In total pain with a red breast, please help

[~Adorkable~]

I'm sure is asked elsewhere, but I'm really just in to much pain to sit around and search plus I have twins that clearly understand that they are more important than the Internet! Heheh

I both breastfeed and pump
Twins are 3 months, and although I have had plenty of issues breastfeeding, none havecbeen about my breasts they have been wonderful to me.
I have under the muscle breast implants that have been in for 15 years, my left breast has one second sugary to fix some stuff a year later, so has more scars
I have very good supply, though my left is way slower than my right, but when pumping I get plenty out of it , it just takes longer. Still very quick from what I have heard.
Yesterday afternoon left started hurting in the tissue just the the outside of the areola
By the evening I could see some redness in the skin, sort of like in the capilaries
Can also feel a bit of lumpiness deep in

Assuming a plugged duct I took a very hot shower, pumped in the shower till I was totally empty and did a lot of massage compressions, things felt a tad better, not much
Now it it midst on day two of this and it still hurts very bad and the red is clearer, very tender to touch, I've pumped twice since the shower, late last night and once this morning, nursed a handful of times as well.


Is this a plugged duct?
What more can I do to heal it?
What can I do for the pain?
What do I need to watch out for if this continues?

[Anna Phor]

It sounds like what you are doing is the right thing; for plugged ducts, heat, massage, and nurse!

You need to watch out for mastitis. If you have a sudden onset of fever, you should seek medical help asap.

Here is the kellymom page on plugged ducts & mastitis:

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

I hope you feel better!!!

[KABB]

How are you feeling otherwise? Do you have a fever? Are you sure it's not an infection?

[~Adorkable~]

ive been very careful to watch for a fever, thankfully have not had any sign of one.

and in general i think i have gotten over the hump, after the second aggressive pumping last night, i finally got to the point were i could really massage the area.  and now this morning the pain is way way less, it is more like the left over pain from something that "happened" rather than something that is "happening"

i know its not totally over since it got fussy this afternoon when i got a bit engorged, so ill keep at it, but t least im a little less freaked out

[scottishmommy]

Ugh, I had plugged ducts about once a month with dd. They always cleared up on their but I usually had very red breasts (like a sunburn) and a lot of pain. One thing I noticed was that I needed to wear very soft bras with no underwire. I also found that a little ibuprofen helped a lot with the pain. I hope you feel better soon!

[PatioGardener]

When I called LLL after trying everything suggested on these boards, the leader suggested ibuprofen both for the pain and to reduce the inflammation. I think that's what got me over the hump.

Plugged ducts are nasty - feel better soon!

[~Adorkable~]

wanting to let you gals know that im feeling tons better, it took 2-3 days in all and i pulled thru, thanks for your help and hugs

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by ~Adorkable~ 

wanting to let you gals know that im feeling tons better, it took 2-3 days in all and i pulled thru, thanks for your help and hugs

Great news!