Is this a breast infection?

[MilkTrance]

I woke up at 4 a.m. and I was freezing cold, I was shaking violently and all that I could do to keep myself warm was have extremely hot showers. My left breast felt hard as a rock and was hot and sore. I fed off of it, tried to drain it, and it hurt soooooo much. It still hurts. I also had a fever and a killer headache and various aches and pains.

I'm wondering whether this is a breast infection. "Go see your doctor" isn't really a response I want because everything I read on the internet about treatment for breast infections involves antibiotics and I do NOT want to go that route unless it is absolutely necessary.

[sanguine_speed]

I just had a breast infection and it sounds eerily similar to what you describe. I'd say "go see a doctor" but you don't want me too .

[AlmostAPpropriate]

You could try the vit c saturation thing and see if it works. Frankly, Im dealing with mastitis right now for the first time and I cant imagine living with it one second longer than necessary. Also, if it gets too far you might set yourself up for surgical intervention.

[nadia105]

Yep, sounds like mastitis. I've got it too, but a milder case than the last time I had it, thank goodness. Mothering's March/April issue this year had some things you could do before trying antibiotics: raw grated potato (remove once warm), cold cabbage leaves (remove once warm), use WishGarden Herbs's Mastitis Remedy (had never heard of this, but sounds good). The biggest things are heat (the hot shower and massaging you did is good) and trying to get the breast really drained, it can help to have baby's chin pointed toward the spot that is the most sore.

I hate to say it, but if the shakes and fever were that bad, you may need the abx to clear it up. Maybe call your doc or m/w and have them call in a prescription for you and ask for a time frame of how long you can wait before going that route.

[Bellejar]

yes,

That was about when I went to the ER, the shaking violently time... They had to give me IV antibiotics and I was also somewhat dehydrated so it sucked all around. My blood pressure was crazy low until about 30 minutes on an IV. (I don't want to alarm you, but you should call your primary and see if they will give you an antibiotic over the phone). My midwife did that for me the other 2x I had an infection. Finally I realized that wearing an unstructured bra was causing me oversupply leading to the infection in the first place. I hope you feel better, drink plenty of fluids regardless of what you do.

[loriforeman]

i've had mastitis many times...and it's horrible. if it doesn't clear up, it can lead to an abscess.

treatment...as much as it sucks...is to have the little one nurse as much as possible. ALL the time...suck that nastiness right out of there.

i will say that...there WAS once when i now wish i had gone and gotten antibiotics. my 106 temp left my new daughter deaf...and that can never be fixed. that one was an abscess...and i can VIVIDLY remember popping it and cleaning it out myself...all the thick, green pus coming out my nipple...the pain...more pus...and then blood. no phone, no vehicle...and by myself with an 18-month-old child. NOT a good memory.

[MilkTrance]

omg you guys, I'm so scared of antibiotics...

You are right, I am going to see someone (if not my doc then emerg.) tomorrow...

will taking abx affect my immunity?

[loriforeman]

Originally Posted by MilkTrance

omg you guys, I'm so scared of antibiotics...

You are right, I am going to see someone (if not my doc then emerg.) tomorrow...

will taking abx affect my immunity?

not taking them once, it shouldn't.

i don't like taking anything, either...but sometimes, just every now and then...out bodies need a little help.

[AlmostAPpropriate]

Start taking a good probiotic now too or upping your dose if you do already. Im taking my abx at 8 and 2 oclock (4xda) and my probiotics at 6 & 12, double dose.

I also started on soy lecethin to help the milk move more easity, cant remember where I heard that but figure it cant hurt.

[MilkTrance]

Thanks, I really appreciate your support.

Doc put me on Cloxacillin

[MrsAngelic]

Send someone to the herb shop for you and get some marshmallow root, boil it and use it for hot compresses. I have had mastitis 5 times (usually comes on when I'm trying to do to much or something very stressful happens) and this has worked better and faster than the antibiotics, started feeling better the same day as opposed to the antibiotics that took 3-4 days to start making a difference. To nurse mostly on the sore side and massage a little helps too. Feel better!