The evil plugged duct that won't go away

[LinzluvsGJ]

I've had a plugged duct now for about a week... third time getting one in my left breast since Philip was born. I went through all the causes of the issue w/ my friend who is a LLL leader, and think I know some of the reasons I might be getting them (wearing bra at night, letting philip continue to suckle after he's done then he pulls off when another letdown starts instead of draining breast again, plus tandem nursing/high supply apparently puts me at higher chance of getting them.)

The problem? I have tried EVERYTHING all week to get rid of it and it's just not resolving! Hot compresses, hot showers, nursing constantly both kids in every position imaginable on that side, raking with a comb, pressure behind the plug.... nothing works! It has become a huge hard area not just a tiny plug now. My boob seriously HURTS in that area! Since it seems like a huge spot now, how can I possibly get rid of it? My friend recommended I go see a doctor (another challenge because I don't have a regular one) to get antibiotics since it's not going away to avoid mastitis again (already had that since Philip was born too), but will that resolve the plugged duct? If the plug still remains, won't the problem just persist?
And how do I tell if it has become an absess?

[mizmerricat]

Lecithin, Lecithin, Lecithin! My number one favorite for preventing clogs and plugs.
Also, check out some of Kellymom's info http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/...-mastitis.html
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vi.../lecithin.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/...t-abscess.html
Hope you feel better soon!!

[LinzluvsGJ]

Where would I purchase it? Would it be named that on the shelf?

And I read on kellymom that it may cause those prone to depression to become depressed... I've been being treated for antenatal/postnatal depression for over 4 years now. Would it still be adviseable to take it?

[RachelGS]

I think taking it for a few days is probably fine. It does help tremendously with plugs. High dose vitamin C also helps, and vitamin E, and homeopathic Phytolacca.

[danna]

Not to scare you but you really DO need to see a doctor at this point. You could have an abscess that will need to be drained. Do not let this go on any longer.

I get plugs a lot and they usually resolve themselves within 24-48 hours no matter what I do. I've had mastitis three times already (DD is only 4.5 months old) and been treated each time with antibiotics. With antibiotics the lumps do heal and dissipate.

Take some Ibruprofin to relieve the pain and swelling and get seen ASAP by an OBGYN!

P.S. I take a lot of Lechitin and it doesn't seem to help me much.

[unlegal]

I'm dealing with the same thing right now, though it's been going on about 3 weeks :x

I'm seriously freaking out here, because yesterday it got bigger, and now I'm all achey, and it's about the size of a kiwi. I'm reading all about abscesses and needles, and surgery! !!!

I'm going to make an appointment with my doctor tomorrow. I have no idea what to expect, and it's really worrying me. And I have to go by myself with two kids! AH!

Okay, sorry to vent in your lump thread I'm worrying like crazy over here, and no one to talk to! And my freakin' boob HURTS!

[LinzluvsGJ]

Same here I'm gonna try and reach my midwife today (I'm due for my postpartum checkup this week anyway) to see if I can get in soon... I really hope I can. The main giant lump seems to have turn into just my entire upper portion of my breast being hard for a few days now. It's still very painful.

[musemor]

Good luck! I hope everything goes smoothly with getting the kids to the doc. Keep us updated.

[unlegal]

Yep, mine's getting bigger still. Now it's like a small orange, or something

I feel all achey and like total crap. BLAH! I have my appt today at 3:30, and luckily I got my husband to get off work early to come with me. I'm so nervous!

Let me know how your stuff goes, K?

[mykidsteacher]

Oh, you all sound miserable! I'm prone to plugged ducts too, but never had one the size of a kiwi, or orange! Glad you have a doc appt, sounds like it's progressed to the point of needing it.

I don't know if there's any science behind this for humans, but we raise cattle, and in my readings on preventing mastitis in cattle, 2 things are key, magnesium, and selenium.

Now, at the first sign of a plugged duct, I take 50 mcg of selenium. (I take cal/mag daily anyway). Since I've started this, plugs have resolved easily without a whole lot of help (I try to position creatively to put the baby's lower lip over the clog, and do some massage while nursing, but that's about the extent of it).

With it so far advanced, I don't know what kind of help it would be, but might not hurt anyway.

[LinzluvsGJ]

Saw my midwife today and got a prescription...gotta have hubby go get it from the pharmacy on base after work. I'm also cabbaging my breast at her suggestion. Anything to make the pain go away! I'd normally be worried about that, but I know my supply is more than ample and meeting the needs of my kids (the other day on my right breast I nursed BOTH kids at naptime and then still pumped out anoter 6 oz all after soaking a cloth napkin! ). I hope this goes away soon... I'm tired of the pain!

[unlegal]

I got a script for ABX, too. I had the worst night's sleep, with a fever, chills, aches, a headache, sore throat, runny nose, and I was sweating to bad I soaked my side of the bed. My lump is still getting bigger, and they said if it doesn't go down some by tomorrow, I have to go get a culture.

:

[danna]

Good to hear you two are starting medication and hopefully on your way to recovery.

I have to look into Selenium. I already take a bunch of Magnesium with my Calcium everyday. How much Selenium, btw?

[mykidsteacher]

My selenium caps are 50 mcg. I just take one a day when I first feel a clog starting.

[danna]

Originally Posted by mykidsteacher

My selenium caps are 50 mcg. I just take one a day when I first feel a clog starting.

Thank you!

[unlegal]

Linz, are the antibiotics working for you yet? I'm getting worse and worse, and only online bc my 6 week old is crying and likes to rock in this chair. I feel like death, and I can't stop bursting into tears. :

[RootSnort]

Originally Posted by unlegal

Linz, are the antibiotics working for you yet? I'm getting worse and worse, and only online bc my 6 week old is crying and likes to rock in this chair. I feel like death, and I can't stop bursting into tears. :

What did they give you? It can take up to 72 hours for you to really feel better, but they should have done the culture before they started the antibiotics. I hope you start to feel better super-fast!

[unlegal]

Originally Posted by RootSnort

What did they give you? It can take up to 72 hours for you to really feel better, but they should have done the culture before they started the antibiotics. I hope you start to feel better super-fast!

She was hoping it was just mastitis, and not abscessed, but now I'm going to get a culture and have them drain it tomorrow...

I was given Cephalexin 500 1 cap 4 x daily. I've just gone so downhill. My BP is low, and I'm dizzy, aching, with chills and a fever. Hopefully, things will start getting better tomorrow. This is just rotten.

And thank you

[RachelGS]

If you have staph, that antibiotic won't work. If you're still getting worse, ask for a different antibiotic. Clindamycin was what finally did it for me. It's worth getting the culture, for sure, but it takes a few days to grow out the cells, and you need to be treated in the meantime. They should give you something MRSA-receptive in case that's what's going on, which is a likely scenario if you're still worsening on Keflex. Also, seriously, take a tremendous amount of vitamin C. I can't quite believe how much that helps. I was sick for 6 months before I learned that.

[sewmom]

Have you tried massaging Vick's Vapor Rub into your breast? That really helps clear the ducts.