Opinions: Mastitis with non-classic symptoms?

[Novella]

Hey there Mamas,

Please weigh in: do I have mastitis?

Background:
Had my only bout (ever) in November 2007. Had gotten a bad sinus cold/infection and was sick for several days. Got classic mastitis symptoms of hot breast with red spot and firm lump inside. Right breast. There had been a plugged duct about 5 days before. Treated with abx.

Now:
Left breast. Have had another bad sinus cold/infection that kept me home from work for three days (unusual for me!). Breast feels warm on outside, over a larger area. Is painful somewhat just internally and more painful to palpate. Pain extends into the underarm a bit. No discernable lump. No prior plugged duct. No fever. No redness on breast. Not nearly as painful as last time, but I am wondering if I just caught onto it earlier this time. Similar to last time, it started when I thought I was getting over the sinus sickness. I slept like I was drugged from 9am - 4pm yesterday (after having slept all night and woke only b/c I was woken up for sometime). The dizziness and "druggy/spacey" feeling I had upon waking are similar to the last time I got mastitis.

Not thrush - I've had that >1yr ago and know what it feels like.

[JamieCatheryn]

Sure sounds like it is to me.

[blueridgewoman]

I suspect so. And I'm guessing that if you left it alone, you'd probably come down with the classical fever/chill combo.

Oddly, I always know I'm getting it when I get really emotional and spacy feeling.

[EllaBellaBaby]

If you catch it early enough you can for sure have some but not all the classic symptoms. I'd definately call in or go be seen and REST REST REST, Mama! That is the number one best thing you can do for it till you get an rx!! Hope you're feeling better soon!

[RachelGS]

Yep. That happened to me over and over and over, and I am definitely most vulnerable to mastitis when I am sick with something else. My best remedy (and I've done everything from homeopathics to IV antibiotics) is high-dose vitamin C over several days. That will knock out almost any brewing mastitis for me. Homeopathic phytolacca is also a great tool, and I use IP-6 & Insositol and olive leaf extract for immune support.