I think I have mastitis

[bcblondie]

About a week ago I started noticing my left nipple felt raw when DS nursed. After about 3 days of that I got a little white dot on my nipple. I broke it and the pain went away very quickly. But it soon returned with maybe a few smaller white spots, nothing I could really break.
But today I woke up and my right boob is killing me. Even just walking hurt. I can feel a very tender lump on my arm side of my boob. I've been bf'ing as much as possible. I had a shower this morning but couldn't express any milk as I felt extremely nauseous. (So did dh. Maybe something we ate.)

Anyways. I can't find any white spots on my right nipple so I can't seem to fix it! About 2 hours ago I started noticing I felt cold. Now I'm freezing to death in dh's sweater and a big ol blanket. I took my temp and it was 99.6.

Should I go to the doc in the morning? Do you think I'll feel even worse in the morning such that dh would need to stay home with me, or another friend?
Help!

I should add I'm 10 months PP and never had any bf'ing issues before.

[ewe+lamb]

OK - you're heading towards mastitis, what you must do asap is get a small towel - face cloth, dampen it with hot hot hot water - as hot as you can stand without burning yourself put it on the area that is red/lumpy - it really needs to be as hot as you can stand it to melt down the blocked duct, then nurse as often as possible on that breast with the chin of the baby nursing at the part which is red - this may mean some ingenius engineering but it normally works, you can either go on all fours or nurse lying down with the baby in whichever direction he needs to be. You can massage after the hot cloth starting underneath the armpit and working down to the nipple, start with the palm of your hand in firm but gentle circular movements, then once you've done that and if you can manage use you fingertips in the same movements to release the block. Lastly the most important thing is that you are at the moment ill, so therefore must treat yourself that way - stay in bed, keep warm, cancel appointments and play dates until you are better - this is important plugged ducts and mastitis can develop through tiredness and overdoing things, take care of yourself.

Good luck, hope that this helps.

[pbjmama]

I agree with pp, massage and heat that thing out. I would also take ibuprofen for pain and to help with swelling. Up your vitamin C and take raw garlic. If you aren't feeling better in 24 I would consider antibiotics. BUT since you had multiple blebs (the white spots) at once I want you to be careful because you may have thrush, which could be causing all of this in the first place.

[bcblondie]

Ok thanks girls. Last night my fever got up to 101.5. I was freezing. I had so many blankets on. Suddenly I started feeling warm so I guess the fever broke. I took off all the blankets and I felt fine. My temp was still up but SLLOOOWLY coming down. Right now it's 99.5.
DS nursed a few times during the night and I tried to get his chin on that side but he just wouldn't keep at it. Combination of not geting enough milk, and not being the normal position I guess. So I fed him normally and really rubbed the crap out of my boob. I didn't care that it hurt. I rubbed and rubbed. But to no avail. It's still there now.
I will take some ibuprofen and rub it with a hot cloth again.

Do you girls know why the more painful boob doesn't seem to have any white spots?

Soon as dh get's home from work we'll go to the clinic. Or should I make an appt with my Family doc?

[ewe+lamb]

th pain could last for a while - like a big bruise - what I wanted to impress on you is the importance of the heated cloths - the heat melts down the thick creamy milk that is stuck - if you heat it up then it won't be so painful massaging the plug out.

[bcblondie]

Thank you hun. I did go to my family doc and got some antibiotics. He said I probably wouldn't notice a different for 2 days but after that it would start getting smaller. I will definately keep rubbing it with a hot cloth. I'm able to get a tiny bit of the creamy stuff out, of which you speak. So, progress maybe?

[ewe+lamb]

Hi I'm glad it's working, however, the antibiotics will reduce fever and stop infection but will not reduce a block - the heated cloths and massage will, you have to get the block out. Hope you are starting to feel better - good luck

[PatioGardener]

Very important to move the blockage. If your baby won't cooperate, your DH may be able to help to move it.

[bcblondie]

Thanks girls. I will definately keep massaging it.