I need a diagnosis from you mamas...

[rubidoux]

Last night dh and I sat and watched tv, babe in arms but sleeping, when I got up my right breast was very sore. So, I thought, shucks, I must've totally spaced nursing on the right today bc left is much favored by both of us. So we lay down in bed and nursed on the right and nursed and nursed and nursed and have been nursing on the right as much as I can all day. But my breast is still sore. Do you think that could be just because I was engorged last night, or do you think it is definately a plugged duct or mastitis? And when do I worry about mastitis? At what point to I need to see a doctor?

Thanks, mamas!

[PatioGardener]

Here is a great site that talks about the differences between mastitis and plugged ducts, and how to treat both. Hope you feel better soon!
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

[rubidoux]

Gosh, I think it could be either one. I definately feel better after nursing and then worse again as time passes since last nursing. And in the last hour or so I feel all the sudden wiped out and achy. I hope it's not related. So far no fever, though...

[PatioGardener]

Fortunately the treatment (for the first 24 hours) is the same for both. I hope it passes fast and you don't get a fever and need antibiotics.

[MLA]

I'm no expert, but when that happened to me, and I started to feel wiped out and achey, the fever followed pretty quickly and next thing I knew I had a pretty bad case of mastitis. I hope that's not the case for you!

[rubidoux]

Well I actually feel a bit better now. It hasn't been going downhill anyhow. Fingers crossed!