NOT CANCER (likely MRSA/staph, though)

[carrie24]

Original Post:
Okay, I've been struggling w/what I thought was Mastitis but now I'm reading about IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer) being mistaken for a breast infection in nursing moms. Anybody else ever get mastitis in armpit?
Thought I could upload a pic (like on diaperswappers)??? Anyway, I can email a photo or two if anyone really want to see.

There are about 5 or 6 large red swollen nodules plus a few
pimple-y looking things in my LEFT ARMPIT. I do have a history of mastitis w/baby#1 but this time (baby#2) i've been fine. I don't wear underwires or tight tanks. I've *never* had anything like THIS!

6/24 UPDATE: I am getting a biopsy tommorrow. *sigh* IBC is the most aggressive and misdiagnosed form of breast cancer. It comes on very fast and is easily mistaken for other things. In fact, my OB/GYN tried to say it was from shaving and then laughed and said "you don't get breast cancer in your armpit"... what an idiot. Even I know there's breast tissue/ducts in your armpit (and her Phys. Asst. knew it, too). No one @my OB'soffice has ever seen anything like this. I'm praying for a non-resistant staff infection at this point (had a nasty staph infection in finger about a month ago). I have a 3yr old boy & a 3mo old BFing girl.

6/26 UPDATE: Yesterday I saw the breast surgeon. He says NOT CANCER! *big sigh*
But took a sample to culture for MRSA or other staff/strep infection. I will update next week when culture is complete. ITM, I'm in PAIN and NOT getting better. Was put on Dicloxycillian. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF HAVING MRSA OR TAKING ANTIBIOTICS REDUCES MILK SUPPLY? IT SURE DOES SEEM LIKE I'M LOW. MAYBE IT'S JUST BCZ DD IS ALMOST 4 MO OLD & GROWING? Still definitley not out of the woods. Probably MRSA per symptoms... giant boils under my armpit, occassional fevers, previous staph-like infection. worried.

[bscal]

I just happened to see this as the last post to this area. I have had recurrent problems with plugged ducts and mastitis in my armpit. I asked my OB/GYN about it and also met with my LLL Leader b/c I was having a really difficult time preventing more plugged ducts in that exact same spot. In my specific case it was right where the end of an underwire on my bra was. I don't wear underwire bras anymore unless DH and I are going out for the evening and then I take it off immediately. That end of the underwire was compressing on a milk duct that is right in my armpit. Once I stopped wearing underwire bras (except, like I mentioned for a few hours on date night) I had NO further problems. That was with my 2nd child... I am now nursing my 3rd child, he's 15 mos old and I have never had a problem with plugged ducts in the armpit with him.

While I would suggest checking with your doctor and expressing your concerns about missing something like IBC you might want to switch to a more comfortable nursing bra and see if that helps.

Beth

[DocsNemesis]

Yep, I've had mastitis in my armpits, particularly one-probably because I have a growth there surrounded by breastissue. It bites

[MommaShark]

Before giving birth I had a ball the size of a golfball in my armpit - doc thought it was cancer ....it was milk....hurt like heck and couldn't put my arm down - it went away.......

[shanti1]

i swear if i had a nipple under my left arm i cout nurse from my armpit. honestly, aside from my sister i'd never known anyone else that had THAT much of a problem w/armpit breast tissue...besides me. it did go away for the very brief couple of months that i wasn't pregnant or nursing (only 3 months) but came back as soon as i peed on the stick w/#2. still there...still could nurrse from ther if it had a nipple.

[carrie24]

could use some support/help

:bumpsign:

[mum5]

Hi therte Carrie, Just saw your post and wanted to give some support.

I don't know anything about this type of cancer, as it may or may not be, or mastitis but I do have experience w/ biopsies and getting an incorrect diagnosis of cancer after the biopsy results came in.

It was a terrible time for me , and I sincerely hope that everything works out for you.
Is it at all possible for you to go and see another OB?
I would also make sure that you get copies of the biopsy report and then go and see another ( hopefully highly recommeneded OB ) and talk to them and show them the pathology report also.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[carrie24]

help anyone??

<<< got it right this time!

[LaurieG]

Thinking of you

Wondering how the biopsy went and when you might have some answers.

Lots of

[MaryJaneLouise]

Of course you have breast tissue and milk ducts into your armpit. And yes you CAN get either mastitis, or breast cancer of any kind, in your arm pit. Get a new doctor.

on the biopsy and keep us up to date.

[carrie24]

[GooeyRN]

Your OB doesn't sound too smart. I am glad it isn't cancer! I hope you get it cleared up soon.

[MaryJaneLouise]

Antibiotics don't typically reduce your supply. Stress can though.

It might just be that your breasts feel less full as your body regulates supply & demand, that is typical around this time. If your LO isn't gaining well, check the "low milk supply" stickie at the top of this forum.

Good luck, I hope your infection responds to the antibx.

[RootSnort]

Mastitis, or even just a plugged duct, can reduce your supply. The good news is, once you get that plug cleared, frequent draining of the breast, by nursing or pumping, will allow you to bring your supply back, though it may take a few weeks.
If this is common bacterial mastitis, the dicloxacillin should do the trick. Are you also using non-pharmacological methods, such as massage and frequent emptying (or attempted emptying, in some cases) of the breast?
Keep us posted!

[wytchywoman]

Not nursing now, but I am recovering from a MRSA infection in my arm ( about half way between my arm pit and my elbow) that started off with boil like thingys in my armpit. Yours sure sounds like MRSA to me. FWIW, I have been off of antibiotics for almost a week now and so far so good. I have never heard of antibiotics reducing supply but I suppose it's possible. You also have to account for your body wroking really hard to clear up an infection to, and I would think that could imact your supply as well.

[MaryJaneLouise]

Here's some good info about staph/MRSA from Dr. Thomas Hale's web site:

http://66.230.33.248/discus/messages/40/3128.html

http://66.230.33.248/discus/messages/40/12590.html

Here's the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine's protocol for mastitis infections:

http://www.bfmed.org/ace-files/proto...stitis4rev.pdf



If this link doesn't work for you go to:

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