Recurrent mastitis/plugged ducts

sefferj

Anyone else experience recurrent mastitis/plugged ducts? I'm recovering from my most recent (and worst yet) bout of mastitis now. I have probably had about 8 episodes in the last 2.5 months. I have only had fever/chills about 4 of those times. The other episodes of mastitis/plugged ducts were pretty mild and I only experienced breast tenderness/redness and mild body aches. Anyway, I'm trying to wean (very slowly) and I developed mastitis Monday night. I saw a lactation consultant on Tuesday morning who recommended adding the supplement of lecithin since I'm having recurrent episodes. Has anyone tried lecithin? And does anyone have any other advice on how to prevent future infections? My son is down to 4 feeding a day (he's about 11 months old) and my goal is to wean over 8 weeks. Thanks in advance!!

SnoopyLuv

Lecithin really works. I take 3 pills three times a day when I have a clog.

Have they tried different antibiotics? Or do they keep giving you the same one?

HappytobeMrs

I'm in the same boat and trying to figure out what to do. I currently take lecithin once a day but might try 3x to see if that helps.

sefferj

Thanks ladies. I have actually never been placed on antibiotics. As soon as I start with symptoms (fever/chills) I empty my breast as much as possible, then ice and take ibuprofen. At that point my fever/chills persist for only a few hours and then breaks. It's bad though, because for a couple days afterwards my breast is red and super sore. Then I get some nasty looking yellow thick milk from the affected duct. I saw a lactation consultant with this last episode and she said that since I'm able to empty the breast, the infection is able to subside on its own. I'm definitely going to try the lecithin though, anything to help!