Am I getting mastitis?

[amominbrooklyn]

I am a first-time mom of a two-week old baby girl. I have been breastfeeding on demand and waking her every 3 hours (per pediatrician's advice). Starting yesterday my right breast was achey. I did not have any lumps or bumps or sore spots, just a general achiness. It was still achey this morning, so I massaged it in the shower and nursed her a lot, and pumped. I did have a small white bleb on my nipple, and it has come and gone for the last few days (I got rid of it with a needle). It's back now. Now, this evening, the soreness is basically gone, but this red squiggle has appeared. I'm not sure what to make of it. I do not have a fever but I do feel pretty lousy -- no appetite for the last couple of days, and just exhausted (some of which I assume is normal for a new mom). My red squiggle is here: http://tinypic.com/r/15493rp/4

I appreciate any advice. I called my LC and she suggested that I start taking lecithin. I started it tonight. Please take a look at the red thing and tell me if it looks like mastitis to you. I don't even know if you can have mastitis without localized pain or fever, but I'm nervous. Thanks so much.

[NCmama]

I can't tell in the picture what I am looking at, so no advise there. BUT the best thing to do for possible mastitis you are doing. Nurse more, message, warm water/compresses. I will say that the first baby I nursed I wasn't prepared for all of the odd/ strange/ wierd things that went on with my breasts!!
One thing I found helped alot is to pump or nurse and message the areas that are sore or hurt at the same time. It empties those ducts better which is what they need. I also would change babies nursing positions to empty areas better that were getting sore or tender. It is a good idea to use different positions anyway. When the baby nursed I could always tell which area of my breast was getting emptied first, so just be aware of that sensation.
Please be careful poking your nipples with needles. You don't want to introduce bacteria that you or your baby could pick up.
And at 2 weeks, feeling tired is pretty normal! You are working overtime making milk. Drink plenty of water too!
Hope that helps.