oh no - mastitis

[sophiechristophy]

hi everyone,

this afternoon i have come down with what i think is mastitis. it is awful! my daughter is 10 months, i suppose i should just be grateful it hasn't happened before.

anyway, i am going to try to see a doctor tomorrow, but does anyone have any advice on what i can do to help myself between now and then? i am supposed to be working in the morning, but I'm not sure that it is such a good idea :(

thanks, Sophie (feeling very miserable for herself)

[bluesuperted]

Oh no poor you Sophie!! I don't have any practical advice as have so far not suffered from mastitis but do remember something about getting baby to feed in whatever position helps massage affected areas (bit hard with 10mo I imagine though). However am posting mainly to bump this thread and also suggest ringing Seldoc on 0208 693 9066 as they may be able to see you tonight (Dulwich hospital) or phone you through a prescription for first thing tomorrow morning.

Big hugs to you get well soon, let me know if you need anythng tomorrow xxx

[Crokes]

Hi Sophie

Lots and lots of sympathy and hope it improves very soon. Easier said than done but if you can avoid work tomorrow morning, then do, as rest will really make a difference to you.

I found the la leche league pages to be massively helpful and full of tips, hopefully a few of them will work for you:

http://www.llli.org/nb/nbbreastproblems.html

The articles with tips I found useful:

http://www.llli.org/nb/nbmarapr06p68.html

http://www.llli.org/nb/nbmarapr07p76.html

Take care and hang in there,

Crokes

[Gubodge]

Can you tell where the blockage is, Sophie?

If so, try and feed with your daughter's chin pointing towards that sector of breast. It can lead to some interesting contortions, but that is where her suck is most powerful. You can also try massaging the blockage towards the nipple. Firmly stroking the breast with a comb can help, preferably under a hot shower or in the bath.

But sympathies, mastitis is horrible.

[sophiechristophy]

thanks everyone. crokes, those articles are great. xxx

[uptime]

I hope you are feeling better sophiechristy. I had a question about mastisis which you or the other posters to this thread might know the answer to. On Saturday I came down with flu-like symptoms, but with the addition of nausea and vomitting. My breasts did not feel sore or have lumps. Those symptoms had cleared completely by Sunday morning and I thought I must have had a vomitting bug or food poisoning. However, last night and today I have started feeling very slight twinges in my right breast which occur every two hours or so, but again no breast lumps or soreness. Having looked online I now see that flu-like symptoms are indicative of mastisis. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? I have encountered no problems or pain breastfeeding or expressing which I have done throughout. Any help would be appreciated and I hope I am not hijacking the OP.

[SummerMum]

Nearly three years on from the last time I had mastitis and still this thread makes me come out in goose bumps.

Uptime - my experience is very clear pain, so much so that one time I couldn't move my arm either. Then all the associated shivers, shakes, body aches (oh the memory). Of course, if in doubt you should always see your GP.

Sophie - I hope you've seen gp and got whatever you need. Lots of warm showers, yes that comb trick, feeding with chin pointing. You may be given antibiotics. Once in NYC I was even sent off to a 'breast doctor' with mastitis, which was a great way to get a good check, and very sobering to realise that my problem, although very very painful, would pass. And of course sleep, and relaxation. What's that?

Feel better,

SummerMum

[Kes]

uch much sympathy from me, I had this with my daughter, I can just reiterate what others have said hot showers, massaging the area towards the nipple (although I know that really hurts!) and just feed and express as much as you possibly can. If you can stay off work do, I hope it passes quickly.

uptime - I had flu like symptoms for about 2 days but then got a really obvious hot lump and pain in the breast, no vomiting though. If there is no pain in the breast I'd guess it's not mastitis but probably worth checking with a GP anyway. Hope your feeling better soon too!

[uptime]

thanks for the replies SummerMum and Kes. It has put my mind at rest.

[sophiechristophy]

thanks everyone for you helpful posts - update is I went to seldoc on Sunday night and got antibiotics. Felt awful again yesterday but today a bit better. This mastitis thing is no joke!!!