Different baby, same problem: one clogged duct that won't go away.

[carseatqueen]

Quick history:
Exactly 2 years ago I had DS#1. No majoy nursing problems, etc. At 2ish weeks pptm I noticed what I thought was a clogged duct at the top of one breast, very high, almost on my collar bone. It was the size of a half dollar or larger, but no pain, never had mastitis, etc. I tried everything to make it go away, nothing worked. At my 6 wk pptm appt my midwife suggested going to my old ob. Well, he tried to drain it, it got infected, and I had a huge long 1 month ordeal dealing with non-breafeeding friendly doctors who either thought it was a lump or just wanted me to stop nursing. I had it drained 2 more times (us guided- the right way. 40 ccs the first time) and was on abx. I actually got dismissed from one practice because I refused to stop nursing to have surgery to drain it. While waiting for another dr it went away.

So, today I have a lump exactly the same size in the same place. My instinct is just to not do anything unless it gets infected or becomes a problem. If its still there in a few months maybe have it drained by the Dr that did it right the last time- maybe.

Any other wisdom?

nak

[Seawen]

I'm so sorry it's happening again. My neighbor had an ongoing issue with plugged ducts- not this severe but consistent. She found a daily dose of lecithin helped her. Not sure what amount but it changed her life.

I'm not sure about ignoring a lump but if it's just like last time and isn't causing pain or infection maybe not draining is ok...I know when I've had a plugged duct it always goes to mastitis.

Good luck mama!
Wendy

[karika]

hello. after dd2 was born i noticed a lump under my left arm, i had noticed it before while I was pregnant, but always forgot to tell the midwife about it. at 6 wks pp it had gotten smaller, but was still there. so i showed her, she said it was likely a clogged duct. I also had a hard spot inside my right breast She said that was also a plugged duct. and my nipple would be squashed flat and white on one part after dd would suckle. When she wasn't suckling, there was a small white spot. I think part of that was latch too. anyway, i kept putting the heating pad on my chest whenever I could. it hurt like all get out when dd would nurse. so i started offering the other side more (got lopsided). eventually it worked itself out and i did not develop mastitis. I dont remember the exact moment it happened, but i know i remember how good it felt when the flow was finally normal. She has a very strong suck, so i think she suckled it out of me. so, my end result was, I did nothing but heat and nursing and massage and it disappeared. Not sure if it is the same thing you have, since the locations are so different, but mine were gone by 8 (i think, i didnt write it down) wks pp. good luck and i hope you find a natural health practitioner that supports breastfeeding if you seek outside help.

[carseatqueen]

Yeah, the last one never turned to mastitis and only got infected after the OB tried to drain it. I had it around 6 weeks before that happened. Even when it did get infected it was only that localized spot and I never had a fever.

I did try heat, massage, lechithin, and really everything. I'm guessing that there's scar tissue from the infection and maybe that's why it happened again? I had no problem with DD (#1) and both times it came up during the initial engorgement and just stayed. I've never had another plugged duct in my life- so it's just weird. I just really don't feel like dealing with a bunch of intervention when it's not causing any pain or nursing problems.

I do at least know of a good doctor now- after going through 4 last time.