Plugged Duct/Mastitis Vent

[BrooklynDoula]

Anyone else been challenged with repeated plugged ducts and mastitis. With ds1 I had no issues and nursed for 3 years. I had ds2 in May 2007 and in June 2007 I got mastitis. I got it again 3 weeks ago. Now I woke up this morning with a plugged duct that is turning into mastitis again. Argggg. I am super annoyed by this. Since I intend to nurse ds2 until he is at least 2 (same goal I had with ds1), having mastitis 3 times in less than a year is so disheartening. Everything I read says that some women just get it more and once you get the plugged ducts you are more likely to get them again.

Anyhow I am hear to vent and see if misery truely does love company.

[leerypolyp]

I didn't have a plugged duct problem, but have a friend who did. She found lecithin supplements to be really helpful.

Is it the same area getting plugged again and again, or all over?

[BrooklynDoula]

Originally Posted by leerypolyp

I didn't have a plugged duct problem, but have a friend who did. She found lecithin supplements to be really helpful.

Is it the same area getting plugged again and again, or all over?

Saem breast but different places.

[leerypolyp]

Well, so I guess it probably isn't one thing like a sling or a bra pressing on the same spot, huh?

Have you considered the lecithin? Here's the kellymom page:
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vi.../lecithin.html

[Limabean1975]

I have a recurring plugged duct and milk blister issue. Only twice has it turned near mastitis, thankfully. I've been struggling with this for over 2 years now. Here is what I've learned:

-Lecithin supplements REALLY help to *prevent*. Take 1200mg once a day.

-WHen you are plugged, use warm compresses (though with mastitis go ahead and ice and take ibuprofen!), self-massage, and nurse nurse nurse (even though it's killing you) on that side - but don't neglect the other side!

-Triggers for me:
1. stress - I seem to get them everytime I'm planning a long car trip (which is once every couple of months and I get all worked up about packing everything and remembering everything and the drive).
2. Saturated fats in my diet (When I've eaten excessive amounts of bacon, or Christmas treats, or restaurant food).

And here's a good one, totally unproven, but I think the more red wine I drink the less it happens.

check out kellymom.com and www.drjacknewman.com for alot of different things you can try. Try not to get overwhelmed with all the information, just pick and choose what appeals to you.

[BrooklynDoula]

I'm a doula so I have read all the possible triggers and the possible solutions, although the red wine suggestion is new to me and I quite like it It's not a bag or a sling (I teach babywearing classes so I have 25+ carriers and I switich him around a bunch). It doesn't even seem to be stress or anything - they seem to always come on when I actually feel relaxed and well rested and fine. It's always when I have been with my baby a lot, nursing regularly and such.

I haven't tried the lecithin although I suppose it is time to do that. I have to do ice or cold water because hot water on my plugged ducts has really made them worse so far. I've used homeopathic treatments for the mastitis with success. This plugged duct has thus far not gone to mastitis, which I feel lucky about!

Thanks for the support. Off to get drunk

[Carita]

I had a repeat problem like this. My doc suggested I try a mix of 1% hydrocortisone and antifungal on my finger and put a little on. It worked! I don't know what was going on - no yeast signs or anything, but it seemed like the pore had become inflamed and was causing the repeat plugged duct/possibly mastitis, then the breast was inflamed and causing some problems in other ducts/pres as well? Homeopathic treatments got rid of it, but could not prevent it. I am not sure why, but this treatment kicked it in the butt - TG!

HTH!

[RachelGS]

Increase your vitamin C! High dose vitamin C can shut down mastitis, but an increased daily dose can help keep you from getting it in the first place. I suffered with chronic mastitis for six months and this was the single best thing I found.

[BrooklynDoula]

I take about 2000-3000 mgs of C already. This time around I manged to get rid of the plugged duct without getting mastitis! It was so great!

Thanks everyone.

[kristinseto]

okay, my babe is 4 weeks old and i have my first plugged duct.
how do i know if it has turned into mastisis?

[BrooklynDoula]

If you get flu-like symptoms (aches, chills, fever, zero energy, etc). You should put yourself on bedrest asap to help get over the plugged duct and not get mastitis.

[puffingirl]

I've had the same issues. The lecithin was the only thing that did the trick. If I'm feeling a little "plugged" I take up to 3 (1200 mg each) capsules in a day, 2 a day for an additional few days after feeling better and then my usual 1 x/day after that. I get them at the health food store and they're pretty inexpensive.