Pain after blocked duct cleared ??

[Spridget]

Hello lovelies. I've had a blocked milk duct for a couple of days, it was a really bad one. After lots of dangle feeding and heat the lumps have finally gone but it still feels like ground glass is passing through my nipple when my LO feeds. Is this normal to be in alot of pain at least 24 hrs after a block has cleared? I don't have any symptoms of mastitis ... Any ideas why it would hurt still? Thanks

I always had pain afterwards. I assumed bruising, compression of the duct etc. It always passed after a couple of days. I'd take a watchful wait approach. Monitor and if it doesn't ease, gets worse or you have any symptoms of mastitis, seek help.

Thanks for your advice.

It's still so painful but it's not getting engorged like before but I've found that there are still lumps but they are in my "under boob" and I just can't shift them. Let down is agony and my breast sometimes hurts at night after I've feed.

I don't know if I should get in touch with my health visitor or if there's nothing she can do but suggest what I'm already trying. I think it's been a week now :(

I'd recommend getting in touch with HV or GP. I ended up with a breast abscess after what I thought was a a stubborn blocked duct. Must have been mastitis, but I never had a fever or anything to suggest mastitis. Mine was incredibly painful, so much so that by the time it was diagnosed I couldn't really lift my baby any more. They may not do anything right now, but it is worth a chat and if things don't improve or get worse then do go back to them.

@Imicola thank you. I'll get in touch with health visitor. Sounds like you had a bad time of it. Did that require surgery? xx

I think a bit of achiness post clearing the duct is normal, and I took ibuprofen to reduce inflammation, but if you're using the word "agony" I think you need to seek help in case you've progressed to mastitis or an abscess.

Skip the HV and call your GP. You may need antibiotics prescribed. Is your temperature normal?

If you're prone to plugged ducts, soya lecithin supplements are meant to help a lot.

@Spridget thankfully I avoided surgery, but recovery was not straightforward. A couple of days in hospital with iv antibiotics and about 6 needle aspirations over a few weeks. It was truly awful.

I've had blocked ducts a few times, but managed to swerve mastitis with the techniques you mentioned, OP. The only time my nipples have hurt has been when my baby has been teething and I've actually had to go back to basics with latching and positioning. I got support on my local la leche league fb page, and in person from a IBCLC qualified practitioner. I found the multi mam compresses helped with sore nipples. Hope you are sorted soon. It's really bloody tough xx

Ps health visitors aren't usually IBCLC qualified