Mastitis

[mamayogibear]

So yesterday we went out to go grocery shopping, then play at the park, then work for a while then go to a rally. Before I knew it ten hours passed without breastfeeding my son. When we got home my left breast was kind of sore and swollen so I nursed him a little while to relieve some of the pressure, Before bed I meant to nurse him on the left side but he kept refusing and wiggling over to the right breast. Big mistake! At two AM I woke up with a bowling ball in my breast and had chills and sweats. I could not move without being nauseous. I woke up ds and he nursed some but kept falling back asleep. After a few hours of this I was finally able to get up and get some water to drink.

So today I stayed in bed until noon, I had his big sissy bring him a diaper and clothes so I could change him in bed. And I tried to get them breakfast but puked in the sink instead, at this point my dd said I had to stay in bed and she would make breakfast, so they had cereal and cliff bars.

I was just now able to make it into the living room to get my laptop and try to take some vitamins. After fighting back nausea between each one I managed to take some oil of oregano, sodium ascorbate, beta carotene, lysine and milk thistle. I also slathered arnica gel all over my swollen breast. I tried to put some sage oil on it but the smell was too overpowering! Is there anything else I should be taking? If I feel better later today I might go to the health food store to pick up some poke root.

This is so awful, I just hope I am feeling well enough for us to go to work tomorrow!

[autumnvt]

I had mastitis when my youngest had just turned one. I had been getting plugged ducts off and on for a couple of months and then one day I worked and didn't pump and must have not nursed much that morning and by the time I had stopped by to pick up a couple of groceries and came home I had come down with full blown mastitis... only I didn't realize what it was. I actually thought that I had the flu and a plugged duct at the same time. I ate a lot of raw garlic (natural antibiotic) and got through it in a day or two. I then checked in with a midwife and got some antiobiotics (which I didn't take because I was through it) and realized that it was mastitis. I don't  remember being naseuous though, so I'm not sure how garlic would work with you.

[Angelorum]

I was nauseous and puking during my worst case of mastitis.  I think the most important thing is draining that breast and keeping it empty, if your little one won't nurse, try pumping or hand expressing in some hot water.  I never needed antibiotics, but I was always feeling better in 24 hours.  Hope you can kick it soon!

[sbgrace]

I had a really bad bout once too. I hope you're doing better?

[mamayogibear]

Thanks for replying mamas! I have been taking so much oil of oregano and grapefruit seed extract I doubt I will need antibiotics. It's gone from a bright red swollen grapefruit down to a small pink lump. I feel a ton better and hope it goes away tomorrow:)

[Angelorum]

Sounds like you're on the mend.  My breast always felt a little sore to the touch for a few days afterward, kind of like a bruise.