Mastitis?

danabelle

I woke up yesterday with what I thought was a clogged duct and it resolved itself last night after regular nursing and massage/hot compresses.  I woke up this morning with the same issue in the other breast.  Around 11am, I got a terrible headache and began feeling weak and achey with chills (I don't have sneezing, runny nose, or any other cold symptoms).  I just took my temperature and it's at 100.3.  It looks like I may have some red streaking on one side of my breast.  I'm reading Kellymom.com and it sounds like mastitis. 

Should I call my regular doctor? Thank you!

charlotteL

I would say to call your OB.  They will give you some antibiotics and you will feel better in a day or so.  Then may not even need you to come in.  I hope you feel better.

danabelle

charlotteL:

I would say to call your OB.  They will give you some antibiotics and you will feel better in a day or so.  Then may not even need you to come in.  I hope you feel better.

Thank you very much! I called my OB and they are calling in a prescription for me.  I can't believe I made it to 13.5 months without getting it; I hope it goes away soon.  Argh!

ucalum93

Oh wow.  I always associated it with the early months for some reason, but I guess it can happen any time.  By any chance have you recently dropped any feedings or been nursing any less?  C recently dropped one and I have noticed the beginnings of a plugged duct or two.  Even though I got rid of them before they were a problem, I am wondering if I shouldn't be on the lookout down the road as we drop feedings.

Feel better soon and be sure to get some probiotics to go along with those antibiotics.

danabelle

ucalum93:

Oh wow.  I always associated it with the early months for some reason, but I guess it can happen any time.  By any chance have you recently dropped any feedings or been nursing any less?  C recently dropped one and I have noticed the beginnings of a plugged duct or two.  Even though I got rid of them before they were a problem, I am wondering if I shouldn't be on the lookout down the road as we drop feedings.

Feel better soon and be sure to get some probiotics to go along with those antibiotics.

Yes...we'd dropped a feeding and then added it back in recently, as DD is going through separation anxiety and wants to nurse more often for comfort.  I've had a handful of clogged ducts, but never mastitis...until now.  I do need to look into taking probiotics; I'm not a big fan of antibiotics, and my doctor prescribed one that does secrete into milk.  Any recs?

ucalum93

danabelle:

ucalum93:

Oh wow.  I always associated it with the early months for some reason, but I guess it can happen any time.  By any chance have you recently dropped any feedings or been nursing any less?  C recently dropped one and I have noticed the beginnings of a plugged duct or two.  Even though I got rid of them before they were a problem, I am wondering if I shouldn't be on the lookout down the road as we drop feedings.

Feel better soon and be sure to get some probiotics to go along with those antibiotics.

Yes...we'd dropped a feeding and then added it back in recently, as DD is going through separation anxiety and wants to nurse more often for comfort.  I've had a handful of clogged ducts, but never mastitis...until now.  I do need to look into taking probiotics; I'm not a big fan of antibiotics, and my doctor prescribed one that does secrete into milk.  Any recs?

I've used this brand in the past for acidopholus, but our pediatrician recently turned us onto the reuteri version.  https://www.thefindgreen.com/beauty/info-primadophilus-reuteri-pearls.  These are nice as they are shelf stable. I saw them recently at Central Market.

Our pediatrician recently turned me onto the reuteri vs. acidophilus which I was familiar with for C to help with some constipation due to his gut getting out of balance from his reflux meds. For this, I went with the specific brand of drops for little one's she recommended but they do have tablets, gum and lozenges for adults and kids old enough to chew them safely. These need to be ordered through a pharmacy,but are not a prescription.  It takes 2 days for my pharmacy to get them in. https://www.biogaia.com/Page/Standard/20/Immune-Health.aspx

 

 

ccc'swife

Having had this three times, yes ma'am, that is definitely mastitis.  It sucks.  It feels like a milder version of the flu because it comes on pretty quickly and makes you feel like crap.

Just call your OB and describe your symptoms, and they should prescribe you an antibiotic over the phone (mine gives me Dicloxicyllin, or some spelling of that).  It will make you feel better SO quickly, but be sure to take all 7 (or 10, depending) days of the meds or you won't get rid of the infection.  Also, go ahead and take 2-3 Tylenol or Advil to help with the pain and aches.  And REST!!!  That is one of the most important things to help clear it up.  Rest and fluids. 

Hope you feel better soon.  I know how much it stinks

ccc'swife

ucalum93:

Oh wow.  I always associated it with the early months for some reason, but I guess it can happen any time.  By any chance have you recently dropped any feedings or been nursing any less?  C recently dropped one and I have noticed the beginnings of a plugged duct or two.  Even though I got rid of them before they were a problem, I am wondering if I shouldn't be on the lookout down the road as we drop feedings.

Feel better soon and be sure to get some probiotics to go along with those antibiotics.

Ucalum, this is always what I thought, too!  I got it at the beginning of nursing when Char was a teeny tiny, then was fine until about three months ago.  I started getting a bunch of plugged ducts, then got mastitis twice within a month and a half, and this was just recently!  My ob/gyn and the pedi told me it's likely because a) Char has a ton more bacteria in her mouth since she's crawling (has been since 8 months), and then she puts her hands in her mouth, and then it gets on my boobs....and b) I just may be more susceptible to infections like that.  Sucky, huh?

kjr

I hope you feel better soon.  I am suffering from this, too!  It came on yesterday late afternoon/early evening.  I was shocked at how fast it hit me and made me feel SO crappy. 

I am going to the dr. this afternoon!