can't feed off of it (before, the abscess was too close to the nipple) and now I have a gaping wound above the nipple and can't bear to look at it, let alone have anything touch it. I'm also on flucloxicillin.

Thanks for all your replies. I wasn't looking for sympathy but it was very nice to get some!

Hopefully you're on the mend now. Mine was luckily far enough from the nipple that I could still feed. I ended up with a hole in my boob which scared the living daylights out of me when I saw it but I was assured that it was quite normal after a hurried trip back to the hospital . I also lost track of how long I was taking diclofenac and paracetamol for the pain (had a emcs too so had it for that initially). I have a belter of scar now but I actually don't mind it. I struggled with telling people I was unwell as I didn't want to go into detail about my minging gammy boob so people didn't necessarily realise I was having a hard time of it. It was hideous at the time but once it was on the mend it faded to a distant memory, hopefully it will for you too

Thanks @WeeM. Still having a rough time of it...the dressing keeps bleeding through and I woke up yesterday with my sheets covered in blood and leaking a smelly fluid so back off to A&E we went. For some reason it's not clotting and it all keeps bleeding through, and my husband had to change the dressing last night. It seems to have held overnight so am really hoping that this is the start of it finally getting better. I'm still feeding off the good (but sore) side. Did you carry on feeding after it healed up, and did you have any problems?

What a shame. Is it one of those open wounds where they have to pack it? I seem to remember that's what they were talking about for me. Hopefully now it's held overnight you might've turned a corner.
Yes I kept feeding to about 10months with no further problems. I think the mastitis/abscess issues are mor Woolley to happen in the early days when latch etc being established. I only stopped them because my milk dried up after I went back to work.

*more likely don't know where Woolley came from!