Mastitis?

[NKmommy]

About a week ago, I started feeling nauseous throughout the day, and especially in the middle of the night.  It feels just like morning sickness, so I took a preg test, and it was negative (phew!  ).  Over the last couple weeks, baby has also been refusing to nurse on the left side, and it takes some encouragement to take anything on that breast (but doesn't hurt to nurse on that side).  Then today, my joints started aching and my left breast is sore.  No fever though (although my toddler woke from his nap today with a 103 fever...coincidence?).  Does this sound like mastitis, even w/o a fever? 
Thanks,
Sore and Lop-sided in California 

[seniuk2001]

Sheila...Sorry to hear about your discomfort.  This thread is talking about mastitis...

https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=84397.0\

I've never had it myself either so I'm not much help with direct experience.  I'm sure others will chime in though.

This site has been helpful to me as well....

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

Good luck!  I hope you feel better soon.  Does a hot shower help?
Leanne

[kim&savannah]

Sheila~

So sorry to hear about this!  Yes, I think it could be mastitis (and I'm a recent expert ).  The second time around, I didn't have a fever yet when I went into the dr, but had the sore breast with red marks on top of it.  Can you see any red?  And I've definately noticed some preference for whatever breast isn't infected or wasn't recently (I've now had mastitis at 2 diff. times, each in a diff. breast).  I'm not sure if him not eating on a side is what caused the mastitis or if the mastitis starting is what made him not want to eat, but they seemed to go together.

If you don't feel better tomorrow, I'd go see a dr.--I put it off for 24 hours the first time and was a MESS when I finally got in to see them.  SOmetimes you can fix it without meds, but I think usually they require antibiotics.  Not sure what those other links suggest, but my dr. told me to use warm compresses before pumping or feeding and massage my breast often to try to break up any blockage (can you feel any lumps?) and feed/pump from that side a LOT.  Hard to do if he isn't interested, but maybe pump?

Keep us posted--hope you're feeling better tomorrow--mastitis is so not fun.

~Kim

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Great advice already - I hope you start feeling better soon!

[daisymelan]

HUGS HUGS HUGS!

Sure sounds like mastitis... I've had it 3 times!!   

[NKmommy]

Thanks, ladies!  Bummer...sounds like I am going to have to call the doctor.  I am dealing with a toddler with stomache flu today ( ), but I will pump like crazy, and call the doctor if it is still bad tomorrow.  Do I call my Gyn? 

Kim - No red streaks, but there is a definite sore lump.   

[daisymelan]

I'm not sure who you would call.  I have gone to the emergency room, my family physician and my gyn.  It's up to you and whoever will see you.  If it's just a hard lump with no red marks, it may be a plugged duct.  But either way, I would put a hot compress on it for maybe 10-15 minutes at a time, plus try to work it out.  And definately don't stop your lo from nursing on it.  That helps the most, although it may hurt the most.

[kim&savannah]

Not sure who to call either--I've gone into urgent care both times so I just saw whoever was available--and actually, they've sent the pediatrician in both times, so you could probably even call K's ped.

Hope you feel better--if there aren't red streaks yet, you may not actually be infected yet and can work it out before it gets that far.

~Kim

[Erin M]

Well, if you haven't already, call your gyn (I'm a recent expert too  ) - mine just called the antibiotics into the pharmacy so I didn't have to go in - and use lots of warm compresses as they really do help.  Hope everyone is feeling better soon.

[daisymelan]

How's it going Kim??

[Tobysmum]

Sounds like it could be.  The last time I had it I didn't have a fever.  Just very sore breast etc.. (I also had tonsilitis at the same time!)  Definitely go and see a doctor (ER or whatever).  I would also suggest massaging the lump as much as possible and putting hot wash cloth/flannels on it before you feed and cold compresses on after you feed.  I've had it twice and had antibiotics both times which got rid of it very quickly.  The antibiotics both times were erythromycin and they got rid of it almost immediately.

[bheemeryck]

We've been through mastitis twice,and sounds like it could be... I have a very high sensitivity to yeast so I try whenever possible not to do antibiotics... We went the naturopath route and she put me on a high dose of Vit C (1000mg 3x/day), Echinacea (liquid form, 1 tsp 4x/day) vitamin e (3x/day) and colloidal silver (depends on brand... the recommended dose 4x/day) Both times it zapped the mastitis in it's tracks. Plugged ducts... been through it too, and warm WET heat is what will work the best, if you can stand in the shower in the hottest water you can stand several times a day that is best, or a close second would be a wet washcloth under a hoer bottle or a ricebag, and time and rest. They both really suck, so hopefull it clears up soon... best of luck!!

[NKmommy]

Thanks again, guys!  Guess what?!?  I think it is gone!     There was no fever and no redness, so I tried what you suggested - lots of pumping, warm heat (my excuse to get a nice, long shower!  ), tried to nurse from that side first, etc.  And as of yesterday, there is no more lump or pain.  So I am figuring it was a clogged duct.  Thanks a ton!!!   

[bheemeryck]

Glad to hear it, I don't wish tht kind of pain on anybody!!!

I have a printout from my naturopath that suggests if you experience recurrent plugged ducts to consider taking lecithin supplements, (helps emulsify the fat in the bm so it dosen't get clogged) and eating oatmeal everyday is suppposed to help too.

[daisymelan]

YEAH!!!